!

YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY Gift of
Oscar F. Soule

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

A MEMORIAL RECORD

OF

ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY

NEW YORK.

ILLUSTRATED.

EDITED BY GATES CURTIS.

SYRACUSE, N. Y.:
D. MASON & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS.
1894.

PREFACE.

ORDINARILY the history of a place or town commences with the
adventurer or pioneer who grapples with the difficulties pre
sented, the events of which become fixed in his memory and thus come
down in traditional form to be recorded by the historian.
The essential prerequisite of a rational patriotism is an intelligent
acquaintance with the history of one's country. To supply the means
of making that acquaintance is the cherished object of this work.
Hence the manifest interest of our citizens demands a clearer record of
the early days of this part of Northern New York than we now possess.
Therefore, in the following pages it is designed to give a complete
narrative — in as few words and as simple form as possible — chrono
logically arranged, relating to the discovery of America; of the St.
Lawrence River ; of the chain of Great Lakes and of the Father of
Waters; together with the conflicts between the French, English and
natives, in the settlements along the shores of these waters ; also a brief
sketch of the character, habits and religious views of the aborigines;
but more particularly the names, occupancy, changes, organizations,
and progress of the civil and religious bodies of the county of St. Law
rence from its first settlement up to the present time. It is our pur
pose to avoid all dry discussions and documentary array, yet to
preserve and perpetuate, as far as possible, the history of the most
important events arid some of the quaint sayings of the pioneers who
had such a controlling influence in shaping the destiny and moulding
the character of this people.

6 PREFACE.
For the historical part of this work a large amount of valuable infor
mation was selected from the French war records, from Hough's
history of St. Lawrence county, and the works of many other eminent
writers were used so far as applicable to this work.
With a due acknowledgment for these historical facts thus selected;
for the "Judiciary," the bench and bar of the county by Judge Tappan;
for the valuable information of the religious bodies of the county fur
nished by the various church clerks ; and for the many incidents of
interest, not heretofore published, given by our venerable and esteemed
citizens, thanks are hereby tendered.
With a consciousness that the greatest vigilance cannot wholly ex
clude errors and faults, and trusting to the charity of a generous public,
this work is respectfully submitted.
Gates Curtis.
Ogdensburg, May i, 1894.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION.
The Beginnings of History — The History of the First Discoveries of the Western
Continent Buried in Conjecture — The Rediscovery by Columbus — Importance
of the French Occupation — Plan of this Work  17
CHAPTER I.
DISCOVERY OF THE WESTERN CONTINENT.
Pre-Columbian Discoveries — Irish Discovery — -Chinese Discovery — Norse Dis
covery — Arabian Discovery — Welsh Discovery — Other Discoveries — Final
Discovery by Columbus — Difficulties Encountered by Columbus — His Final
Fate  19
CHAPTER II,
THE ABORIGINES.
Pre-historic Inhabitants of the Western Continent — The Aborigines and their
Great Divisions — The Iroquois — The Esquimaux — The Destiny of the Red
Man  27
CHAPTER III.
FRENCH DISCOVERY OF THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER.
French Explorations — Jacques Cartier — Discovery of the St. Lawrence — Hoche-
laga — Lord Roberval's Expedition — Grant to Aylmar de Chastes — Samuel
Champlain — Sieur de Monts at Acadia — Pont-Greve and Poutrincourt — Ex
pedition of Champlain and Indian Allies against the Iroquois — The First
Bloodshed — The Establishment of Montreal — Champlain's Trip to the North
west — Arrival of Catholic Missionaries and their Explorations — The Company
of New France — Champlain's Labors and Sacrifices — La Galette — Origin of
the Name — Voyageurs — Occupation of La Galette as a Station— Existing
Evidences of Early Occupation of the Locality — Frontenac's Expedition —
Mention of La Galette by De la Barre — Other Allusions to the Place — "It
Takes the Cake."  31

8 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IV.
THE OLD REGIME.
Condition of the Colonies in 1659 — Hochelaga and its Occupation — Contrast be
tween the Montreal of that Period and that of To-day — The Old Spinner —
The Company of the West and its Efforts — Importations of Women — The
Seignorial Grants — Stringent Rules of the Church — Intemperance — Divine
Chastisement — Spirit of Discovery — De la Salle and his Western Expedi
tion — Paucity of English Posts of Occupation  47
CHAPTER V.
CONFLICTING INTERESTS.
Jesuit Enterprise — Alarm of the English — Conflicting Claims and Measures —
Washington's Mission to the Ohio Valley — Fort Duquesne — Washington at
Fort Necessity — General Braddock's Expedition — Vigorous Movements of
the French — Father Piquet at La Gallette — His Successful Establishment —
His Report Concerning the Location — French Industry in Founding Estab
lishments for Civilizing the Indians — The English Awakened to Action — Eng
lish Endeavors to Secure an Alliance with the Indians — Piquet's Improvements
at La Galette  55
CHAPTER VI.
ENGLISH SUPREMACY.
Campaign of 1758 — Campaign of 1759— Campaign of 1760 — Military Operations
in the Vicinity of La Galette— Capture of the Post by the English — Treaty of
Paris — Failure of French Hopes — Piquet's Departure  65
CHAPTER VII.
ENGLISH POSSESSION.
La Galette Improved by the English — Name Changed to Oswegatchie — The In
dian Village of La. Galette — The Revolutionary Period — English Possession of
Oswegatchie after the Declaration of Peace—Its Unimportance During the
War — The Expedition of Lieutenants McClelland and Hardenburgh  The
¦ Boy Soldier and the Indian — Isaac Wells's Description of Oswegatchie in 1796
— Land Leases from the Indians and the English — Mohawks' Surrender of
Lands— The Ten Townships .Surveyed and Mapped on the South Side of the
St. Lawrence— Trartsfer of Lands— Samuel Ogden and his Purchase— Nathan
Ford — His arrival at Oswegatchie  yo

CONTENTS. 9
CHAPTER VIII.
SETTLEMENT COMMENCED.
Nathan Ford's Occupation of Oswegatchie — His Labors and Difficulties— Saw Mill
Erected— Canadian Squatters— The American Hotel— Erection of Grist Mill
— Mr. Ford's Financial Embarrassments  89
CHAPTER IX.
THE PIONEER'S EXPERIENCE.
Pioneer Methods— Equipment for Pioneer Life — The Shanty — Clearing of Land —
Construction of Log Houses — Food of Pioneers — Wild Animals — Description
of Pioneer Houses — The Dutch Chimney— Lumber and Black Salts — Pioneer
Social Life  97
CHAPTER X.
ERECTION OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Causes Leading to the Organization of St. Lawrence County — The Erection Act —
Name — Rivers — Lakes — Geology and Mineralogy — Mineral Waters, etc. —
Analysis of Water from Various Sources — Soil and Timber — County Officers
Appointed — County Clerk's Office Building — First National Celebration — Lo
cation of County Seat — The First Court House — Hasbrouck's House — The
State Road  106
CHAPTER XI.
WAR OF 1812 TO 1815.
Causes of the War — Mr. Ford's Letter upon the Prospect — Militia Called Out to
Enforce the Embargo Act — Events of the War at Ogdensburg— A Zealous
Sentinel — Bombardment of the British in 1812 — Sacking of the Village in
1813 — General Wilkinson's Expedition  '  136
CHAPTER XII.
AFTER THE DECLARATION OF PEACE.
Ogdensburg after the Declaration of Peace — President Monroe's Visit— Removal
of the Public Buildings — Description of the Buildings — The New Jail— "Jail
Liberties" — Destruction of the Court House by Fire — Measures for the Erec
tion of a New One — Description of the Building— The New County Clerk's
Office — The Poorhouse and Asylum — Statistics of the County's Charities  152

10 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIII.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
Various Plans for Internal Navigation — State Roads^- Plank Roads — Steamboat
Navigation — Marine Railway — The Northern Transportation Company — The
Ogdensburg Transit Company — Port of Transfer — The Northern Railroad —
The Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad — The Uticaand Black River.
Railroad — The Gouverneur and Oswegatchie Railroad — Street Railway  163
CHAPTER XIV.
THE PATRIOT WAR OF 1837-40.
Cause of the Uprising — Meetings. Open and Secret — Seizure of the Sir Robert Peel
— The Two Mysterious Schooners — Connection of the United States with the
Affair — Her Seizure — Arrival of United States Troops — Statement of Stephen
S. Wright — Futile Attempts of Ogdensburgers to Relieve the Patriots — Their
Surrender — Animosity of the Canadians — The Affair of the Schooner G. S.
Weeks  .-  180
CHAPTER XV.
WAR OF THE REBELLION, 1861-65.
The First War Meeting — Captain Nevin's Company — Other Companies — Various
Organizations Containing St. Lawrence County Representatives — Drafts —
Bounties — Confederate Raids from Canada — Major General Dix's Order —
Ogdensburg Home Guards — The Fenian Movement — Ogdensburg a Center of
Active Operations — Misunderstanding Regarding the Strength of the Move
ment  196
CHAPTER XVI.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, SOCIETIES, CIVIL LIST, STATISTICS, ETC.
Telegraph Lines and Companies — Telephone Line — St. Lawrence State Hospital —
Agricultural Societies — Dairymen's Association and Boards of Trade — Civil
List — Statistics of Population  209
CHAPTER XVII.
CLOSE COMMUNION, OR SECRET SOCIETIES.
Lodges of Free and Accepted Masons — Royal Arch Masonry — Knights Templar 
Scottish Rite — Order of the Eastern Star — Odd Fellowship — Grand Army of
the Republic — Benevolent Organizations — Knights of Labor — Grangers. 224

CONTENTS. 11
CHAPTER XVIII.
ANCIENT RELICS.
Evidences in St. Lawrence County of Pre-historic Occupation — Trench Enclosures
— Mound near Ogdensburg — Nature andUsesof Implements Found — Theories
Concerning the Mound Builders  237
CHAPTER XIX.
THE COURTS, THE BENCH AND THE BAR OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Origin of our State Laws — The Original Courts — The Court of Appeals — The Su
preme Court — Justices of the Fourth Judicial District — Court of Common
Pleas — Judges and Justices of the Court of 'Common Pleas — The County
Court — County Judges -The Surrogate's Court — District Attorneys — Sheriffs
— Biographical  243
CHAPTER XX.
ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY MEDICAL PROFESSION.
Organization of the St. Lawrence County Medical Society — Reorganization of
Same — List of Presidents of the Society — List of Resident and Non-Resident
Members — St. Lawrence Homoeopathic Medical Society — Medical Association
of Northern New York — Biographies  284
CHAPTER XXI.
THE TOWN OF LISBON  321
CHAPTER XXII.
THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE  325
CHAPTER XXXIII.
THE TOWN OF MADRID  391
CHAPTER XXIV
THE TOWN OF MASSENA  404
CHAPTER XXV.
THE TOWN OF HOPKINTON  417

12 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE TOWN OF CANTON  423
CHAPTER XXVII.
THE TOWN OF POTSDAM  462
CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE TOWN OF DE KA.LB  504
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE TOWN OF STOCKHOLM  518
CHAPTER XXX.
THE TOWN OF RUSSELL  526
CHAPTER XXXI.
THE TOWN OF LOUISVILLE  533
CHAPTER XXXII.
THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR  541
CHAPTER XXXIII.
THE TOWN OF ROSSIE  584
CHAPTER XXXIV.
THE TOWN OF PARISHVILLE  595
CHAPTER XXXV
THE TOWN OF FOWLER  599
CHAPTER XXXVI.
THE TOWN OF PIERREPONT  607
CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE TOWN OF MORRISTOWN  el4

CONTENTS. 13
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
THE TOWN OF NORFOLK  623
CHAPTER XXXIX.
THE TOWN OF BRASHER  631
CHAPTER XL.
THE TOWN OF DEPEYSTER  640
CHAPTER XLI.
THE TOWN OF HAMMOND  651
CHAPTER XLII.
THE TOWN OF EDWARDS  661
CHAPTER XLIII.
THE TOWN OF LAWRENCE  669
CHAPTER XLIV.
THE TOWN OF HERMON  678
CHAPTER XLV.
THE TOWN OF PITCAIRN  685
CHAPTER XLVI.
THE TOWN OF MACOMB  688

CHAPTER XLVII.
THE TOWN OF COLTON  694
CHAPTER XLVIII.
THE TOWN OF FINE  ,  698
CHAPTER XLIX.
THE TOWN OF WADDINGTON  701

14 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER L.
THE TOWN OF CLIFTON  713
CHAPTER LI.
THE TOWN OF CLARE  715
ADDENDA  716

PART II.
BIOGRAPHIES   1-66

PART III.
PERSONAL SKETCHES  1-354

INDEXES.
INDEX TO PART I  355-366
INDEX TO PART II   367
INDEX TO PART III  368-372

PART I.

HISTORICAL.

HISTORY

OF

St. Lawrence County.

INTRODUCTION.

The Beginnings of History — The History of the First Discoveries of the Western
Continent Buried in Conjecture — The Rediscovery by Columbus — Importance of the
French Occupation — Plan of this Work.
IN studying the history of any people it is very interesting to learn of
their beginnings and the circumstances under which they were
brought into notice, as well as of the political powers by which they were
sustained or governed. The books of Moses, however, open with the
simple statement that " In the beginning God created the heavens and
the earth ; " but no where in the Holy Writ can we learn how remote
the " beginning " was from any age of the world known to science or
history. Yet all things temporal had a beginning, but it is not always
that a minute or correct history with dates of origin can be furnished.
In such cases theory and conjecture must take the place of facts.
The history of the Western Continent virtually began with its acci
dental discovery by the restless and roving Norsemen in the tenth cent
ury of the Christian era. They settled and occupied a portion of the
eastern shore, more or less, for nearly five hundred years, without learn
ing its extent and true value, or publishing their discovery to the world.
During this period (the dark ages), society in the Old World was very
much unsettled by the unfriendly feelings and jealousy existing between
3

18 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
the petty nations of Europe. Property, life, and female honor were ex
posed to daily risk from tyrants and marauders. Even the pious monks
and the monastic institutions were unable to supply a refuge inaccessible
to cruelty and licentiousness. Therefore, during such a period of wick
edness and uncertainty in the religious and political affairs of the coun
try, it was not to be expected that the people would be sufficiently en
lightened to undertake to navigate unknown seas in search of new con
tinents. At length the darkness which had so long enveloped the minds of
men began to give way to the influence of Christianity and the light of
science, enabling the people to solve the problems of astronomy and
navigation. The earth was no longer believed to be flat, but a sphere,
and the theory was advanced by the new school that by sailing in a
westerly direction the Indies could be reached, as well as by sailing
easterly. Acting upon this belief, an expedition for exploration, en
couraged by the queen of Spain, and under the direction of Christopher
Columbus, resulted in the rediscovery of the Western Continent in the
latter part of the fifteenth century. This discovery gave birth to a new
order of things, opening up a country which has become an asylum for
the oppressed and down- trodden of all nations of the earth.
The French being the first white race to inhabit this part of our coun
try ; very active in exploring and in forming settlements along the main
water-courses of the interior ; remarkable for the political power they
wielded over a large territory, deserve more than a passing notice, as
their history is closely connected with the early settlement of Ogdens
burg. For this reason a brief account will be given of their doings,
commencing with their discovery of the St. Lawrence River, and fol
lowing them through their various expeditions until the close of their
supremacy and final surrender to the British forces.
From this point the narrative will be confined more especially to the
events that have occurred in connection with the affairs of Ogdensburg
and its vicinity, consisting in part of the possession and evacuation by
the English, the settlement of the place by the Americans, the organi
zation of the county and the towns, the events of wars, a description
of navigation, internal improvements, ancient races and relics, societies
hospitals and other public institutions, church organizations, biogra-

DISCOVERY OF THE WESTERN CONTINENT. 19
phies of leading men, etc., from the earliest settlement down to the
present time.

CHAPTER I.
DISCOVERY OF THE WESTERN CONTINENT.
Pre-Columbian Discoveries— Irish Discovery — Chinese Discovery — Norse Discov
ery — Arabian Discovery — Welsh Discovery — Other Discoveries — Final Discovery by
Columbus — Difficulties Encountered by Columbus — His Final Fate.
HISTORIANS have recorded the so- called pre- Columbian discovery
of the western hemisphere by various persons. Some of the
discoveries were accidental, the navigators being driven by storm upon,
or in sight of, strange lands, and doubtless many others were forced
to make similar visits, but were lost before reaching their native
shores. These claims to discovery, or some of them at least, are re
garded by many to be mythical ; be this as it may, there can be but one
conclusion as to their results, and that is, that the Columbian discovery
has been fraught with incalulable benefits to the human race, while all
former ones were of no particular advantage to the world at large.
The documentary evidence in support of claims to early discovery is
here given, so far as practicable, in chronological order.
Irish Discovery. — St. Patrick sent missionaries to the ' ' Isles of
America," which included Iceland, Greenland and Labrador, previous to
the year 460; and, second, missionaries went out to the New World at
a time little anterior to the Norse discovery, or towards the close of the
tenth century.
Chinese Discovery. — Hoci-Shin, a Buddhist monk, in the year 499
returned from an extensive journey to the east and reported that he had
visited a country lying about 6,600 miles to the east of Japan, and an
equal distance to the east of China. He called the country Tusango,
on account of many trees growing there that went by that name. It
has been assumed that this country was Mexico and California. Rev.
Frederick J. Masters, a missionary who has spent nine years in China

20

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

NORSE SEA-KING.

and eight in California among the Chinese, has found in their literature
and traditions what he considers ample proof of the truth of these claims
to discovery, and has recently made his convictions public.
Norse Discovery. — Previous to 986 A. D. the
red men of the forest held full sway over the
western continent and were unconscious of the
fact that a white race of people dwelt beyond
the rising sun, who would eventually supersede
them and take possession of their hunting
grounds. The first to open the way to the New
World, according to the records found in the
Sagas, were the roving Norsemen, to whom the
honor of first discovery undoubtedly belongs,
and which discovery is verified by their repeat
ed trips to the country and evidences of settle
ments on our eastern shores. The navigator, Bjarne Herjulson,when sail
ing from Iceland to Greenland in 986, was driven westward by a storm
nearly to the banks of Newfoundland or Labrador. Several times he came
within full view of the shore, but did not land; yet he was certain, by the
appearance of the forest growth, that another country hitherto unknown
to him was in sight. Returning to Greenland he made known his discov
ery, and his description of the beautiful coast led the navigator, Lief Erick-
son, to fit out an exploring party to visit the new country. It was, how
ever, about fourteen years before he was fully prepared for his departure.
He sailed westward from Greenland in the spring of the year IOOO, follow
ing the directions of Herjulfson, and reached Labrador. He explored
the coast for a considerable distance, finding the country more attractive
and the climate milder than in Greenland. Sailing southward he ex
plored the coast as far as Massachusetts, where he remained more than
a year. It is claimed that he also visited Rhode Island and made his
way into New York harbor. Erickson's voyage was succeeded in the
following year by those of other Norsemen, and in 1005 and 1007 they
went as far south as Virginia. Still other companies of Icelanders and
Greenlanders visited the country farther north and planted a colony in
Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Very little was learned, however, by
these hardy adventurers of the extent of the country they had discov-

DISCOVERY OF THE WESTERN CONTINENT. 21
ered, and they believed it to be the western part of Greenland bending
around an arm of the sea.
Other adventurers visited our eastern coast in the twelfth, thirteenth
and fourteenth centuries, and in 1 347 a Norwegian ship visited Labrador
and the New England coast, giving to the latter vaguely defined country
the name " Vineland," and small settlements were established ; they all
soon disappeared, however, and the navigators returned to their native
country, failing to grasp the great prize that was within their reach. But
they left unmistakable evidences of their presence at points on Massa
chusetts Bay, on the banks of the Charles River, and other points, which
have been made the objects of extensive research and elaborate descrip
tion by Prof. E. A Hosford, of Harvard University, and others, to
whose writings the reader is referred. The knowledge and occupancy
of this country by the Norsemen for some five hundred years, in this
intermittent and uncertain way, proved to be of no- practicable benefit
to them or others. The Old World did not yet need the New. The
time was not yet ripe.
Arabian Discovery. — Some time previons to 1147 there set sail from
Lisbon eight Arabian brothers called Maghrourins, who swore they
would not return till they had penetrated to the farthest bounds of the
dark sea. They finally reached an island, inhabited by people of lofty
stature and red skin.
Welsh Discovery. — About the year 1169, Madoc, a son of Owen
Gwywedd, Prince of North Wales, left his country on account of dis
turbances, and determined to search out some unknown land and dwell
there. With a few ships he ermbarked with his followers, and for many
months they sailed westward, until they came to a large and fertile
country, where they disembarked and permanently settled. After a
time Madoc returned to Wales, where he fitted out ten ships and in
duced a large number of his countrymen to go with him to the new
country. ' Both Mexico and California have been assigned as the place
of this Welsh settlement. There are indications of a pre-Columbian
civilization in the Sacramento valley. Eight miles north of, and run
ning parallel with " Putah" Creek, is a canal fifteen miles long, some
two rods wide, and about six feet deep. It was cut on a straight line
through a low belt of level land, and the earth was thrown out on the

22 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
north side, forming an oval ridge some two feet higher than the oppo
site bank. The natives and the earliest white settlers have no knowl
edge of its origin. There are also Indian tribes in that region whose
habits of living and general custom of dealing are far above the average
of the North American Indian, and to all appearance have European
blood in their veins. It is assumed that this Welsh settlement, having
no intercourse with Europe for upwards of three hundred years, eventu
ally gave way to the influences of their surroundings, intermarried
with the Indians, arid thus lost their identity. It is also possible that
the Indians gained their ideas of the flood from this Welsh source.
Besides the foregoing, it is known that other intrepid navigators
reached the shores of the New World prior to the great Columbian dis
covery. In the year 1463 John Costa Cortereal made a voyage west
ward, and reached the ice-bound coast of Newfoundland. In the
following year he attempted a second voyage in company with his
brother, and both perished at sea.
A Pole navigator named John Scolvus, or Kolno, while in the service
of Denmark, in 1476, made a voyage to the New World and visited the
coast of Labrador.
About the close of the fourteenth century, Nicolo Zeni, or Zeno, left
Venice on a voyage in quest of new lands beyond Hercules's Pillars,
and after sailing among the islands of the west for nearly a year, be
came pilot to an island chief named Zichmni, where he was afterwards
joined by his brother Antonio. Four years later Nicolo died in a
country called Frieslanda, but Antonio continued in the service of
Zichmni ten years longer, finally returning to Venice, with not only an
account of a strange land beyond the Atlantic, but also maps, letters,
etc., referring to the strange country. These documents were for some
reason laid aside, and it was not until more than one hundred and fifty
years later, in 1558, that a descendant of Zeni discovered them and
caused their publication, with an accompanying narrative of the voy
ages. Many places on the American coast from Labrador to the West
India Islands were clearly described on the Zeni map.
A Spanish pilot named Sanches, about 1482, while attempting a pas
sage between Madeira and the Canaries, was driven out of his course
by a storm and landed on the shores of an island supposed to have been

DISCOVERY OF THE WESTERN CONTINENT.

23

Hayti. Subsequently the pilot came to Lisbon and found lodgment
with Columbus, to whom he related the facts, and in whose house he
died. A French navigator of Dieppe,1 named Cousin, being at sea off the
African coast in the year 1488, was driven by wind and currents within
sight of an unknown shore, where he presently discovered the mouth
of a great river. He had on board his ship one Pinzon, whose conduct
became so mutinous that on his return to France he was dismissed
from the maritime service. Pinzon went to Spain, became known to
Columbus, told him the discovery, and joined him on his voyage in
1492. Final Discovery of the New World. —
A general knowledge of the western con
tinent was, for some wise purpose of the
Creator, kept from the nations of Europe
"<£ until a late period of their history, and
until the advent of the famous expedition
H of Christopher Columbus in 1492. It is
entirely unnecessary, as well as impracti
cable in this work, to enter into the details
of the life of Columbus, the circumstances
and conditions that led up to this great dis
covery and the consequences to himself.
All this is emblazoned upon the pages of
history, and is near at the hand of every reader. It will suffice for our
present purpose to state that Columbus was born probably in the year
1436, at or near Genoa, in Italy. After three years in the University of
Pavia,he ran away at the age of fifteen, and went as a cabin boy on a vessel
bound on a piratical cruise. He also sailed with his great uncle, Colombo
el Mozo, a bold sea captain, who by his exploits acquired the title of
"Arch Pirate." During the fifteen or twenty years of the maritime service
of Columbus, he refused to give any information regarding his business,
further than to say that he had visited all principal sea ports in the Old
World. In 1470 he arrived in Lisbon, and there married his first wife,

COLUMBUS.

1 Memoirs pour servies a l'bistoire de Dieppe, Guerin aavigateurs Francais,

24 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
the daughter of an experienced navigator. He studied deeply the
problems of navigation, meditated much upon the great subject that
was taking shape in his mind, and early accepted the theory of the
spherical form of the earth. The reports and stories of other sailors he
listened to and assimilated, drawing from them all possible evidences of
the existence of the far-away land to which he was destined to sail.
After appealing in vain to his native city, Genoa, for aid in his great
undertaking, and afterward to the Venetian Senate, he turned to King
John of Portugal, whose councillors turned him away as a presumptuous
dreamer. Indignant at such treatment, Columbus sent his propositions
to both France and England, and then left for Spain, arriving at Palos
in 1485. About this time he brought religious belief and claims of
prophecy to bear upon his position, claiming that he was designated to
fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah, by carrying the gospel of Christ into the
uttermost parts of the world. This gained for him the endorsement of
the bishop, Juan Perez, who had been confessor to Queen Isabella.
Columbus first applied to the Duke of Medina Sidonia, by whom his
plans and propositions were rejected. His next application was to the
rich duke, Medina Celi, who gave him encouragement, entertained him
two years, but finally decided that the proposed enterprise was too vast
for a simple subject, and recommended him to apply to the court at
Cordova. Owing to existing struggles with the Moors, it was several
years before Columbus could present his project to the Spanish king
and council. Finally, after years of waiting and disappointment he ob
tained an interview with the great ecclesiastic, Mendoza, Archbishop of
Spain, who characterized his theories as heretical, but the bishop finally
aided in bringing the matter before a council composed of priests and
monks, and it was wholly rejected. A second council also ratified the
action of the first. Columbus was finally permitted to explain his
proposition to the queen, who objected to the terms of his service and
dismissed him. Following this third rejection Columbus resolved to
appeal to France. On learning this fact, and fearing that a rival nation
would accept his offer, the queen, under advice of some of her coun
cillors, sent for Columbus, accepted his offer and agreed that if it should
be necessary she would pledge her jewels to raise means for fitting out
the expedition. The articles of agreement were signed April 17, 1492

DISCO YERY OF THE WESTERN CONTINENT. 25
and thus after about eight years spent in bringing his plans before his
own country and Portugal, and seven more in Spain, living mainly on
the charity of friends, subjected to the scoffs and sneers of church dig
nitaries, his object seemed on the way towards accomplishment.
And now, owing to the superstition of the times regarding the dan
gers to be encountered by any vessel venturing beyond the border
waters, Columbus found it difficult to obtain a crew of sailors. At
length, through the influence of Father Juan, the 'vessels and officers
were secured, but to obtain his crews the prisons had to be opened and
the criminals pardoned on condition that they sailed with the expedi
tion. At last the three vessels, the Santa Maria, commanded by Co
lumbus, the Pinta, under M. Pinzon, and the Nina, under V. Y. Pinzon,
provisioned for a year, and carrying in all one hundred and twenty
souls, armed with the most improved guns of that time, were ready and '
sailed on the 3d of August, 1492, at 3 o'clock. They arrived safely at
the Canary Islands on the 9th, where they lay four weeks and thor
oughly overhauled the vessels. On the 6th of September they sailed
away in a westerly direction upon the unknown waters.
The details of the remainder of the voyage are too well known to
need description here. Columbus kept a journal, from which authentic
accounts have been derived and extensively published. After many
weary days, opposed by the elements, the complaints and mutiny of his
men, and several false alarms of the sight of land, and often almost dis
heartened himself, at two o'clock in the morning of Friday, October 12,
1492, Roderigo de Triana, a sailor on board the Nina, announced the
appearance of what proved to be the New World. On the same
morning Columbus landed, richly clad, and bearing the royal banner of
Spain, accompanied by the Pinzon brothers, bearing banners of the
green cross, and guarded by a number of the crews. There, in pres
ence of the nude and awe-stricken natives, Columbus gave thanks to
God, named the island San Salvador, and took possession of it for their
Catholic Majesties of Castile and Leon. Columbus spent about three
months among the islands, landing on several and making diligent
search for gold. On the island of Cuba he discovered the potato, In
dian corn, tobacco, cinnamon, rhubarb, valuable woods and beautiful
birds: Off Hispaniola the Santa Maria stranded, and from the timbers

26 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
they built a fort on the island, placed forty-three Spaniards in charge,
and on the 16th of January, 1493, Columbus set sail on the Nina for
Spain, having previously lost sight of the Pinta After a stormy voy
age the port pf Palos was made on Friday, March 15, 1493. l Reaching
the coast, Columbus, with his rich and strange spoils, was received by
their Majesties, to whom he related the story of his wanderings. Now
he was overwhelmed with honors and all his privileges and titles were
conferred upon- hint. The news of the discovery spread rapidly. through
out Spain and the other nations of Europe, many of which soon had ex
peditions planned to visit the new country. The chief ambition of Co
lumbus seemed to be the acquisition of fame and gold. He made three
more voyages to the New World, and while at first he was distinguished
as the greatest of mariners, after his second voyage his claims to su
premacy were embarrassed by a long series of failures that rendered his
career as a founder of colonies and a ruler of men most pitiful and re
markable. He was finally taken back to Spain in irons, poor in purse,
heart-broken, and decrepit. His visionary mind was still exercised
upon the accumulation of gold and raising an army to rescue the holy
sepulchre from the infidel Islamites. He was cared for by friends at the
Tavern Segovia, where he died May 20, 1506.
In process of time every gulf, bay, and river of note on the Ameri
can coast was explored, even far into the interior of the country. At
all points from the extreme bounds of the Frozen North to the Sunny
South, and from the Atlantic Ocean to the fertile plains of the Great
West, were found the red men of the forest. The name " Indian " was
conferred upon them from their fancied resemblance to the people of
India, as Columbus and his followers at first believed that they had only
rediscovered that, country, instead of the Western Continent.
1 It is worthy of record, as well as partaking of a character of coincidence that the port of Og
densburg was made one of the landing places o£ the three Spanish models of the vessels used by
Columbus in his memorable voyage, which were sent out by Spain to form a part of the World's
Columbian exhibit of 1893. The vessels came to the port of Ogdensburg on the forenoon oiFnday,
the 30th oE June, 1893, and it seems like a. coincidence that the^day on which Columbus first sailed
from Spain, the day he discovered the new world, the day he returned, and the day he reached
home, were on Fridays. Also, N. Ford and his party, in commencing the settlement of Ogdens
burg, landed there on Friday.

THE ABORIGINES.

27

CHAPTER II.

THE ABORIGINES.
Pre-historic Inhabitants of the Western Continent— The Aborigines and their Great
Divisions— The Iroquois— The Esquimaux— The Destiny of the Red Man.
IT is not our purpose to give a very extended
account of this people, but the events that
took place in connection with the red men dur
ing the early days of the pioneers, and espe
cially in the settlement of St. Lawrence county,
render it proper to give a brief sketch of the
race, that the reader may gain a better under
standing of what is to follow.
This peculiar people who were found on the
Western Continent by its discoverers, are sup
posed to be one of the older races of mankind,
indian wigwam. succeeding the mound-builders. Many. theo
ries have been advanced to account for the presence of the red men in
America, but no satisfactory evidence has so far been presented to sustain
them ; hence they are of little historical value. One of these theories is
that the Europeans, or Africans, at some remote period crossed the At
lantic by voyaging from island to island. Another is, that a tribe of the
Israelites wandered from their country, and by some means crossed Beh-
ring's Straits, when they reached the Northwest, and thus became the pro
genitors of the red men of the forest. Still another theory, and one
that is equally reasonable with the others, is that the two continents
were formerly one, and that a portion of the land sank beneath the sea,
thus dividing the land by a broad belt of water. The people that were
left on the western portion being, perhaps, less cultivated, and left with
out the means of improvement, would naturally separate into clans or
tribes, and through hunger and ignorance — which are the two greatest

28 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
brutalizers of the human race — degenerated in the course of time into
a condition of savagery. There are several evidences that this theory
may be the correct one, and it has received the careful consideration
and partial acceptance of some eminent investigators. But theorizing
in the absence of facts can lead to nothing conclusive, though it may in
a measure satisfy the curious ; but one thing is quite evident : though
cut off from the Old World, the Indians share with other nations the
idea of a deluge. Reasons are given for this as mentioned in the Welsh
discovery note.
The origin of the aborigines will undoubtedly always remain en
shrouded in mystery, unless some revelation like the interpretation of
the weird hieroglyphics on the Aztec pyramids shall give a correct
solution of the much discussed question.
The aborigines were divided into twelve great families, nations,
or tribes, viz.: The Esquimaux, who occupied the territory above the
sixteenth parallel, or from Labrador to Alaska ; the Algonquins, who
occupied the territory lying south of the Esquimaux, embracing the
greater part of Canada and all that portion of the United States east of
the Mississippi and north of the thirty-seventh parallel of latitude.
Within this territory lived the Huron- Iroquois, bounded as follows:
From the Georgian Bay and Lake Huron to Lake Erie and Lake
Ontario ; also south of those lakes to the valley of the upper Ohio and
eastward to the River of Sorel. South of the Algonquins lived the
Cherokees, occupying Tennessee. The Mobil-ians occupied the lower
Mississippi to the Atlantic. The Dakotas occupied the territory west
of the Mississippi which extended from the Arkansas River to the
country of the Esquimaux and westward to the Rocky Mountains. The
Comanches occupied the territory south of the Dakotas or what is now
Texas. Beyond the Rocky Mountains dwelt the great families or
nations of the plains ; the Shoshonees, the Selish, the Klamoths and the
Californians. On the Pacific slope farther south in Mexico dwelt the
famous race of Aztecs.
Some of these families or nations were subdivided into small tribes
and the names of such usually correspond with the place, river, or lake
where they were located. The following tribes or clans were more or
less connected with the leading events in the early history of Ogdens-

THE ABORIGINES. 29
burg and its vicinity : The St. Regis, the Oswegatchies, and the
Iroquois, the latter embracing the five nations of what is now New
York State — the Senecas, the Cayugas, the Onondagas, the Oneidas,
and. the Mohawks.
The most striking characteristic of this race was a certain sense of
personal independence; they could not be humbled or made to serve in
a menial capacity, like the African race. They could not be compelled
to start on the war path, but would voluntarily follow their chief
through the greatest dangers in order to show their endurance and
courage. The " Indians have a passion for war, which was always un
dertaken for the redress of grievances, real or imaginary, and not for
conquest." In times of peace they are unsocial and gloomy, com
muning each with his own thoughts, or lost, as it were, in a dream
under the influence or fascination of the pipe. The winter was the sea
son of idleness for the men and of leisure for the women. Feasts,
gambling, smoking and dancing filled the vacant hours. Female life
among the Indians had no bright side. It was a youth of license and an
age of drudgery. Marriage existed among them and polygamy was
exceptional ; but divorce was at the will and caprice of either party.
Once a mother and married with a reasonable permanency, the woman
became a drudge to her liege lord. It was held an abomination for two
persons of the same family to intermarry ; hence every regular marriage
must unite members of two clans. The children belonged in most cases
not to the clan of the father, but to that of the mother, and therefore all
ranks, titles, and possessions came through the female side. All
possessions passed of right to the brother of the chief or to the sons of
his sisters, since these all sprang from a common mother. The child
might not be the son of his reputed father, but must be the son of his
mother — a consideration of more than ordinary force in an Indian com
munity. Dreams were to the Indian a universal oracle. They revealed to him
his guardian spirit and taught and led him in all the affairs of his life.
Hideous scenes of feasting followed the torture of a prisoner, and, like
the torture itself, was partly an act of vengeance and partly a religious
rite. All Indians had a code of courtesy whose requirements were rigid
and exact. Established usages took the place of law. All were prompt

30 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
to aid each other in distress, and a neighborly spirit was often exhibited
among them. In religious affairs they were often superstitious, but sel
dom were idolaters. They believed in a Great Spirit and in a happy
hunting ground beyond this life ; they also believed in many subordinate
spirits, both good and bad, which frequently visited the earth and had an
influence over them, either for good or evil.
Their language seems to have had a common origin, but it differed
somewhat among the various tribes. It was generally monosyllabic,
and the words had a narrow but very intense meaning.
The Esquimaux were peaceably inclined and their cold country was
seldom invaded by other tribes. The tribes that inhabited the eastern,
central and southern and western territories subsisted chiefly on dried
venison and corn. They were more warlike, restless and unsettled,
living in temporary huts or wigwams, although the tribes farther south
built more comfortable houses in which to dwell The Aztecs were the
most civilized of any of the aborigines, and also the most feeble and
least warlike. They were the best builders both in wood and stone,
as they had facilities for supplying themselves with copper and other
metallic tools. Ruins of their fortifications, dwellings and pyramids,
are still found which indicate a considerable civilization. Their tem
ples and courts are built of cut granite, the outer surfaces of which are
covered with various characters artistically engraved on the stone. This
once mighty nation is rapidly approaching extinction.
A majority of the Indian tribes have already died out and the
remaining ones are rapidly declining. The only hope for the perpetuity
of the race seems to center in those tribes which are now located in
the Indian Territory and who are learning to till the soil.
The feet of the Saxon have pressed the soil that was given to the red
man for his inheritance; for he has failed to improve the one talent that
God had given him and buried it in the earth ; therefore, his hunting
grounds are turned into waving fields of grain ; the wigwam and the
tepee have been displaced by the palatial home, the. school-house and
the church, which are the main columns that sustain all civilized gov
ernments. The Saxon has come to stay. The weaker race, like the
wild flower that flourishes only in the shade, but withers in the sun
as soon as its primitive thicket has gone, has vanished, leaving their

FRENCH DISCOVERY OF THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER.

31

eastern homes and the graves of their ancestors for the wilds of the
west, whence in a few years they must in turn retreat until the last of
the tribes shall have disappeared. Right or wrong, this seems to be
the inevitable destiny of this once numerous and powerful people.

CHAPTER III.

FRENCH DISCOVERY OF THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER.

French Explorations — Jacques Cartier — Discovery of the St. Lawrence — Hochelaga —
Lord Roberval's Expedition —Grant to Aylmar de Chastes — Samuel Champlain — Sieur
de Monts at Acadia — Pont-Greve and Poutrincourt — Expedition of Champlain and
Indian Allies against tte Iroquois — The First Bloodshed — The Establishment of Mont
real — Champlain's Trip to the Northwest — Arrival of Catholic Missionaries and their
Explorations — The Company of New France — Champlain's Labors and Sacrifices — La
Galette — Origin of the Name — Voyageurs — Occupation of La Galette as a Station —
Existing Evidences of Early Occupation of the Locality — Frontenac's Expedition —
Mention of La Galette by De la Barre — Other Allusions to the Place — '* It Takes the
Cake."

T

HE French began to explore the northern
coast of America in 1504 about eleven
years after John Cabot had planted the English
flag on the shores of Labrador. A map of the
Gulf of St. Lawrence was traced by a French
man in 1506. The colonization of the New
World was advocated by Francis I. in 15 18.
About five years later a voyage of discovery and
exploration was planned, when John Verraz-
zani was commissioned to conduct the expedi
tion and sailed January 17, 1524. The special
object was to discover a northwest passage to
jacques cartier. Asia. He sailed southward as far as the site of
Wilmington and, not finding a passage, returned northward, traced the
broken line of the New England coast with considerable care, and
reached Newfoundland.

32 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The name of New France was given to the whole country whose sea-
coast had beep visited by this adventurer. Not being able to accom
plish his design he returned home, and owing to the distracted condition
of France at that time, further explorations were delayed several years.
In 1 5 34 two ships were fitted out and Jacques Cartier was placed in com
mand for another voyage to the New World. He made the passage and
anchored on the ioth day of May off the coast of Newfoundland.
After considerable navigation in that vicinity, he finally entered the
Bay of Chaleur. Not finding the western passage he sought, he changed
his course northward, then to the westward and entered what he sup
posed to be an arm of the sea. He continued this course until the
narrowing banks indicated that he might be in the mouth of a great
river. This bold navigator did not wish to jeopardize the lives of his
crew in the approaching cold season, for which he was not prepared,
and returned to France, taking with him two natives, and arriving at St.
Malo, whence he had set out.
Cartier's success in this voyage and his discovery of what he believed
was a large river, caused another expedition to be planned immediately.
Colonization as well as discovery was now the inspiring motive. Three
good ships were provided, and a number of young noblemen joined the
expedition, which sailed on the 19th of May, 1535. Stormy weather
was encountered when off the coast of Newfoundland, which forced the
voyagers to seek a port of safety. They accordingly put into the Gulf
of St. Lawrence, as it was afterwards proved to be, and sailed up the
course Cartier had taken the previous year, and on the ioth of August,
1535, made the discovery of the great river, which he named the St.
Lawrence, in honor of the martyr St. Laurent, or St. Lorenzo, the dis
covery having been made on that saint's day.1
Cartier had on board two Indians taken by him to France in the
previous year. They informed him that up the river we're two impor
tant Indian villages, one situated near a high bluff and called Stadacona,
and the other farther up, on an island by the side of a mountain, called
Hochelaga. The navigator proceeded cautiously up the river to the
first Indian village (now Quebec), and after a short stay sailed on up as
IThis saint was said to be a deacon to Pope Scystus, or Systus II., who suffered matyrdom for
the faith of Christ, by being broiled on a gridiron, A. D. =53.

FRENCH DISCOVERY OF THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER. 33
far as the rapids. Considering it unsafe to venture farther with the
large vessels, he took the two Indians and a party of twenty- five men
in boats and rowed up to the second village on the island, so minutely
described by the Indians. The party ascended the mountain and viewed
the surrounding country, which was visible for ten leagues on either
side. Inspired by the beautiful scenery, Cartier raised the French flag
and named the place Mount Royal (from which the city of Montreal
took its name), and the country was declared to belong by right of dis
covery to the king of France. After visiting this ancient Indian village
and gaining what knowledge they could from the inhabitants regarding
the country farther up, they returned to their ships and dropped down
to the first village of Stadacona, where they wintered. There twenty-
five of the crew died from the effects of the severe cold, and from
scurvy. On the opening of spring the emblem of Catholicism, bearing the
arms of France, was again planted in the soil of the New World. The
chief of the Hurons, who had treated Cartier with much generosity, was
decoyed on board and carried away to die. The first fleet that had
ever wintered on the St. Lawrence River then sailed away and reached
St. Malo on July 6, 1536. The account of the severe winter and their
sufferings, and the failure to find silver or gold on the banks of the St.
Lawrence, greatly discouraged the French in organizing future expedi
tions. The next voyage to Nouvelle France was undertaken about four years
later by Francois of La Roque, Lord of Roberval, with Cartier as chief
pilot. Owing to the discouraging narrative of Cartier, the enlistment
of volunteers for the expedition progressed slowly, until the govern
ment adopted the plan of opening the prisons of the kingdom and giv
ing freedom to those convicts who would join the party. Five ships
were fitted out and left France in the latter part of May, 1541. They
made a good passage to the gulf and proceeded up the St. Lawrence to
the site of Quebec, where they erected a small fort and named it Charles-
borough. The colony passed two winters there, suffering greatly from
cold and hunger, many of them dying. The survivors returned, having
accomplished nothing further.

34 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
In the year 1549 Lord Roberval, with a large company of emigrants,
sailed on a second voyage to the New World, but the fleet was never
heard from afterwards. This catastrophe checked the desire for emigra
tion for nearly fifty years. In 1598 the Marquis of La Roque obtained
a commission, and again the prison doors of France were opened to
furnish emigrants for the colony. They crossed the Atlantic by the
usual route, reached the coast of Nova Scotia, and anchored at Sable
Island, where a settlement of forty men was begun. The colony lin
gered for a few years only, when the survivors were mercifully picked
up by a passing ship and carried back to their native land.
In the spring of 1603, Aylmar de Chastes, governor of Dieppe, ob
tained a patent from the king, giving him the exclusive right to the fur
trade in New France. He formed a company with Pont-Greve as man
ager. Samuel Champlain, fresh from the West Indies, young, ardent,
yet ripe in experience, a skillful seaman, and a practiced soldier, ac
cepted a post in the new company and commanded one of the two
small vessels fitted out for the expedition. Like specks on the broad
bosom of the waters the two pigmy vessels held their course up the St.
Lawrence, passing the tenantless places that had been occupied by De
la Roque in 1541, and arrived at Hochelaga. Here they found only a
few wandering Algonquins, of a new tongue and lineage, in place of
the savage population that Cartier had met there sixty- three years be
fore. In a skiff with a few Indians, Champlain endeavored to pass the
rapids of Lachine, but failed. On the deck of his vessel the Indians
made rude plans of the shores of the river above, with its chain of
rapids, its lakes and its cataracts, and the baffled explorer turned his
prow homeward, where he learned that De Chastes was dead, thus end
ing his charter.
Sieur de Monts next obtained leave to colonize Acadia, a region ex
tending from the fortieth to the forty sixth degree of north latitude, or
from the site of Philadelphia to beyond Montreal. This gave him the
monopoly of the fur trade, and a clause in his commission empowered
him to impress idlers and vagabonds as material for his colony. Among
the thieves and ruffians who were dragged on board were many
volunteers of respectable character, such as the Baron de Poutrincourt
and the indefatigable Champlain, with some Catholic priests, Huguenot

FRENCH DISCOVERY OF THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER. 35
ministers and Franciscan friars. De Monts sailed from Havre de Grace,
April 7, 1604, and Pont-Greve followed with stores a few days later. On
De Monts's arrival he explored several places along the coast of Nova
Scqtia and captured some fur trading barks. They landed at a place
which they called St. Croix, where they began a colony and built a fort.
Meanwhile Champlain continued explorations, surveying, sounding and
making charts of all the principal roads and harbors along the coast.
Their labors over, Poutrincourt sailed for France, leaving seventy-nine
men to the terrors of an arctic winter. Scurvy broke out among them
and thirty-five died, while many others narrowly survived. Pont-Greve
reached his colony in the spring with forty men, with stores, which
greatly cheered the remnant of the colony. On the 1 8th of June a party
set out on a voyage along the coast of Maine, landing daily, holding
conferences with the numerous Indians whom they met, and exchanging
gifts. Indian lodges were thickly scattered along the shores, and around
them patches of corn, beans, tobacco, squashes and esculent roots.
Passing Cape Cod they reached an inlet called Nausett Harbor. Here
an Indian snatched a kettle from some of the sailors who were in search
of fresh water, and one of the latter while in pursuit of the thief,
was killed by arrows from the Indian's comrades. The French on
the vessel opened fire on the natives, during which Champlain's
arquebus exploded and nearly killed him. Provisions failing they sailed
for St Croix, where they arrived on the 3d of August. The colony
then removed from St. Croix to the north side of the River Annapolis, to
a place called Dauphin. De Monts returned to France, leaving Pont-
Greve in command, while Champlain and others, undaunted by the
past, volunteered to pass a second winter in the wilderness. But boun
tiful provision had been made for them and the winter passed in com
parative comfort. In the spring news came from France that De
Monts's monopoly had been rescinded, and therefore Champlain and his
party sailed for home, arriving at St. Malo in October, 1607. De Monts
secured a fresh monopoly for one year, after the revocation of the first.
Champlain had become imbued with the theory that by tracing the in
land waters back to their sources, a western route might be discovered
to China and the east. De Monts fell in with this theory and fitted out
two ships, gave command of one, laden with goods for the fur trade, to

36 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
the elder Pont-Greve, and the other for settlement and exploration to
Champlain. The latter sailed from Honfleur, April 13, 1608, and in
due time reached the point on the St. Lawrence where Cartier had win
tered seventy- three years before. Here he began the erection of a strong
wooden building, which stood at or near the site of the present market
place of the lower town of Quebec, and hedged it about with timbers,
forming a court yard. Two or three small cannon were planted on
salient platforms towards the river. In September Pont-Greve sailed for
France, leaving Champlain with twenty-eight men tp hold Quebec
through the winter. When Pont-Greve returned in the spring twenty of
the men had died and others were suffering from disease.
Late in the fall a young chief from Ottawa came to Quebec and
begged Champlain to join him in the spring against his enemies, the
Iroquois, and the petition was accepted. It was Champlain's plan to
hold the balance of power between the adverse tribes, a policy which
continued in force with the French in America thereafter. About the
middle of May, 1609, the expected warriors from the upper country,
Hurons and Algonquins, arrived at Quebec, and with eleven white men
Champlain started on the war path in a shallop, armed with the arque
bus, a short fire- lock similar to the modern carbine. Arriving at the
mouth of a river now called Sorel, they encamped two days' to hunt and
fish. The party now had a quarrel and three-fourths of them seceded,
the remainder continuing with Champlain up the Chambly River. Four
of the white men were now dismissed and returned with the shallop to
Quebec. On the second day the warriors reached the lake which bears
the name of Champlain, passed along its shore to another lake which
Champlain named St. Sacrament (now Lake George). Proceeding up
the outlet to this lake about ten o'clock in the evening, they discovered
the flotilla of the Iroquois, and the mingled war cries pealed over the
water. It was agreed on both sides that the coming fight should be
deferred until morning. The Iroquois on shore made breastworks of
boughs, while the Hurons remained in their canoes. At day break the
Hurons landed a safe distance from the enemy, when the brave Iroquois
in number two hundred, tall athletes, and the fiercest warriors of North
America, came forth. Their steady advance excited the admiration of
of Champlain. Soon the anxious Hurons called for their own champion

FRENCH DISCOVERY OF THE*ST. LAWRENCE' RIVER. 37
and opened their ranks that he might pass to the front. Champlain in
his coat of mail advanced before his red companions and stood revealed
to the astonished gaze of the Iroquois, who, beholding the warlike ap
parition in their path, stared in mute amazement. Champlain leveled
his arquebus; the report rang through the woods ; a chief fell dead and
another by his side rolled in the bushes. Then there arose from the
allies a yell which would have drowned a thunder clap, and the air was
filled with whizzing arrows. For a moment the Iroquois stood firm ;
but when another and another gun shot came from the thickets on their
flank with telling effect, they fled in uncontrollable terror, followed by
the allies in hot pursuit. Many of the Iroquois were killed and more
were taken prisoners. The fire-arms had done their work, the victory
was complete. The victors kindled a great fire at night, bound a cap
tive to a tree, and began to torture him, but Champlain put an end to
his misery by shooting him. Retracing their steps, the victors parted
at the Sorel, the Hurons and Algonquins making for the Ottawa, each
with a share of the prisoners for future torture. At parting they invited
Champlain to visit their villages and again aid them in their wars, which
he promised to do.
Champlain had rushed into a conflict with the warriors of the Iro
quois. Here was the beginning of the murderous warfare which carried
havoc and flame to generations then unborn. After visiting France,
Champlain returned and assisted the allies in capturing a band of Iro
quois who had secretly barricaded themselves on the island in front of
Sorel. During the fight Champlain was wounded in the neck by a
stone arrow head. He again returned to France to assist De Monts in
securing the trade with the great Indian tribes in the Northwest. Re
turning to Montreal he arrived on the 13th of May, 161 1, when the for
est and the mountains far and near were covered with snow. Here he
built a fort and established a trading post, above a small stream at Point
Calliere (now Montreal), and called it Place Royal. Here the Hurons
soon congregated to market their beaver skins, afterwards returning to
the borders of Lake St. Louis. Champlain visited them and was sent
back in a birch bark canoe down the surging waters, he being the third
white man to descend the Lachine Rapids. He was now empowered to
govern the colony as he might judge expedient ; but his paramount de-

38 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
sire was still to find a route to the Indies, and to bring the heathen
tribes into the embrace of the church.
For the accomplishment of these purposes, and relying upon reports
of parties that he had sent into the far Northwest, he made a trip in
the latter part of May, 1613, accompanied by four Frenchmen and one
Indian. The details of this journey need not be followed, but the party
reached the head of Lake Coulange, whence they returned without ac
complishing anything worthy of note, and on their arrival at Montreal,
Champlain embarked for France, with the promise to return in the fol
lowing year.
Through his description of the condition of the Indians and his in
fluence, the Recollect friars, a branch of the great Franciscan order,
were induced to undertake the founding of a mission in New France.
The Friars, Denis Jamet, Jean Dolbeau, Joseph le Caron, and Pacifique
du Plessis made their preparations and embarked with Champlain at
Honfleur, reaching Quebec about the end of May, 1615. Champlain
also called on the Jesuits for aid in his explorations. They had first
landed at Port Royal in May, 161 1, and established their order in
Acadia, by the assistance of Fathers Baird and Masse. The Recollects
built a convent at Quebec near the fortified dwellings of Champlain,
erected an altar and celebrated the first mass said in Canada. Dolbeau
was the priest officiating.
Champlain met the allies in council at Montreal early in summer and
promised to join them against the Iroquois. While he was absent in
Quebec to make necessary arrangements, the Indians became impatient
and left for their homes, taking Father Joseph le Caron with them.
Champlain with ten Indians and two Frenchmen followed and in due
time reached Lake Huron, the first white man excepting the humble
friar, to behold that great inland ocean. He found Father le Caron at
Carhagouha, and there on the nth of August, 1615, in presence of
Champlain and a host of natives he celebrated the first mass in the
country of the Hurons. About the first of September the warriors as
sembled for a grand attack upon the Iroquois, passed over Lake Simcoe,
up the River Talbot, across the portage to Balsam Lake and down a
chain of lakes to the River Trent. Thence they continued down the
river to Lake Ontario and crossed to the south shore at Hungry Bay,

FRENCH DISCOVERY OF THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER.

39

secreted their canoes, and after four days' march came near the hostile
town of the Senecas, the most populous of the five Iroquois nations.
Champlain found their defensive works much stronger than those of the
Hurons. An attack was made by the Hurons which lasted three hours,
when the assailants fell back, with many wounded, among whom was
Champlain, who had received an arrow in his knee and another in his
leg, which for a time disabled him. Though himself urgent for another
attack, he was compelled to see his force begin a retreat, and after
finally reaching their canoes they recrossed the lake. There the great
war party broke up and each band returned to its hunting ground.
Champlain was compelled by his wounds to pass the winter with an
Indian chief and did not reach Quebec until the I ith of July following.
And npw a change began in the life of
Champlain. His forest roving was over.
He returned every year to France, laboring
for the welfare of the colony and the church.
The Recollects had established five distinct
missions, reaching from Acadia to the bor-
^figr- ders of Lake Huron ; but the field was too
lllL" vast for their numbers and they applied
§|||§g to the Jesuits for assistance. Three of these,
Charles Lallemant, Enemond Masse, and
Jean de Brebeuf, entered into their service
and did excellent work as pioneers.
champlain. In 1627 a grant was given to a hundred
associates, including Champlain, called the Company of New France,
securing to them a monopoly of the fur trade and all other commerce
for fifteen years. The company was to convey to New France, within
the fifteen years, two or three hundred men of all trades, in order to
increase their numbers to four thousand. Every settler must be a
Frenchman and a Catholic, and they must provide for their ecclesias
tics. Thus, as they termed it, was New France to be forever free from
the taint of heresy.
Quebec having reached a condition approaching starvation, the new
company sent them supplies in April, 1628, but before the ship arrived
a war had broken out. An English ship of war arrived in port and

40 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
took possession of Quebec, planted the Cross of St. George on its ram
parts, and sent the people to their own country ; but Champlain was
taken to London, where he had an interview with the French ambassa
dor, and learned that by the terms of a treaty New France should be
restored to the French crown. Champlain then returned and resumed
his position at Quebec. In his younger days he was found on the more
liberal side of Romanism and encouraged the Recollects; but now,
through some influence, he chose the Jesuit, Le Jeune, as his confessor.
The more crafty Jesuits soon became the leaders of the temporal as well
as the spiritual affairs of the country.
Champlain had sacrificed fortune, repose, domestic peace (his wife
having entered a convent), in his twenty-seven years of severe labor for
the welfare of New France. He passed away at the age of sixty- eight,
on the 25th of December, 1635. He was born in Brouage in 1 567.1
For a number of years previous to 1615, Champlain and his asso
ciates had made explorations and carried missionary work among the
friendly Indians on the north side of the lakes. They first reached the
Huron country by way of the Ottawa River. The tribes on the south
side of the river and lakes were hostile and their villages were often
situated a long distance from the shores ; yet a clan often spent the
summer and fall in hunting along the banks of the St. Lawrence and
Oswegatchie Rivers. From circumstances that took place later on we
may say that the southern shore of the upper St. Lawrence was not
visited by the French previous to 1626. The Recollects had just secured
the services of several Jesuits to assist in their mission work. Father
Brebeuf was sent to Lake Huron and Father Lallemant to the missions
along the St. Lawrence, both starting from Quebec. The records of
this mission, which undoubtedly contain information of great importance
to us in relation to the first exploration in the immediate vicinity of the
site of Ogdensburg, were not preserved, but it ended with the English
occupation of Quebec in 1628. In the absence of such records the fol
lowing is offered in its place — its statements warranted by the detailed
circumstances :
1 The name of Champlain stands foremost among the pioneers of the North American forests
He struck deepest into the pristine barbarism, planting on the shores and islands, to mark his'
course, large wooden crosses, made of cedar, the emblem of his faith.

'' •' x

FRENCH DISCOVERY OF THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER. 41
La GALETTE. — The first party of white or Christian men to land at
this port (Ogdensburg), is supposed to have been that of Father Lalle-
mant and his associates in the spring of 1626. They were also the first
to break the silence of the primeval forest with prayer and praise to
almighty God for their safe deliverance from the perils of the rapids over
which they had just passed, and for the beautiful harbor to which they
had been guided for repose. To this party also belongs the honor of
naming the place " La Galette," and the river (now Oswegatchie), "La
Presentation." The Indian name of the river was " Swe-kat-si," mean
ing " Black Water." Many of our people of to-day believe that Father
Piquet was the first white man who came to the site of Ogdensburg,
and that he was the author of the French name given to the place and
the river. The following tradition, together with the historical facts
concerning the several expeditions passing up the river in the mean
time, will be sufficient to correct this impression as to the date of dis
covery and origin of the name :
In those days exploring parties and adventurers were termed by the
French, " voyageurs" and their principal business at that early day was
to explore and map the country, to name and to describe the most
important places for the benefit of those who were to follow them, and
to establish missionary stations and military or trading posts. There
are several versions of the origin of the French name of the place and
the river. The one that seems to be the most plausible is that which
the writer obtained when in Lower Canada in 1846, from an aged
"habitant," who claimed to be a descendant of those early voyageurs.
The tradition is in substance this : A company of explorers or voyageurs
was fitted out in Quebec under the sanction of Champlain, for the pur
pose of exploring the great lake region or the headwaters of the St.
Lawrence, as described by the Indians. After ascending the greater
part of the rapids above Montreal, the crew were much fatigued and
their boats damaged by the rocks among which they had passed, they
accordingly prepared to land for rest and repairs. Their leader or priest1
desired to continue on the journey, as their Indian guides had informed
them that they were not far below the still water, and he agreed that if
they would proceed on the way, they might stop at the first presentable
' Ali exploring parties of that early day had one or more priests with them.
6

42 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
place after passing the head of the rapids. On gaining the still water
and when near later called Indian Point, they discovered traces of black
water, which indicated the proximity of a tributary, and they soon
entered a river and found a good harbor closely guarded by an island
in the mouth of the stream, which afforded them ample protection from
wind storms. Here they rested a few days and made the needed repairs
to the boats. From the circumstances following so soon upon the
agreement of the leader with the crew, the river was named " La Pre
sentation," this being the first suitable landing place found after reach
ing the still water ; and hence the name was given to the river. The
name of the place was made " La Galette," meaning a cake. This name
was suggested to the party by the fact that on either shore of the river
above the rapids, and especially at this point (as it appeared to them
when coming into the harbor), was the most beautiful place they had
found on the St. Lawrence since they left Quebec, the shores being so
clean and attractive, studded with lofty maples and majestic oaks, lead
ing them to exclaim in their enthusiasm, "This takes the cake;" and
hence the name, " La Galette."
The. mouth of the river was for a number of years after its discovery
known as Blind Harbor, as the rush bed or bar was at that time an
island, being marked as such in the French maps, covered with a thick
growth of bushes, hiding the river from the view of those passing along
the opposite shore of the St. Lawrence. Lighthouse Point was also
covered with earth and a larger growth of trees. The channel of the
Oswegatchie River, which passed between this point and the island, was
quite narrow, as was also the channel that passed on the opposite side
along the main shore. The weary boatmen, no doubt, appreciated such
a harbor, where they could repose a few days in safety, before proceed
ing on their long journey.
People who now enjoy all the modern luxuries of travel by both land
and water, shooting the rapids of the St. Lawrence so gracefully, can
scarcely realize the difficulty and danger encountered by those early
voyageurs, when passing in small boats up or down those long rapids.
In ascending they were compelled to carry their boats and baggage
around the falls, or jump into the foaming and surging waters at the
risk of their lives (which were often lost), to haul them up the rapids,

FRENCH DISCOVERY OF THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER. 43
often being drawn under the swift waters and their bodies lacerated on
the sharp rocks.
From 1626 forward, missionaries, adventurers, and military detach
ments occasionally passed up from Quebec (then the principal port for
exports) to the far west ; and as the St. Lawrence River was the great
highway for the French to travel to their stations in the west, they must
necessarily have passed La Galette, and doubtless many of them stopped
a few days for rest and repairs.
One of these noteworthy expeditions was that of Father Raymbault,
who left Quebec in the spring of 1641, and, after stopping at La Galette,
continued on westward and established missions north of the lakes in
what is now Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Another was that of
Father Le Moyne, who started in July, 1654, with another Frenchman
and three converted Indians, and made his way to the country of the
Onondaga Indians, where the salt springs were then discovered to him.
This party also stopped at La Galette. Records of these expeditions
and others are matters of published history.
Evidences that prospecting parties also visited the point at La Galette
at an early date are unmistakable. The Oswegatchie River was the
highway by which the natives of this section reached their hunting
grounds and the Mohawk River. The Oswegatchie, turning to the left
a short distance above its mouth, was termed the East Branch, and
turning to the right, including Black Lake and Indian River, was called
the West Branch. The two branches near by the Ox Bow run close to
each other, and the Indians had there a carrying place from one to the
other. On the West Branch, above Black Lake, are found lead, iron,
and pyrites. In some of the ravines little water courses issue from the
iron ore hills, carrying off oxide of iron or red ochre, which has been
gathered for ages by the Indians and used for war paint. In this lo
cality the early settlers found holes dug or blasted in the hills, which
had the appearance of age and the workmanship of intelligent people.
On a farm now owned by Lyman Merriman, in the southerly part of
Gouverneur, near the Indian portage, is a high rocky bluff. On its
westerly slope there crops out a large smooth surface of the limestone
rock, on which is cut the date — 1671. The figures are well formed,
about five inches long, properly spread, and the grooves are sunk about

44 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
an inch in depth. The bottom and sides of the grooves were as weather
beaten as any part of the rock surface around them, when first discov
ered by the pioneers seventy-five or eighty years ago. This landmark,
having endured the storms and frosts without any apparent change for
upwards of two hundred years, will stand for centuries to come if no
violence is used to deface it. In the woodland which has never been
cleared, about a quarter of a mile north of this historic rock, is a large
hole excavated some twelve feet deep and a ditch leading from it, which
partially drains off the water coming into it. The mound, which was
formed by the earth thrown out of the pit, has large trees growing on
its surface. It is said that the pioneers, shortly after the discovery of
the hole, pumped out the water, expecting to find treasure, but found
only fresh cut blocks of wood at the bottom, beneath stone and debris
that had accumulated above them. The supposition is that the same
party who engraved the date on the rock was prospecting for gold or
silver, but found only pyrites, which crops out at that point. This date
engraved on the rock corresponds with the date when the fort at Fron-
tenac (now Kingston) was commenced, and the engineers who built the
fprt may have been connected with this exploring party.
Military Expedition. — The following is an extract from the official
report of Count Frontenac's expedition up the St. Lawrence to
strengthen the fortification on Lake Ontario at Kingston, and to form
an alliance with the several" Indian tribes in that vicinity, in the year
1673, as translated from the second volume of the collection of Paris
Documents, by Dr. E. B. O'Callaghan, of New York. The minute
description of Frontenac's voyage up the rapids and his building on
Indian Point, as well as his mention of La Galette, give an authentic
starting point for the history of Ogdensburg, and in a measure con
firm the previous accounts :
The expedition left Montrealon the 28th of June, 1673, with two flat
bateaux mounted with small cannon, and 120 bark canoes. On the 3d
of July following they reached the island at the head of Lake St.
Francis, when they found it necessary to repair their boats injured
in passing the rapids. The writer states : " It is impossible to con
ceive the danger without witnessing the fatigue of those who dragged
the bateaux, as most of the time they were in the water up to the arm

FRENCH DISCOVERY OF THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER. 45
pits, walking on rocks so sharp that many had their feet and legs cut and
covered with blood, yet their gaiety never failed them." When it was
necessary they would throw themselves into the stream with incredible
promptness and bravery to save a drowning companion or to secure a
boat from loss. On the 8th, having encountered a severe storm, a
portion of the squadron rested for the night on the north side of Ogden's
Island. In the morning Frontenac received orders to proceed above
the rapids to a certain point which had been designated as a depot,
and return the boats to Montreal for more provisions. The rest of
the squadron proceeded up the Rapid du Plat and arrived at what
they designated Indian Point, as they usually found the place occupied
by Indians, where they built a storehouse for their accoutrements
and provisions, on the 9th day of July, 1673 — the first building erected
in the immediate vicinity by white men.
The writer further states that from this time forward the St. Law
rence was frequently traversed by French " voyageurs," and a port
was soon afterward established at La Galette. The writer had a vague
idea as to the location of this place, as he supposed that La Galette was
near the site of Johnstown below Prescott, or Chimney Island ; but from
the account given and the familiarity with which the facts are mentioned,
it may be inferred that this place (Ogdensburg) was known by that
name (La Galette) for many years previous to the date given.
In the celebrated expeditions of De la Barre, then governor of
Canada, against the Iroquois in 1684, he mentioned La Galette as
one of the stopping places, and indicated the necessity of placing
troops in Frontenac and at La Galette in order to escort provisions and
keep the head of the country well guarded and furnished. This un
fortunate expedition left Quebec on the 9th of July, 1684, and arrived
at Lake St. Francis on the 1st of August, with about two hundred
canoes and fifteen bateaux, where they were joined by Fathers Lamber-
ville and Millet, from Onondaga and the Oneidas. They met with the
usual difficulty in ascending the rapids, but for a few presents of brandy,
tobacco, etc., the Christian Iroquois of the Saut St. Louis and of
Montreal undertook to pass up the bateaux and the large canoes, which
was successfully accomplished in two days. On the morning of the
5th of August the governor and his forces reached La Galette, where

46 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
the provisions were transferred from the canoes to a storehouse on what
is now called Lighthouse Point, and a portion of the boats were sent
back to Lachine for another load of provisions. The main body of the
forces proceeded on their way to Fort Frontenac, when the larger
canoes returned for 10,000 pounds of flour which had been left at La
Galette. This expedition against the Indians failed, as did also one later
in 1687.
We find further allusions to La Galette in an extract from a letter
written by Father Charlevoix, dated at Cataraqoui (Indian name of what
is now Kingston), May 14, 1721, which was published in Paris in 1744,
fifth volume of Military Expeditions in America. Referring to the river
at this point, he says : " It is only a mile wide and the lands on both
sides are very good and well wooded, besides they have begun to clear
on the north shore." He says further : " It would be very easy to make
a road from the point which is over against the Island of Montreal, to
the bay which they call La Galette [below the O. & L. C. depot site].
This route would shun forty leagues of impracticable navigation. A
fort would be much better situated and more necessary at La Galette
than at Cataraqoui, because a single canoe cannot pass that point with
out being seen, besides a bark can sail from the place with a good wind
to Niagara in two days."
Charlevoix's description of the rapids and journey up the river agrees
with others. He states that on the 8th of May, 1721, when below
Rapid du Plat, a little snow fell and at night it froze as it does in France
in the month of January. On the 9th he passed up the last rapid, which
is a league and a half below La Galette ; he says he could not suffi
ciently admire the beauty of the country between the Galoup and La
Galette. It is impossible to see finer forests, and he especially noticed
some oaks of extraordinary size and height.
Sufficient evidence is furnished in the foregoing accounts to satisfy the
most skeptical that this place received its French name at an early date,
and the beauty of the scenery in its proper season of the year would
naturally lead the enthusiastic Frenchman to exclaim, in their terms,
and according to our late current expression, " It takes the cake."

THE OLD REGIME. 47

CHAPTER IV.
THE OLD REGIME.
Condition of the Colonies in 1659— Hochelaga and its Occupation — Contrast between
the Montreal of that Period and that of To-Day— The Old Spinner— The Company of
the West and its Efforts — Importations of Women— The Seignorial Grants— Stringent
Rules of the Church— Intemperance— Divine Chastisement— Spirit of Discovery— De la
Salle and his Western Expedition — Paucity of English Posts of Occupation.
(""HE colony, for ten years or more, dating from 1657, had her
[ internal troubles. While the heathen Iroquois raged at her door,
discord rioted at the hearthstone. A strife for supremacy and rule
existed between Montreal and Quebec ; also between the Recollects, the
Jesuits, the Sulpitians and the Jansenists, to secure the appointment of
a bishop that would be favorable to their particular views ; yet all were
ready to unite against the encroachments of the heretic Huguenots.
But finally the Jesuits become the ruling element in the church in the
colony. The white population in Canada in 1659 did not exceed 2,500 souls,
including priests, nuns, traders and settlers. Montreal contained about
forty log huts, situated along the line of St. Paul street; on the rising
ground on the left was a fort, and on the right was a wind-mill. The
place contained one hundred and sixty men, and only fifty of them had
families or wives.
The Indian village Hochelaga was situated on the left bank of the
St. Lawrence, at the foot of Lachine Rapids, in the forks of the Ottawa
River, one hundred and eighty miles above Quebec. The place was
used as an outpost of Quebec for about one hundred years after its dis
covery. At length the competition in the fur trade was such that it
became necessary for the company to establish a trading post at this
point, so that peltry might be purchased of the Indians at all times of
year. Therefore, at the dates mentioned, a few huts were erected under
the shadow of the fort, along a winding and well- beaten Indian trail.

48 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
This settlement may be considered the commencement of the present
rich and populous city of Montreal. As the settlement increased a
village was built around this crooked row without disturbing its bound
ary, and thus originated the famous St. Paul street, the narrow and zig
zag course of which has long been a source of wonder. The contrast
between the conditions under which the life of the pioneers of Montreal
was pursued, and those of the present day is marvelous, and scarcely to
be appreciated. Deprivation and hardship of every nature has given
way to luxury and all the blessings of civilization in a great city.
Montreal under English economy has made wonderful progress. The
deepening of the channel of the St. Lawrence above Quebec allows large
vessels to pass up to the city, bringing the markets of the Old World
to their doors. The canals built around the rapids above the city, and
around Niagara Falls, open up a vast farming country, the products of
which, with those of the lumber district of Ottawa (or the larger portion
of it), go direct to Montreal, to be either consumed there or sent to
foreign markets. The Lachine Rapids supply the city with an ample
and never failing water power, which adds materially to the manufac
turing interests of the town. Montreal has a population of nearly half
a million. It takes the lead of all the cities of the Dominion, and no
doubt will continue to be the metropolis of Canada for years to come.
Yet in the midst of this beautiful and enterprising city are a few
descendants of those early pioneers who cling to the customs and
traditions of their forefathers. The writer was much amused, in the fall
of 1854, on seeing an apple vender carding wool and spinning yarn as
she sat at the foot of the steps of the Roman Catholic cathedral. The
spinning implement was the same as the Roman women used three
hundred years before Christ ; it was simply a pear-shaped weight of
perhaps two pounds, with a stem attached about six or eight inches long.
The wool was rolled around a distaff, and that fastened to a belt on her
left side. On starting she twisted with her thumb and fore finger, a
short thread and fastened it to the stem of the weight, holding it by the
thread in one hand and with the other she gave the stem a twist, setting
the ball in motion. The momentum given to the ball twisted the thread
as fast as she drew it from the wool, and when the speed slackened,
she gave the ball another twist, drawing out the thread as before. In

THE OLD REGIME. 49
this manner she continued until the ball reached the pavement, when
she wound the yarn around it, and repeated the process. I questioned
her in English and received a shrug of the shoulders ; but anxious to
know more about her quaint spinning machine, I spoke to her in French
and learned that she was more than ninety years old and had learned in
her younger days to spin in this manner, as there was then no other ma
chine in use. She said she was too old to learn on the new fandangle
wheels at the time they were introduced.
The recently formed Company of the West, as it was named, had
started with the purpose of showing the vast political possibilities of the
young colony, and opening a vista of future glories alike for the church
and for the king. Louis XIV. had agreed with the company to send to
Canada three hundred soldiers yearly for ten years, to serve three years,
after which term they could become settlers. The company was con
tinually calling for men, and the king became alarmed, for he needed
men for his army at home, and said the colony must thereafter rely chiefly
on its increase from within. The Sulpitians, a religious order founded
at Rochelle, France, by one Olier,1 about 1630, had procured a grant of
a seignorial estate embracing Montreal and several leagues above, ex
tending back from the river a long distance. This order brought over
people to settle their lands. In 1659 the ship St. Andre brought to
Montreal fifty settlers, comprising artisans, soldiers and peasants, with
a troop of young women. There were also two groups of women wear
ing the habit of nuns, under the direction of Marguerite Bourgeois and
Jeanne Mance. Marguerite was the foundress of a school of the Infant
Jesus, for female children, at Montreal ; and Jeanne was directress of the
Hospital St. Joseph. This " Holy Family " commenced their labors in
a stable, lodging with their pupils in the loft.
The king, in order to encourage the discharged soldiers to marry and
settle in Canada, pensioned them. The officers were granted as high as
1,500 livres, and the soldiers were to receive land. The Sulpitians and
other parties brought out young women to become wives for their set
tlers. The king also continued the benevolent work on a larger scale.
Girls were taken from the Paris hospitals, houses of refuge, and from
among the peasants, while for officers' wives a better class of young
1 Olier died in 1656, and his remains were enclosed in a leaden box and were said to have miracu
lous power to restore diseased limbs by a touch of the box.

50 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ladies were brought over. Thus hundreds of girls, some proving to be
grass widows, came, and were provided with husbands within a short
time of their arrival. The young women were taken in charge by
Mother Mary, and gave her much trouble. On one occasion, in a
moment of 'unwonted levity, she called them " mixed goods," or the
" king's girls." The matrimonial market of Quebec and Montreal was
on a large scale. The girls were assorted in three classes, each class
penned up for selection in a separate hall, and there submitted to the
inspection of the suitor. The man was required to choose a bride with
out delay, while the women were permitted to reject any applicant who
displeased them. The first question usually asked the suitor was if he
had a house and a farm. Bounties were offered by the king for early
marriages, twenty livres to young men who married before the age of
twenty, and also to each girl who married before the age of sixteen.
The father of a family was obliged to mary off his children at those
ages. Bachelors were to bear additional burdens and be excluded from
all honors and privileges granted to others. Bounties were offered on
children, three hundred livres on families of ten children, and four hun
dred on families of twelve children. Hence in the year 1671 nearly
seven hundred children were born in the colony. The immigration of
women and the granting of the bounties ceased soon after the Dutch
war of 1672. The lands were divided into seignorial grants among the
officers, who in turn granted them in farms to the soldiers. The king
furnished a windmill, a chapel, and a chaplain to each parish, which
were some three leagues apart. The habitants built their houses in a
cluster, and surrounded the village with a picket palisade for protection
against the Indians. For a few years the soldier- farmer's life was a
rough one, until he had a few acres under tillage ; but his supplies were
increased by a profusion of eels, which the St. Lawrence never failed to
yield in their season, and which, when smoked or salted, supplied his
larder for months. " A poor man," says Mother Mary, " will have on
the average ten children, with bare heads and feet and little jackets on
their backs, live on nothing but pea soup and eels, and on that grow
fat and strong." With such treatment the weaker died, but the stronger
survived, and out of this rugged nursing sprang the hardy Canadian
race of bush rangers and bush fighters.

THE OLD REGIME. 51
The stringent rules of the church, together with the exacting laws of
the colony in regard to marriage, caused some of the more roying young
men to abandon civilized life and take their chances with the Indians.
Such were called coureurs de bois, or bush rangers. This class was em
ployed more or less by the fur traders in exchanging their goods, con
sisting largely of brandy, with the Indians for furs. At length intem
perance became so prevalent, especially among the Indians, that meas
ures were adopted by the clergy to put a stop to the traffic. In the
summer of J648 a temperance convention was held at the mission of
Sillery, ^ar Quebec, the first, probably, on this continent. An appeal
was made to the king to do away with the traffic, and he referred the
matter to the Fathers of Sorbonne, who pronounced the selling of brandy
to the Indians a mortal sin. He next referred the case to the merchants,
who were in favor of unrestricted trade in spirituous liquors. The argu
ment in its favor was that if the thirsty savages were refused brandy by
the French, they would seek it from the Dutch and English in New
York, where the Indians and their beaver skins would be sure to go.
The temperance question was agitated for years, when at length the
Jesuit party gained control, and prohibition, as far as the Indians were
concerned, was enacted, taking effect in 1662 under the new gover
nor, Avangour, who desired to conciliate the Jesuits. A few weeks
later two men were shot and one whipped for selling brandy to the In
dians. This act raised a great commotion, as men in high standing
were engaged in the traffic, and influence was brought to bear to have
the governor revoke the decree. A few months later a woman was im
prisoned for the same cause, and Father Lallemant came to the gover
nor to intercede for her. The governor flew into a passion and ex
claimed ; " Your brethren were the first to cry out against the liquor
traffic, and now you want to save the traders from punishment. Since
it is not a crime for this woman, it shall not be a crime for anybody.
Henceforth there shall be full license for liqour dealers."
Disorder grew from bad to worse ; men gave no heed to bishops,
preachers or confessions. Father Lallemant gravely writes that as
winter was drawing to a close, outraged heaven interposed an awful
warning to the guilty colony. That blazing serpents flew through the
air on wings of fire, and with voice as loud as thunder. A converted

52 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
squaw heard a voice in the night saying, " Strange things will happen
to day;" and others heard similar warnings. "Now to pass from
vision to facts," writes Father Lallemant, " at half past five o'clock on
the morning of February 5, 1663, a great roaring sound was heard at
the same time through the whole extent of Lower Canada, New England
and New Netherlands. Everybody rushed into the streets ; animals
ran wildly about; children cried; men and women seized with fright
knew not where to take refuge, expecting every moment to be buried
under the ruins of houses, or swallowed up in some abyss opening under
their feet. The earthquake continued without ceasing, with a motion
like that of a ship at sea. The trees struck one against the other, with
such noise and confusion that the Indians said that the forest was drunk.
Considerable hills and large tracts of forest slid from their places, some
into the river, and some into adjacent valleys ; streams were turned
from their courses ; waterfalls were leveled ; springs were dried up in
some places, while in others new springs appeared. A remarkable
effect was produced on the St. Lawrence, which was so charged with
mud and clay that for many weeks the water was unfit to drink."
It was midsummer before the shocks wholly ceased and the earth
assumed her wonted calm. The accounts that have come down to us
of the forewarning and the visions seen during the shock, such as spec
tres and phantoms of fire bearing torches in their hands; also of the
fiery figure of a man vomiting flames, and many other apparitions, seem
somewhat ludicrous ; yet it is clear that the convulsion must have been
a severe one. The writers of that day saw in this a proof that God
would punish the guilty without destroying them. There was for a
time following an intense revival of religion ; repentant throngs beset
the confessionals and altars ; enemies were reconciled ; fasts, prayers
and penances filled the whole season of Lent. Wealth and privileges
of all kinds were showered upon the church, and especially upon the
religious orders, in the hope of purchasing pardon for past sins and
favors in the next world. Yet, as was seen, the devil could still find, in
the liquor traffic, wherewith to console himself.
Succeeding the notable events thus far narrated, the spirit of discov
ery and conquest in the New World continued active, and the heroic
figures of the time pushed their way into hitherto unknown regions ;

THE OLD REGIME. 53
but as they were chiefly remote from the section of which this work
treats, their explorations can only be touched upon.
In the summer of 1673 the missionaries Joliet and Marquette made
their way to the upper waters of the Wisconsin River and down that
stream to the Mississippi, and southerly to the thirty-third parallel of
latitude. The famous explorer, Cavalier Robert de la Salle, born at Rouen in
1643, came to Canada in 1666. The priests of St. Sulpice, desiring to
extend the line of settlements up the river, to form an outpost for pro
tection against the Iroquois, granted La Salle a large tract of land just
above the great rapids about nine miles above Montreal. There La
Salle traced the circuit of a palisaded village, built a seminary, a hospi
tal and a church, and had a flourishing settlement under way. A band
of the Seneca nation spent the winter of 1668-9 with him and told him
of a river called the Ohio, rising in their country and flowing to the sea.
This led in the summer of 1669 to the formation of a party and the
historical explorations which took him eventually down the Ohio River
as far as the rapids of Louisville. La Salle returned and was with
Frontenac at the Indian council held at Cataraquoi, now Kingston. In
the fall of 1674 he went to France, received a patent of nobility and a
grant in seigniory of Fort Frontenac, to take possession of which he re
turned in the following spring. Here he built vessels to run on the lake,
with Fort Frontenac as a base of supplies. In 1679 he built a palisade
fort at Niagara. In January of the same year he built a small sailing
craft above Niagara, the first on Lake Erie. On the 7th of August fol
lowing La Salle started with thirty-four voyageurs on a journey which
took him through the Straits of Detroit, across Lake Huron and Green
Bay, across Lake Michigan to the St. Joseph River, up that stream and
across the country to the upper Kankaka ; thence down to Disarters.
He then returned to Fort Frontenac. During his absence, Father
Hennepin, a member of the company, traversed Illinois and explored
the Mississippi as far up as the Falls of St. Anthony.
In 168 1 La Salle returned to his station in Illinois with men and sup
plies and in the following year descended the Ohio and the Mississippi,
discovered the Gulf of Mexico and planted there, a short distance from
the mouth of the Mississippi, a column of sycamore bearing the arms of

54 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
France. It should, however, be stated that the honor of discovery of
the Mississippi belongs to the Spaniards, through Pamphilo de Nar-
vaez, in 1528, and Ferdinand de Soto in 1539, both of whom had been
exploring Florida.
After La Salle's discovery of the mouth of the Mississippi in 1682, he
returned to Quebec and immediately sailed for France. The news of
this vast discovery greatly excited the kingdom and plans were made
for colonizing the valley of the Mississippi. France was not slow to
occupy and settle the extensive country opened to her by the Jesuits.
The discovery of this southern port, where they could land at all seasons
of the year, gave them additional advantages over the St. Lawrence,
which is closed with ice a part of the year. As early as 1688 military
posts were established at Frontenac, at Niagara, at the Straits of Mack
inaw, and on the Illinois River. Before the middle of the seventeenth
century, permanent settlements had been made by the French on the
Maumee, at Detroit, at the mouth of the St. Joseph River, at Green
Bay, at Vincennes on the lower Wabash, on the Mississippi, at the
mouth of Kaskaskia, and at Fort Rosaline, the site of Natchez, and on
the Gulf of Mexico at the head of the Bay of Biloxi.
At this time the only outposts of the English colonists were a small
fort at Oswego and a few scattered cabins in West Virginia. It only
remained for France to occupy the valley of the Ohio in order to con
fine the provinces of Great Britain to the country east of the Allegha-
nies. England had colonized the sea coast from Maine to Florida and
the great towns were on the ocean edge, but her claims reached far be
yond her colonies. In making grants of territory the English king had
always proceeded upon the theory that the voyage of Sebastian Cabot
had given to England a lawful right to the country from the Atlantic
to the Pacific Ocean. Far different, however, were the claims of France.
She had first colonized the valley of the St. Lawrence to about five
hundred miles from the sea, and had her colonies been limited to the
St. Lawrence and its tributaries there would have been little danger of
a conflict over territorial dominion. The purpose of the French, as
manifested in their movements, was to divide the American continent
and take the larger portion for France and Catholicism. For more
than two centuries previous to that time France had been the leader of

CONFLICTING INTERESTS. 55
the Catholic and England of the Protestant powers of Europe. Relig
ious prejudice thus intensified the natural jealousy of the two nations.
The Hudson and the St. Lawrence Rivers were then, as now, in di
rect antagonism in the matter of trade. Commerce sought the most
advantageous market, and drew much of the traffic of the Indians by
the valley of the Mohawk into the hands of the English. This naturally
embittered the feelings of the French against their hereditary enemy of
the sea-board and gave local zest to the contest which was long waged
between the two powers. In pursuit of the fur trade, that great source
of wealth to the people of both nations, these trails to the west became
avenues of commerce which it was important for the French to hold
and equally so for the English to obstruct,

CHAPTER V.
CONFLICTING INTERESTS.
Jesuit Enterprise — Alarm of the English — Conflicting Claims and Measures — Wash
ington's Mission to the Ohio Valley — Fort Duquesne — Washington at Fort Necessity —
General Braddock's Expedition — Vigorous Movements of the French — Father Piquet
at La Galette — His Successful Establishment — His Report Concerning the Location —
French Industry in Founding Establishments for Civilizing the Indians — The English
Awakened to Action — English Endeavors to Secure an Alliance with the Indians —
Piquet's Improvements at La Galette.
WHEN by the enterprise of the Jesuit missionaries the French began
to build fortifications along the Ohio River and its tributaries and
monopolize the fur trade, the English colonies were greatly distressed,
and it was only a question of time when this unreasonable jealousy would
bring on a collision between them. For some time the strolling traders
of Virginia and Pennsylvania in purchasing furs had frequented the In
dian villages on the upper tributaries of the Ohio. The French were
equally active and began to visit the same places and to compete for
the trade. The French traders were regarded by the English as un
warranted intruders, and the Virginians united in a body, called "The
Ohio Company," with a view to the immediate occupation of this dis-

56 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
puted territory, and sent on a large colony of families to take posses
sion of the valley of the Ohio. This expedition was followed by a still
more vigorous movement on the part of the French, who built fortifica
tions at several strategic points. The Indians of that territory were
somewhat jealous of these movements, not knowing which side to favor ;
but after the murder of their chief, Miami, by a French scouting party,
their hostility towards the French became more decided, and at a
council of war a delegation was sent to the French headquarters to
remonstrate with the commander against a further invasion of their
country. " The land is mine and I will have it," replied the French
man, with decision and contempt. This insulting remark caused the
Indians to raise the hatchet against the enemy of their people, and
their chief met Benjamin Franklin at the town of Carlisle, Pa., and
formed a treaty of alliance with the English. Virginia was now thor
oughly aroused; but before proceeding to actual hostilities the governor
determined to try the effect of a final remonstrance with the French.
Accordingly a paper was drawn up setting forth the nature and extent
of the English claim to the valley of the Ohio, and solemnly warning
the authorities of France against further intrusion into that region.
George Washington, a young man, a surveyor by profession, was select
ed as the bearer of this important dispatch, to be delivered to St. Pierre,
the general in command, then stationed at Erie, Pa. Washington set
out on his long journey October 31, 1753 ; but before he had completed
it he learned that St. Pierre had come down to superintend the fortifica
tions at Labceuf, where the conference was held. Washington was
received with great courtesy by the French general, but he refused to
enter into any discussion on the rights of nations. He said he was act
ing under instructions from the governor of New France, and his orders
were to eject every Englishman from the valley of the Ohio, and he
meant to carry out his instructions to the letter. Washington was
kindly dismissed, but not until he had noted, with keen anxiety, the
immense preparations which were being made by the French to defend
their rights to the country. It was in the dead of winter when Wash
ington returned to Virginia, and the defiant dispatch of St. Pierre was
laid before Governor Dinwiddie. The first public services of Washing
ton, the future president of the United States, were then acknowl
edged.

CONFLICTING INTERESTS. 57
In the mean time a company was organized under the command of
Trent, with orders to proceed at once to the source of the Ohio and
erect a fort. About the middle of March the party reached the con
fluence of the Alleghany and the Monongahela Rivers, and there
built the first rude stockade fort on the present site of Pittsburg, Pa.,
this being the key to the Ohio valley. The French, however, rallied
soon after and captured the place and laid the foundation for Fort
Duquesne. Washington was commissioned by the governor of Virginia as
lieutenant-colonel in the spring of 1754, to command a little army of
Virginians, with orders to construct a fort at the source of the Ohio ; to
destroy whomsoever opposed him in the work, and to capture, kill, or
repel all who interrupted the progress of the English settlements in that
country. Washington reached the Great Meadows in the latter part of
May, and was informed that a company of French was a few miles
away and on the march to attack him. A stockade was immediately
erected, to which was given the appropriate name of Fort Necessity.
Ascertaining from an Indian that the French company in the neighbor
hood was only a scouting party, Washington, after conferring with the
Mingo chief, determined to strike the first blow. Two Indians followed
the trail of the French and discovered their hiding place in a broken
ravine. Washington's troops advanced cautiously, intending to surprise
and capture the whole force ; but the French were on the alert, saw the
approaching soldiers and prepared to meet them, when Washington, at
the head of his company, with musket in hand, gave the command
" fire," and the reverberating sound rang through the forest as the first
volley of a great war went flying on its mission of death. The engage
ment was brief and decisive. Jumonville, the leader of the French, and
ten of his party were killed and twenty-one were made prisoners of
war. In July of the following year, when General Braddock was about to
make a move against Fort Duquesne, Washington, who was acting as
his aid- de-camp, cautioned him as to the danger of being led into an
ambuscade. This advice touched Braddock's pride and he angrily ex
claimed, " It is high times when Colonel Buckskin can teach a British
general how to fight." The result was that Braddock lost his life and

58

HISTORY ,.OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

his main forces were destroyed, while Washington with thirty Virginians
"remained alive to cover the flight of the ruined army. Thus our brave
Washington commenced his military career and continued to render
efficient services to the English against the French during the war.
The collisions which often took place between the French and English
scouting parties, who were contending for the possession of the Ohio
valley in 1754-55, created a distrust all along the line, and both sides
were eager to make allies of the Indian tribes. The French, however,
were very successful in gaining the confidence of the Indians, and for a
year or two drove every English family from the Ohio valley as well as
from the basin of the St. Lawrence. The territory the French then oc
cupied comprised twenty times as much as the English possessed.
The vigorous efforts put forth by the French in encouraging such
hostilities caused Great Britain to make an open declaration of war,
May 17, 1756, which was followed by a similar declaration on the part
of France. We have in this chapter diverged
somewhat from the direct history con
nected with Ogdensburg, in order to
note the operations of the French in
the southwest, thus continuing the
chain of circumstances which led to
the war and the final cessation of
French rule in America. Let us now
return to the record of events in the
vicinity of the territory of which this
work treate.
Francois Piquet, a Sulpitian, who
was- a successful missionary at the
Lake of Two Mountains, was among
the first to foresee'the coming war be-
father piquet. tween France and England. He had,
therefore, prepared himself as early as 1742, for the coming struggle.
The French had long seen the necessity of forming an alliance with the
Indian tribes on the borders of their territory, and of fortifying every
avenue of approach whereby the English could reach the St. Lawrence

CONFLICTING INTERESTS. 59
River; therefore, it became necessary to fortify La Galette in order to
hold the British in check, as the latter could descend from the Mohawk,
by the way of Cranberry Lake and the Oswegatchie River, to the St.
Lawrence. The French authorities had great confidence in the zeal and executive
ability of Father Piquet, as he had a military turn of mind. He was a
theologian, an orator and a poet ; he also sang and composed songs in
French as well as in Iroquois (with which language he was familiar),
which greatly interested and amused the savages. " He was a child
with one, and a hero with another ;" therefore he was commissioned to
take charge of this enterprise, and left Quebec September 30, 1748, for
Fort Frontenac, where he wintered. On the 4th of May, 1749, he left
Frontenac with twenty-five Frenchmen and four converted Indians, in
several bateaux, laden with provisions and the necessary outfit to erect
a fort. Landing with his forces on the west shore of the Oswegatchie at La
Galette, May 30, 1749, he first erected a storehouse for his provisions,
then a stockade fort, also a house which served them as a bastion, on
the spot near where the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg station now
stands. Shortly afterward five two-pounder cannons were sent him
from the fort, to give it the appearance of stability and to inspire the
Indians with confidence in his strength.
Piquet with his assistants, after fitting up their houses and laying in
provisions for the winter, commenced work among the various Indian
tribes, to bring them into friendly relations, and to induce them to jbin
his mission. On the 26th of October a party supposed to be Mohawk
Indians, being instigated to this attack' by the English, surprised the
camp and burned everything excepting Piquet's house, including a
quantity of hay on two barges which had been gathered for shipment,
causing a loss to the settlers of about $600. The loss would have been
greater, but for a detachment of Sieur de Vassau's command from Fort
Frontenac, and four Abenakis, who furnished on this occasion good
proof of their fidelity. No lives were lost, but one man had his hand
carried away by a ball, and his arm had to be amputated. Nothing
daunted by this unexpected check, they went to work at once to make
repairs and build their winter quarters. Piquet had a special interview

60 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
with the Iroquois Indians, who were satisfied with all he had done, and
six Indian families took up their abode with him. Father Piquet, in
making his report to the governor of New France, said, " This post was
very advantageous ; it is on the borders of the River de la Presentation
at the head of all the rapids, on the west side of a beautiful basin formed
by the river and capable of easily holding forty or fifty barks, drawing
ten or twelve feet of water. The bank is very low, in a level country,
the point of which runs far out. The passage across is hardly a quarter
of a league, and all the canoes, going up or down, cannot pass elsewhere.
A fort on this point would be impregnable ; it would be impossible to
approach and nothing commands it. The east side is more elevated,
and runs by a gradual inclination into an amphitheatre. A beautiful
town could hereafter be built here."
Abbe Piquet also stated that he would like to clear up a portion of
the forest and accustom the Indians to raise cows, hogs and poultry, as
there were beautiful prairies, acorns and wild oats in the vicinity, which
could be brought into use. In order to induce the natives to settle
there, the governor is said to have placed at this point a large magazine
of all kinds of clothing fitted for Indians ; also provisions, arms and
ammunition, which were distributed very liberally among them.
In the summer of 175 :, having materially strengthened the fortifica
tions and gathered three hundred and ninety-six families about him,
Father Piquet turned his attention to the erection of a saw- mill for the
use of his settlement and for the government. He also obtained a per
petual lease, from the authorities at Quebec, for the mill privilege on
the river, with one and one-half square arpents1 of land for a mill yard,
at the annual rental of five sous and six deniers, payable to his majesty's
domain, on the festival day of St. Remy, which occurs on the first of
October. The industry of the French in founding establishments among the
Indian tribes at this period sufficiently evinces the anxiety they felt to
secure the interest and influence of the savages, to the prejudice of the
English colonies. How far the French had succeeded in drawing away
the Indians at this date may be inferred by the words of the son of the
1 An arpent is ten rods square (ioo square rodsl, French measure ; a rod is eighteen feet English
measure.

CONFLICTING INTERESTS. 61
Indian chief, Black Prince, in his interview with the English officer,
Colonel Johnson : " I hear a bird sing that a great many Indians, from
my castle and others from the Five Nations, had gone to Swe-kat-si.
All this grieves me and I see things going very wrong. If a stop is not
put to it the Five Nations will soon be ruined."
The English colonies ,were now thoroughly aroused over their late
reverses, and from the fact that, since Braddock's defeat, the Indians
were more inclined to tender their allegiance to the French. A con
gress of representatives from the several English colonies was called,
and assembled at Albany, N. Y., on the 19th of June, 1754, to agree
upon a plan of union for the common defence against the enroachments
of the French and the hostilities of the Indians. The measure, which
was the great object of this congress, ultimately failed, from its strong
republican tendency, which alarmed the minions of royalty . then in
power. Several points of interest were discussed which have a direct
relation with our subject. Among the commissioners from the several
colonies appeared those who afterward shone with distinguished reputa
tion in the Revolutionary War. Undoubtedly this congress was the
starting point where the question was raised as to the God -given right
of self government for the protection of their lives and property, which
was so signally carried out by the colonists in 1777.
During the session of the Congress it was stated that the French were
continually drawing off the Indians from the British interest, and had
lately persuaded one-half of the Onondaga tribe, with many from the
other nations, to remove to a place called Oswegatchie, on the River St.
Lawrence, where they had built them a church and fort, and that many
of the Senecas, the most numerous nation, appeared wavering and rather
inclined to the French.
Hendrick, the Mohawk chief, and a friend of the English, endeav
ored to dissuade his confederates of New York from joining the settle
ment at Oswegatchie. At one of their councils he said : " It grieves
me sorely to find the road hither so grown up with weeds for the want
of being used, and the fires almost expiring at Onondaga, where it was
ao-reed by the wisdom of our ancestors that it should never be extin
guished. You know it was a saying among them, that when the fire
was out here, you would be no longer a people. I am now sent by

62 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
your brother, the governor, to clear the road and make up the fire with
such wood as will never burn out, and I earnestly desire you will take
care to keep it up, that it may always be found the same when he shall
send among you a belt."
There were only a few of the many expected representatives of the
Indian tribes present at this congress to show their friendship to the
English cause. The Indian chief, Red Head, who was chosen a repre
sentative at a council held at Onondaga, in reply to the Mohawk chief,
said : " We acknowledge with equal concern with you that the road be
tween us has been obstructed and almost grown up with weeds ; that
our fire is scattered and almost extinguished. We return you our most
hearty thanks for recruiting the fire with such wood as will burn clear
and not go out, and we promise that we shall, with the utmost care,
dress and keep it up, as we are sensible from what has been said by our
forefathers, that the neglect of it would be our ruin. We rejoice that
we see the fire burn pure where it should, and you may depend upon
our quenching that false fire at Oswegatchie, and doing all we can to
recall our brothers, too often seduced that way. Though we did not
imagine we had done so much amiss in going thither, when we observed
that you white people pray. We had no nearer place to learn to pray
and have our children baptized than there. However, as you insist
upon it, we will not go that way nor be any more divided. I must now
say it is not with our consent that the French have committed any
hostilities in Ohio. We know what you Christian English and French
together intend. We are so hemmed in by both that we have hardly a
hunting place left. In a little while, if we find a bear in a tree, there
will immediately appear an owner of the land to claim the property, and
between both we hardly know what to say or think."
The sentiment expressed by the last speaker is so prophetic and true
that it cannot fail to excite our sympathy at the fate of this unfortunate
race, made so by the hand of a Christian people in whom at first they
had placed great confidence.
After the saw mill here was put in operation, the facilities for build
ing were much greater and the mission increased rapidly. They also
commenced to clear up the forest at the rate of about one hundred
arpents a year, and to plant corn, keep cows, pigs and sheep.

CONFLICTING INTERESTS. 63
In 1753 Father Piquet, accompanied by a converted Indian chief,
made a trip to France to render an account of his stewardship and to
solicit aid for his little colony. He was kindly received by the king,
who made him presents of money, pictures, a banner and books. This
mark of distinction caused some jealousy, however, on the part of other
priests. On his return, Father Piquet accompanied his people on sev
eral expeditions against the English. One was around Lake Ontario
where the English sent brandy into his camp, thus making the Indians
drunk and greatly embarrassing his plans. Piquet, with his braves, was
present when Fort George, near Saratoga, was taken from the English,
August 9, 1757, by the French commander, De Longuil Sabervois, who
captured one hundred prisoners without losing a man. The scalping
expeditions that went out from the post at La Galette greatly annoyed
the English settlements on the Mohawk, so much so that the British
commander determined to put a stop to them by capturing the fortress
whence they issued The English were thoroughly aroused and made
great preparations to close in on their enemies all along the line, while
the French were equally determined to defend their position.
The fort at La Galette in 1755 is described by the French general
De Barre, as follows: "The fort Presentation consists of four battle
ments in the form of bastions, of which the curtains are palisades. It is
sufficient to resist savages, but could be but poorly defended against
troops who might attack it." Therefore, the fort was strengthened and
the Marquis de Levis commenced to fortify Isle Royal. The Indian
name of this island is Oraquointon, now known by the name of Chim
ney Island.1 The fort was completed in 1759 and christened Fort
Levis, after the general who built it. At this fort the main force of
troops was thereafter garrisoned, as Father Piquet was opposed to
having many of the soldiers stationed at his post. He had found by
1 The name of " Isle Royal," became changed to Chimney Island, soon after the country was
occupied by the Americans from the fact that many chimneys were left standing among the ruins
of the fortress. It is situated some three miles below Ogdensburg on the American side of the
channel, and about half a mile due north from " Indian Point." The island is low, irregular in
shape, and contains about six acres. For many years traces of the fortress were clearly visible,
but it having been dug over time and again by parties in search of treasures, who were led astray
by the pretended indications of the divining rod, or the impositions of fortune tellers, have nearly
obliterated all traces of the former works. These scenes of money digging, however, have discov
ered a great number of metallic relics, such as tomahawks, hoes, axes, picks, gate hinges, cannon
balls and lead bullets, relics of the French and Indian occupation of the place.

64

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

sad experience that the troops demoralized the savages whom he was
laboring to Christianize and greatly retarded the missionary work. For
said he, "No one knows better than myself of the disorders which in
crease in proportion as the garrison becomes more numerous. Liber
tinism, intemperance, and all kinds of debauchery, which were intro
duced by the whites, happily were unknown among the savages." '

SCALE OF FEET.

KOKT LEVIS ON CUIMNUY ISLAND.

Father Piquet was as much abhorred and dreaded by the English,
as he was honored and esteemed by the French. At a grand council
held by the French, on the progress of the war in Montreal, a member
I The experiences <iC many of tin- French mlnnlonunoniiru Hona-wlml dllR-rent. They find m
a general rule, that the- moraltt o£ the Indians wore very low.

ENGLISH SUPREMACY.

lio

by the name of Eastburn said that a priest called Piquet, stationed at
Oswegatchie, and who understood the Indian language well, did more
harm to the English than any other of his order in Canada ; that his
raids had proved very harassing to the white settlements along the
frontier at New York.
In 1757 General Gage was ordered by the British commoner that if
Fort Niagara, which was then under siege, should be reduced, he should
immediately proceed to capture the fort at La Galette, so that the Eng
lish settlements might be free from the enemies' scalping parties. But
owing to the lateness of the season, the order was not carried out.

CHAPTER VI.
EN&LISH SUPREMACY.
Campaign of 1758— Campaign of 1759 — Campaign of 1760 — Military Operations in
the Vicinity of La Galette — Capture of the Post by the English — Treaty of Paris —
Failure of French Hopes — Piquet's Departure.
ANEW ministry was formed in England, with the great commoner,
William Pitt, at its head, and General Abercrombie succeeded the
deposed Lord Loudon at the head of the army in America. Substantial
success followed this charge, attained chiefly through the operations of
the subordinate officers, Admiral Boscawen, General Amherst, Lord
Howe, General Forbes, General Washington, Col. Robert Montgomery
and General Wolfe.
Three campaigns were planned for 1758 — Amherst in conjunction
with the fleet to capture Louisburg ; Lord Howe to reduce Crown Point
and Ticonderoga ; w.hile the Ohio valley was entrusted to General
Forbes, with the assistance of Washington. As a result of Amherst's
operations, Louisburg, Cape Breton, and Prince Edward's Island sur
rendered on the 2 1st of July. On the 5th of July the French repulsed
Lord Howe at Ticonderoga, who returned to Fort George at the head
of Lake Champlain, whence he sent a force under Colonel Bradstreet

66 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
against Fort Frontenac. After a siege of two days, this fortress, so im
portant to the French, surrendered, with forty-six cannon, nine vessels
of war, and a large quantity of stores. Late in the summer General
Forbes, with 9,000 men, advanced against Fort du Quesne, Washington
leading the Virginians. On the night of November 24, when Washing
ton's forces were within ten miles of the fort, it was burned by the
French garrison, who floated down the river. The English flag was
raised over the ruins and the place named " Pittsburg, the Gateway of
the West."
In 1759 General Amherst was promoted to the command of the
American forces, and parliament voted twelve million pounds to carry
on the war. The colonies exerted themselves to the utmost, and by the
beginning of summer the British and colonial forces numbered nearly
50,000 men. The entire French army scarcely exceeded 7,000. Again
three campaigns were planned. General Prideaux was to conduct an
expedition against Niagara, capture the fort and descend the river to
Montreal. Amherst was to lead the main division against Crown Point.
General Wolfe was to complete the work by the capture of Quebec.
General Prideaux's expedition was successful, though he was nearly
killed by the bursting of a mortar, Sir William Johnson succeeding to
the command, and on the 25th of July Niagara capitulated and received
an English garrison, cutting off communication between Canada and
Louisiana. General Amherst with 11,000 men attacked Ticonderoga on the 22d
of July, and within the next six days Ticonderoga, Fort Carleton and
Crown Point were given up without a battle, the French entrenching
themselves on Isle-aux-Noix. The whole country about Lake Cham
plain was thus secured by the British. Meanwhile General Wolfe, with
nearly 8,000 men and a fleet of forty-four vessels, ascended the St.
Lawrence, and on the 27th of June reached a point four miles below
Quebec. After maneuvering more than two months, Wolfe's forces
gained the Plains of Abraham, where a battle was fought on the 13th of
September, the French retreating to their fortress. Five days later the
French surrendered to General Townshend, Wolfe having been killed
and the English took possession of the citadel. Thus the year 1759
closed with complete triumph for the English arms.

ENGLISH SUPREMACY. 67
The campaign of 1760 opened early and was of a character which had
a bearing upon the immediate locality of which this work treats. The
sagacious and humane commander, General Amherst, planned the ter
mination of the war in Canada by a bloodless conquest. For this pur
pose three armies were destined to co-operate by different routes against
Montreal, the only remaining place of strength held by the French in
that country. The corps under General Murray, formerly commanded
by Wolfe, was ordered to ascend the St. Lawrence from Quebec ; an -
other, under Colonel Hayiland, to descend Lake Champlain and reduce
Isle-aux-Noix, on its way to join Murray's forces. With the third
corps, consisting of about IO.OOO, assisted by Colonel Putnam and Gen
eral Gage, the commander, Sir Jeffrey Amherst, embarked at New York
on the 3d day of May, proceeded to Schenectady, whence he left June
2 1 st, passed up the Mohawk River, Wood Creek, Oneida Lake and
Oswego River, and arrived at Oswego on the 1st of July. On the 14th
Captain Loring hove in sight with two war vessels fitted out at Niagara,
where he had received orders to look out for and attack two French
boats which were crusading on the lake. On the 20th the French ves
sels, which had escaped Loring's vigilance, passed down into the St.
Lawrence, pursued by Loring. Captain Willyamoz was dispatched
with one hundred and thirty men and twelve boats to the Isle aux-
Iroquois to supply Captain Loring's immediate wants. On the 22d
General Gage arrived at Oswego with the rear of the army, as did also
Sir William Johnson on the 23d with a party of Indians. On the 5th of
August General Amherst ordered the army to be in readiness to em
bark. The Indians under Sir William Johnson numbered 706. On
the ioth the general himself, with the royal artillery, the regulars, Sir
William Johnson and a party of his Indians, embarked in canoes and
whale boats; but owing to the high winds they made slow progress and
one of the artillery boats was lost on a bar. On the 12th in a bay
where the enemy had lately encamped, they were joined by General
Gage with the provincials. On the 13th the whole army embarked and
and the same day encamped with Colonel Haldiman at the post which
he had taken at the head of the St. Lawrence, having passed Captain
Loring with his two vessels grounded on a bar. On the 13th the army
gained Point de Baril (now Blue Church) just above La Galette. Here

68

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

the French had a very good dock and ship-yard where they had built
their vessels, having their timbers sawed at the saw-mill at La Galette.
The grenadiers and infantry with the row-galleys took position that
day, without previously halting, at the mouth of Oswegatchie River.

BATTLE OF ISLE ROYAL.

.. Chimney Island, or Fort Levis.
*. Battery on American Shore.
3. Battery on Canadian Shore.
,. Saw Mill.

5. Fort la Presentation.
6. Island in Mouth of Oswegatchie, now a
Sand Bar.
7. Clearings made by Piquet.
The vessels are all English war vessels in position for battle. The short dashes in the
river represent row -galleys.

All this time one of the French war boats hovered about the row
galleys, while the other one had taken shelter near the French Fort la
Presentation, and as Captain Loring had not yet got into the right
channel, it became necessary for the safety of the army either to com-

ENGLISH SUPREMACY. . 69
pel this vessel to retire, or to take her. Colonel Williamson was ac
cordingly ordered to take her with the row galleys, and on the. 17th the
advance was made under the fire of the enemy, which was returned
from the galleys with such resolution and bravery that, after a contest
of four hours, the French struck their colors. The French vessel car
ried ten twelve-pounders and one hundred men. On the same day
General Amherst's forces reached Oswegatchie, when it was necessary
to reconnoitre Isle Royal ; this delayed the forward movement until
noon the next day. Isle Royal was not of great importance, but was
of too much consequence to leave in rear of an army, and its captured
garrison would, moreover, furnish pilots acquainted with the river
rapids ; hence it was determined to make the attack, which was done
the same evening. The French opened a sharp cannonade, destroyed
one of the row galleys, a few boats, and killed two or three men. Not
withstanding the continuance of this fire, the placing of batteries on
the Canadian shore and on Indian Point, and the masterly disposition
of the British troops, the fort was so thoroughly invested that by the
20th the escape of the garrison was impossible. The vessels dropped
down the stream (Captain Loring having arrived on the previous day),
and posted themselves as close to the fort as possible, with decks and
rigging well manned, in order to fall upon the enemy and prevent them
from using their guns ; while the grenadiers were prepared to row in
with broadswords and scaling ladders, their boats surrounded with mus
ket-proof fascines, and under cover of three hundred light infantry, who
were to fire into the embrasures. On the 23d the assault was made by
the batteries opening on the fort. Captain Loring's vessel ran aground,
and he was wounded and sent ashore, his boat being abandoned about
midnight. This accident delayed the assault for a time, but the delay
was a fortunate one, as it saved much bloodshed ; for on the 25th of
August M. Pouchet, the French commander, asked for terms of capit
ulation. The answer was that the fort must be given up immediately,
and the garrison surrendered prisoners of war. Only ten minutes were
granted for a reply, The terms were accepted within the time and
Lieutenant-Colonel Massey, with the grenadiers, took possession of the
place. The loss of the English was twenty-one killed and nineteen
wounded.

70 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
After the surrender of Fort Levis, the French garrison at Fort la
Presentation saw that it would be useless to hold out or to attempt to
escape with the gun boat moored in a cove near by, and they scuttled
her and fled to the woods, escaping into Canada. The English took
possession of the place.
After preparations had been made, the general with a part of his
army embarked about noon on the 31st of August, descended to Isle-
aux Chats (opposite Louisville Landing), and on the 1st of September
encamped about ten miles farther down. On the 2d General Gage,
with the other division, joined Amherst, having lost three Highlanders
in going over the falls. The whole force, proceeding together, entered
Lake St. Francis, and that evening reached Point- aux-Boudets. On
the 3d a prisoner was brought in and gave intelligence that Colonel
Haviland had taken possession of Isle-aux-Noix, the enemy having
abandoned it. On the 4th the army was put in motion, and about noon
the vanguard entered Cedar Falls. This is by far the most dangerous
part of the river, and had the boats crowded close upon each other,
most of them must have foundered. As it was, twenty-nine small
boats, seventeen whale boats, seventeen artillery boats, and one row
galley were dashed to pieces, with a loss of eighty- eight men. On the
morning of the 5th the remainder, who had encamped on Isle Perrot,
passed the rapids in safety. While stopping to repair the boats many
inhabitants flocked in to take the oath of allegiance to his Britannic Ma
jesty. After nine days of further perilous voyaging over the rapids of the
St. Lawrence, the general and his army came in sight of Montreal.
The other two armies came up the river from below, and on the 8th of
September, 1760, the garrison of Montreal, the last important post of
the enemy in the valley of the St. Lawrence, surrendered to General
Amherst, which virtually ended French rule in Canada. The Marquis
of Vaudreuil, in surrendering Montreal, stipulated that all western forts
under control of the French, should be given up to England. Major
Robert Rogers, with a company of two hundred provincial rangers, was
sent on to receive the surrender of the outposts in the west. But for
three years longer the war between France and England continued on
the ocean.

ENGLISH SUPREMACY. 71
On the ioth of February, 1763, a treaty of peace was made at Paris,
when all the French possessions in North America east of the Missis
sippi, from its source to the River Iberville, and thence through Lakes
Maurepas and Pontchartrain to the Gulf of Mexico, were surrendered to
Great Britain. At the same time Spain ceded East and West Florida
to the English crown, while the French were forced to cede to Spain
all of the vast territory west of the Mississippi, then known as the Prov
ince of Louisiana.
The historical engagement between the English and the French on
the St. Lawrence, and the surrender of the French garrison at Isle
Royal, was perhaps more important in its consequences than any
battle of which we have record. The first blood was shed in the
Southwest under Washington's command, and at this point the last gun
was fired and the last blood spilled in the memorable French, Indian
and English war of 1754-60 in North America, which not only ended
French rule but dominated Catholicism, which they endeavored to
establish with the feudal system throughout this now free and happy
land, so rendered under the powerful institutions, language, laws and
liberties of the English speaking race. In consideration of these facts,
Ogdensburg will ever be known as one of the most important historic
places in this country.
There was a time when hope beamed on the fruits of French explo
ration and settlement in the New World. The daring ambition and
enterprise of the young French noblesse laid the foundation of that
trade which led to the partial opening of the Great West. The mis
sions the Jesuits had come to plant among the heathen natives were
consecrated with tears and watered with their life blood. Through
years of unparalleled toil and with great agony of soul the hopes of the
fathers were alternately raised and crushed. Despite the amazing forti
tude and unquenchable zeal, through the triumph of the English the
hopes of the mission were doomed to destruction and the heart of faith
was humbled in the dust.
This chapter may be properly closed with brief reference to Father
Piquet,1 whose influence was so marked in early times upon the territory
1 Following is a brief sketch of Father Piquet's life. Father Piquet was born at Bourg in
Bresse on the 6th of December, 1708. His early education was under the care of an estimable

72 HISTORY OF ST LAWRENCE.
with which we are concerned in these pages. In the account given by
M. De Vaudreuil, in 1765, of French affairs in Canada, he said that as
the circumstances became more embarrassing, the zeal of Father Piquet
became more precious to the cause and prompted him to greater activity;
but when Montcalm was killed, September 13, 1759, at the taking of
Quebec, bringing ruin upon that place, Father Piquet decided to termi
nate his long and laborious career as missionary of La Galette. He
could not endure the thought of swearing allegiance to any other power,.
and made preparations to leave,. Father Garde having been selected to
take charge of the mission. He accordingly left La Galette May 8,
1760, with a few of his braves to escort and guard him up the country,
taking the route between Lakes Huron and Michigan, and thence down
through Louisiana to New Orleans. Louisiana and the west were then
still under the French rule. Father Piquet remained in New Orleans
nearly two years, and until he heard of the final triumph of the Eng
lish, when he sailed to France. In 1777 he made a journey to Rome,
and was heartily received by the Holy Father. Returning to France he
repaired with his sister to Verjun in 1781, and died on the 18th of July
that year.
Father and his greatest desire was to be a missionary. At the age of seventeen he began mission
ary work in the parish where he lived. His success soon attracted the attention of the bishop,
who gave him permission to preach in all parishes of his diocese. This new position rendered him
desirous to go to Rome to complete his education, but the archbishop advised him to go to Paris
instead. Following this advice he entered the congregation of St. Sulpice, where he remained
about five years. His activity and zeal led him to- seek a larger field of labor. He sailed therefore
to the wilds of America in 1733. He located in Montreal, where he passed about seven years in
missionary work. During this time he acquainted himself with the customs and language of the
Indians, in whose tongue he spoke fluently. About 1740 he established himself at the Lake of Two
Mountains, where he built with some aid from the king, a stone fort and a palisade of cedar posts
around the village, flanked by good redoubts. He became a great favorite with the Indians and
drew many to the support of the king, as well as to the embrace of Christianity. For his military
knowledge, courage and zeal he was called in 1748 to establish a fort and a missionary post at La
Galette. Of the thirty years of his active life spent in the northern wilderness to convert the sav
ages to the Catholic faith, eleven were passed in founding and conducting the mission of La
Galette. Besides carrying on a warfare with the English he built a saw mill, a stone chapel, and
several stone houses, also an extensive fortification. He also cleared several hundred arpents of
land, and put it under cultivation for the benefit of his flock, which consisted of more than four
hundred families, or some 3,000 souls, most of whom were converted Indians from the several
tribes in his vicinity. He had established a burying ground on the brow of the hill just back of
the barracks, on the northwest corner of what is now New York avenue and King street, where
the bones of some of their dead now repose. The English also used the same place for burial pur
poses during the thirty-six years of their occupancy of the place.

*7^y by ifi'IC. Co. TryJ <

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ENGLISH POSSESSION.

73

CHAPTER VII.

ENGLISH POSSESSION.
La Galette Improved by the English-Name Changed to Oswegatchie-The Indian
Village of. La Galette-The Revolutionary Period-English Possession of Oswegatchie
after the Declaration of Peace-Its Unimportance During the War-The Expedition of
Lieutenants McClelland and Hardenburgh— The Boy Soldier and the Indian-Isaac
Wells's Description of Oswegatchie in 1796-Land Leases from the Indians and the
Enghsh-Mohawks' Surrender of Lands— The Ten Townships Surveyed and Mapped on
the South Side of the St. Lawrence— Transfer of Lands— Samuel Ogden and his Pur
chase—Nathan Ford— His Arrival at Oswegatchie.
AFTER the surrender of Isle Royal, the fort was dismantled and
abandoned, while the fortification " La Galette " was put in
good repair and a squad of soldiers stationed there to guard British in-

FORT AND BARRACKS AT LA GALETTE
terest in this locality. The name of the fort and place was changed to
Oswegatchie, the Indian name of the river. During the progress of the
war the greater portion of the Indians had become completely subor
dinated to French influence, and the English were hated with all the
ferocity of the savage nature. The tribes could not be made to com
prehend that the French authority had been broken up, and they con-
10

74 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
fidently expected the day would soon come when the king of France
would send new armies and expel the obnoxious English. Infatuated
with this belief, instigated by the French themselves, and stung by
many insults, real and imaginary, the warriors began their usual atroci
ties on the western frontiers in the following summer.
In this section of the country a peace policy was enacted, both with
the French and the Indians, and great care was taken not to molest
either race in their religious observances or customs.
The Indian village at La Galette was composed of upwards of four
hundred families that Father Piquet had gathered around him, who
commenced to disperse as soon as the English had taken possession of
the place ; some went back to the Lake of Two Mountains, some to St.
Regis or to other places, and a remnant of the Oswegatchies remained
in the mission houses. The English soon discovered their mistake in
allowing the Oswegatchies to occupy the deserted village and remain so
near their barracks. The intimacy which soon sprang up between the
Indians and soldiers had a demoralizing effect on the latter, and besides
the number of vacant houses in the mission village afforded an oppor
tunity for roving Indians to congregate under the cover of friendship,
and through treachery it was feared they might undertake to surprise and
capture the garrison. Therefore an order was issued from headquarters
either to disperse the Indians or to remove them, at the expense of the
government, to a safe distance from the barracks, and demolish the
mission houses. There were forty-six Indian families, including eighty
warriors, who declared their loyalty to the English government and
desired to be located at Indian Point.
A village was laid out at the place designated, consisting of a street
running parallel with the river, with the houses ranged in a regular
manner on each side of it, all uniformly built, with their ends to the
street, sharp roofed, shingled with pointed shingles, and with glass win
dows. Every house was built for two families, had two doors in front,
and a double fire place, and single chimney in the center, with a parti
tion equally dividing the interior. The villagers at first numbered
something over two hundred and fifty souls. They did not increase in
numbers, but gradually diminished to nearly one-half their former num
ber, when the Americans came into possession of the place in 1796.

ENGLISH POSSESSION. 75
While located at this point they were under the direction of one Joseph
Reoam, a Frenchman, who spoke the dialect of the Iroquois language,
and is said to have been a chief and to have married an Indian woman.
They planted corn on Galloup Island, and elsewhere in the vicinity, and
fished and hunted near by their village. A portion of the Indians,
however, were accustomed to spend most of their summers and falls
on Black Lake, trapping, fishing and hunting deer, returning to their
cabins for the winters. They used bark canoes, which they carried
around rapids and across portages with perfect ease.
European settlements in the New World had hitherto mainly been
made for trade ; now the settlers partook of the character of and felt
the desire to be a nation. The days of great companies, with huge
land grants and restricting monopolies had passed, and the ties, com
mercial and political, between the mother country and the colonies
were already being sundered. The public debt of England had in
creased largely on account of her colonies, and it seemed reasonable to
them at least, that a return in some measure should be made to the
mother country for what they had cost. The laying of heavy taxes on
the colonies English statesmen never anticipated would lead to revolt.
What took place at the port of Boston and what came of it is too well
known to deserve description here. In the various conflicts that took
place between the French and English troops from 1754 to 1761, the
Americans had learned valuable lessons in modern warfare, and had
seen for themselves that British generals were not infallible nor British
troops invincible, and thereby had gained a very decided confidence in
their own prowess.
The colonists, or a portion of the New World, resenting interference
in matters of trade from administrations in London, and feeling that
liberty was imperiled by the aggressions of the crown, threw off
allegiance to Britain, proclaimed to the world their independence, and
founded the government of the United States. The struggle was long
and fierce, and for a time British arms met with their wonted success,
and the hopes of the young nation were far from being elated. But
while the weary years of the unnatural conflict passed, fickle fortune
began to change and the fates to smile on the armies of the young re
public. The royalists met with reverse after reverse until the end

76 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
came with the surrender at Saratoga of General Burgoyne, and at York-
town of Lord Cornwallis. Victory finally rested upon the continental
armies, America achieved her independence, and was formally admitted
into the category of nations. In the spring of 1783 the news came
from England of the signing of the preliminary treaty of peace, and
was officially communicated to the people in the proclamation by Con
gress on the 19th of April of that year. A general exchange of pris
oners followed, and a large number of tories left the country, fearing to
remain after the British forces were withdrawn, which was accomplished
during the following summer and fall.
There were several places on the northern frontiers that were held by
the British for several years after peace was declared. Oswegatchie was
one of the number. It being located so far away from the American
settlements, the English felt at liberty to continue, through a company
or corporation, that lucrative business, the fur and lumber trade, until
the boundary lines should be definitely settled.
The marshy territory along the Oswegatchie River, Black Lake and
their tributaries, formed large and admirable parks for the otter, beaver,
and other fur-bearing animals, which greatly flourished in those early
days. The beaver dams, built by these industrious animals, across
the low grounds, to hold back the water in times of drouth, may be
distinctly traced at this late date.
The forest, for miles above and below this point, as well as in the
rear, was filled with a beautiful growth of white oak, rock elm, pine,
rock-maple, beech, birch, basswood, spruce, hemlock, cedar and several
varieties of less valuable woods.'
A large business was carried on here, when the English occupied the
Oswegatchie post by Canadian lumber companies.2 The forest, for miles
around, was denuded of its most valuable timber, which was floated in
1 The growth of white oak was astonishing. The writer, some fifty pears ago, in the town of De
Peyster, counted as high as twenty large white oak stumps standing on an acre of ground, which
averaged from three to five feet in diameter, the timber upon which had been cut by lumbermen
forty to fifty years before. The large chips, score-blqcks and stave-rivings, being partially buried
in the mucky soil, were then quite sound. The early settlers made use of these blocks to boil sap
in making sugar, also in cooking their meals, in the days of log houses and Dutch chimneys, which
were the prevailing styles of that period.
2 The thistle, so common here, was brought from Canada by the lumbermen of that early period,
in the hay and grain; therefore, early settlers called it " Canada Thistle," and it still bears that
name.

ENGLISH POSSESSION. 77
cribs down the smaller rivers, or hauled to the St. Lawrence, where it
was rafted and floated down to Quebec for the English market.
The military post at Oswegatchie was so far from the seatof war during
the Revolutionary struggle that it was of very little benefit to the English,
further than to serve as a stopping place for their soldiers when passing
up the St. Lawrence river to operate against the American forces in the
vicinity of Oswego. So far as the knowledge of the writer extends,
nothing of very great importance happened to break the monotonous
life of the soldiers in camp at Fort Oswegatchie, save the following :
April I, 1779, Lieutenants McClelland and Hardenburgh, of the Colonial
army, were dispatched from Fort Schuyler (the site of Utica) at the
head of a body of soldiers and Indians, on an expedition against the
British garrison at Oswegatchie, their plan being to steal upon it and
take the place by surprise. But falling in with some straggling Indians,
several shots were imprudently exchanged, which warned the garrison
of their approach. The attacking party then attempted to draw the
enemy from the fort by stratagem and partly succeeded, but could
not entice them to come out a sufficient distance to enable the be
siegers to cut off their retreat. Besides, on approaching the fort
themselves, the assailants were so warmly received that they were
compelled to retreat without unnecessary delay. The only valuable serv
ice performed was the sending of an Indian into Canada, with a letter
written in French by a French general, probably the Marquis de La
fayette, and addressed to the Canadians.
The day preceding the arrival at Oswegatchie, the following incident
happened to a little boy, about twelve years old, who belonged to the
military party and served as a fifer to the company, which shows in an
amiable light the finer feelings of the Indian character, and will serve
as an offset for some of the darker phases of Indian warfare. Light
hearted and innocent, he tripped along, sometimes running in advance
to gather flowers, and sometimes lingering behind to listen to the
music of birds, which made the forest vocal with their songs. Seeing
the unguarded deportment of the lad, his captain cautioned him against
wandering from the company, fearing that some hostile Indian who
might be lurking in the thicket, should take him off. The warning was
heeded for some time, but ere long forgotten, and the lad found himself

78 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
many rods in advance of the party, culling wild flowers, which were
scattered in his path, and inhaling the fragrance which the morning air
with its exhilarating freshness inspired him. He was suddenly startled
by a rude grasp upon the shoulder, which, upon looking around,
he saw was that of a sturdy Indian, who had secreted himself behind a
rock and had darted from his concealment upon the unsuspecting
victim. The boy attempted to scream, but fear paralyzed his tongue,
and he saw the glittering tomahawk brandished over his head, which
the next moment would terminate his existence with a blow; but the
savage seeing the unarmed and terror-stricken child, with no warlike
implement but his fife, and doubtless touched with the innocence and
terror of his trembling prisoner, relaxed his grasp, took the fife from
under his arm, and having playfully blowed in its end, he returned it to
its owner, and bounded off into the forest.
According to Hough's history, the subject of this adventure after
wards for several years resided in St. Lawrence county, and when age
had made him infirm, often related the incident to the one from whose
lips the account is written. He said that " he would weep with emotion
when relating this perilous adventure, and always ended with the heart
felt acknowledgment, that God had always protected him, and guarded
him. from dangers seen and unseen, and from childhod to old age." The
expedition returned to Fort Schuyler on the 20th of April, without
having effected their purpose.
In 1799 Isaac Wells, jr., published in London an account of a journey
of travels made in Upper and Lower Canada in 1795-7, in which he
describes, among other interesting subjects, the condition and appear
ance of the fort at the mouth of the Oswegatchie. The voyage was
undertaken in the month of August, 1796. He says : " The trade is at
present carried on between New York and the lake, by means of Hud
son River to Albany, and of the Mohawk River, Wood Creek, Lake
Oneida, and Oswego River, which falls into Lake Ontario. Thence
by sharp-built vessels of a considerable size, which can approach with
safety to the mouth of Oswegatchie River. The British vessels of war,
of twenty six guns, formerly used to ply between Fort de la Galette
and Fort Niagara ; and the British fur ships, on the lakes, used also
to discharge their cargoes, brought down from the upper country,

ENGLISH POSSESSION. 79
there. The harbor at the mouth of the Oswegatchie is so much better
than that of Oswego, that the trade between the lakes and New York
will be for the most part, if not wholly, carried on by means of Cran
berry Lake and Oswegatchie River, rather than by the way of Oswego
River." He states further that " the fort at La Galette was erected
long after Fort Frontenac (now Kingston) ; yet they esteemed it by far
the most important military post on the St Lawrence. Since the close
of the war, Fort de la Galette has been dismantled, as it was, according
to Jay's treaty, within the territory of the United States, nor would any
advantage have arisen from the retention, for it was never of any im
portance to us (the English) but as a trading post." He further states
that " in the neighborhood of La Galette there is a village of the Os
wegatchie Indians, which numbered one hundred warriors."
Such were the views of an English traveler, who visited this place
about the time of the evacuation by the English troops, which event
took place June 1, 1796. The English held possession of Fort Oswe
gatchie from August 25, 1760, up to June 1, 1796, nearly thirty- six
years. Something over thirteen years of this time was after peace had
been declared. During this time no effort was made to Christianize the
Indians, or to settle and improve the country.
Under British administration, however, leases, or warranty deeds, had
been procured from the Oswegatchie Indians, who claimed to be the
owners of the land in that vicinity. The representatives of this tribe
leased a tract of land for a certain consideration per year, as follows, to
John Livingston, Daniel Smith, Major Watson, and Jered Seley. The
leases were drawn up in legal form, specifying the location and number
of leagues of width and length that each lot contained, also the amount
of Spanish milled dollars, bushels of wheat and pounds of pork to be
paid yearly. The lease or deed was signed by eight of the representa
tives by making their mark, under a seal, consisting of a rudely drawn
elk, in the presence of witnesses. To still further substantiate their
titles, the lessees from the Indians procured of Richard Porter, the com
mandant of the fort of Oswegatchie, a permit to locate upon and oc
cupy the leased lands, who also ratified and confirmed the leases or
deeds. The four leases covered nearly the whole front of the township
of Oswegatchie. Major Watson's lease was three miles on the river and

80 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
nine miles back. It was dated August 22, 1792, and the annual rental
was twenty Spanish milled dollars, thirteen and one-third bushels of
wheat, and thirty-three and one-third pounds of pork. By virtue of
these titles, and under protection of the British flag, the old French
saw mill at the west end of the dam across the Oswegatchie River was
rebuilt on a much larger scale, and the business of lumbering was com
menced anew and prosecuted with spirit, under which the majestic for
ests, covering almost the entire region, began rapidly to disappear; and
these operations extended to the whole river front, and the tributaries
of the great river capable of floating spars and rafts. These lessees were
not very sure of the validity of their titles, should the Americans come
into possession of the place ; therefore they made a greater- effort to
secure the best part of the timber in the forest before Jay's treaty was
to take effect.
Soon after the close of the Revolutionary War, there was gradually
manifested a strong tendency for the extension of the settlements, to
which feeling the newly acquired freedom gave an impulse before un
known. But little was known of this part of the country at the time
of its sale, except that which lay on the border of the St. Lawrence
River. In Jeffery's map of the French dominion in America, the tract of
country lying west of Lake Champlain, and between the St. Lawrence
and the chain of mountains (Adirondack) on the south, was known as
the " Iroquois deer and hunting grounds ; " that portion lying above
and along the St Lawrence, in the vicinity of the Oswegatchie River,
was called the " beaver hunting grounds of the Six Nations." All this
part of the country had not been conveyed to any one by the British
government ; therefore it belonged to the United States, or to the State
of New York.
The sovereignty of the soil of the northern part of the State of New
York was anciently vested in the Mohawks, who, from the earliest period
of authentic history, exercised jurisdiction over it. At a treaty held
under the authority of the United States with the Mohawk nation of
Indians, whatever title to the land remained with them was surrendered
by that treaty, which was made at Albany, March 29, 1795. Treaties
with the Indians for their lands were, by a provision of the first consti-

ENGLISH POSSESSION. 81
tution of the State of New York, adopted April 20, 1777, reserved to
the Legislature. It was therefore ordained that no purchases or con
tracts of sales of lands, made since the 14th day of October, 1775, with
the said Indians within the limits of this State, shall be binding on the
said Indians, or deemed valid, unless made under the authority and with
the consent of the Legislature of the State of New York. By an act
passed April 4, 1801, it was deemed a public offence for any person to
lease and occupy land or purchase the same from an Indian except as
heretofore provided, under a penalty of $250 fine, and imprisonment
and fine at the discretion of the court. An act was passed May 5,
1785, entitled, "an act for the speedy sale of the unappropriated lands
of the State," creating land commissioners, and empowering them to
dispose of such unsold lands as they might see proper, within the limits
of the State. In accordance with the said act a board of commissioners
was appointed, and the surveyor- general directed to survey and make a
map of two ranges of townships on the south side of the St. Lawrence
River for sale. Each township was to contain as nearly as might be
64,000 acres, to be as nearly square in form as local circumstances would
permit, and to be subdivided into lots as nearly square as might be,
each lot to contain about 640 acres.
The manner in which the primitive title to lands in Northern New
York was extinguished, has been detailed in the foregoing pages. There
by it became the property of the State, which was patented by an act
of the Legislature to certain individuals,
The ten townships were laid out as follows : Commencing on a line
to be run south 200 east from a point or place on the southern bank of
the River St Lawrence, bearing south 280 east from the northwest end
of the Isle au Long Saut, and a line parallel with the said first line, and
also to run from the south bank of the said river, and the said parallel
lines, to be distant fifty miles from each other. This space was to be
divided into five townships on the river of ten miles each, and also five
townships in the rear, to be sufficiently deep to contain in each town
ship about the said number of acres — 64,000. The names of the ten
townships were established by a formal resolution of the commissioners
of the land office, September 10, 1786, and with their corresponding
numbers were as follows : First, Louisville ; second, Stockholm ; third,
11

82 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Potsdam ; fourth, Madrid ; fifth, Lisbon ; sixth, Canton ; seventh, De
Kalb; eighth, Oswegatchie; ninth, Hague (now Hammond); and tenth,
Cambray (now Gouverneur). These towns have since been divided and
subdivided, as will be seen in the history of towns.
In pursuance of the statute, the following advertisement appeared in
the Albany Gazette of June 7, 1787 : "Ten townships of unappropri
ated lands, on the south side of the River St. Lawrence, will be sold at
public vendue, at the Coffee House in the city of New York. The sale
will commence on Tuesday, the ioth of July next, at eleven o'clock in
the forenoon. Maps are filed for inspection in the office of the secre
tary of state and surveyor general. Madrid and Oswegatchie will be
sold by single lots or mile squares, the balance by quarters of town
ships." In every township there was to be one lot reserved for the support
of the " gospel and schools " and another "for promoting literature,"
to be located as near the center of the town as might be ; also, five
acres in every hundred were to be reserved for roads. The conditions
of sale were that there should be an actual settlement made for every
six hundred acres sold, within seven years thereafter ; otherwise the
patent would become void and the lands revert to the State. Accord ¦
jng to the established rule, the commissioners were not allowed to sell
lands at a less rate than one shilling an acre (12 J^ cents). By an agree
ment among the purchasers this price was not raised any higher.
The intention of the law in offering these lands in small parcels was
to afford an opportunity to those of limited means to compete at the
sales; but this intention was defeated, it is said, by a previous arrange
ment among the purchasers, under which they delegated one of their
number to bid, and agreed to not compete in the sale.
The principal purchaser was Alexander Macomb, who subsequently
acted a distinguished part in the northern purchases. Macomb had for
many years lived in Detroit, and is said to have been a fur trader. In
the course of his business he had passed up and down the St. Lawrence,
thus becoming acquainted with the general aspect and probable value
of the lands, and better qualified than most of his associates to engage
in the purchases. To cover the private agreement just mentioned, cer
tain persons were employed to bid for Macomb, and the lots so sold

ENGLISH POSSESSION. 83
were afterward conveyed to him before patenting. Others besides
Macomb who bid off lands were Michael Conoly, John Myers and Dan
iel McCormick, who bid off about 2,000 acres for themselves ; also,
Thomas McFarren, John Taylor, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, and Henry
Remsen, bid off 4,000 acres and transferred the same to Macomb, who
had bid off the remainder of the lands in the county, thus becoming the
nominal owner of nearly the whole of the ten towns. John Taylor had
bid off nearly the whole front of the town of Oswegatchie, embracing
the historic place on which Ogdensburg now stands, which was in
cluded in his transfer to Macomb. On the 16th of April, 1792, Macomb
appointed Gouverneur Morris his attorney to sell any portion of the
ten towns, excepting a tract of 9,600 acres in Lisbon previously sold to
John Tibbets ; but so far as known no sales were made by Morris.
On May 3, 1792, Macomb conveyed to Samuel Ogden, in trust for
himself, Gen. Henry Knox, Robert Morris and Gouverneur Morris, for
£3,200 the four townships of Hague, Cambray, Oswegatchie and De
Kalb, with the stipulation that Ogden should convey to Henry Knox
44,114 acres; to Robert Morris 60,641 acres, and to G. Morris 60,641
acres of this tract; this left Ogden upwards of 90,000 acres, all of
Oswegatchie, and a part of De Kalb and Cambray.
In the spring of 1792 Macomb became involved by some transac
tions with a new bank in the city of New York, by which he was forced
to assign his interest in a tract of land in the ten townships of 1,920,000
acres for the benefit of his creditors, to William and Daniel McCormick.
On the same date with the foregoing he sold to William Constable for
£1,500 the towns of Madrid, Potsdam and the west half of Stockholm
and Louisville, and to William Edgar for £12,000 the towns of Lisbon
and Canton, except what had been previously sold to J. Tibbets.
The following is a brief summary of the transfers of the several towns
of the first purchases, so far as known : James Constable, John Mc-
Vicker and H. B. Pierrepont, executors of William Constable, on De
cember 15, 1803, conveyed 2,854 acres in a square in the southwest
corner of Louisville to Gouverneur Morris, which tract went by will to
his son, G. Morris, jr. The remainder of the west half of the town was
conveyed by William E. to Everetta Constable, January 3, 1803. The
east half of Louisville and Stockholm was conveyed June 2, 1792, by

84 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Macomb to William Edgar, William Laight and John Lamb, in trust,
to be divided among themselves.
Stockholm — The west half of this town was conveyed by William
Constable to John Constable, who conveyed the same to Hezekiah
Pierrepont, September 28, 1809, in trust to settle certain claims against
the lands, etc.
Potsdam — Macomb, by way of Edgar to Constable, as above. The
latter on November 8, 1802, conveyed to Garret Van Home, David M.
Clarkson and their associates, as joint tenants, the town, except two
miles wide on the northwest side. The two mile strip by the side of
Madrid was divided into two tracts. The eastern part was sold to Le
Roux, April 30, 1802, and the western part came into possession of D.
A. and Gouverneur Ogden as joint tenants in fee simple.
Madrid. — Constable sold to Abraham Ogden, Josiah Ogden Hoff
man, David A. Ogden and Thomas L. Ogden in June, 1796, for $60,000.
On the 29th of June, 181 1, these persons executed partition deeds of
lands previously contracted and mortgaged.
Canton and Lisbon. — Deeded by Edgar to Alexander Von Pfister,
June 12, 1794, in trust, who conveyed March 3, 1795, to Stephen Van
Rensselaer, Josiah Ogden Hoffman and Richard Harrison, for £5,068
1 6s.; on January 21, 1805, Hoffman sold his share of the purchase to
Van Rensselaer. By an agreement Harrison retained one-third of the
eastern part of the tract, and Van Rensselaer the remainder. Stephen
Van Rensselaer conveyed September 13, 1836, all of his real estate in
these towns to his son, Henry Van Rensselaer.
De Kalb. — Macomb to Ogden as above. Dates of transfer not ob
tained. William Cooper, of Cooperstown, subsequently purchased the
town and began its first settlement.
Oswegatchie. — Patented by ninety- eight patents, as before stated, to
Macomb, who sold the same to S. Ogden, May 3, 1792, with three
other towns. Colonel Ogden purchased the share of Robert Morris in
January, 1793, and conveyed to the others their shares in the townships
of Hague and Cambray. On February 29, 1808, S. Ogden conveyed
to his son, David B. Ogden, this town, who also quit-claimed the same
to David C. Judson, January 21, 1847. Nathan Ford and others pur
chased large tracts in this town. August 17, 1798, Ogden conveyed

ENGLISH POSSESSION. 85
to N. Ford an undivided one-half of three certain tracts, one of which
contained 10,000 acres, and lay south of land at the outlet of Black
Lake. Hague and Cambray were deeded to S. Ogden May 3, 1792, which
land has since been divided and sold to various persons. Gouverneur
Morris's title was subsequently sold to Edwin Dodge, David C. Judson,
Augustus Chapman, Abraham Cooper and others.
The Gospel and School Lots have since been sold by authority of
the Legislature, passed April 21, 1825, authorizing the freeholders and
inhabitants of the several towns at their annual town meeting, to vote
directing the whole of the income of the Gospel and School Lots to be
appropriated to the schools of the town.
The foregoing gives all, or nearly all of the first land titles or patents
in St. Lawrence county from the State to the several persons, with dates
of each as far as possible.
Samuel Ogden, of New York city, became the rightful owner by a
second purchase of a large tract of land on the southern shore of the
St. Lawrence River, which included the military station of Oswegatchie,
then in possession of British troops. He was informed that certain
parties in Canada had obtained leases of land from the Oswegatchie
Indians, which lots were included in his purchase, and were carrying
away the timber without restraint or interference from the officers in
charge at the garrison. Mr. Ogden, therefore, began a correspondence
November 2, 1792, with Governor George Clinton, governor of Upper
Canada, in relation to these claims and trespasses. He also corres
ponded later with, Governor Simcoe and Lord Carlton, the latter com
mander in-chief, which is too lengthy for insertion in these pages. The
following is sufficient to indicate the pacific tone of the letters :
New York, August 31, 1793.
Samuel Ogden, Esq.:
Dear Sir : — I am just favored with your letter of the 31st of August. I beg leave to
observe to you, that last autumn on the representation of the Oswegatchie Indians, the
magistrates of the town of Augusta warned some of his majesty's subjects to quit these
very lands. In regard to your intimation that the executive of the State of New York
would give its immediate aid for the protection of this property, I have to observe, that
you are perfectly just in your observation that such would be a governmental question,
inasmuch as it is obvious to all that there is no treaty line, nor can it be reasonably
expected to be acknowledged by Great Britain, until the prior articles of the treaty

86 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
shall be fulfilled by the United States. But from an immediate point of view, as this
question does not concern his majesty's subjects, who have already been forbidden, at
the request of the Indians claiming the lands, to form settlements on that side of the
river, I can only refer you to his excellency, the commander-in-chief, for any further
explanation you require, to whom your very liberal principles, as expressed in your
letters which I shall transmit to him, cannot but be highly recommendatory and impress
sentiments of respect. I am your obedient servant, J. G. Simooe, Lt. Gov. Upper Canada.
Mr. Ogden secured the services of a young man named Nathan Ford,
who had had considerable experience as an assistant deputy quarter
master-general in the continental army during the memorable winter of
suffering in which the American army lay in camp on the hills back of
Morristown, N. J. Mr. Ford having in his army experience gained the
confidence of various persons, some of them officers in the war, who
became interested in the land speculation, united with Mr. Ogden in
sending Ford in 1794-5 to explore the northern part of the State, where
they had made purchases, and to ascertain to what extent the timber
was being taken away ; also to examine and report upon several islands
near Kingston, which they proposed purchasing. Mr. Ford wrote his
friends from Kingston, July 12, 1795, stating that he had made inquiry
into the titles and terms of sale of these islands. Tante Island was held
at £2,000 sterling ; eleven persons had been settled on it three years.
Grand Island had been purchased at Montreal, from Curot, a French
man, who held it under a grant from the king of France, for £500, with
a further sum of a quarter of a dollar per acre due when the title was
established. Mr. Ford made a full report on the soil, timber, etc.,
which ended the negotiations.
Mr. Ford was continued in the service of Mr. Ogden and was directed
to take certain measures to obtain possession of the place with a view
of beginning a settlement at Oswegatchie. Mr. Ogden's letter to Ford,
dated Perth Amboy, July 12, 1795, will be of interest :
Dear Nathan : — By this opportunity I have written again to my brother, Isaac Og
den, on the subject of his application to my Lord Dorchester and have told him that
you would stay a few days at Montreal and request him to communicate to you there
' (to the care of Mrs. Forsyth) his lordship's determination. Now, in case of his giving
you permission to repair one or more of the houses and place inhabitants therein, you
will then, while at Oswegatchie, with the advice of Major Drumtnond, make the nec
essary arrangements and procure some proper person to move therein as my tenant.

ENGLISH POSSESSION. 87
The importance of this you will see and it may become a question whether you had
not better in this case return from Toronto via Oswegatchie and spend some weeks or
perhaps months there this summer and autumn, so as to prepare and arrange things for
your reception next spring. If you should succeed in the idea I gave you respecting
the saw-mill, then it ought to be kept diligently at work in sawing pine boards and
shingles, proper for the building we intend to erect next year, which ought to be care
fully set up when sawed, so as to be seasoned for use next summer.
The remainder of the letter directed him to find a passage up Black
Lake or rivers to reach Fort Stanwix (now Rome) and to find what
streams of considerable size empty into the lake, the distances, etc., and
concludes by saying, " perhaps a few dollars laid out in presents to the
Oswegatchie Indians would be useful. You will procure from the com
manding officer at Montreal a letter of introduction to the sergeant at
Oswegatchie. This will become very necessary. Colonel Gordon and
Colonel McDonald, if at Montreal, will aid you in this."
Mr. Ford's answer in regard to affairs at Oswegatchie, says :
On my way up to Niagara I stopped at La Galette and was much surprised to find
the saw-mill and dam so much out of repair. There is no person about the place that
can give me the whole history of the business. Mr. Honniewell, who could do so, was
not at home. I was happy to find that most of the people upon the other side are glad
to find that a settlement is to be made and many intend coming over. I did not go to
see Lorimier, and for this reason. After conversing with Mr. Farrand fully upon this
subject, we finally concluded that it would be best for me to show the greatest indiffer
ence, merely call at the mill, look at the fort, and take care to impress the idea fully upon
whoever I talked with that, by the treaty, the fort was to be given up in June, that
there would be a garrison sent there, that settlers would be brought on and business
commenced extensively. This I have done in a way that I hope will have the desired
effect. In my absence Mr. Farrand will make business at Oswegatchie and sound Lor
imier on the subject and, if possible, make him apply for terms. If he can be brought
to this state, a negotiation may be had upon better terms than if I should apply to him.
I intend to leave my baggage and find may way through the woods to Little Falls, as
you suggested in a former letter. The greatest object of all is the fixing of the Oswe
gatchie business and no stone shall be left unturned to bring this to a happy issue. Mr.
Farrand tells me that Lorimier relies upon a French title which he says he has. This
Mr. Farrand will get a sight of and should it be worth anything a negotiation will be
more necessary. Mr. Farrand will be in full possession of all the business against my
return, which I will make as speedy as possible, and which I shall not leave until I
have finished. N. Ford.
Jay's treaty, which was finally ratified in February, 1796, provided in
its second article that Her Majesty's troops should be withdrawn from
all posts within the States on or before the first of June ; the property

88 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY. •
of the British subjects being secured, to them by the pledge of the gov
ernment, and they were to be free to remain or go as they saw fit. The
signing of the treaty at length rendered it certain that the surrender of
Fort Oswegatchie would remove the last obstacle which had for several
years hindered the settlement of northern New York.
Mr. Ford had engaged a Mr. Tuttle and family to move into the bar
racks and care for the property on the evacuation of the fort by the
British. After these arrangements were made Mr. Ford returned to
New York for men and such goods as were necessary for them during
the time of rebuilding the dam and mill on the Oswegatchie, and sur
veying roads into the country. As a guide for Mr. Ford's operations
the proprietor drew up the following memoranda of instructions, which
embody the designs and wishes of Colonel Ogden in relation to the new
settlement: On your arrival at Oswegatchie endeavor in an amicable a manner as possible to gain
immediate possession of the works, mills and town. If difficulties do arise, you will of
course exercise the best of your judgment and discretion in order to remove them.
This perhaps may be done best by soothing measures; perhaps by threats and perhaps
by bribes, as to which it must be entirely submitted to your judgment as circumstances
may turn up. It seems certain that you will have no difficulty in obtaining possession
of the fort and works. These therefore I presume you will immediately possess. The
mills seem the great difficulty, for which you will make every exertion after you have
possession of the fort. After you have obtained possession of the mills you will imme
diately commence the repair thereof so as to have the saw-mill at work this autumn
before you leave it. If the old mill is destroyed and you find that a new one must be
constructed, I would recommend that you construct it so as to saw plank or timber
forty feet long. You will exercise your own judgment as to what repairs it may be
proper for you to put on any of the buildings at the old fort. It seems to me that it
will be best to repair the the old stone houses and as many of the framed as may be
found sound and free from decay. If, on experiment, you find that a further supply
of goods or any particular article of commerce not in stock, will answer a good and
speedy remittance, you will write me and send a memorandum, so that I may forward
them to you, and it is probable that you may point out the best and most expeditious
manner of transportating the same. You will remember in your letter book to keep
regular copies of all your letters. Your set of books must be regularly kept so as to
show a very exact account of all expenditures and disbursements so that every shilling
may be explained and accounted for. If, on examination, you find any tract of land
without the bounds of my purchase, and which you believe to be an object worth our
attention write me a full account thereof and enable me to take it if it should be found
an object. Mr. Grey gave me some reason to believe he could find a mine of iron ore
within our township. Pray extend your resources, therefore, as early as possible, as

Jr>^^T~~^s^

w 1

SII11P
IIP^
"
Atlantic FuiilishinqtEngravtng Co. NY.
SETTLEMENT COMMENCED. 89
it is very important that we should at as early as possible commence our iron work
operations, and nothing can be done until the ore be found. S. Ogden.
The foregoing memorandum was merely a guide for Mr. Ford to go
by, as Mr. Ogden gave him sufficient latitude to vary from it when
found necessary, having great confidence in Ford's ability in getting rid
of those trespassers on his property who claimed to have leases, which,
however, proved to be spurious.

CHAPTER VIII.
SETTLEMENT COMMENCED.
Nathan Ford's Occupation of Oswegatchie— His Labors and Difficulties — Saw Mill
Erected — Canadian Squatters — The American Hotel — Erection of Grist Mill — Mr. Ford's
Financial Embarrassments.
I\A R. FORD left New York July 4, 1796, and on the 18th arrived at
/ \ Albany and crossed with teams tp Schenectady, where he met Mr.
Day, John Lyon and family, whom he had employed to come with him,
together with Thomas Lee, carpenter, and Dick, a negro slave who was
owned by Mr. Ford. These were considered sufficient to manage one
boat. To hire another to go to Oswegatchie would cost £85 besides
portage and lock fees, which would amount to five pounds more. He
therefore purchased a four oared boat and was obliged to pay high
wages to his hands. Richard Randolph, Mr. Ford's clerk, was one of
the party when the two boats laden with goods started on their tedious
journey, Friday July 22, at 2 o'clock P. M., and proceeded up the river
to Maby's tavern, where they lodged, having gone six miles. The next
day they reached Mills's tavern, ten miles farther, where they stopped to
escape a very heavy shower. The next day, the 24th, they got to
Connoly's, a distance of seventeen miles. Owing to low water and their
heavy load, the passage up the river was slow. On the 25th Mr. Ford
said his trouble began when ascending what is called Caty's Rift, the
boat being nearly over it, turned off her course, fell back and brought
12

90 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
up broadside upon a rock and almost instantly sank. The dry goods,
mostly on this boat, got thoroughly wet and the boat was considerably
damaged. The goods were taken out, carried above the rapids, dried
and repacked, and the boat repaired. The tea and two casks of powder
were too much damaged for use and were sent back to New York. On
the 28th at 10 o'clock they again started, but on account of heavy rain
stopped over night at Neller's tavern, having traveled twelve mile's.
The next day about 3 P. M. they reached Little Falls. On the ist of
August they arrived at Fort Stanwix (Rome), whence they proceeded
with less, difficulty by Wood Creek, Oneida Lake, Oswego River and
down the lake into the St. Lawrence, and arrived at Oswegatchie on
the 1 ith of August, 1796, just thirty days from the date of their leaving
New York.
Mr. Ford arranged his goods in the sergeant's quarters at the fortj
which he used as a store, Mr. Tuttle remaining in a portion of the bar
racks adjoining the store and therein caring for the hired help. Mr.
Lyon and family occupied the saw- mill house. After all were comfort
ably situated Mr. Ford crossed to Canada, purchasing three yoke of
oxen, four cows, a lot of peas, wheat, etc., and hired some forty men.
Returning he began repairs on the dam and saw- mill. Although he
found many persons on the other side of the river anxious to settle, he
was not then authorized to sell lands, and put off their applications by
telling them they must wait the survey of the lands. In a few days
Joseph Edsall arrived and began to survey tne roads and town. He
brought a small sack of orchard- grass seed for Mr. Ford and Mr. Far
rand on the north shore. On the 7th of September, 1796, Mr. Ford
wrote Mr. Ogden the following :
When I wrote you last,' I mentioned Major Watson and several other persons, who
had settled upon lands up the river. These people have relinquished their pretensions
and find that they had better become purchasers. Several of them are now working
for me. One of them, Mr. Smith, living on the other side of the river, says he will try
the title with you. It would be well to make an example of him, if we could get him
over this side. Such fellows only want to be treated with promptness to bring them
to terms. I have had all the chiefs of the St. Regis village to see and welcome me to
this country. They gave me a hearty welcome and pressed me very hard to pay them
a visit. I treated them with the utmost civility, and sent them all away drunk. As
to the Oswegatchie Indians, I never heard a word from them upon the possession of
their lands ; many of them have been here to trade, etc. Lorimier's claim I never heard a

SETTLEMENT COMMENCED. 91
word from, until I had been here several days. I had been asked what I intended do
ing with the widow, etc., by people who were not interested; my reply was, that we
had been illy treated about the business, but I had understood that the widow Lorimier
was in indigent circumstances, and that it was not our intention to distress the widow
and fatherless ; what was right we intended to do. This was my uniform reply to
those who said anything to me on the subject. On the 17th, Mr. Sherwood (a young
lawyer) came over and presented me a letter from Mrs. Lorimier, and endeavored to
explain his position and rights, which he thought would hold good under the second
article of the treaty, etc. I gave him to understand that if Mrs. Lorimier meant to set
up title, it must be the hardest kind of one — that such an act would end all idea of
charity. Following is Mrs. Lorimier's letter to me : Edwardsburg. 16th August, 1796.
Sir— I am informed you have arrived in Oswegatchie with a number of people, and have taken
possession of one of my houses there, and that you are about to build a dam across the Black
river, first taking away what remained of mine That you may not be deceived, I now inform you
that I have a good title to half a mile on each side of that river, from the mouth to the source of
it. which I cannot think of relinquishing without a valuable consideration ; and Christian charity
obliges me to think that you would not endeavor to wrong or in any manner distress the widow
and fatherless, and as it appears yoti wish to form a settlement there, I hereby give you my first
offer to purchase my title, and would be glad to have you answer upon the subject as soonas pos
sible, that I may know how to govern myself, I am your most humble serv't, Catharine Lorimier.
To Major Ford.
As to business in the mercantile way, it equals my expectation. I am sorry that I
have not a further supply of coarse goods here for the season. It was impossible for
me to know soon enough what would answer the demands here for you to forward
them this fall. I would suggest to you the propriety of sending to England this fall,
to have the burr stones shipped to Montreal ; they will come easier and much cheaper
that way than up the Mohawk. It is astonishing what a mill may do here. I have
not yet been able to get information relative to iron ore. If we get the saw-mill under
way this fall, which I hope will be the case, it will be absolutely necessary to have a
bill of such timber as will be wanted for the grist-mill, so that every preparation for
that may be going on this winter.
While the repairs on the dam and saw-mill were in process, the sur
veyor, Mr. Edsall, and a gang of men were engaged in laying out and
making roads, as nothing but Indian trails or lumbermen's paths then
existed. In this work the first essential was to locate a favorable
starting point, and at a suitable place for the erection of a bridge across
the Oswegatchie River. The present site was found to be the most
feasible, as the river at that point is narrower than above or below, and
the water is about ten feet deep, with a smooth rock bed. The north
bank is bold and about twelve feet high, and the rock rises abruptly to
the surface of the water. A strip about ten rods wide on the south

92 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
shore at this point was marshy and it gradually widened towards the
mouth of the river. The land on the south shore is underlaid with gray
limestone, and gradually descends into the marsh. The rock in the bed
of the river begins just below the north end of the bridge site and run
ning in a westerly direction, suddenly drops off to the north. The bed
of the river below this rock is composed of hard-pan covered with
bowlders that greatly obstructed laden vessels coming into the harbor
in time of low water.1
The first road laid out, called " Black Lake Road," was started at a
point in an Indian path on the north shore of the Oswegatchie (now
Water street), crossing the river at the bridge site, and passed along by
the mill yard, following an Indian trail up by the "Cold Spring;"
thence along the westerly shore of Black Lake to the site of an Indian
village at the Narrows. The second road lid out was called the Morris-
town Road, and began in the Black Lake Road about ten rods south
from the bridge site, ran westerly, passing just back of the barracks,
running nearly to the St. Lawrence ; thence up along its shore to Morris-
town, where David Ford, brother of Nathan, located in the summer of
1804. On the east side of the Oswegatchie, the third, called the River
Road, was started near the bridge site and ran nearly parallel with the
St. Lawrence down to Indian Point, and thence to Waddington. The
fourth began at the shore of the St. Lawrence and ran in a southwest
erly direction, crossing the River Road at right angles on the height of
land about thirty rods north of the bridge site, and continued through
to the site of Fordville (now Heuvelton).
Mr. Edsall, with a small party, began the survey of the town into
farm lots, and continued it the remainder of that season; the carpenters
continued work through the fall and winter. The tfcpairs on the dam
and saw mill being finished, it was started and continued cutting lumber
for the next season's building. Mr. Ford being in feeble health and
fearing the northern climate, returned and wintered in New Jersey.
On his return to Oswegatchie, August 8, 1797, he found that the
Canadian claimants had been over in the preceding spring, held a town
meeting, elected civil officers and sent on Ensly, their moderator, to get
1 The government has of late spent considerable money from time to time in dredging the har
bor and removing the bowlders.

SETTLEMENT COMMENCED. 93
their proceedings confirmed by the governor, and that they had opened
a land office for selling and settling his tract. He also found that some
of those jockeys had come over and stripped a quantity of hemlock
bark, which Mr. Ford confiscated and threatened the trespassers with
prosecution if they came within the jurisdiction of the State. These
men had carried on with a high hand during his absence, insulting the
settlers, which caused him some anxiety concerning their claims. Mr.
Ford wrote Mr. Ogden that influence should be used with the governor
and the Legislature to prevent mischief that might arise from the ex parte
representations which he understood were being made, and added that it
would make " a fatal hole in Oswegatchie township," should the claims
happen to be confirmed. The trouble about the Lorimier lease was set
tled September 26, 1798, by paying her $250 for a quit claim deed.
Mr. Watson was arrested on a charge of having violated the statute
by dealing with the Indians for their lands, was taken to Rome and con
victed, and after lying in jail a year, was released by signing a quit claim
and surrendering his papers. This course taken with Watson settled all
claims made by others to lands through Indian titles.
A provision of the constitution of the State adopted April 20, 1777,
reserved to the Legislature, as before alluded to, as follows :
That no purchases or contracts for the sale of lands, made since the 14th day of
October, 1777, or which may hereafter be made, with the said Indians, within the
limits of this State, shall be binding on the said Indians, or deemed valid, unless made
under the authority and with the consent of the Legislature of this State.
By an act passed April 4, 1801, it was made an offence subject to fine
and imprisonment, to violate the above act of 1777.
The disputed claims of land titles having been disposed of, Mr. Ford
now turned his attention to improvements. The saw mill had been kept
running, a quantity of lumber was prepared for building and large lots
were rafted occasionally to Montreal. The first building of note erected
was a hotel. Mr. Ford saw the necessity of a house of sufficient
capacity to accommodate the traveling public, as the new settlement
began to attract strangers from abroad, as well as to lodge and board
the workmen who would be employed on the various improvements soon
to be commenced. The site selected was on the east shore of the
Oswegatchie, by an Indian path near the St. Lawrence and directly
facing or opposite the old barracks, where the low and sloping banks

94

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

afforded a good landing place for small boats, as ferrying for several
years at first was the only means of communication between the east
and west sides of the river. The hotel was finished in the fall of 1 797,
and Mr. Ford, averse to anything English, named it " The American."
This same building, so far as we have been able to ascertain by the oldest

AMERICAN HOTEL.

inhabitants, has been used for a hotel only, and is now in good repair.
It is situated on water street in front of the Averills' office. The large
hewn timbers, framed in " bents, " clearly show the style of the framed
buildings of that day. The name of the house has since been changed
to " Lusher," then to " American," then "The Baldwin," and it is now
called the " Sterling House."
The grist mill was begun in the summer of 1797, and raised in October
of that year. It was placed a considerable distance below the dam
in order to get a greater depth of water for vessels to load and unload
at the wharf near by. The water was conducted to the wheel in a flume
from the pond. The first story of the mill was of stone, and three
stories above of wood. A large number of men were employed on the
mill at high prices, to be paid in silver. Most of the masons and ten-

SETTLEMENT COMMENCED. 95
ders were from Montreal, and therefore would not take pay in trade, as
was the general custom.
The internal arrangements of the mill were after the improved plans
of that practical mechanic, Oliver Evans, who published a work enti
tled "Millwright and Miller's Guide," at Philadelphia in 1795, which
contained specifications, cuts of plans of gearing and the various styles
of water wheels, such as the overshot, breast, flutter and central dis
charge wheels. This work contained in its recommendations those of
President George Washington, Secretaries of State Thomas Jefferson
and Edmond Randolph, with others of senators and noted men. For
his own guidance in the construction of this mill, Mr. Ford's millwright
brought a copy of this book with him, which was reported to have been
left with one of the millers. The book has since passed from one per
son to another, and finally came into possession of the writer, who hav
ing seen a portion of the works in this mill fifty years ago, found it to
correspond with the engravings in the book. The shafts of the water
wheels and machinery were of wood ; the gear wheels were also wood,
doweled together. The large spur or crown gear had coarse, oval-
shaped wooden pins, and was called the " wallower." The pinions had
round wooden pins, and were known as "trundles." There was no cast
gearing made at that date. The burr stone, spindle points and gud
geons were brought up from Montreal; also the bolting cloth, screens,
etc. Getting men and supplies from so far away was very expensive.
There was no lack of ability or inclination on the part of Samuel Ogden
to sustain these expenses ; but the means of communication by letter,
and especially the remittance of money, were very precarious and un
certain. This caused the greatest inconvenience and difficulty, and in
this and the following years almost rendered the firm insolvent. It
was in this extremity that the energy and perseverance of Mr. Ford
were displayed in the most striking manner, and in such a way as to in
dicate his qualifications for founding a colony beyond the protection of
law, and among those whose interests wduld have been promoted by
his misfortune. He writes under date of September, 1797, that he took
out his commission as a magistrate, but could riot be sworn in except
by a judge or a clerk of the County Court, which officers were not at
hand, and he could not spare time to hunt them up.

96 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
As the business of the season was about to close Mr. Ford's embar
rassment became extreme. He said :
The $500 which I am authorized to draw on Mr. Ogden's brother was so trifling a
sum, compared with my disbursements, that I was almost discouraged. I had but five
dollars of this sum left after paying the four French masons and the six laborers from
Montreal. Now, what was I to do with the rest? The wages due Edsel's .thirteen
surveyors, five carpenters and thirteen laborers, with the amount due for supplies, had
all to be paid very soon, so that the men could go to their homes. I wrote R. Ogden
that I had sent a raft of 2,800 boards to Montreal, but that Mr. Richards, the foreman
of the raft, had not yet returned, but had written to me that he feared the raft would
not sell for enough to pay for the articles that he had been under the necessity of pur
chasing, so that when he had to pay $40 advanced for the Frenchmen's outfit, the $40
owing to R. F. <fe Co. for three barrels of rum [the staff of life in those days], or the
fifteen bushels of salt, two casks of nails, window glass and tin, and added to this the
cash that he owed the hands at Montreal, he was sure that he would have but little if
any of the raft money left. The raft would not bring more than $380, if Richards was
able to get $12.50 per 100 boards, which was very improbable. The door of my room
was besieged by men who wanted their pay. What was I to do ? I wrote Mr. Ogden
that if he would for a moment imagine himself in my very unpleasant position, I was
confident his humanity would become excited to that degree that he would lose no
time in giving relief. But he was too far from the scene of my trouble, and my pen
was too weak to portray the emergencies of the situation. Lstated to Mr. Ogden that
perhaps he might ask why I did not draw a bill and send it to his brother at Montreal
to negotiate and pay the Frenchmen there. This I had tried to do. but from their jeal
ousy or ignorance, or by the orders of their priests to bring the money with them (so
they, the priests, could get their share), or for other reasons of which I was ignorant,
they would accept of nothing but the money.
Mr. Ford stated that those people upon the other side of the St..
Lawrence who at first talked so much about purchasing and settling at
Ogdensburg, said little about the matter when the terms for actual set
tlers were made clear to them. Their object seemed to have been to
get a chance to cull out the timber and leave. Another class, who
would have come over but were too poor to pay in the limited time al
lowed, were fearful that the land would be taken from them and they
would lose their improvements. He said the more he became ac
quainted with this class, the less he valued them as settlers. They
were a strange medley, and he believed that it was well that there was
an intervening river. He was well convinced in his own mind that the
country would be settled, and by our countrymen, one of whom was
worth six of his majesty's beef- eaters.

THE PIONEER'S EXPERIENCE.

97

When they at Oswegatchie shall get their building and business well under way, and
if possible get the Legislature to assist in cutting a road through to the Mohawk, the
country will soon be settled.
The great object of solicitude, the grist mill, was at length com ¦
pleted, so that grinding was done on the first day of December, 1798,
and up- to the 22d they had ground 1,500 bushels of wheat.
During the summer of 1799, while the surveying of the towns was in
progress, vague reports of the discovery of iron mines, salt springs, etc.,
were circulated and high expectations formed, especially from the lat
ter. During the season of 1799 a second saw mill was erected. Both
the grist mill and the saw mills were kept busily at work. In almost
every letter that Mr. Ford wrote to Mr. Ogden he brought in the sub
ject of a road to the Mohawk as an object of vast importance to the
prosperity of the new settlement. The agitation led to a State road
being built a few years later.

CHAPTER IX.

THE PIONEER'S EXPERIENCE.

Pioneer Methods — Equipment for Pioneer Life — The Shanty — Clearing of Land —
Construction of Log Houses — Food of Pioneers — Wild Animals — Description of Pioneer
Houses — The Dutch Chimney — Lumber and Black Salts — Pioneer Social Life.

T

HE following narrative is no
fancy sketch, but simply relates
what the pioneer settlers were obliged
to pass through in order to effect a
lodgment in a wilderness so remote
from civilization. Being constantly
exposed to savage ferocity, wild
beasts, to famine and sickness, to
gether with the hardships which such
a situation imposes, has in it a species
of merit which deserves to be commended ; especially by those who
13

PIONEER'S SHANTY.

98 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
are now enjoying the fruits of cultivated fields, elegant homes, good
roads, and means of rapid transportation, which have grown out of those
feeble beginnings of the first settlers.
When it became known to the people of the east that the British
troops had evacuated Fort Oswegatchie, and Mr. Ogden, through his
agent, Mr. Ford, had taken possession of this place, began to build
mills, lay out and work roads through a portion of the most valuable
lands, people from various parts came to look over the situation with a
view of selecting places on which to settle. The beautiful St. Law
rence, with its chain of navigable lakes, attracted many to undertake
the hazardous task and endure the privations that must necessarily fol
low the pioneer in settling along the banks of this noble river.
It was customary when a new settlement was to be commenced in
the woods at any considerable distance from civilization, for two or
three men to visit the place in order to select the most desirable places
to locate. Mr. Ford allowed the settlers at first to choose their loca
tions, after which he had the land surveyed into such lots as they
desired. Their choice of lands at first were the maple and beech
ridges, as the dry ground was more certain to produce an early crop.
After these arrangements were completed the men returned to their
homes, when half a dozen or more would join in the enterprise and go
back to the woods to begin the settlement. Their outfit consisted of
pocket knives, whet stones, chopping axes, iron wedges, a saw, augurs,
a few nails, a frying pan, a bake kettle, pail, cups, tin plates, blankets,
salt and flour. Meats were easily procured from game near the camp.
On arriving at the place selected, they first built what was termed a
hunter's shanty, which was readily made by placing a pole about eight
feet high against two small trees, and leaning others on either side
against it, the lower ends resting on the ground. This frame was then
covered with hemlock or cedar boughs, one end being left open, and
cots were made of the same material to sleep on. In front of the door
a few stones were properly arranged in which to build a fire for cooking
food. A bright or blazing fire was usually kept burning all night as a
protection against wild beasts. Each person having selected his lot
began his work by what is termed underbrushing ; that is, he cut the
saplings and brushwood and piled them in heaps. Having no ox

THE PIONEER'S EXPERIENCE. 99
team to haul the large logs together, they planned what were termed
" windrows," by felling the large trees in one direction, and one upon
another as far as possible. The smaller trees that could not be thus
treated were cut into such lengths as five or six men could carry, and
dumped into the thin places on the heaps. After the men had chopped
a few days, for a change of work they all joined and piled up the
logs. In this manner the work went on until each one had two or more
acres cut and piled ready to set on fire. The fallows were usually set
on fire at the same time, as no one could chop in the dense smoke that
arose from the burning brush wood. The first burn usually consumed
the greater part of the heaps, after which the brands were repiled and
reburned, until all the timber was in ashes. The next move made, in
case the season was not too far advanced, was to plant a patch of corn
and potatoes ; but if too late, they sowed fall or winter wheat. The
process of planting corn or potatoes in new fallows, was to make a hole
in the ground between and around the stumps with the " bit " of an
axe, drop in the seed, and cover with the foot. The wheat was sowed
broadcast between the stumps and raked in with a wooden tooth rake,
usually made on the spot.
The next in order was to erect a log shanty near the center of the
clearing, or away from the reach of trees which were liable to be blown
down. The size of the shanty depended somewhat on the number in
the family to occupy it, but usually twelve by sixteen feet square and
one story high. The roof single and of sufficient pitch, and covered
with either boughs, bark or troughs, which were dug from split logs.
The floor was laid on the ground with bark or split slabs. A few stone
were laid up at one end, or corner of the house, for a fire place, the
ground serving for a hearth, and a hole left in the roof to allow the
smoke to escape. The door was usually made of split slabs, and with
strong wood hinges, with a heavy latch bar extending nearly across
the door, and dropped into a strong wooden catch, securely fastened to
the door post. A raw hide thong was fastened to the latch bar, passed
through a small hole higher up in the door, so that by it the bar could
he lifted out of the notch, and the door opened from without. By
drawing in the latch string the door was barred to outsiders. From
this originated the poetry of the log cabin and " our latch string is

100 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
out" has become a classic expression of cordial hospitality. One or
two holes were cut in the walls and covered with greased paper (in ab
sence of glass) to admit light. The cracks between the logs were
stopped with split strips of wood and calked with moss from trees.
Benches to sit on and tables to eat from were made of split slabs with
wood pegs to support them. The beds were either made on the floor
or on racks consisting of long pegs driven into the logs at one corner
of the shanty and covered with evergreen boughs. The shanties be
ing thus finished, one or two of the men remained to look after
their claims, while the others returned to their old homes for their
families. During the absence of the men their wives were busy making clothes
and preparing to go to the forest homes. The culinary utensils were
limited to a pot, skillet, bake kettle, a few iron spoons, knives and forks,
and a few tin dishes.
Parties coming in by the way of Vermont could get conveyances as
far as Plattsburg. From that point they made their way through the
woods on foot, carrying a pack on their backs, guided by Indian trails
or blazed trees, sleeping in hunter's shanties or on boughs gathered for
the occasion. This part of the journey was accomplished, if the family
was in good health, in from six to ten days. Those who came by way
of Albany, came in boats up the Mohawk, Wood Creek, and around by
Oswego. Some came across from Fort Stanwix (now Rome) through
the woods by Carthage, making their way either on foot or on pack
horses, sleeping in shanties or in booths made for the occasion. On ar
riving at their destination they made themselves as comfortable as pos
sible with the means at hand, and soon became accustomed to their lot.
Similar settlements were formed within a year or two at Morristown,
Black Lake, Heuvelton, De Kalb, Lisbon, Waddington, and other places
in the county. The first two or three years of the pioneer's life were
the most trying. Previous to the completion of Ford's grist mill at Os
wegatchie the settlers had to procure what little flour they used from
Montreal at great expense and trouble ; therefore their food consisted
largely of fresh and dried or "jerked" venison, beech nuts, walnuts,
butternuts, basswood buds, the inner coat of birch bark, and maple
sugar, and occasionally a shortcake, when they were lucky enough to

THE PIONEER'S EXPERIENCE. 101
get the flour to make one. Shortcake was considered a luxury of those
days, although made from coarse flour, without butter or lard for short
ening, or soda to raise it with. In absence of these ingredients the
women were not slow to utilize the means at hand. Deer's tallow was
plenty, though too hard and dry to work well in kneading the dough ;
but by melting a portion of bear's grease, or raccoon's oil with it, a
compound was formed that could be used to good advantage. White
lye was also used in place of soda, which was readily made by dropping
hot ash cinders into water. The cinders were formed by the sap of
green timber dripping from the end of burning logs into hot ashes.
After the materials were properly kneaded, the dough was rolled into
shape to fit into an iron skillet, when the cake was ornamented by
marking the surface with the tines of a fork into small diamond shaped
squares and dotting in the center with the same instrument. The
skillet was set up to the hearth before the fire at a suitable angle to al
low the heat to strike squarely on the cake. Live coals were also
placed beneath and around the back side of the skillet. In this manner
the cake was soon baked to a good brown and healthy color. The
women were skilled in this way of cooking, as they watched the bak
ing closely, turning it around or over occasionally to give it an even
baking. To ascertain when it was sufficiently baked, they dumped it
out on a bench and either gave it a few taps with the fingers or punct
ured it with a partridge quill, after which it was rolled up in a dampened
towel to soften the crust, broken and served warm with maple molas
ses. The elderly people who were accustomed to feast on this kind of
cake in their younger days, solemnly declare there is no cake made even
in this day of improvements that equals in flavor their mother's short
cake baked in a skillet before the fire.
During the second year the settlers raised small patches of corn, po
tatoes, turnips, etc., which greatly added to their comfort. The native
leek that grew so abundantly in the woods, filling the atmosphere with
its odor, was used during its season in place of onions. The use of
leeks caused the breath to smell very rank, and the milk and butter
made when the cows fed on leeks had also a rank taste and smell. The
only way to tolerate this smell or taste, as the settlers used to say, was
by " biting a leek."

102 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
During the third season, the settlers usually raised sufficient hay to
winter a yoke of oxen and a cow or two, by browsing them a portion
of the time on birch and basswood tree tops felled for that purpose.
The few vegetables that were raised in addition to a small quantity of
of milk distributed among the families of the neighborhood was highly
appreciated. The deer, at first, furnished venison for the greater portion
of their living and thus proved a great blessing to the pioneer, as this
food often kept them from starving. Yet, after the first few years, in
some other respects the deer were very annoying, as they roamed over
the fields by night, trampling down and browsing off the tender grain,
vegetables, etc., often to the entire destruction of the crops. Their
presence also drew the wolf, bear and panther, which prowled around the
settlements to the terror of women and children. Most any night the
scream of the panther, the growl of the bear, and the howl of the wolf
could be heard in different quarters of the forest. Families that were
separated by a belt of woods never visited each other after dark, except
on urgent business or in case of sickness, when they carried a blazing
torch, which was a protection against wild animals. The panther or wolf
seldom interfered with the freedom of settlers, except in case of extreme
hunger, or being wounded or having their young near by ; there
fore, on the whole, these animals were considered harmless. There
were, however, many instances of fierce encounters with wild beasts,
a few of which are recorded in the history of the towns herein.
After Mr. Ford had got his grist mill in operation to grind grain for
the settlers, and roads cut through to various places, emigration was
greatly stimulated thereby, and the borders of the various settlements
were rapidly enlarged. Oxen, cows, sheep, pigs and poultry were soon
brought to the settlements, which added materially to the prosperity
and stability of the neighborhoods. The settlers began to build log
houses with double roofs and Dutch chimneys to take the place of the
shanty. The Dutch chimney was introduced into the country by the
Hollanders in settling Manhattan Island, and was so well adapted to
the wants of the people living in a forest country that its use became
general with all classes of settlers. As the introduction of the log
house and Dutch chimney was considered an advanced step in civiliza
tion over the rude shanty, it may be well here to give a description of

THE PIONEER'S EXPERIENCE. 103
each. The information does not come to the writer at second hand, as
he was born and lived in one a number of years. Logs were selected
that were uniformly straight and nearly of a size. The sills were laid
on a few flat stones and the floor sleepers being " sided " were notched
into them. Each tier of logs was locked together at the corners by
"V" shaped notches, and carried up seven to eight feet, when small
peeled logs, straightened one side, were notched into the side walls to
support a chamber floor. Above this floor, the body of the house was
continued to four feet higher to give chamber room. The plates were
thoroughly pinned to the logs beneath and notches made six feet apart
termed " bear's mouths " to receive jack rafters, which were elevated to
one-third pitch. Ribs or small poles were pinned across the rafters
about two feet apart and covered with long shingles. The shingles were
"rove" cooper fashion or across the grain, about half an inch on the
heart edge and about five- eighths of an inch on the sap edge ; they
were some fifty inches long, four to six inches wide and laid twenty to
twenty- four inches to the weather. They were not shaved, as it was
claimed that the rough surface just as it was split, would shed water much
better than if made smoother and uniform. The shingles were lapped
one inch on each other, the thin edge on the thick, clapboard fashion,
the lap side changed each course, and fastened with six-penny nails,
which at that early day were wrought by hand in a forge. This style of
shingling was forced to go out of use here when suitable timber to make
them from had been exhausted, but they are now in use in some parts
of the Southern States The gable ends were carried up either with logs
or boarded up and down. The windows, usually three below and one
above, were cut in the walls, and only a single casing on each side to
stiffen the walls, and filled with a single sash about two by three feet,
having lights either four by six inches, or four and a half by seven inches.
The door was of the usual length, but considerable wider than now
built, for the convenience of taking in large logs to burn. The side
jambs served as casing and the log or sill answered as a threshold.
The hinges and latch fastening were similar to those described as used
in the shanties. The lower floor, when the settlement was not near by
a saw mill, was made of split basswood about three inches thick, but
the chamber floor was usually made of inch boards. A hole about six

104 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
feet square and three feet deep was dug in the center of the house for a
cellar, and a floor plank over it was left loose, which served as a door.
People who were particularly nice hewed the walls of the house inside,
and outside "chinked " the cracks with splints and calked with moss,
or plastered them with clay morter
The Dutch chimney was constructed by building a wall about ten
feet long by seven high in an opening left in the end wall of the house,
flush with the inside. It was either laid in clay mortar or banked up
with earth on the outside. A hearth of flat stone was laid opposite
this wall and extended about six feet back. The flue was laid on girts,
connecting the chamber floor beams to the end wall of the house over
the fire-place. It was laid up with small split sticks crossing each other
at the corners. The lower end was about ten feet by four, and tapered
up to the top to about two and a half by three feet square, extending
a few feet above the peak of the house, and plastered inside and out
with clay mortar. A tram pole, usually ironwood, three to four inches
in diameter, was placed just beneath the flue and parallel with the
chimney back, resting on girts, which could be moved in or out to
accommodate the kettles hanging thereon to the size of the fire. There
were three kinds of hooks to suspend the kettles over the fire. The
primitive one was a sapling with a hock or branch at one end to pass
over the tram pole, and at the opposite end a notch was cut to receive
the bail of the kettle. The second style was made of iron bent over at
each end, and of different lengths ; by using several, hooking one in
the other, the kettle could be adjusted to the desired height above the
fire. The third style was more expensive, as it was made of a flat
piece of iron about three feet long, one end turned over to fit the tram
pole and the other turned up as a guide for an adjustable rod to work
in ; a piece of round iron was of the same length, had one end turned
o'ver to fit a kettle bail, and the other end was turned up the opposite
way to fit into holes that were punched along the flat part of the iron.
By placing the adjustable rod into a hole, below or above, the kettle
could be readily placed at proper height above the fire.
There soon came a time when the settlers had to do something be
sides building log houses or procuring food for their families. The
clothing which they brought with them was fast wearing out, and

£?ri9,by j-JCCamf13

i.#Y-

THE PIONEER'S EXPERIENCE. 105
necessity compelled them to devise some means whereby it could be
replaced ; and, besides, payments had to be made on their contracts in
order to hold possession of their lands. For a number of years after
the close of the Revolutionary War money was scarce and difficult to
obtain. The only articles that commanded cash were black salts,
square timber and West India pipe staves. Merchants in Ogdensburg
erected pearling ovens, bought the salts and made pearlash, which
article brought cash in Quebec. Lumber merchants also bought square
timber and staves in winter, made them into rafts, and in the spring
floated them down to Quebec where they also brought the gold. The
merchants paid the settlers for their timber and salts part cash and
part in goods. By this arrangement the settlers could work during the
summer and fall chopping down the forests, burn the timber into ashes
and with it make black salts for marketing. This served a double pur
pose ; first, by clearing the land for a crop, which was usually fall
wheat, and second, with the proceeds of the salts they could purchase
clothing and make small payments on their land. In the winter most
of the settlers were engaged in lumbering, and although not very re
munerative, yet the proceeds greatly assisted them to " make both
ends meet."
Apart from the hardships and privations which the pioneers were to
endure, it would appear to the people of the present day that they
would be very lonely, surrounded as they were by a dense forest which
virtually cut them off from the outside world. This was not the case ;
they actually enjoyed life better than they do at the present day, for
there was no display of pompous etiquette to mar the friendly feelings
which bound them together as a neighborhood, wherein each depended
as it were, upon the others. They were always ready to lend a helping
hand to the needy in sickness or in health, and their doors were ever
open to welcome the stranger. They raised flax, and sheep for wool,
which they spun into yarn, wove into cloth and made into garments,
with a view more to the comfort of the wearer than to conform to
fashion. The social gatherings, apart from those for worship, consisted
in frequently going from house to house, which was very enjoyable.
In such visits they usually passed their time in singing, dancing, story
telling or riddle- guessing. The women and children were often con-
H

106 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
veyed to and from the place on sleds or travois drawn by oxen. This
seeming equality of the people and their social and friendly intercourse
existed for a time, and until strangers of some means came to the
neighborhood, purchased the improvements of a few of the settlers, who
were thus sent further into the wilderness. The places thus left vacant
in the neighborhood were filled by those unaccustomed to pioneer life,
creating, as it were, a coldness or indifference on the part of the new
comer to entering into full fellowship with the pioneers. This caused
distrust on the part of the latter, which grew stronger as wealth in
creased, and caste in society was soon clearly visible ; this distinction
has kept pace with the prosperity of the country ever since ; and hence
the good old days of the pioneer's life have passed away never to
return. The experience given in the foregoing narrative is applicable to most
of the early settlers in the older towns in the county ; hence it is not
necessary to allude to similar experience in the history of the towns.

CHAPTER X.
ERECTION OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Causes Leading to the Organization of St. Lawrence County — The Erection Act —
Name — Rivers — Lakes — Geology and Mineralogy — Mineral Waters, etc. — Analysis of
Water from Various Sources — Soil and Timber — County Officers Appointed — County
Clerk's Office Building — First National Celebration — Location of County Seat — The
First Court House — Hasbrouck's House — The S tate Road.
THE causes which led to the organization of St. Lawrence county
are set forth in a petition, which is preserved in the archives of
the State, and which possesses much value, as it contains the names of
nearly all the citizens then living in the county. Up to March 6, 1801,
the people of this .section had to go to Montgomery, Oneida and Herki
mer counties to transact legal business. Owing to this fact a petition,
which is said to have been intended as a preliminary to the location of
the county seat in Lisbon, was made to the Legislature that the said ten

ERECTION OF THE COUNTY. 10?
townships, previously described, be incorporated into one town by the
name of Lisbon, and that the same may be annexed to the county of
Clinton. Lisbon was accordingly erected by an act of the Legislature,
and a town meeting held, when a full set of officers was elected. This
move gave the people relief so far as town officers were concerned, yet
they were obliged to go to Plattsburg to attend court or transact busi
ness of the county. Therefore a petition was circulated that fall
throughout the townships asking the Legislature that the territory
above designated be set off into a county, with all the rights and privi
leges as other counties have in the State, and to be called St. Lawrence.
The petition also set forth that one of the old stone buildings of the
Oswegatchie Fort could be used for a court-house, clerk's office and
jail until the county decided to erect suitable buildings for that purpose.
The petition having received the signatures of 156 representative
men of the proposed territory, was presented to the State Legislature
on February 8. 1802. The prayer of the petitioners was granted, and
the act to erect the county, was passed March 3, 1802.
And it was further enacted, that all that part of the said county lying
westward of the boundary line of the townships of Lisbon and Canton,
shall be and is erected into a town by the. name of Oswegatchie ; and
the first town meeting in the said town shall be held at the house of
Nathan Ford ; and the said township of Lisbon and Canton shall con
tinue and remain one town by the name of Lisbon. And that all that
part of the said county, known as the townships of Madrid and Pots
dam, shall be, and hereby is, erected into a town by the name of
Madrid ; and the first town meeting in said town shall be held at the
house of Joseph Edsall. And that all the remaining part of the said
county shall be, and hereby is, erected into a town by the name of
Massena ; and that the first town meeting in the said town shall be held
at the house of Amos Lay.
And it is further enacted, that the freeholders and inhabitants of the
several towns erected as follows : Lisbon, Oswegatchie, Madrid and
Massena, shall be and are hereby empowered to hold town meetings,
and elect such town officers as the freeholders and inhabitants of any
town in the State may do by law.
And it is further enacted, that there shall be held, in and for the said
county of St. Lawrence, a Court of Common Pleas and General Ses-

108 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
sions of the Peace, and that there shall be two terms of the same courts
in every year, to commence the first Tuesday in June and the second
Tuesday in November in every year, and each term may continue to be
held until the Saturday following inclusive. All having the same ju
risdiction, powers and authority in the same county as the Courts of
Common Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace in other counties of
the State.
It was also enacted, that until legislative provisions be made in the
premises, the said Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the
Peace, shall be held in the old barracks in the said town of Oswegatchie,
which shall be deemed, in law, the court house and jail of the said
county of St. Lawrence.
And it was further enacted, that all the residue of the tract of land
lying between the division lines aforesaid, of great lots numbered three
and four, and of great lots numbers one and two, in Macomb's pur
chase, and the north bounds of Totten and Crossfield's purchase, shall,
until further legislative provision in the premises, be considered as part
of the town of Massena. With these additions to the ten townships,
comprises the territory and boundary of the county of St. Lawrence, as
hereinafter more fully described.
The county was named from the great river of its boundary. The
upper line begins on the shore of Chippewa Bay, and runs north 540
west 44 miles and 40 chains ; thence north 890 45' east 25 miles and
36 chains; thence north 2° west 60 miles and 10 chains, to the line of
the St. Regis or Indian reservation, or about four miles from St. Regis
village ; thence westerly along the said line of reservation three and a half
miles ; thence northerly, or at right angles to the river St. Lawrence ;
thence up along the river about sixty-seven miles to the place of begin
ning, containing according to the State Gazetteer, " 2,880 square miles,
or 1 743,200 acres." The county lines embrace the ten original town
ships and some six miles further on each side of them at the river front ;
also certain portions of Macomb's purchase as hereinafter described.
The county is bounded on the south by Herkimer and Hamilton coun
ties ; on the east by Franklin county ; on the northeast by the river St.
Lawrence, and on the southwest by Jefferson county. The land for
several miles back from the river is sufficiently rolling for good drain-

ERECTION OF THE COUNTY. 109
age, and gradually rises toward the southeast to about 1,080 feet, which
becomes more rolling or broken as it enters the Adirondack region.
The principal rivers are the Oswegatchie, Indian, Grass, Racquet
and St. Regis. The Indian River rises in the east part of Lewis county,
passes in a tortuous course into Jefferson county and across the town
of Rossie, through Black Lake, and falls into the Oswegatchie about
four miles above Ogdensburg. The Oswegatchie River, East Branch.
rises in the northern part of Herkimer county and flowing northward
through Cranberry Lake, thence westerly across the south end of Pierre-
pont and the northerly end of Fine, through the center of Edwards and
the village, thence across the north end of Fowler into the town of
Gouverneur and through the village, thence northerly across Rossie,
making a short turn into Jefferson county, turns north and back through
Rossie, thence along the north line of Macomb, forming an ox- bow,
thence through the town of Gouverneur, forming a second or smaller
ox-bow, thence through De Kalb, and passing across the northwest
corner of Canton at Rensselaer Falls to Heuvelton, and bearing west
erly along the northerly line of De Peyster to the forks or mouth of
Black Lake, thence to Ogdensburg, and falls into the St. Lawrence
River. The West Branch of the Oswegatchie River rises in the north
ern part of Lewis county, and flows across the western end of Pitcairn,
thence across the southwest corner of Edwards, making a detour into
Fowler by the village of Fullerville, thence back of Edwards, through
the village, and uniting with the East Branch at Freemansburg, about
twelve miles below the village of Edwards.
Grass River rises in the southeastern part of Hopkinton, having two
branches which unite not very far from the western line of Pierrepont,
draining Massawepie Lake and several other small ones, passing north
ward, crossing the towns of Colton and Pierrepont, making a turn
into Russell and flowing northerly through Canton village; thence
across the corner of Potsdam at Norwood, thence through the town of
Louisville and Massena village and into the St. Lawrence. A dam for
a reservoir was built near its headquarters several years ago, which
broke away and has not been replaced.
Racquet River rises in the northern part of Hamilton county, passes
into the town of Hopkinton, and is fed by several lakes, passing thence

1 10 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
through the southerly corner of Parishville, thence across the northern
corner of Colton, also across the northwest corner of Parishville and the
northeast corner of Pierrepont, thence across the easterly part of Pots
dam at the village, thence diagonally across Norfolk at the village,
through to the easterly part of Massena, running nearly parallel and
within about a mile at the point of the Grass River, passing across the
west end of the Indian Reservation and falling into the St. Lawrence.
This is the longest stream in Northern New York, it being upwards of
one hundred miles, and is supposed to drain about 1,200 square miles.
St. Regis River, the western branch, rises in the southern part and the
eastern branch in the eastern part of Franklin county, and is formed by
the outlet of numerous small lakes and ponds. The easterly branch
enters the county and forms the line between the towns of Hop
kinton and Lawrence, crossing the northern end of Hopkinton, thence
along the eastern corner of Stockholm to the O. and L. C. Rail
road. The western branch passes diagonally across Hopkinton and
across the northern corner of Parishville into the town of Stockholm,
bearing easterly and forming a junction with the eastern branch at the
railroad before mentioned. The branches united pass along the
northeasterly point of Lawrence, thence through Brasher by Helena
and crosses the west end of the Indian reservation to the St. Lawrence.
The Deer River rises in the southern part of Franklin county, flows
through Lawrence and enters the town of Brasher and unites with the
St. Regis River at Helena. All these streams have a rapid descent
from the highlands, diminishing somewhat as they near their mouths,
and are broken by numerous falls or rapids which furnish abundant
water power.
Oswegatchie and Grass Rivers are connected by a natural canal about
five miles long at a point some six miles above Heuvelton, which served
in early days as a highway for canoes. The Oswegatchie is a trifle the
lowest, but the water flows from one river to the other according as either
river rises or falls first.
Lakes in the County — The one most important is Black Lake. It
commences in Rossie and forms the boundary line between the towns of
Hammond, Morristown, and Oswegatchie on its north, and De Peyster
and Macomb on its south side. It is about twenty miles long, is

ERECTION OF THE COUNTY. Ill
quite narrow at its lower end, and about five miles wide at its upper
end. It covers an area of about fifteen square miles. Its water is quite
dark, caused by drainage of peaty swamps. The water is generally
shallow but very deep near the mouth of Indian River. The upper end
or broad part of the lake contains numerous islands and is walled in
places by perpendicular ledges of sandstone, some of a reddish color,
affording in many localities picturesque and beautiful scenery.
Cranberry Lake is next in importance. It lies in the southern part
of the township of Colton and originally contained about 5,000 acres.
An act was passed April 21, 1865 (chap. 505), for the purpose of check
ing freshets and improving the hydraulic power on the Oswegatchie
River ; a dam was erected at the mouth of the lake to raise the water
twelve to fifteen feet, which serves as a reservoir. A tax was levied on
the water powers below according to the valuation as assessed by the
three commissioners who were appointed by the county judge. The
money so raised was to pay for the overflowed land, which was 5,000
acres, to build a dam, other expenses and pay a gate-tender. The first
tax raised was $1,871. According to a survey made by the commis
sioners in the summer of 1892, there were forty- seven falls or suitable
places to erect dams, and the most of these places have been utilized.
The lowest of these is six feet and forty-three one-hundredths, and the
highest is 164 and twenty- one one hundredths feet. The average of
these falls is eighteen and fourteen one-hundredths feet. Tupper's
Lake lies partly in the southeastern corner of Hopkinton, and in the
county of Hamilton, near the head of Racquet River. A dam was
erected on the outlet as a feeder to the water power below.
Massawepie Lake lies a few miles below Tupper's Lake, in the same
town ; also there are about half a dozen smaller lakes and ponds within
a short distance around this lake, which drains into Grass River.
Jordon Lake lies near the center of Hopkinton and drains into
Racquet River.
Trout Lake lies in the same town near the northeast corner, and
drains in the east branch of, Racquet River. Indian Lake lies in the
southeast corner af Parishville, and drains into Racquet River. In the
town of Fine there are about twelve small lakes or good sized ponds,
most of them draining into the East Branch of the Oswegatchie.

112 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
In the same town there are some six good sized ponds which drain
into the West Branch of the Oswegatchie. There are three lakes in the
town of Edwards, Bonner and Clear Lakes, and Cedar Lake which lies
partly in the town of Hermon. Hermon has Trout Lake, and a creek
flows from it through Gardiner's Pond. Yellow Lake lies mostly in
the town of Rossie, and partly in Macomb. It is about ten miles long.
Pleasant Lake lies in the west end of Macomb, and a second Yellow
Lake lies in the northeast part of the same town, and drains into Fish
Creek. Mud Lake is in the southeast part of the town of De Peyster
and drains into Fish Creek.
The surface of St. Lawrence county covers so vast an area that it
necessarily shows great variety, from the highlands of the Adirondacks
in the southeast to the champaign region lying adjacent and parallel to
the St. Lawrence.
The surface in the more even portion is broken more or less by paral
lel ridges of primitive and secondary formation ; and the western por
tions, particularly in the town of Rossie and Macomb, are somewhat
hilly. A very peculiar feature of the topography of the county is the curi
ous course which its principal inland streams pursue. They all rise in
the highlands, flow for about one- half or more of their course directly
towards the St. Lawrence, when they make sudden and sometimes, as
is the case with the Oswegatchie, very acute angles, and flow thence to
their union with the great river in courses almost parallel to that stream.
The Oswegatchie is an exception, though in former, times it connected
by a sort of natural canal with Grass River, as before mentioned, and
very possibly at one period poured its waters through that channel to
the northeast. The reason of this peculiarity is undoubtedly found in
the ridge like formations before spoken of, which tend generally in a
northeast and southwest direction. Chippewa Creek rises in the south
west part of Oswegatchie and flows through Morristown and Hammond
into Chippewa Bay, and, curiously enough, in a direction exactly con
trary to that followed by the St. Lawrence. The middle and western
portions of the county are somewhat broken by protruding masses of
the Potsdam sandstone. The northern and northeastern portions are
generally level or slightly undulating.

ERECTION OF THE COUNTY. 113
Geology and Mineralogy. — It has been conceded by mineralogists that
St. Lawrence county is unrivaled for the variety and beauty of its min
eral treasures. The southern part is underlaid by what is termed
primary rock, which is designated by geologists as the oldest of the
rocky masses. It is made up of a mixture of simple materials which
often shows in the structure and mode of arrangement that they were
at some remote period subjected to the action of heat. The constitu
ents of these primitive rocks are generally quartz, hornblende and feld
spar, arranged on irregular and often very tortuous strata or layers,
which are usually steeply inclined. This peculiar mixture and arrange
ment of simple minerals is denominated gneiss rock. A great variety
of minerals occurs in gneiss rock in certain localities, and it is a valuable
repository of lead and iron ores. The gneiss rock enters the county
from Jefferson, near the line of the military road in Hammond, and its
northern margin runs nearly in a direct line to Black Lake, and forms
all the islands in that water, although the north shore is sandstone. It
diverges from the lake in De Peyster, and runs across De Kalb, Can
ton, Potsdam, Parishville, and thence onward to Franklin county.
Nearly the whole of St. Lawrence county south of this line is underlaid
by primary rock. At the village of Potsdam the same rock comes to
the surface, sometimes resembling an island of gneiss in the midst of
sandstone, and the same thing is observed at other places. However
irregular the strata of gneiss may be, it will generally be found to dip,
or slope, down towards the north, and is sufficiently covered with earth
to be suited for agricultural purposes, but in the southern portion of the
county it occurs in abrupt and broken ledges. In De Peyster, De Kalb,
Macomb, and Gouverneur, white limestone occurs in abundance. This
stone is sawed into shape and is largely used for building and monu
mental purposes. For the manufacture of lime also there is probably
no material in the county that surpasses this. It is generally in lime
stone, or along the line of its junction with the gneiss, that the more
valuable varieties of minerals occur, which are so eagerly sought by col
lectors. Lying directly upon the gneiss, or in some instances upon the lime
stone, is a rock which presents a great variety of structure, called .by
geologists Potsdam sandstone. This rock crops out in the town of Pots-
15

114 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
dam, St. Lawrence county, above the village. (This same kind of stone
is found in Potsdam, Germany, hence the name "Potsdam " was given
to the town). The quarry is extensively worked, the stone being used
principally for trimmings. The sharpness of outline which it preserves
in situations where it has been exposed to the weather for centuries, in
dicates its durability, and being composed of nearly pure silex, occasion
ally tinged with iron, it harbors none of the parasitic mosses. Walls
made of this, stone never present the mouldy, decaying appearance,
common to walls of limestone in damp situations. (See history of town
of Potsdam). This sandstone contains but few evidences of organic life,
these being limited to obscure fucoids and one or two bivalve shells.
The Potsdam sandstone is bordered along the St. Lawrence, and ex
tending back a few miles, by the calciferous sandstone, which presents
at many places near Ogdensburg definite fossil remains, which are, how
ever, limited to a few species.1 Among these are many obscure masses
with a texture that indicates that they had been sponges, or the lower
order of zoophytes. From an economical point of view this rock (or
blue limestone in the second ward of Ogdensburg) is of great impor
tance, both as a building stone and as material for lime, for which, how
ever, it is inferior for certain kinds of work to the white limestone of
the primary region, but as it partakes somewhat of the nature of water
lime, it is far superior for stone work, especially in damp places. This
blue limestone taken from the quarries along the bank of the St. Law
rence above the Oswegatchie River is extensively used for building ma
terial, both in the city of Ogdensburg and in the asylum which is now
being erected below the city.
Those above enumerated are the principal of our rock formations, but
over them all is more or less extensively and very unequally spread
masses of soil, sand, clay, and bowlders, much of which bears evidence
of having been drifted by agencies that have long since ceased from
1 The writer in 1888 had an opportunity to examine a beautiful specimen of the outlines of a fos
sil turtle some fifteen inches long, which is shown in the blue limestone rock upon the shore of
Black River, near Dexter, Jefferson county, N. Y. The upper portion of the body or shell seems to
have been worn away, leaving a series of parallel curves, touches, and traverse lines formed of
white or yellowish colors, flinty substances, embedded in the rock. The limestone doubtless was
formed around the turtle after which the cavity, made by the decay of the ligaments which con
nected the particles of flesh, was filled by infiltration or some other process, thus showing the
minute formation of the flesh and entrails of the turtle.

ERECTION OF THE COUNTY. 115
more northern localities and deposited in their present form. This has
received the name of " drift," and its study forms one of the most in
structive departments of practical geology. Evidences of its northern
origin may be found in our ability to often trace loose masses of rock
to the parent source, and the polished and scratched surface of the rocks
when exposed bears testimony to the fact that they have been ground
and furrowed by moving masses, which the direction of the scratches
certify was from a northerly region. In the lower part of the county
continuous ridges, crossing the river obliquely, may be traced for a con
siderable distance. In some cases the surface is thickly studded with
bowlders, which have been noticed in continuous trains for half a mile
or more, and groups of these, usually of similar material, are of constant
occurrence. There is above the drift still another formation, consisting of sands
and clays, and containing shells unchanged in texture, and of the
species now living in the Arctic Seas, which skirt the northern border of
the counties eastward from Ogdensburg. From the extensive occur
rence of this formation in the valley of the St. Lawrence, the term
" Laurentian Deposit " has been applied to it. It exists in Canada
over a great extent of country, and also in the valley of Lake Cham
plain. In the deep railroad cut through the clay bank east of Ogdens
burg were found multitudes of fossil shells ; also shells of the same
kind are found in the clay banks in the Second Ward, where excava
tions are made for cellars and wells. The clay beds at Raymondville,
which have a peculiar columnar structure, very much like starch and no
signs stratification whatever, contain shells of the same species, prov
ing that they belong to a marine formation of a comparatively recent
period. Of a still more recent period are the bog ores still fanning in
swamps ; the deposits of lime from a few springs and detritus brought
down by rivers and left at their mouths, which form bars, such, for ex
ample, as the " rush-bed " at the mouth of the Oswegatchie, and which
is still going on with each succeeding freshet.
Minerals. — Among the remarkable features of primary or gneiss
rock are trap dykes and metallic veins, of which many interesting in
stances occur in Rossie, especially near Wegatchie. Of metallic veins,
those of iron, lead, copper and zinc are the principal, and of the first

116 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
that at Rossie is pre-eminent. Indefinite reports of lead, silver, etc.,
based upon Indian traditions, were common among the early pro
prietors, and much effort was made to discover the localities where they
existed. Among these a lead mine was said to exist up the Os
wegatchie, near the Eel Weir. It was said that Indians would go up
the river in bark canoes and return in very short time with the lead.
Isaac C. Page, an uncle of the Page brothers of this city, claimed to
know the locality of this lead mine, but he was put under an obligation
by the Indians to not reveal it, which vow he faithfully kept to the day
of his death. At the mines on Black Lake at Mineral Point zinc blende
occurs in considerable quantities ; as it also does to some extent with
the galena in Macomb Mine. Copper ore was found in the southerly
part of Canton in the white limestone, and contained occasional crystals
of brown tourmaline. It was the yellow sulphuret of copper, and it
formed a regular vein one foot in width in some places, and was asso
ciated with iron pyrites and occasional stains of green and blue carbon
ates of copper. The calcite of this place was at times found in crystals
of huge proportions coated with minute crystals of pearl spar. The
iron ore is more abundant than that of other metals. There are three
distinct varieties, differing essentially in geological age, chemical char
acter, mineral associates, and the quantities of iron which they pro
duce. These are the primitive, or magnetic, the specular and the bog
ores. The former, although of greater abundance, mostly occurs in
sections yet unsettled and difficult of access. It is this variety of ore
that is largely wrought in Clinton and Essex counties, and it forms the
wealth of Sweden. So far as known, it is interstratified with gneiss.
Its mineral associates are few, being quartz, pyrites and pyroxene from
its being magnetic. The specular ores are so called from the splendid
luster of the crystals which occur in two varieties. The least impor
tant of these is the crystalline variety occuring in gneiss and white lime
stone, often beautifully crystallized in plates and of variable and uncer
tain quantities. It has not hitherto been wrought with profit. Quartz
apparently in twelve-sided crystals is usually found with this ore.
Between the gneiss and sandstone, and not elsewhere, occurs a red
compact ore, chemically like the last named, but so unlike it to the eye
as not to be classed with it ; and this has hitherto been the ore most

ERECTION OF THE COUNTY. 117
largely used in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties for the manufacture
of iron. The ore occurs in the hills of moderate elevation and lies di
rectly upon the gneiss rock. These red ores impart their color to
whatever comes in contact with them and make a durable paint for
outside work when finely ground. Paint from this ore is successfully
manufactured at the present time in Ogdensburg. These ores are
never crystallized, but occur in every variety of lamellar, slaty, botry-
oidal, and pulverulent forms, and in some cases cavities are found lined
with beautiful and peculiar crystallization of carbonate of lime, spathic
iron, heavy spar, aragonite, quartz, iron pyrites, and more rarely cacox-
ene of chalcodite and millerite, the latter being the rarest and most
beautiful of its associates. It occurs in one of the localities in brilliant
needle shaped crystals, radiating from a center like the fibers of a thistle
down and having the color and brilliancy of gold. No profitable local
ity of red ore occurs east of the town of Gouverneur. Bog ores are
rare in the primary district, but more common in swamps in Madrid and
Norfolk and some other places. In favorable localities the superficial
deposits are renewed after being dug over, and thus successive crops
are obtained once in a dozen or twenty years. This ore makes very
soft, tenacious iron, but is generally lean, not yielding more than
twenty to twenty-five per cent. A mixture of the primitive red and
bog ores in equal parts was thought to make the best specimen of iron
ever produce in Northern New York.
There are between fifty and sixty kinds of minerals, valuable in the
arts or as cabinet specimens, that may be gathered in this locality, and
one need not travel beyond the precincts of St. Lawrence county to
collect a cabinet possessing excellence and value unsurpassed by any
other locality on this continent. The specimens occurring in St. Law
rence county may be enumerated as follows :
Agate of coarse variety occurs with chalcedony near Silver Lake in Fowler.
Albite, or white feldspar, is a common constituent of gneiss found in Gouverneur,
Rossie and Fowler.
Amethyst (bluish violet or purple quartz) found in Gouverneur and Rossie.
Amphibole (basaltic hornblende) occurs frequently in bowlders but not in rock
formations; found in Rossie.
Anglesite (sulphate of lead) occurs sparingly in the lead mine of Rossie.
Ankerite (a variety of dolomite containing iron) occurs in the iron mines of Rossie ;
discovered by chemical test.

118 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Apatite (phosphate of lime) crystallized in six-sided prisms, occurs in the white lime-'
stone formation ; its color is a delicate green shade and is chemically the same as cal
cined bones, a strong fertilizer.
Asbestos, of a brown color, with fibres interlocking each other in a very intricate
manner, occurs in the town of Fowler, associated with rensselaerite, talc and tremolite.
Aragonite (needle-spar) is found in the iron mines near Somerville in beautiful white
globular masses, in cavities of iron ore. This mineral is sometimes called flos-ferri
(flowers of iron).
Automolite, said to occur in Rossie, supposed to be a variety of spinelle and identical
with dysluite.
Babingtonite, coating crystals of feldspar, said to occur in Gouverneur.
Blende (sulphuret of zinc) associated with galena at the lead mines in Rossie and
other lead mines in the county.
Calcareous tufa, formed by the deposits of carbonate of lime, from springs, occurs in
Rossie and Gouverneur.
Calcite (carbonate of lime) occurs in most of the lead and iron mines in the county
in limpid crystals in various colors.
Celestine (sulphate of strontia) in crystals of a beautiful blue tint was found in Coal
Hill Mine, Rossie.
Chalcedony occurs in Fowler, associated with calcareous spar.
Chlorite occurs in bowlders, but not in rock formations, associated with epidote.
Chondrodite, with its usual associate, spinelle, is found in Rossie in white limestone.
It is of every shade of yellow, inclining to orange and brown.
Dolomite, or magnesian limestone, in small quantities, associated with white lime
stone, is found in Rossie and Fowler.
Dysyntribite occurs at all localities of red iron ore.
Epidote, granular and disseminated in chlorite, is common in bowlders.
Feldspar ; this important constituent of gneiss and granite occurs abundantly through
out the primitive region, but in few localities of sufficient interest to merit notice.
Crystals of considerable interest occur in Rossie.
Fluor spar ; good specimens of this mineral have been found in Gouverneur. Ex
ternally they were usually rough, but within were perfectly transparent, in varying
shades of green ; it is employed as a flux, also in making fluoric acid, used in etching
on glass.
Galena (sulphuret of lead) ; this important ore occurs in Rossie and Macomb in suf
ficient quantities to warrant the working of the mines. It has also been found in other
parts of the county but not in such quantities as to pay the cost of working. It occurs
in veins with calcareous spar. When crystallized it has been in the form of cubes and
octahedrons, with intermediate modifications.
Garnet is only found in bowlders.
Graphite (carburet of iron) is a common mineral in white limestone, and occurs in
Canton and Rossie.
Green stone is common in bowlders and in dykes in limestone in Rossie.

ERECTION OF THE COUNTY. 119
Hornblende, either in its proper color and crystallized form, or in its varieties, as
tremolite, asbestos, pargasite, etc.; it is a constituent of gneiss, and coextensive with
that rock ; it occurs in several parts of the county.
Houghite (named in the honor of its discoverer, Dr. Franklin B. Hough), a, new
mineral that occurs near Somerville, associated with spinelle, serpentine, dolomite,
phlogopite, etc. It has been found crystallized in octahedrons.
Idocrase, in irregular fluted prisms, occurs in bowlders and in rocks in situ in Rossie ;
color, clove-brown, opaque and brittle.
Iron pyrites (sulphate of iron) is common, and possesses much economical importance
for the manufacture of copperas, sulphuric acid and soda ash. Brilliant specimens are
found in the Rossie lead mines where it occurs in the cavities of the veins, crystallized
in cubes with various modifications, and possessing a brilliant luster which is not liable
to tarnish. It is found in iron mines and often imbedded in gneiss.
Labradorite (opalescent feldspar) occurs in bowlders. The best specimens have been
found three or four miles above the city of Ogdensburg near the bank of St. Lawrence.
It takes a beautiful polish and would form an, elegant gem. The play of colors is vivid
and the shades mostly green and blue.
Ioxoclase (feldspar with diagonal cleavage), occurs in Rossie in crystallized form
usually with feldspar, when broken presents a delicate bluish opalescence.
Muscovite, a variety of black mica, does not occur m situ in this locality, but is found
in bowlders.
Pargasite (green hornblende) occurs wheiever apatite has been found in this locality.
It usually is crystallized in hexagonal prisms, of a delicate grass green or bluish color.
Pearl spar (crystallized dolomite) occurs in Rossie in crevices of limestone; in clus
ters or crystals ; upon large dog-tooth crystals of calcareous spar.
Phlogopite, the mica of our white limestone formations, occurs in numerous localities
and often of great beauty.
Pyroxene in prisms, occurs in numerous localities in De Kalb ; the variety is white in
which the crystalline form is well exhibited.
Quartz, the most abundant of the simple minerals, and a constituent of gneiss and
sandstone, abounds in many interesting varieties in the county.
Rensselaerite, of various shades from white to black through every intermediate
color, and varying from a finely granular to a coarsely crystalline structure, occurs in
limestone and gneiss in many places in the county. Its softness, toughness, the beau
tiful gloss which it readily receives, and the diversity of color indicates it as a suit
able material for any of the ornamental uses to which alabaster is applied.
Rutile (titanic acid) is said to have been found in Gouverneur and is used in the
manufacture of artificial teeth.
Satin spar (fibrous calcite) is of frequent occurrence in seams of serpentine and
rensselaerite in Fowler and several other places.
Scapolite, in pearly gray crystals which are short and generally terminated, occurs at
the locality of apatite in Gouverneur, diffused through white limestone.
Serpentine abounds throughout the primary section of the county, near the white
limestone formation. In Edwards it occurs in various delicate shades of green and
greenish white.

120 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Spathic iron (carbonate of iron) is found in the iron mines of Rossie in beautiful
crystalline groups, lining cavities in the ore, and associated with calcite, heavy spar and
iron pyrites. The color is usually bronze and various shades of brown, and the faces
of the crystals often warped and usually very brilliant.
Sphene occurs at the apatite localities in Gouverneur and Rossie. It is of a pale red
color, and in imperfect crystals ; its associates are pargasite, apatite, graphite, etc.
Spinelle occurs at the locality of chondrodite in Rossie and at the locality of serpen
tine and mica in Gouverneur; it has a pale reddish brown color, opaque and well
crystallized ; grouped in clusters.
Sulphur, in a native state, occurs in concretions around the iron mines in Rossie
where it is formed by the decomposition of iron pyrites, and its deposition is said to be
due to the action of vegetable matter.
Sulphate of barytes is associated with limestone in Gouverneur, in an irregular vein
with fluor spar. Externally it is of a rusty brown color and with irregular attempts
at crystallization, the surface being covered by bundles of coarse crystalline fibres
Broken it presents a pure white color and is fibrous and laminated.
Sulphuret of copper has been procured in quantities in Macomb, Canton and several
other towns.
Tourmaline of a reddish brown color and crystallized is found imbedded in white
limestone in Rossie, Gouverneur and some other towns.
Tremolite (white hornblende) occurs in Fowler, of a delicate rose color, in masses
which have a broken crystalline structure.
Zircon, much esteemed by mineralogists and for its containing zirconium, one of the
rarest of ihe mineral elements, occurs at the apatite locality in Rossie, in square prisms,
sometimes terminated by pyramids. It is of a brownish red color, in small crystals and
transparent, valuable as a gem.
The preceding description of the various kinds of minerals, specimens
of which have been procured in the rocky formation of St. Lawrence coun
ty, is given in condensed form. In its preparation the' writer has quoted
freely from the work of Dr. Franklin B. Hough, who also drew largely
from the American Journal of Science and the reports of the American
Association from 1849 to 185 1; also from articles upon geology and
mineralogy contributed by Professors Shepard, Dana, Johnson and
others. The drift which covers the rocky formation of this county and the
Laurentian deposit, alluded to in the preceding pages, contains a large
percentage of the various kinds of minerals, which were, doubtless, pul
verized and deposited during the glacial period. We find no elaborate
account of this theory by geologists, but a reasonable conclusion that
such is a fact, may be reached in a careful test of the waters from the

^*»;»»ta, smfanm c» wH*

rfruz^L^ c/£. £)ci^tn_

ERECTION OF THE COUNTY. 121
various springs and deep wells in this section of the county, as nearly
all are more or less impregnated with minerals of some kind.
Mineral Waters, etc. — Water is composed of two gases, oxygen and
hydrogen, and is, when pure, free from smell or taste. From the fact
of its being the most universal solvent known, it is rarely obtained in
this condition, as it attracts to itself more or less from all substances
with which it comes in contact. Many springs and wells are highly
charged with certain minerals, alkaline and salts, which often impart to
the water medicinal and salubrious qualities. The ocean aggregates
them all, and in its composition are found : chlorine, iodine, bromine,
sulphurs, carbon, soda, magnesia, potash, chalk, iron, fluorine, phos
phorus, nitrogen, silicon, boron, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, cobalt,
nickel and manganese.
The following is an analysis of the water taken eleven hundred and
ten feet below the surface of the Dead Sea, gravity 1,227 :
Chloride of calcium  3.107
Chloride of magnesium  ,  14.889
Chloride of sodium . . ,  7.855
Chloride of potassium   0.658
Sulphate of lime  0.070
Bromide of potassium.  0.137
The water from some springs and wells, though having the appear
ance of being pure, is yet so impregnated with mineral substances as
to render it wholly unfit for domestic use. A spring in the town of
Macomb not far from the State road, and near the lead mines, sends
forth bright and sparkling water, yet man and beast, after drinking it
freely are seized with griping pains and manifest all the symptoms of
being poisoned. A well was sunk by Page Brothers a few years ago
on the Canton road just outside the city limits. A stratum of about
twenty-five feet of gray clay was passed when a dark colored, fine,
salvy sand was reached and water obtained, which had such a peculiar
taste and smell that it was rejected for culinary purposes. The water,
however, was used in the stable, and shortly afterward two of their
cows sickened and died. The veterinary surgeon pronounced it lead
poison, caused by drinking the water in this well. The water in the
Page well and that in the Macomb spring doubtless leaches through
mineral of some kind, probably a stratum of sulphuret of lead. The
16

122 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
water from most of the wells and springs in this vicinity is charged
with salts of lime or magnesia.
The noted Cold Spring flowing out at the base of a thirty foot bank of
drift, just above the upper iron bridge over the Oswegatchie at Ogdens
burg, has furnished drinking water to the inhabitants in this vicinity
from the earliest settlement to the present time. This spring water has
always been regarded as the most wholesome of any in the place ; yet
when it has evaporated it leaves a sediment which under the microscope
shows mineral matter of a light gray color, in which the salts of lime
largely predominate. In removing from the surface about four feet of
of rubbish where the river had formerly cut into the bank, a spring has
recently been discovered about six rods above the Cold Spring, the
water from which is clear, of a bluish tint, is four degrees warmer than
the Cold Spring, and has a brackish though not unpleasant taste. A
light colored or gray deposit is formed on the grass over which the
water flows ; and also in a glass after standing a short time. When
freely drank this water is a cathartic and diuretic. A well has recently
been sunk on Spruce street about twelve feet deep in clayey ground.
The water is clear and cold, and rises within three or four feet of the
surface. It has a sulphurous taste and smell. A well sunk upon the
Read farm about two miles up the lake road affords sulphurous water ;
also a spring about half a mile above this well, on the Lyons farm,
near the Oswegatchie River, and still another farther up the river bank
on the Denney tract. These are all strongly impregnated with sulphur,
and the taste and smell of their waters is due doubtless to the pyritous
soil through which they leach.
Laurentian Well. — The water from this well is clear and nearly in
odorous, and is claimed by many to possess medicinal qualities. An
analysis of the water made by E. Walker, Ph.D., School of Mines,
Columbia College, New York, is as follows :
231 cubic in. U. S. gallon.
Sodium chloride (grains)   8.549
Definition.— Sodium from soda, a yellowish white metallic element, soft like wax and
lighter than water. Chloride, or chlorine, is a heavy gas of greenish color ; it has a disa
greeable suffocating odor, and is destructive of life ; is a constituent of common salt,
making sixty parts of it by weight, and with hydrogen forms hydrochloric acid. It is a
powerful bleaching and disinfecting agent.

EMOTION OF THE COUNTY. 123
Sodium bicarbonate  3.908
Bicarbonate is a carbonate containing two equivalents of carbonic acid to one of base ;
one of super-carbonates.
Calcium bicarbonate  4.741
Calcium is a metallic basis of lime.
Barium bicarbonate  Trace.
Barium is the metallic basis of baryta or barea, which is an oxide or barium. (Earthy
salts or heavy spar. )
Ferrous bicarbonate  , , . 0.723
Ferrous, partaking of iron, made of, or pertaining to iron ; like iron.
Calcium sulphate  35.691
Sulphate, brimstone sulphur, a salt formed by sulphuric acid in combination with any
base ; as sulphate of lime.
Magnesium sulphate  20.854
Magnesium is the undecomposable metallic base of magnesia ; magnesia, the magnet,
also a mineral that looks like silver, a kind of talc ; is an earth ; the oxide of magnesium.
It occurs in nature as periclase, (meaning a grayish or dark green mineral), consisting of
magnesia with a small proportion of protoxide of iron.
Potassium sulphate  ,  3.266
Potassium is a bluish white, lustrous metal, having a strong affinity for oxygen, with
which it forms potassa ; it is lighter than water. Potassa is pure potash or protoxicall of
potassium.
Sodium phosphate  :  Trace.
Is a salt formed by the combination of phosphoric acid with a satisfiable base. (Or by
combine with an acid.)
Alumina  ...0.286
One of the earths, consisting of two parts of aluminum and three parts of oxygen, or an
ingredient of common clay.
Silica  1.020
Pertaining to or obtained from flint or quartz. When pure it is a light white powder,
which feels rough when rubbed between the fingers. It is both inodorous and insipid.
Organic and volatile  10.835
Organic matter is the remains of animal or vegetables. Volatile i-i that capable of
wasting. A substance which affects the smell with pungent and fragrant odor, or washes
away on exposure to the atmosphere.
Total grains in a gallon  89.872
Carbonic acid gas, cubic inches  78.7
Carbonic acid is composed of one part oE carbon and two parts of oxygen. In its ordi
nary condition it is a gas, but it maybe reduced to a liquid or solid state by cold and
pressure. It is a heavy gas, totally unfit for respiration. Water will absorb its own vol
ume of it, and more than this under pressure ; and in this state it becomes the common
soda water of the shops, and the carbonated water of natural springs Combined with
lime it constitutes limestone, or common marble and chalk. The definitions given in the
preceding tests of the various kinds of minerals will save the reader's time in looking up
and will serve in a measure for those to follow.

124 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Massena Springs. — The following analysis of the Massena Spring
water was made by Prof. Fred V. Mayer, of the New York College
of Pharmacy. This spring has for the past few years been somewhat
noted for the medicinal qualities of its water, therefore we give the
analysis that a comparison may be readily made with tests of other
waters in the vicinity of Ogdensburg or county.
231 cubic inches in one gallon Grains.
Chloride sodium  79,71)2
Chloride potassium  0,508
Chloride magnesium  29,627
Bromide magnesium  O.G73
Bicarbonate lime  4,852
Bicarbonate iron  0,488
Sulphate lime  00,931
Sulphate soda  3,500
Phosphate soda  1 ,320
Hyposulphate soda  '1 ,205
Sulphurate sodium  1,405
Silicate soda and organic compound  11,170
198,477
Sulphuretted hydrogen, per gallon 5,307 cubic inches 
The Brewery Artesian Well. — An analysis of the water from the
artesian well at the Arnold brewery on Main street, Second ward, in
Ogdensburg, was made by Charles L Davis, University of Michigan,
Ann Arbor. This well was drilled upwards of ioo feet, through or
nearly through the gray limestone rock overlying a stratum of gneiss,
the formation of which antedates the era of animal and vegetable life.
Hence the water is free from organic matter, and shows but a small
quantity of mineral substances. The following analysis clearly indi
cates that the water from this well is the purest of any in this section of
country. Sodium chloride, (grains in 1 gallon)  1.36
Calcium sulphate  2.13
Magnesium sulphate  .98
Calcium carbonate  4.75
Magnesium carbonate  8.72
Ferrous carbonate, (iron)  .51
Alumina and phosphates  traces
Silica  .44
Organic matter  .00

Total grains per gallon  18-^

ERECTION OF THE COUNTY.

125

Analyses of St. Lawrence and Oswegatchie Rivers. — The following
analyses of the St. Lawrence and Oswegatchie River waters, made by
Professor Chandler, previous to the erection of the water- works in
Ogdensburg, is taken from Dr. Morris's report to the State Medical
Society in 1S77. The St. Lawrence water was taken in the current,
outside of the light-house, and the Oswegatchie water from below the
dam, in the fall of 1876. Previous to these tests it was generally be
lieved (and the same opinion is held by many at the present time) that
the St. Lawrence water is preferable to the Oswegatchie for culinary
purposes. The test shows that the Oswegatchie water contains about
one-third less grains of matter per gallon than that of the St. Lawrence.
For this reason, and on account of the excellent washing qualities of the
Oswegatchie water, the latter was chosen for the city use.
Table of Test, 1876.

Total sold impurity 
Lime as carb. or bicarb 
Lime as snphate 
Magnesia as phos. and carb 
Organic matter 
Silicate soda and potasses 
Iron 
Alumina. 
Chloride sodium 
Ammonia 
Nitrogen as nitrate and nitrites.

Hardness (Clark's test) .
Hardness after boiling. .

St. Lawrexce , Oswegatchie
River. ; River.

Parts

Grains Parts Grains
in 1 per in per
100.000. '¦ Gallon, ioo.oco. Gallon.

1.1662 . 0506
.1092.1157 .1878
.1943 trace none
.0481 none
.0027

12 5 11

6 I
49. 18
25
.03.1

.03

.8793)

9

.5

.2887

3

.12

. 0740

.8

.0786!

.85

3609;

3

.9

.0518

.56

.0185

.2
none!
.0027
.03
nonej
.0037
.04
19.00
8 degrees
6 deg.
2i degrees
2" deg.
The dissatisfaction with the Oswegatchie water for culinary purposes
had become so intense that the water commissioners took steps to have
suction pipes of the water- works extended up the river beyond the
cemetery to the railroad bridge, with a view a view of obtaining more
wholesome water. And in order to determine this point they had the
water analyzed, May 21, 1887, by Mr. Albert R. Leeds, professor of
126

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

chemistry at the Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, N. J. Two
samples of water were supplied for the test ; one taken from the river at
the railroad bridge above the dam, and the other drawn from the tap in
the city. The following table shows the results :
Analysis of 1887.

From bridge, color 3.0, taste slight, smell

TAKEN AT F

. R. BRIDGE.

TAKEN FROM TAP.

slight.
From tap, color 3.25 taste not pleasant, smell
slight.

Parts in
100,000.

Grains
per gallon.

Parts in
100,000.

Grains
per gallon.

0.00350.0190 1.145 none
0.104
0.350
2.600 5.100 1.900
3.200 5.439
2.469
11.780

0.004950.0110.6677 none
0.05850.204 1.516
2.97 1.101.80

0.0060.016 1.030 none
0.0626 0.350
2 .'730
6.0
2.5 3.5 5 1.
11.

0.0036
0.0093

Oxygen required to oxidize organic matter. -

0.6000 none
0.03G5

0.204

1.590

3.499

Mineral matter 

1.450

Organic and volatile matter 

2.040

8.33215
C. C.
a
4<
9.4688
189
485
140
Total gases 
19.688 "
17.
323
The following letter accompanied the report of the test of the two
samples of water and is the interpretation of the results :
Neither the sample taken from the railroad bridge nor from the tap is of satisfactory
quality. That taken from the bridge contains too much nitrogenous matter, capable of
undergoing decomposition and oxidation, to be regarded as water suitable for domestic
supply. There has been some matter added to the water taken from the tap, which
gives it an unpleasant taste, and after standing for twelve hours at a temperature
of seventy degrees, it had an offensive smell. These matters caused the water
taken from the tap to have a somewhat greater hardness than the other sample.
The quantity of total solids held in solution is also greater and the total amount of or
ganic and volatile bodies. It contains a smaller quantity of oxygen and total gases
in solution than the river water, but in this respect neither is water of good qual
ity. That taken from the tap, if properly aerated, so as to raise the amount of
oxygen and thereby oxidize the sewage matter and take out the color, and filtered
so as to remove the extraneous solids, it would be ninety per cent, better in qual
ity than that taken from the river, and it would be bright, sparkling and wholesome.
Signed, Albert R. Leeds, Ph. D.
ERECTION OF THE COUNTY. 127
Explanation of technical terms.— Color. — One degree of color is the same tint of yel
low as is struck by 0.01 part of ammonia in 100,000 parts of water, when treated with
the Nesster test. The test is always applied after nitration.
Free ammonia. — This is derived from decaying organic matter containing nitro
gen, from sewage, or from surface rain water.
Albuminoid ammonia. — This is the measure of that portion of the organic matter
which contains nitrogen, and which, while not as yet decomposed, is capable of un
dergoing putrefactive decomposition. In the course of this decomposition it yields
ammonia. Oxygen required to oxidize organic matter. — The amount of organic matter which
is capable of undergoing decomposition is measured by the amount of oxygen re
quired to effect its oxidation at 112 degrees.
Nitrites and Nitrates. — The former measure the nitrogenous organic matter which
has undergone by natural process partial oxidation; the latter that which has under
gone complete oxidation. In themselves they are harmless, but their determination is
of service by way of indicating the amount of previous contamination. The nitrites
aie estimated as nitrous anhydride (N2 Os) the nitrates as nitric anhydride (N3
0,). Chlorine. — An excess of chlorine over the amount regularly found in the good water
of any particular locality, indicates possible contamination by sewage. The limit in in
land wells, where the water does not acquire its chlorine from soluble chlorides, natur
ally presents in the geological formation through which the well is sunk, two grains per
gallon. Hardness. — Hard water will yield a lather with soap only when all the lime and mag
nesia salts present have been thrown down by the soap in the form of an insoluble
compound. Hardness may be either temporary or permanent; the former may be
removed by boiling, the latter is not. No diminution of hardness occurs on boiling,
when the amount of lime and magnesia present as carbonates is less than 1.75
grains per gallon, or when the lime and magnesia exist in the form of sulphates and
chlorides. Hardness is measured in degrees, a degree standing for the hardness which
would be given to the water by one grain of carbonate of lime disssolved in one gallon.
Soft water is water under five degrees of hardness. The greatest hardness allowable
in good water is fifteen degrees. November 1, 1882, the Croton water was two de
grees, .86; the Passaic water three degrees, .85.
Solids.— The total solids should not exceed ten grains per gallon, on account of the
hardness which usually results from excess of mineral matter. In river water the or
ganic and volatile matter should always be small in amount as compared with mineral
matter. In the Passaic water, as delivered in Newark and Jersey City, the ratio is
about 1 to 3, which is already too high as compared with the same water in its unpol
luted condition. In wells the ratio should be much smaller and should not exceed 1
to 10. The total solids are determined after drying at 110 degrees Centigrade; the
organic and volatile matter after heating to low redness.
Other data. — When required for judgment the twelve preceding data are particularly
specified as being those which are essential to the formation of a sound judgment upon

128 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
the potability of a water and its fitness for technical use. As a general rule their
determination will be sufficient. But when such is not the case, the analyst will not
restrict himself to their determination, but will add other data essential to the settle
ment of every reasonable doubt. The decision as to the character of the water in-
volve5 a very grave responsibility, inasmuch as a hastily formed and inaccurate judg
ment may lead to wide-spread sickness among those drinking the water, or the intro
duction of a water into manufactories where it may impair the steam boilers, or de
teriorate the quality of the goods in whose manufacture it is used.
The mineral and organic matter in the St. Lawrence water does not
materially change from one season to another, owing to its even and
abundant flow throughout the year. But in small streams like the Os
wegatchie, affected so easily by droughts or freshets, the mineral and
organic matter then contain changes somewhat in proportion to the
flow of water in the stream ; therefore no two tests of the water, if taken
at different seasons, either at high or low. depths, would be exactly
alike. The test of the two samples of water before alluded to satisfied
the commissioners that it was needless expense to extend the suction
pipes of the water works up the river to obtain more wholesome water.
Therefore a meeting of the citizens was called to take action upon a
proposition to erect an apparatus at the water works for the purpose of
properly aerating and filtering the water, at which meeting the proposi
tion failed to receive the endorsement of a majority of the citizens and
tax-payers. The necessity to filter or otherwise to purify the water
used in the city for drinking" and culinary purposes is growing more ap
parent year by year. The lead pipes first used (at the erection of the
water works) for conveying the water supply, have become so much
corroded by the action of the water as to make them unfit for conduits,
and their further use dangerous to the public health, from the fact that
they will become a source of lead poisoning. The acid reaction which
renders water capable of dissolving lead may be due to the chemical
products of the bacteria which are often found in water ; therefore, it is
essential that some process should be adopted to destroy the germs of
poison, should such be found to exist in our water supply, as the good
health of a community depends largely upon the water it uses.
Soil and Timber. — The soil of St. Lawrence county is considerably
varied in its quality of fertility. The soils of a district are said to re
semble and partake to a certain extent of the nature of the rocks over
which they lie, as the disintegrated and decomposed particles, together

ERECTION OF THE COUNTY. 129
with the vegetable and animal remains, form the soil. Yet the debris
of the different beds of rock are more or less mixed together by the
action of the water in the denuding the surface at one part and carry
ing it in greater or smaller quantities to another. Thus the fertility of
the soil on the higher grounds from which the earthly particles are
washed, is found to be very different from that of the valleys to which
these particles are carried. Therefore, in a district of sandstone the soil
is usually sandy, and in one of limestone, slate, or shale, it is more or
less calcareous and clayey, which may be designated from their compo
sition as clays, loams, sandy, gravel, chalks or peats. From the great
elevation of the southeastern part of the county, the action of the water
in coursing its way down to the St. Lawrence has materially enriched
the soil of the river towns to such an extent, that with proper tillage,
good crops of grass and grain may be relied upon. The numerous
swamps and low grounds which were shunned by the early settlers as
worthless, have been drained and converted into arable lands, produc
ing heavy crops of both grain and grass. The stony ridges and rocky
ledges are utilized to good advantage for grazing, producing sweet and
nutritious grasses on which animals so wonderfully thrive. St. Law
rence county's butter and cheese have gained considerable notoriety in
the markets of the world for their peculiarly good flavor.
At an early day most of the country was covered with valuable tim-
bet, such as white and black oak, rock elm, pine, cedar, hemlock and
spruce ; also rock maple, soft maple, basswood, white and black ash,
bastard and water elm, and various other kinds of wood that usually
grow in our northern latitude.
County Officers Appointed. — The county being thus established as de
scribed at the beginning of this chapter, Nathan Ford was appointed
judge, John Tibbitts, jr., and Stillman Foot associate justices, and Louis
Hasbrouck, county clerk. Mr. Hasbrouck kept the clerk's office in his
house situated on the diamond square, which he bought for a guinea,
and the first record made in the books is dated May 29, 1802. The
first court held in the county, and presided over by the above named
officers, was convened on the first Tuesday in June, 1802, in the old
barracks.1 ' It was said of Mr. Ford that a worthless fellow was brought before him for some trifling of
fence, and after hearing the complaint the judge banished him off the face of God's earth. The
17

130 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The first board of supervisors of St. Lawrence county convened in
the old barracks on the second Monday of November, 1802, and con
sisted of Alexander C. Turner, of the town of Lisbon and its territory
in the rear ; Nathan Ford, from the town of Oswegatchie, comprising
the territory on its rear and on the west of it ; Joseph Edsall, from the
town of Madrid and the township of Potsdam ; and Mathew Perkins,
from the town of Massena and the townships or territories of Hopkinton
and Brasher, embracing the whole of great tracts 2 and 3 of Macomb's
purchase. The board of supervisors, consisting of four members, met
annually and transacted the business of the county for three successive
years, when in 1805 the towns of Hopkinton and Canton were erected
and sent a superviser to attend the session. In the year following three
more more towns were added to the list. Since then, towns have been
erected from time to time, as will be seen by referring to the chapter on
towns, until the number now reaches thirty-one, yet there is sufficient
territory in the Adirondack region for several more when settled.
County Clerk's Office Building: — An act passed by the Legislature ,
February 12, 18 13, authorized the board of supervisors to raise a tax
not to exceed $900, for the purpose of erecting a fire proof clerk's of
fice. Owing to jealousies in regard to the public buildings being
located in Ogdensburg, the supervisors delayed to pass a resolution to
raise money for the erection of the clerk's office until October, 1821,
when the sum of $500, was raised for that purpose, and Louis Has
brouck, David C. Judson and Bishop Perkins were appointed a com
mittee to erect the building. In pursuance of the foregoing resolution,
a stone building was erected on the corner of Ford and Green streets,
in Ogdensburg.The First National Celebration. — The first Fourth of July celebration
in Odgensburg, if not in the county, was in 1802, at the old barracks.
A large number of settlers came in from the various neighborhoods
and a large party of both sexes came from Canada and joined in the
festivities. John King, father of the late Hon. Preston King, who was
in the employ of Mr. Ogden and Mr. Ford, delivered the oration, and
Mr. Ford provided dinner for all present. The cannon used on that
man looked up at the judge imploringly and asked where he should go. The answer came, " To
Canada, G— d d— n you."

ERECTION OF THE COUNTY. 131
occasion was taken from the French gun-boat which was scuttled and
sunk by them on their evacuation of the Fort la Presentation, August
25, 1760. The wreck lay in a cove in front of the fort where now the
Rome freight house stands. On building the Ogdensburg, Watertown
and Rome Railroad Dock, the wreck was enclosed by the wharf and the
freight house built over it. The boys thought that the celebration
would be rather tame with no noise, and having learned from a French
man, Antoine St. Martin,1 who was one of the men on the gun- boat
when she was scuttled, that there were several cannon on her deck at
the time, with this knowledge the boys gathered log chains and pre
pared to fish out a gun. Black Dick, Mr. Ford's slave, volunteered to
dive and search the deck. He did so and the bow gun was found and
successfully raised. The gun, a nine pounder, was cleaned, the fuse
hole drilled out, and the cannon being hastily mounted on an ox cart
by the use of chains, the national salute was fired. The gun was
christened Long Tom, and was used in the village for a number of
years on all occasions of celebrations. It is not probable that the
thought entered negro Dick's brain when he was grappling this cannon
beneath the " bright and sparkling waters of the Oswegatchie "2 that it
or a similar one would be used some sixty years later in celebrating the
emancipation of his race from bondage. Two six pounders were also
taken from the wreck ; one was christened " Black Dick " in honor of
this hero, and the other " Black Sue." One of these guns (as report
says) was burst at Lighthouse Point in the fall of 1807, when a party
was firing a salute in honor of Jefferson's Embargo Act. The other
cannon was placed in the fort, and was captured with some ten other
pieces and taken to Prescott when the British took Ogdensburg on
February 22, 1813.
1 Antoine St. Martin was a soldier in the French army at the time of the surrender of the post,
La Galette, to the English in 1760., He resided in Ogdensburg from that date until his death, March
4, 1849, when he was upwards of one hundred years of age. In his later days he became a great
favorite with the people and amused them by relating incidents and scenes which he passed
through in his younger days. These narratives supplied the subject for a romance written and
published at Potsdam by C. Boynton. His longevity seems to have been to him as much
a cause of solicitude as it was to others a wonder, and he would at times weep and lament that
" God had forgotten him." With him perished the last survivor of the French period in our
history. 1 A term sarcastically used by R. W. Judson at a citizens' meeting in the fall of 1868, when dis
cussing the quality of the two waters, St. Lawrence and Oswegatchie, one of which was to be
used for city purposes.

132 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
After the county had been established and the use of the old bar
racks for county purposes accepted for the time being, Mr. Ford wrote
Mr. Ogden that he was not altogether satisfied lest some something
might turn up and the county seat be removed into the interior. At
the convening of the grand jury he stated that he brought forward his
proposition respecting the court-house, and should have got through
it tolerably well, but Turner Tibbets and Mr. Foot, who lived in Can
ton, seemed to think it best to have it put off. Mr. Ford continued :
This is of too much importance to be omitted a moment. If we can preserve har
mony in the county, it will be the better way ; but it is reduced to a, certainty that we
are to be opposed ; I am determined to take the field and we will try our strength.
This letter and our determination ought to be kept a profound secret, and let us pursue
the same friendship which they affect towards us. You must let me hear as early as
possible, for the Board of Supervisors must meet shortly, to fix about the jail, and this
cannot be done for less than £100. It will be poor policy to tax the county to raise
that additional sum, for a thing that ultimately will be lost, and at this particular time
I do not think it practicable for the county to pay it, for wheat and flour have no mar
ket at Montreal, and people have nothing that will bring money. The policy of the
county ought to be the strictest economy, making the taxes as light as possible, for
nothing scares people like taxes, particularly in a new country. Upon mature delibera
tion I have concluded to make the following proposition, and if the county thinks
proper to accept the offer, 1 would set about the preparation for building the court
house and jail, and before this time next year I would have a room for the court and
also one jail-room fitted, and the whole should be finished as soon as possible, and not
repair the barracks.
Proposition. — That every person shall sign in wheat as many bushels as they think
proper, to be delivered at our mill, one -third in February each year for three years
thereafter, the house to be set upon the east side of the Oswegatchie River [the lot
where the post-office now stands], Ogden and Ford will subscribe £1,000, take the
wheat subscriptions upon themselves, and go on to finish the building at once.
The opposition to this offer came from the men at Canton only. On
the 1 8th of September, 1802, Mr. Ford wrote Mr. Ogden that he had
got all the worst places " cross-wayed." Continuing, he said, "To
convince you I have effected something like a road, a wagon from the
Mohawk River came through to Ogdensburg with me. Also I have
finished a substantial bridge over the east branch [now Heuvelton] ;
there are few as good in any other of the older counties. During the
season vigorous efforts have been made to collect materials for the court
house. Immigration this year has generally been less than for several
years past, and this is imputed to the sudden fall in the price of pro-

ERECTION OF THE COUNTY.

133

duce, in consequence of the peace policy." Mr. Ford, ever on the alert
to advance the interests of Ogdensburg, worked every card to make
Oswegatchie the shire town, and thus he had paved the way by build
ing bridges and roads leading out to the various settlements and by the
building of a suitable court-house and jail. In a recent letter to Mr.
Ogden, he stated that he brought in three masons from Troy to work
on the court-house, and hoped to see the chimneys above the roof
within a few days, and it was his intention to hold the November term
in the new house.

FIRST COURT HOUSE.

On November 17, 1804, Mr. Ford again wrote Mr. Ogden and said
that he had the pleasure to inform him that he had so far completed
the house by finishing the court- room that the court was held in it;
also he had finished one of the cells in the jail, and everything was
comfortable and secure. The people who assembled from different
parts of the county expressed much satisfaction in finding themselves
in possession of so much accommodation. " It has been a pretty
tough job," he said, " to get along with, for it has interfered very
much with our business, but I hope the effect will be to put an end to

134

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

any court-house disputes in the county. I have had the certificates
regularly filed in the proper office, and it now becomes the court-house
and jail of the county. The property and the prisoners have been
transferred to the new building."
There was no county clerk's office provided for, but Mr. Louis Has
brouck built himself a residence the same year on the triangular lot
which Mr. Ford had sold him' for a guinea, and kept the records at his
home for several years afterwards.

5f?«>»!^

HASBROUCK'S HOUSE AND BARN.

In closing up the business of this remarkable year of 1804, Mr. Ford
said : 1
I intend laying aside all further considerations in the way of building except to build
a house for myself, until we find sufficient ore to warrant the erection of a furnace.
However, I shall build me a stone dwelling-house, as I cannot consent to live in those
old barracks much longer.
The State Road. — The subject of a road to the Mohawk was never
lost sight of until accomplished. A law was passed by the Legislature
April 9, 1804, authorizing a lottery for the purpose of raising $22,000,
with ten per cent, in addition for expenses, to construct a road from
Troy to Greenwich, and from or near the head of the Long Falls on
Black River (Carthage) to the mills of Nathan Ford at Oswegatchie.
The road was to be six rods wide, and Nathan Ford, Alexander J. Tur
ner and Joseph Edsall were appointed commissioners for making it, at
a salary of $1.50 per day. The summer of 1805 was devoted to the
location and opening of the road, and on the 26th of October Judge
Ford wrote Mr. Ogden :

ERECTION OF THE COUNTY. 135
I have just returned from laying out the State road between Ogdensburg and Car
thage, and I am happy to tell you that we have great alterations [from the old road]
for the better, besides shortening the distance. The difficulty I find in forming a plan
for expending our lottery money to the best advantage, makes me wish for some abler
head than mine to consult with.
The commission decided to employ a foreman and thirty good men,
to be paid by the month, all to be under the direction of the commis
sioners. David Seymour, of Springfield, Vt, father of G. N. Seymour
of Ogdensburg, was engaged as foreman, and began the work on the
25th of May, 1809, which was finished in the following fall.
There were living in the village of Ogdensburg in 1804 only four
families, as follows : Mr. Slosson, on the corner where the Gilbert
block now stands ; Dr. Davis (first physician to locate in Ogdensburg),
on the ground now covered by E. B. Allen's residence ; George Davis,
who kept the American Hotel, and a Mr. Chapin on State street near
the Ripley House. There were no stores in town except the one kept
by Mr. Ford in the old barracks, but occasionally the settlers had the
opportunity of shopping on the Durham boats from Utica, in which
goods were occasionally displayed for sale. Doubtless there were sev
eral families living on the west side of the river, which was not at that
time counted as a part of the village ; but the fact that a large force of
men was employed in that year on the court house, tannery, distillery
and in the mills, evidently shows that most of them were single men or
had families elsewhere, to whom they returned at the close of the
season.

136 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

CHAPTER XI.
WAR OF 1812 TO 1815.
Causes of the War — Mr. Ford's Letter upon the Prospect — Militia Called Out to
Enforce the Embargo Act — Events of the War at Ogdensburg — A Zealous Sentinel —
Bombardment of the British in 1812 — Sacking of the Village in 1813 — General Wilk
inson's Expedition.
THE trouble that led to the War of 1812 between the United States
and Great Britian, had been brewing for several years. It was
said that through one of the financial transactions of Mr. David Parish,
who was a prominent character in developing the resources of St. Law
rence county in its early days, was one of the alleged causes, which are
as follows: Mr. Parish resided in Hamburgh, Germany, and was edu
cated as a banker. His financial operations in connection with other
capitalists were on the most extensive scale. They entered into an
agreement with the French government, then in the hands of Bonaparte,
to transfer a large amount of credit to Europe from the Spanish col
onies in Mexico. The war between France and England, and the re
striction upon commerce then existing, rendered the navigation of the
Atlantic with valuable cargoes extremely perilous, from their liability
to capture by British cruisers, which swarmed in every sea. The only
practicable way of transferring to Europe an equivalent for the specie,
which had been intercepted by blockade in the ports of the Spanish
colonies, was to procure its shipment to maritime cities in the United
States, where it could be invested in colonial produce, which could be
shipped to neutral ports in Europe, under the American flag, which in
certain cases was allowed by the arrogant British government to pur
sue a commerce with Europe. The causes were then being developed,
which soon ripened into an open war between the United States and
Great Britain, which principally grew out of the arbitrary assumption
of the latter government. While engaged in carrying these measures
into effect Mr. Parish resided in Philadelphia, and his business brought

•f-ar c,„,cu.3

'hT/ ////'., J

WAR OF 1812 TO 1815. 137
him in frequent contact with the financial men of that place, among
whom were Gouverneur Morris and the Ogden families, who were con
nected by marriage, and several others who were interested in the pur
chase and settlement of lands in the northern part of the State of New
York, where he made large purchases of lands.
The troubles, which had been brewing for several years, created dis
trust and retarded emigration. Mr. Ford wrote Mr. Ogden as early as
August, 1807 :
The sound of war has palsied the sale of land. This unhappy affair will very
materially affect our prospects in the money line. Much pains is taken by some people
upon the other side of the river to inspire a belief that the Indians will be employed by
the British government, and their numbers are intensely magnified. This constant
theme of fear, originating with the women, puts the d  1 in some men, and some
among them are becoming as old-womanish as the women themselves. These men I
abuse for cowardice, and the women's fears I soothe, but I fear all my exertions will
be in vain, for it is incredible what frightful stories are going upon this subject. I yet
hope the whirlwind may pass by without material injury.
Later on Mr. Ford writes :
I am sorry to say the sound of war has had the effect to palsy immigration, and if
one can judge from the acts of the administration, the chances are much in favor of
war measures, though I presume Jefferson does not calculate to fight himself. I hope
and trust there will yet be found good sense and moral honesty enough in the people
of America to avert the impending storm.
Should this unpleasant bustle blow over this winter, I presume we may calculate
the ensuing summer will bring to the country many valuable settlers, who are laying
back for no better cause than to see the fate of the present commotion. The people in
the country have very much got over their first fright about war, and I hope, should it-
come, they will have spunk enough to stand their ground and manfully defend their
property. The d  1 of it is, we have neither guns or ammunition to do with. I sup
pose, upon a proper representation to Jefferson he might be induced to send up one of
his gun boats ; it might as well travel our new roads as plow through the sandy corn
fields of Georgia. I should like to know a little beforehand how the guillotine [politi
cal it may be presumed] is likely to work. That is a machine much more likely to
travel than Jefferson gun-boats, and my opinion is, the Democrats will never rest until
they erect a few of that kind of shaving mills.
The embargo act, passed by Congress, December 22, 1807, greatly
affected the prosperity of Ogdensburg, by stopping the commerce
which had sprung up between this place and Montreal, and in no de
partment was it felt more keenly than in the social and religious circles,
and it was rather difficult for every one to keep the spirit of the act.
18

138 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
In order to enforce more strictly non intercourse with Canada, two
companies of a brigade that was formed in St. Lawrence, Lewis and
Jefferson counties, were sent here under Captains Cherry and Ander
son early in the season of 1809. They were said to be the worst set of
men ever enlisted, being needlessly officious in searching persons cross
ing the river, which led to jealousies that almost ripened into hostility
with the citizens. The inhabitants organized a night watch to protect
their gardens and hen roosts. When the facts in regard to their action
became known at headquarters, the soldiers were ordered to be with
drawn. This so pleased the citizens that preparations were made by
them to celebrate the event. This came to the knowledge of the troops,
and an attempt was made the night before they were to leave to seize
the old French cannon belonging to the village, which was to have been
fired on their departure, and throw it from the bridge into the Oswe
gatchie River. The timely discovery of this fact and the arrest of the
persons by the Cititzens' Guard saved the cannon. On their departure
the next day the soldiers were followed by the people with the dis
cordant sounds of hooting, tin horns, cow bells and firing " Long
Tom."
In anticipation of war Congress called for 10,000 volunteers. In the
latter part of May a company under Captain D. Hawkins came to Og
densburg, and were temporarily quartered in the court house, and
Colonel Stone with a regiment was quartered below the village.
On the 19th of June, 18 12, President Madison issued a proclamation
of war against Great Britain.
Looking backward at the condition of our country at that time, it
seems to have been inadequate to cope with so powerful an enemy.
The census of 18 10 showed the population to be 7,240,000 in the sev
enteen States and a few territories. The dominant party at the time
(Democratic) having to contend with a strong minority (Federalists)
who were opposed to the war, became unpopular ; yet vigorous prep
arations were made by Congress and the several States to raise troops
and munitions of war. A national loan of $1 1,000,000 was authorized
to begin with. Great Britain was already prepared for the conflict. Her
European armies were immense and thoroughly equipped. The Brit
ish navy amounted to no less than 1,036 vessels. Of these there were 254

WAR OF 1812 TO 1815. 139
ships of the line, not one of which carried less that seventy- four guns
large calibre. At various stations on the American coast there were
eighty-five war vessels bearing the English flag and ready for immedi
ate action. Lake Ontario was commanded by four British brigs, carry
ing an aggregate of sixty guns. The Canadian armies of England
numbered 7,SOO regulars and 40,000 militia. Back of all these forces
and armaments stood the seemingly inexhaustible British treasury.
The movements of the war so far as affecting Ogdensburg were as fol
lows : There were eight schooners in the harbor on the 29th of June,
when an attempt was made to take them to the lake. While on the
way they were overhauled by a Canadian party and a few Indians just
above Elizabethtown (now Brockville), and two unarmed vessels were
taken and burned ; the other six returned to Ogdensburg. A section
of the bridge was opened and the boats passed above for better protec
tion. During an armistice the latter part of summer the vessels were
moved up to the lake.
As soon as war was declared General Brown drafted six companies
from the regiments of Colonels Benedict and Stone, the drafted com
panies being under Captains Griffin of De Kalb, Armstrong of Lisbon,
Cook and Hovey of Lewis county, and Bell and Weaver of Herkimer
county. In July General Brown dispatched the schooner Julia, of the
navy, armed with one eighteen-pounder and two six-pounders and
laden with military stores, under the command of Lieut. H. W. Wells,
for the upper ports. On the 31st she arrived at Morristown and was
met at 3 o'clock by a British vessel, The Earl of Moira. The two boats
dropped anchors, brailed up their canvas and began a cannonade which
lasted upwards of three hours, with but slight injury to either. Near
dark the enemy's vessel was taken to Elizabethtown (Brockville), and
the Julia weighed anchor and fell down the current, reaching Ogdens
burg before morning. The report of the capture of the two vessels,
the engagement of the other two vessels at Morristown, and the news
of the general order issued at the same time to march to Ogdens
burg, ran through the county with the swiftness of wind, and all the
men of the town prepared for immediate action, creating indescribable
confusion. The settlements on Black Lake and along the St. Lawrence
were entirely deserted, people everywhere running through the woods in

140 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
great dismay. At 2 P. M. they were all under arms,, an immediate
attack being expected from the enemy, for the purpose, as it was
supposed, of burning the vessels in the harbor. The alarm had neces
sitated a hasty draft from the militia of the adjacent towns, who arrived
in the forenoon and were, from the necessity of the occasion, put on duty
before they had time to learn the discipline of camp or the duties
of a soldier. The articles of war were read in their hearing, in which
the penalty of death was declared to be the doom of every offender
who should violate the regulations or be found wanting either through
sins of omission or of commission in the routine of the soldier's duty.
To those who had just been called from the quiet labors of the field to
participate in the events of the war and to share in the rigid dis
cipline of the camp, the soldier's life appeared to depend upon more
contingencies than casualties of battle, and the profession of arms to be
a path beset with pitfalls and dangerous passes, so straight and nar
row that the utmost caution was required so to conduct one's de
portment as to not incur the death penalty. Such, doubtless, were the
the sentiments of Seth Alexander, a brawny man from De Kalb, who
could wield an axe or handle a gun equal to any backwoodsman and
who was the subject of the following incident : On the evening of his
arrival he was placed on duty as a sentinel, with the usual injunction to
let no one pass without the countersign. Through either accident or
design the countersign was not given him. The omission was noticed
by him at the time and he asked one of the party who had previously
known something of the usages of the camp, what he should do in this
emergency. The reply was that he must do as he had been ordered.
He accordingly formed the resolution to obey his orders to the letter: —
'• To know no man in the dark, and to stop all persons passing by land or
by water.'' There are those who believe that the sentinel was thus pur
posely left in order to test his fidelity by an effort to deprive him of his
arms, and thus make him a subject of ridicule. Indeed, one of the
officers who was subsequently detained by him, is said to have boasted
that he had got two or three guns away from sentinels that night and
intended to get as many more. The guard had all been posted and his
party of some six or eight men were returning to the guard house when,
on approaching the spot where the man without the countersign had

WAR OF 1812 TO 1815. 141
been stationed, they were halted and one by one were commanded to
advance, lay down their arms and sit down on the ground. Here they
were kept in perfect silence by the resolute orders of the sentinel, who
watched every motion of his prisoners and with loaded musket
threatened instant death to the first one who should offer to leave
his place or make the slightest move towards recovering his arms.
The answer returned by the sergeant on being first hailed (which was
that Colonel B  had given orders to allow a boat to pass up) had
made the sentinel suspicious. About II o'clock at night when preparing
to go the grand rounds, the captain of the company on duty made
inquiry for the sergeant of the guard and his relief; no one knew what
had become of them, as they had not been seen since dark. The cor
poral of the guard was also missing. Captain Hawkins, to whose com
mand these belonged, Adjutant Church and two privates immediately
started to go the rounds and learn the cause of the absence of the
missing ones. They were proceeding in single file, the two privates in
advance, when they were stopped with the usual challenge, "Who comes
there?" to which they replied : " Grand rounds." This was as unintel
ligible as Greek to the new recruit, who abruptly replied, " I'll grand
rounds you," and he ordered the first one to advance and sit down. The
captain was next disarmed and placed beside his soldiers, forming al
together a group of a dozen or more, including all the missing ones, who
were not only kept in their places, but kept absolutely still by the
resolute sentinel armed with a loaded musket. The other privates were
soon added to the captain's party and Adjutant Church was next ordered
to advance, an order which he promptly refused to obey. No sooner
did he refuse than the sentinel instantly fired, but in the darkness
the shot fortunately went wild. Upon this, Captain Hawkins sprang to
his1 feet and endeavored to seize the sentinel's musket, but he was col
lared and kept at arm's length in the iron grasp of the sentinel. A
struggle followed in which the bayonet was loosened from the musket
but retained by its owner, and the captain received a severe wound in
the arm. The sergeant was also wounded in the leg, upon which the
party retreated, leaving their arms on the field. In the excitement of
the moment the captain had ordered the stubborn guardsman to be shot,
but second thought dictated a more humane policy, and a line of sentries

142 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
was posted around him to keep others from falling in his way until
morning. The line beyond him was at length relieved, wondering
what had kept them on duty so long. Meanwhile, Mr. Alexander,
conscious of having committed some error the nature and consequences
of which he knew not, resolved to still act upon his orders and trust to
common justice in the results. He carefully stacked the weapons he had
captured, hanging the swords and hats upon bayonets, and on top of all
placed the military hat of his captain ; he then resumed his duty, re
solved to defend his position. Two or three companies were ordered
out to take him forcibly from his post, but after a little discussion it was
thought expedient to let him remain. A young officer, hearing of the
affair, offered to go alone and get him off and he left with that intention,
but nothing more was seen of him till next morning, when he was found
sitting very quietly under guard not far from the stack of trophies of
the last night's adventure. The sentinel refused to let the young officer
off, notwithstanding some of his neighbors went to intercede in his be
half, until the man who had given him the orders on leaving him the
night before should grant him the authority, but as the latter had
been wounded and was unable to walk, he was carried to within speak
ing distance of the sentinel and was successful in procuring the release
of the young officer. Alexander, the sentinel, still refused to leave his
post, until assured by an officer whom he knew that no harm could come
to him. He appeared deeply affected at the mistake he had made and
especially at the unhappy consequences. Public censure after the first
impulse fell justly upon the officer who had posted the sentinel with
orders involving the death penalty, to stop all persons, and at the same
time neglected to give him the countersign. It was understood that the
officers connected with this incident soon found an excuse for relieving
Mr. Alexander from further military duty, and sent him home, as his
presence in the army would have had a tendency to keep alive the re
markable story which reflected somewhat on the standing of the officers.
Near the close of the season Captain Benjamin Forsythe with a com
pany of riflemen arrived and were quartered at the old barracks.
On the 2d of October, 1812, about forty British boats escorted by
two gunboats came up the river and opened a cannonade on the village,
which was renewed the following day. The Americans, having two

WAR OF 1812 TO 1815. 143
twelve- pounders at the Parish dock and 1,200 infantry on the west side
of the Oswegatchie River, returned the fire with their cannon for a
short time. On the following morning (Sunday, the 4th) the enemy
opened fire on the village, and moving over in the harbor came within
musket range. The two cannon at the Parish dock were brought into
use, and a lively fusillade kept up by the soldiers on the west side of the
river caused the fleet to turn back with a disabled gunboat, having had
one small boat sunk and a number of men killed and wounded.
Nothing further occurred that season of more importance than an oc
casional bombardment from the fort at Prescott.
Several buildings were struck by cannon balls. One shot entered
Mr. Curney's dwelling on the lot where the Seymour House now stands
and passed into the room where the family were at dinner. Another
struck the frame of a house which stood a block north of the present
Custom House site, shivering a rafter. Another entered a gable end of
a small hotel on the lot where the National Hotel now stands, passed
through a brick chimney, rolled across the room and dropped through
a pipe-hole to the floor below. Another struck a pile of wood just
back of this last named house, landing in the clay pit of the brick-yard,
and splashed mud on some boys, who took refuge behind a wood pile.
Henry Plumb of this city was one of those boys. Several shots struck
the Parish stone store, the indentations being visible on the walls to-day.
A shot from a gunboat struck the west quarter of the roof, and passing
diagonally across, went through a brick chimney, out of the gable
window, and struck a lumber pile in the saw-mill yard at the dam,
which frightened the men away from their work.
There were many amusing incidents mingled with the terror of those
hours of bombardment. The casualties were far less than they other
wise would have been on account of the few buildings in the place being
so scattered. Most of the shots, however, dropped along the shore or
into the rush bed. It was the custom of the people to keep a watch
and when they saw the smoke from the cannon at the fort, warning was
given to seek shelter, there being time to do so before the ball would
strike. Henry Plumb relates an incident that occurred to a relative of his
who was in an open yard, having the skirt of her dress turned to guard

144 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
her face from the sun, and being in a stooping posture engaged in pick
ing herbs, when the sharp warning cry came. She suddenly drew the
skirt over her face and started as she supposed for the place of safety,
but, like all humanity when off their guard, the step of one foot being
longer than the other caused her to travel in a circle, stooping as she
went at a lively pace around the yard as the ball came screaming over
her head, to the great delight of the boys who were watching her
peculiar antics.
In the winter of 1813 news came from Brockville that a large num
ber of American prisoners were confined there, some being charged
with desertion from the British army, were to be tried for the same,
and all were cruelly treated. A party of about two hundred, con
sisting of Captain Forsythe's company and a few citizens, left Ogdens
burg at 9 P.M., February 6, for Morristown. Some went in sleighs and
others on foot. They crossed the river in two divisions and were
placed in position for an assault if found necessary, while Captain For
sythe with a few men entered the jail and brought away fifty- two men,
including a few of their citizens, one hundred and twenty muskets,
twenty rifles, two casks of fixed ammunition, and some other public
stores, without a casualty except one man wounded by a shot from a
chamber window. They arrived safely at Ogdensburg before daylight
the next morning. This bold affair led the enemy to take measures for
retaliation. The following is given on the authority of a British soldier,
Jehial Phillips : A British captain, whose pride was touched by the suc
cessful raid on Brockville, called for volunteers to retaliate by capturing
the American sentinel, who was boldly treading his beat on Lighthouse
Point in full view of the British camp. A soldier who was called
"Bob" said, "Give me Bill Todd and 'Supple Indian' and I will
undertake the job." The party, dressed in Indian blanket coats, pro
ceeded cautiously under cover of darkness that night, captured the
guard and returned to Prescott with him, from whom it was learned
that the militia had gone home, thus leaving Ogdensburg poorly
guarded. They at once planned a raid on the place, which was carried
out the following day.
Captain Forsythe, being aware of the design to retaliate, had asked
General Dearborn of Plattsburg for reinforcements, but could not get

OGDENSBURG IN

i. Rushbed, or Sand Bar.
2. Lighthouse Point.
3. Railroad to Ferry.
4. French Fort and Buildings.
5. French Burying Ground,
6. Early Grist Mill and Store
House. """¦:
Dotted lines show recent survey for wharf lines.
19

8.
10.
11.

Saw Mill and Dam.
Nathan Ford's House
Parish Stone Store.
American Hotel.
Parish Dwelling.

Hasbrouck House and
Barn

13. Court House.
14. Morristown Road.
15. Black Lake Road and Bridge.
16. Flume to Grist Mill.
17. Oswegatchie Fort, or Redoubt.
18. Indicate Batteries.

146 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
them, receiving word instead that if he could not defend the place, he
was at liberty to evacuate it ; that the loss of the place might arouse
the American spirit. Upon receiving this letter Captain Forsythe
assembled the officers, consisting of Captain Kellogg, Lieutenant Smith
of the rifle company, Lieutenants Baird, Lytle and Wells, of the volun
teers, then just raised, Adjutant Church and a few others. The result
of the council was a determination to defend the place as long as prac
ticable, and to abandon it only when compelled.
The defense of the place was made as follows : Near the intersection
of Ford and Euphemia (now State) street stood an iron twelve- pounder
under command of Captain Kellogg of the Albany volunteers. In front of
the arsenal a few doors towards the bridge on Ford street was a brass
six-pounder on wheels, under command of Joseph York, and a few men
mostly citizens and volunteers. On the bank near the Plumb ferry was
a rude wooden breastwork, defended by an iron twelve pounder,
mounted on a sled carriage (one of the trophies won from Burgoyne),
under command of Capt. Joshua Conkey of Canton. It was said that
this gun was not fired, although it was so placed that it might have
done the enemy much injury; it would have checked them, and per
haps saved the place. On the point where the lighthou^H BP*S~tands
was a brass nine-pounder mounted on a sled carriage, under'com man d
of a sergeant in the company of Captain Kellogg. This piece was fired
repeatedly with good effect, and its commander was one of the last to
retreat when the place was finally evacuated. Back of the old stone
garrison were two old fashioned iron six- pounders, mounted on sleds;
one of these pieces was under the orders of Daniel W. Church, and the
other under Lieutenant Baird of Captain Forsythe's company. In front
of the gateway between the two buildings which formed the stone gar
rison was a six- pounder brass piece on a sled carriage. About twenty
feet to the left of this was an iron six- pounder on a sled carriage, which
had been taken from a gun boat (French gun-boat without doubt) ; be
sides these were several other cannon in front of the stone garrison,
which were frozen into the ice.
Early in the morning of February 22, 1813, Lieutenant- Colonel Mc
Donnell's command marched out on the ice in two columns with the
intention, as stated by British authority, of only making a demonstra-

WAR OF 1812 TO 1815. 147
tion, but which changed to a real attack. One of the columns, about
five hundred strong, directed their march to the lower end of the vil
lage, and the other, about three hundred strong, approached from a
point above the stone garrison. Besides the United States regulars,
there were not more than fifty at Ogdensburg to show their faces to
the enemy. Captain Forsythe had drawn up his men in rear of the
garrison and facing the column that was approaching from that quarter,
and when the latter were within half musket shot, he walked down in
front of his men and directed them to reserve their fire until the word
of command was given. Near the right of the line Lieutenant Baird
was stationed with an iron six-pounder, and Adjutant Church was
about two-thirds the way down the line with a brass six-pounder. No
order was given to fire until the enemy had nearly reached the bank
where the snow had drifted about knee deep, and here they delivered
their first volley, but without effect. Captain Forsythe then ordered
his troops to fire, and a volley was discharged from the rifles and the
two cannon. Upon hearing the order the enemy fell prostrate, and
immediately after the discharge they jumped up and ran off without
ceremony, leaving eight of their number dead on the ice. This detach
ment consisted of provincial militia and volunteers under British
officers. The column of five hundred from below under McDonnell
marched into the village without resistance. When coming up Wash
ington street, as they were turning the corner at the Parish place to go
up State street, a citizen from the opposite corner fired and killed a
British soldier, the ball lodging in an elm tree, and the citizen was also
killed by a return shot. Captain Kellogg's gun was disabled on firing
the first shot, when his squad retreated across the Oswegatchie River.
Mr. York made good use of his gun, which was charged with canister,
disabling several of the enemy and riddling the Parish high board
fence. The British officer observed the movements of Mr. York in
time to order his men to cross the road and drop on the ground, or the
casualties would have been much greater. Two of York's men (citi
zens) were severely wounded, and the squad was captured.
As the British troops were marching up to Ford street, a boy soldier
named Jones, from Canton, on duty at the arsenal, standing on the east
side of Ford street, just below State street towards the bridge, gave the

148 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
usual challange and fired into their ranks with fatal effect. He was
ordered to surrender, but cried out " never ! " and attempted to reload
his gun as he passed into a shop near by, when the British soldiers, en
raged by his resistance, fired a volley upon the courageous youth and
finished their bloody work with the bayonet, pinning him to the coun
ter. Meanwhile the greatest confusion and alarm prevailed throughout
the village, and numbers of citizens were hastening away, most of them
in the direction of Heuvelton. The nine- pounder which was posted on
the Point under charge of a sergeant, was fired with effect upon the
first column the moment they began to show disorder and began a re
treat, but its position was such that it could not reach the lower body.
Captain Conkey surrendered himself without resistance. These three
cannon being in their possession, together with the village, the enemy
next directed their efforts towards the position of Forsythe to capture
the fort. Captain Forsythe had two cannon planted in front of the
garrison, the brass piece charged with canister and grape, ready to fire
on the enemy when they reached the Hasbrouck place. But before
the order was given to fire, two men were observed coming towards
them bearing a white flag. The object of the visit was to demand the
immediate surrender of the garrison, otherwise " every man would be
put to the bayonet ! " Captain Forsythe promptly replied : " Tell your
commander there must be more fighting done first." The bearers of this
dispatch had no sooner reached their own ranks than the cannon at the
garrison was discharged. The enemy watching the movement, dropped
to the ground, so that the greater portion of the charge passed over
them, disabling only eight men. The casualties would have been much
greater had not Captain Forsythe commanded the gunner to " give an
other turn of the screw to elevate the muzzle," which the latter sullenly
obeyed, and thus the lives of many British soldiers were saved. The
grape shot struck the side of Hasbrouck's barn, which stood at the
upper end of the present Hasbrouck brick block (see engraving), rak
ing the boards with numerous long, deep furrows, which remained visi
ble to the passer-by as a reminder of the war, until the building was
destroyed by the great fire of 1852. The enemy immediately took
shelter behind the Parish stone store and other available objects, and
began firing at Forsythe's men, wounding several of the gunners.

WAR OF 1812 TO 1815. 149
Captain Forsythe, seeing that it would be useless for him with his
small force to undertake to hold out against such odds, ordered a re
treat up the lake to Thurber's tavern, and thence they crossed over to
De Peyster Corners. The British troops proceeded to ransack and
pillage the town, carrying off or wantonly destroying a great amount
of public and private property. In their carousal they shot through a
cellar window and killed a boy. They burned the old barracks,1 and
made several attempts to burn the bridge, but the snow and ice with
which it was heavily covered saved it. Finding no more government
property to destroy they left for Prescott that afternoon, carrying away
fifty-two prisoners, mostly citizens, who were soon afterward paroled ;
also taking away eleven pieces of cannon and a quantity of provisions
belonging to citizens, which they paid for.
The wanton destruction of private property, which is -said to have
extended to every house in the place but three, was not perpetrated by
the British soldiers, but by the abandoned of both sexes from Canada
and the States. In this engagement the British lost but six killed and
thirty-eight wounded, and of the Americans five killed and fifteen
wounded. Captain Forsythe and his commond left De Peyster and
joined the American forces at Sackett's Harbor, leaving Ogdensburg
wholly without military defence thereafter. A portion of the citizens
who had left the place during the season, returned soon afterward to
the homes which had been made desolate by the ravages of war. Being
unprotected, they were frequently subjected to insults by parties from
Canada. In May, 1813, some deserters coming over from the enemy, an officer
with a flag was sent over with a demand for their return ; otherwise the
town would be burned. To this Judge Ford promptly replied that if
they attempted to carry out that threat he would rally his neighbors
and burn every house from Prescott to Brockville. This reply settled
the matter, and the British officer apologized for his conduct.
1 The place was left unguarded thereafter, and the barracks were never repaired. The walls and
chimneys stood for many years, a monument recalling to mind the efforts made and privations
endured by the first white settlers for our benefit. The place should have been repaired and pre
served by the government, instead of having been ruthlessly destroyed by thoughtless men for
mercenary objects. Some of the stone of these ruins may now be seen in the road bed west of the
Rome depot.

150 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
In the fall of 1813 ColonelLucket with a regiment of U. S. dragoons
was sent down the river in advance of General Wilkinson's army to
examine the country. He arrived in Ogdensburg just before sundown
October n, and either by design or accident (some thought it purposely
done) made a display of his dragoons, which was observed by the British
at Prescott fort, greatly exciting the garrison, and they made prepara
tions to retaliate. Ogdensburg was filled with people who had come
to attend the county court, which was to begin the next day, Judge
Raymond presiding. The grand jury had just retired and a case was
being tried when cannonading was heard from the fort in Prescott,
causing much confusion in the court. The grand jury adjourned for
the day and left the hall which was over the court room. Just as the
last person was leaving the room and while in the doorway, a twenty-
four pound shot entered the gable end of the building, shattering an
end beam of the house, cutting obliquely across the seats a moment
before occupied by the jury, and lodging in the partition on the oppo
site side of the hall [see engraving]. General R. W. Judson, of this
city, claims to have the ball, which was secured by parties up Black
Lake, among his valuable collection of relics.
In August, 1813, a plan was proposed to bring a combined force
upon Canada, a part to descend the St. Lawrence and another to go by
way of Lake Champlain, which forces were to unite and co-operate as
circumstances might dictate. The former of these was to be under
command of General Wilkinson, and the latter under General Wade
Hampton. On the 5th of November Wilkinson's army, consisting of
about 6,000 men and some 300 small craft and boats, arrived from the
upper country at Morristown and camped for the night. On the 6th
the expedition proceeded on to within three miles of Ogdensburg, and
preparations were made for passing the fort at Prescott. At this place
General Wilkinson issued the following proclamation to the Canadians :
The army of the United States, which I have the honor to command, invades these
provinces to conquer but not to destroy ; to subdue the forces of his Britannic Ma
jesty, not to war against his unoffending subjects. Those, therefore, among you who
remain quietly at home, should victory incline to the American standard, shall be
protected in their persons and property. But those who are found in arms must
necessarily be treated as avowed enemies. To menace is unjust, to seduce dishonor
able; yet it is just and humane to place these alternatives before you. Done at

WAR OF 1812 TO 1815. 151
headquarters of the United States Army, this the 6th day of November, 1813, near
Ogdensburg on the River St. Lawrence.
, James Wilkinson,
By the General Command'g. N. Pinkney,
Major and Aid-de-Camp.
The powder and fixed ammunition were debarked and placed in carts
to be transported by land under cover of night beyond the enemy's
batteries. As soon as the general returned from the shore, orders were
issued for the debarkation of all the men (except so many as were
necessary to navigate the boats), who were directed to march under
cover of the night, to save useless exposure to the enemy's cannon, to
a bay two miles below Prescott. About 8 o'clock P. M. a heavy fog
came on and it was believed they could pass the British fortress unob
served ; orders were accordingly given for the army to march and the
flotilla to get under way. The general in his gig proceeded ahead,
followed by his passage boat and his family ; but a sudden change in
the atmosphere exposed his passage boat to the enemy, and upwards of
fifty twenty- four pounder shots were fired at her, but without effect,
while the column on land being discovered by the gleam of their arms,
were assailed with shot and shell, but without injury. General Brown,
who was in command of the flotilla, judiciously halted until the moon
had set, when he began to move his men ; but he was perceived by the
enemy, who opened upon his forces, continuing their fire from front to
rear for a space of three hours, and yet out of more than three hundred
boats not one was touched, and only one man was killed and two
wounded. Before ten o'clock the next morning the whole of the flotilla
except two vessels reached the place of rendezvous. After this event
there was no further hostile movement of any importance by either
side in the vicinity of Ogdensburg during the war.

152 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

CHAPTER XII.
AFTER THE DECLARATION OF PEACE.
Ogdensburg after the Declaration of Peace — President Monroe's Visit — Removal of
the Public Buildings — Description of the Buildings — The New Jail — "Jail Liberties'1 —
Destruction of the Court House by Fire — Measures for the Erection of a New One —
Description of the Building — The New County Clerk's Office — The Poorhouse and
Asylum — Statistics of the County's Charities.
THE war thus far had not proved of any material benefit to either
nation. In the interests of New England centered in ships and
factories — the former were captured at sea, while the latter came to a
standstill. Industry was paralyzed. The Federal party cried out
against the continuance of the contest, and the Democrats, being the
dominant party, were inclined to peace. In the summer of 1814 five
commissioners were selected to meet ambassadors of Great Britain at
Ghent in Belgium. After several months spent in negotiations a treaty
was agreed to and signed on the 24th day of December, 18 14. On
the 1 8th day of February, 1815, this treaty was ratified by the Senate
of the United States, and peace was publicly proclaimed.
It was in the interim, between the conclusion of the treaty and recep
tion of the news in the United States, that the battle of New Orleans
was fought. If a telegraph had been in operation at that day many
valuable lives could have been saved by an earlier reception of the
proclamation of peace.
As the war cloud rolled away our dock yards began to ring- with the
sound of saw and hammer, the factory was set in motion, and new
hopes were inspired among all classes of people. Ogdensburg, which
had been nearly deserted at one time,- began to bristle with industry.
Work upon Fort Oswegatchie (near the Creighton place), the construc
tion of which had been commenced, was abandoned, but on the recep
tion of the news of peace, citizens who had been absent began to re
turn and take possession of their property, which had been at the

AFTER THE DECLARATION OF PEACE. 153
mercy of lawless people. The place, like most frontier towns, was
greatly impoverished by the ravages of war. With the returning citi
zens came many wealthy and influential men to make Ogdensburg their
home. Such a class of men as George Parish, David C. Judson, John
Fine, and Henry Van Rensselaer greatly assisted in restoring order,
and materially helped in reorganizing society which had become some
what corrupt during the struggle.
In the summer of 1817 President James Monroe made a tour through
the Southern States. He was met on his way home from Plattsburg by
a party of men from Ogdensburg, August 1, and brought into town,
received by a band of music, and became the guest of George Parish.
He there received the trustees and citizens through Louis Hasbrouck,
who addressed him as follows :
Sir— The trustees and inhabitants of this village welcome with peculiar satisfaction
your arrival among them. In common with the nation we have viewed with much
interest your important tour along our seaboard and frontier, particularly confiding in
your observation, wisdom and experience, for the establishment of such points of
national defence along our immediate border as will best promote our individual pros
perity and strengthen the national security. Born and educated under a government
whose laws we venerate, enjoying a soil rich in the bounties of Providence, and grate
ful for the invaluable blessings of liberty bequeathed to us by the heroes of the Revo
lution, no effort shall be wanting on our part to maintain, defend, and transmit to our
posterity the benefits we so eminently possess.
His excellency replied as follows :
I thank you, citizens of Ogdensburg, for your attention and very polite reception. I
receive them as marks of respect to the first magistrate of the nation, not by any means
arrogating them to myself as an individual. It gives me great pleasure, because it
evinces an attachment of the people to that form of government which they them
selves have established. I am satisfied you hold its value in just estimation and are
sincerely devoted to its preservation. In administering it I will support its principles
and, to the best of my ability, promote the interests of the country.
In the evening the president was joined by Major-General Brown of
the United States army and his whole suite, accompanied by whom he
repaired to Morristown and logded with Hon. David Ford. On Satur
day, the 2d, he viewed Mr. Parish's extensive and valuable iron works
at Rossie, considered at that early day to be an establishment of great
public importance and usefulness. From Rossie he proceeded south-
20

154 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ward by way of Antwerp, where he was met by Mr. Le Ray and others,
who conducted him to Le Raysville, where he spent the night.
The natural advantages of this place and the surroundings, such as
water power, lake navigation, mines near by, plenty of forest timber
and good arable lands in the immediate vicinity, excited extravagant
anticipations of the future prosperity and growth of Ogdensburg and
the county. Capitalists entered largely into land speculation and held
the farms at such high prices that only a few were able to take con
tracts for land with any degree of certainty of making for themselves a
home. The landed proprietors and settlers of the central and southern sec
tions of the county were never satisfied with the location of the public
buildings at Ogdensburg. Among the various arguments then adduced
in favor of the removal of the county buildings to a more central place
was that of the exposed situation of the frontier and the liability to
hostile incursions in case of war; and the fact was cited that the board
of supervisors, in the fall of 1814, had made an appropriation to repair
the damage done to the court house by the British on February 22,
1813. A petition was circulated for the appointment of commissioners
to select a new site for the public buildings, which received seven hun
dred signatures, and a remonstrance also circulated had seven hundred
and sixty- two names. The inhabitants of Potsdam also petitioned for
the removal of the buildings to their village. Against the removal it
was urged that the condition of the buildings at Ogdensburg did not
call for a change ; that a large amount of money was about to be ex
pended on the roads, which would make that place easily accessible ;
that the county buildings worth $2,000 will become forfeited by re
version to the proprietor; that the taxable inhabitants of the county,
then numbering about 2,000, were thinly scattered, and an uncertainty
still existed where the weight of population would ultimately pre
ponderate. A plan was at this time proposed to divide the county by a line run
ning between Lisbon and Canton on the west, and Madrid and Potsdam
on the east, to extend in a direct line to the southern bounds of the
county. The new county was to have been named Fayette. An esti
mate made at the time is interesting as denoting the number of taxpay
ers in the then fifteen towns as follows :

AFTER THE DECLARATION OF PEACE. 155
Western Division — Oswegatchie, 193; Gouverneur, 89; De Kalb,
126 ; Russell, 119; Fowler, 28 ; Rossie, 62 ; Lisbon, 115; Canton, 202.
Total, 934.
Eastern Division — Madrid, 260; Potsdam, 302; Parishville, 133;
Stockholm, 99; Hopkinton, 81 ; Louisville, 106; Massena, 85. Total
1 ,066. The subject of dividing the county was abandoned for the time being,
but the removal of the county buildings was agitated from time to
time, yet no definite action was taken as long as Nathan Ford was in
health that would permit him to take an active part in suppressing a
movement of this kind. At length his health failed and he was con
fined to his room more or less in the last few years of his life. Mr. Ford
was the first pioneer settler of St. Lawrence county, as well as the
founder of Ogdensburg, and it grieved him to learn that in his declin
ing years influences were at work to have the county seat changed to
another locality. He continued to feel a deep interest in public affairs
after his strength had denied him the power of taking an active part in
them. The subject of removal of the county buildings to a central location
again came up for legislative action in the session of 1827, but was per
mitted to lie over till the next session for the purpose of obtaining a
more distinct expression of the popular will on the measure. Under
these circumstances it became a test question in the election of member
of assembly of that year. Party considerations were dropped for the
time, and it was expected that the canvass would decide the preferences
of the electors of the county upon the subject of removal. There were
then two assembly districts in the county, and candidates were nomi
nated who would work for or against the project ; the result was that
the candidates who favored removal polled 4,542, and the candidates
against removal polled 3,757, a difference of 785 in favor of re
moval. The petition, dated December, 1827, upon which the law was founded
authorizing a change and appointing commissioners to designate a new
site, was not numerously signed, but it bore names of those who pos
sessed much influence in the county. The petition was sent to the Sen
ate January 18, 1828. After the most active opposition from many of

156

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

those interested in Ogdensburg, a bill was passed January 28, 1828, es
tablishing the location of the court-house and other public buildings at
Canton, and the appointment of Ansel Bailey, David C. Judson, and
Asa Sprague, jr., commissioners to superintend the erection of the
court-house, jail, and clerk's office. The act authorized a tax of $2,500
to be levied on the county for the buildings. The sum designated was
found inadequate, and an act was passed April 16, 1830, authorizing
the supervisors to raise $600 more for the purpose.

SECOND COURT HOUSE AND PRESENT CLERK'S OFFICE.
Each building was of stone. The court-house was of two stories,
forty- four by forty feet. The lower story was divided into four rooms,
besides passages and stairways, consisting of a grand jury room, a
room for constables and witnesses, and two rooms for petit jurors. The
upper story was devoted entirely to a court room forty-one by thirty-
seven feet in size.
The jail was thirty six by forty feet, with the basement story rising
about five feet above the ground and a story and a half above the base
ment. About twelve feet of the easterly end of all the stories was ap
propriated to prison rooms, except a small room in the lower, for a
sheriff's office.
The clerk's office was of the same height and size of the private clerk's
office, differing in its construction only in making the front room smaller,

AFTER THE DECLARATION OF PEACE. 157
and the rear one larger. The plan of the criminal rooms was soon
afterward entirely changed.
The accommodations of the court-house being found insufficient, the
subject of enlarging the building was brought before the board of super
visors in 1850, and it was resolved to expend not to exceed $2,000 in
the necessary changes, including an extension of twenty- four feet.
Messrs. Fisk, Thatcher, and Cogswell were appointed to carry out the
plans, which they did in the summer of 185 I.
In 1858 a bill was passed providing for the building of a new jail.
Parker W. Rose, Benjamin Squires and George Robinson were ap
pointed commissioners in charge of the work, and to dispose of the old
jail and fixtures The building was finished in i860, and cost, includ
ing the site, fixtures, and interest, $13,637.31. It was built of Potsdam
sandstone, 44 by 72 feet in size, and two stories and an attic. It con
tains twenty-four cells, four debtor rooms, and one parlor, chambers,
and two sleeping rooms for the sheriff's family. In 1877 an addition
of wood was erected on the north side of the jail, enclosing the prison
court, fronting west forty seven feet and running to the east sixty seven
feet, including the wood house. This addition is two stories, and sup
plies four rooms for the sheriff and his family. The jail was extensively
repaired, and the court room painted, papered, ventilators and wains-
cotting put in, etc. The cost of the addition to the jail and the repairs
on the jail and court room was $6,200.
The "jail liberties" are certain prescribed limits contiguous to the
jail, where a certain class of persons may range at pleasure by giving
security that they will not leave the limits without authority from the
court. The limits were laid off in 1873 and contain about 455 acres,
and marked by stone monuments at the corners of the tract. The
" liberties " are rectangular with the jail centrally located therein, and
include the entire business portion of the village on both sides of the
river and the railroad depot, giving the prisoner who gives bail for his
presence thereon, a limited liberty, or he may engage in some kinds of
labor, which is often done, to advantage of both employed and employer.
The court house took fire by some unknown means about 2 o'clock
A. M. February 21, 1893, and was burned, leaving only the bare walls,
which were damaged so as to unfit them for further use. The County

158 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Court was being held by Judge Kellogg at the time and a session con
tinued until a late hour on the evening previous to the fire. A portion of
the books and papers were burned, rendering it necessary to adjourn the
the court for two weeks. On receipt of the news of the disaster, immediate
steps were taken by citizens of Norwood, Potsdam, Gouverneur and
Ogdensburg to have the county buildings located at their respective
places. Under a call of the mayor, the citizens of Ogdensburg assem
bled at the town hall on the afternoon of the day of the fire, appointed
a committee to take legal steps and assemble the Board of Supervisors
in an endeavor to have the county buildings removed to that city. A
resolution to that effect was passed, and a petition, dated February 23,
signed by ninety- nine freeholders, was prepared and public notice given
that it would be presented to the Board of Supervisors at their meeting.
The people of Potsdam also petitioned in a similar manner on the 4th
of March. Meanwhile the citizens of Canton took action, causing the
board to be called together on Tuesday, March 21. At that meeting
a motion to adjourn was lost, and a committee was appointed, consist
ing of Messrs. Flaherty, Ives, L. P. Hale, Kellogg and Vance, to look
up plans and cost of materials, etc., to rebuild the court house, and to
report at the adjourned meeting of May 17. The committee, with
Architect Johnson, of Ogdensburg, visited several public buildings,
made plans, and called for bids to execute the same. On the 5th of
July they met to examine the bids, when a sub-committee was selected
to open them. Seven bids were received, two being for the stone work
only, and five for the whole building, exclusive of the heating and
plumbing, which ranged from $54,000 to $80,000. Some of the bids
being somewhat indefinite, they adjourned over to July 10. At the
assembling of the committee, the following persons were named as a
building committee, and authorized to close the contract with the
bidder selected: Hon. Newton Aldrich, of Gouverneur; George W.
Hurlburt, of Oswegatchie; Hon. Leslie W. Russell, and Ledyard P.
Hale, of Canton ; M. V. B. Ives, of Potsdam ; and Michael H. Flaherty,
of Massena. On the nth the committee met to award the contract,
which was awarded to Evans & Ackerman, of Binghamton, N. Y., for
the sum of $53,966. The appropriation being $60,000, it leaves a
sufficient margin to pay for the heating apparatus and the plumbing.

AFTER THE DECLARATION OF PEACE. 159
The body of the building is built of Canton stone and trimmed with
red sandstone. The design is Romanesque; it has a tower 120 feet
high, and two immense arches at the entrance, with carved capitals.
Over the entrance is carved in large letters and figures, " 18 — Court-

- i

NEW COURT HOUSE.

House — 93." On the pinnacle of the entrance is placed " Scales of
Justice." The size of the main building is 121 by 70 feet. On the
first floor is a corridor 64 by 10 feet. On the right of the main entrance
is the supervisors' room, 32 feet square, one end a circle. The seats are
arranged in amphitheatre style, with a private chair and desk for each
supervisor, finished in oak. At the right of the main entrance is a
ladies' waiting room and toilet room attached. At the left entrance is
the surrogate's room, consisting of a court room, 27 by 16 feet, private
office and clerk's office. On the second floor is the court room, 48 by
65 feet and 23 feet high, finished in oak. At the south of the room is
the lawyers' room, law library and the county judges' room. At the

i
160 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
south of the court room are also three jury rooms, and at the west
two more. The floor is tiled, also the roof. When finished, this
will be one of the handsomest, most convenient and complete court
houses in the State.
The old county clerk's office becoming too contracted for the rapidly
increasing business of the county, in 1870 a committee recommended
the erection of a new and more extensive one, and reported that no re
pairs could bemade to advantage on the old one. There was no further
action taken in the matter until the annual meeting of the supervisors
in 1876, when a committee of five was appointed to report plans for a
building and estimates of its cost. At the special session of the board,
held in January, 1877, the committee reported plans and specifications
of a building which were adopted by the board. A building committee
consisting of L. W. Russell, Robert Dalzell, and E. S. Crapser, was ap
pointed and authorized to contract for the erection of the building in
accordance with the plans, at a cost not to exceed $15,000. The build
ing contract was let to Moore & Fields, of Canton, for $14,500, and
some changes made in the plans brought the entire cost up to $15,000,
and the work was finished in the spring of 1878.
The foundation or trench walls are laid with granite five feet thick,
and the wall from the ground, including the water tables,- is of the black
limestone of the Norwood quarries, as are also the corners, window
trimmings, cornice and coping. The body of the building is of the
light gray granite of Gouverneur, and the two colors present a unique
and beautiful appearance. The main building is thirty by forty- eight
feet with a projection of five feet containing the entrance, and two stories
in height. The lower story is twelve and the upper one eleven feet in
the clear. A hall ten feet wide passes through the center, on either side
of which are four rooms above and below seventeen by twenty feet.
An annex thirty-six by forty feet of one story of fourteen feet between
joints, is built at the rear of the main building, connecting therewith by
two passages secured by iron doors at both ends. The annex is in
tended to be fire proof for the storage of records. The floor is tiled
with marble and supported by three heavily built arches of brick. The
roof is of copper and heavy limestone coping protects and ornaments it.
The basement is light and dry and fitted up with furnace for heating.

AFTER THE DECLARATION OF PEACE. 161
Solid granite pillars support the first floor of the main building and give
a sense of strength and durability that is satisfactory and pleasing. The
roof of the main building is slate and is surmounted by a very neat and
proportionate cupola.
Poorhouse and Asylum. — The Legislature in 1778 provided for the
support of the poor by towns and city, and later on for the building of
poorhouses by towns and counties. Previous to the adoption of the
poorhouse system by St. Lawrence county, each town in the county
supported its own poor. The first action taken by the Board of Super
visors in regard to a poorhouse for the county, was at the annual meet
ing in 1825, when a vote was carried to raise by tax $2,400 to purchase
a farm and build a house. Smith Stillwell, Josiah Sanford, and Chaun-
cey Pettibone were appointed commissioners to locate the site and make
the purchase. The committee, through disagreement, failed to select a
site, and at the session of the board in 1826 they were discharged. A
second committee consisting of John C. Perkins, Samuel Northrup
and Reuben Streeter, was appointed with power to purchase a site.
A lot of eighty acres, known as the " Nathan Walker " lot, situated one
mile west of Canton village on the De Kalb road was bought for $1,250.
An appropriation of $500 was made to repair the buildings and stock
the farm. A board of seven superintendents of the poorhouse was ap
pointed, viz.: Asa Sprague, jr., Daniel Walker, Smith Stillwell, Samuel
Partridge, Silas Wright, jr., Joseph Barnes, and Ephraim S. Raymond.
In the year following an additional sum of $500 was raised by tax to
build an addition to the poorhouse.
In 1832 the distinction between the town and county poor was abol
ished. In 1842 fifty acres of land were added to the farm at a cost of
$1,066, and new buildings erected and other improvements added. In
1846 an addition was made to the poorhouse, constructed of stone. In
1 86 1 a resolution looking to the erection of a new poorhouse was passed
by the supervisors, and A. B. James and Edwin W. Foster were ap
pointed a committee on plans, but no further action was taken in the
matter until the fall of 1865. when the board voted to purchase the Her-
riman farm containing 330 acres at a cost of $50 per acre, situated two
and a half miles north of Canton village, and to build a poorhouse there
on costing not to exceed $40,000. The building committee were M. D.
21

162 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Packard, Seth G. Pope, and T. S. Clarkson. They advertised for pro
posals on the plans given, but no one made a bid. The committee then
proceeded to make the brick, quarry the stone, and cut timber for the
building, and at the annual meeting of the supervisors in 1867 the ap
propriation was increased to $50,000. The building was finished by the
committee in 1869, and accepted by the Board of Supervisors in No
vember of that year. The cost of the building was $48,788.58 ; of the
barn and repairs on the outbuildings $2,348.05 ; of the farm $16,560.
Total expenditure $67,636.63. The old poor-farm and buildings sold
for $6,500. In 1872 twenty wards were fitted up for the confinement
of the insane poor at a cost of $1,400.
The actual cost of keeping the fifty- six paupers who were provided
for in the first year of the operation of the poorhouse system, was
$1,055.53, 869 weeks of board being furnished. The second year
1,329 weeks board were furnished, costing $2,731.87. There were fur
nished during the year ending November 1, 1877, 8,046 weeks of board,
at a cost of less than one dollar per week, or $8,021.54. Below is
given a report of the superintendent of the poor for the year ending
November 1, 1877, which shows what has been and is still being done
for the poor of this county. The farm and buildings cost, including
twenty wards for the insane, $81,636.63. The products of the farm for
the year were valued at $4,285; the implements on hand at $1,231;
the furniture in the house at $1,659; the improvements made on the
farm during the year at $190; and sundries on hand at $1,143. There
were received during the year 155 persons, and 146 were discharged,
eleven absconded, twenty-two died, and there were eight births in the
house. Four children were bound out, leaving at the end of the year
seventy males and seventy one females. Of these unfortunates, twenty-
five were insane, five were blind, nineteen were idiotic, and three were
deaf mutes. The temporary relief supplied by the superintendent in
the several towns in the county amounted to $35,167.68, which, to
gether with the expenses of the poorhouse, $8,021.54, and children's
home, $2,984.24, makes $46,173.46 expended on charity, besides the
appropriation for the State charities. And the amount of appropria
tions for relief of the poor in this county by the Board of Supervisors
the first year of the adoption of the poorhouse system (1827) was

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 163
$1,918.51. This amount has gradually increased, with slight variations
from year to year, until it reached in 1876 the sum of $35,265.64,
During the fifty years inclusive the total amount expended is $752,-
714,25. To these figures may be added the amount expended for
that other charity to give homeless waifs the comforts of a temporary
abiding place. $5,450, which makes the sum $758,164.25, exclusive of
private charities, which have also been liberally bestowed on the poor
in the mean time. Could these amounts be gathered that have been
given to indigent friends by individuals, churches and benevolent insti
tutions, it would no doubt swell the grand aggregate to upwards of
$1,000 000. This speaks well for the liberality of the people of the
county.

CHAPTER XIII.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
Various Plans for Internal Navigation — State Roads — Plank Roads — Steamboat
Navigation — Marine Railway — The Northern Transportation Company — The Ogdens
burg Transit Company — Port of Transfer— The Northern Railroad — The Rome, Water-
town and Ogdensburg Railroad — The Utica and Black River Railroad — The Gouverneur
and Oswegatchie Railroad — Street Railway.
rROM an early period attempts were made to improve the naviga
tion of the St. Lawrence along the south shore, from St. Regis up
to Indian Point in Lisbon. Several acts were passed authorizing sur
veys, and privileges granted to build locks. By an act passed April 9,
181 1, R. Atwater and R. Hopkins were appointed commissioners, and
authorized to expend $600 in building a tow-path on the shore along
the rapids from St. Regis to Lisbon, which is supposed to have been
carried out.
Another project was started in 1833, and endorsed by a convention
held at Canton that fall, to cut a canal from the head of " Long Saut "
to Grass River, and a subscription was raised to procure a survey.
Also a petition was circulated to be sent to Congress asking suitable
appropriation to carry out the project. The north shore had always

164 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
been preferred by voyagers to ascend the rapids, but on account of the
fact that the Canadian government had undertaken to improve naviga
tion by building canals and locks on the north shore, this enterprise
ended. Another scheme was agitated to build canals, locks and dams on the
Oswegatchie and Grass Rivers, in order to navigate Black Lake, and to
extend the same to Gouverneur and by the way of Natural Canal to
Canton. A company was incorporated April 25, i83i,for that pur
pose, the capital to be $15,000, and the work to be accomplished
within five years. In 1835 the capital stock was raised to $100,000.
In the petition which procured the passage of the above act, it was
stated that at Heuvel locks had been begun and might be completed at
small expense ; that the expense of dams and locks to improve the
natural channel of the Oswegatchie would not be to exceed $12,000,
and that steamboats might be built for $5,000 sufficient to meet the
business of the proposed company. The fall at Canton Falls is eighty
feet, and at Cooper's Falls in De Kalb about six feet, which being over
come by locks, would render the river navigable as far as the Ox-bow
in Jefferson county. A dam across Grass River and a short channel
near the eastern end of Natural Canal would bring Canton in navigable
communication with the St. Lawrence at Ogdensburg. It is evident
that no actual improvements were ever undertaken under these acts.
The plan of extending the Black River Canal to Ogdensburg was
brought forward in 1839, and a survey executed by E. H. Broadhead,
which embraced the several improvements above proposed, but no
further action was taken.
Several acts have been passed for preventing the obstruction of the
channels of our rivers by declaring them public highways. Racquet
River from its mouth to Norfolk, and St. Regis from the province line
to the east line of Stockholm were so declared April 15, 18 10; the
Oswegatchie was made a highway April 16, 18 16, to Streeter's Mills
in Rossie, and its obstruction forbidden under penalty of $100. By a
recent act this limit has been extended on the East Branch to Cran
berry Lake. An act was passed April 10, 1850, declaring Racquet
River a highway from its mouth to the foot of Racquet Lake in Ham
ilton county, and an appropriation of $10,000 was made to be ex-

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 165
pended in removing obstructions and improving the channel, by shut
ting up lost channels and straits around islands, also creating piers,
dams and booms.
The want of a cheap and direct communication between the navi
gable waters of the St. Lawrence and the seaboard was felt from the
first, but more especially during the War of 1812. Shortly after the
close of the war, plans for uniting Lake Champlain with the Connecti
cut River were discussed and attempted.
Judge Raymond and Benjamin Wright, while surveying the country
before its settlement, had formed projects for improving the natural
channels of the river, and to them belongs the merit of the idea of in
land navigation. A meeting of the citizens of Clinton, Franklin and
St. Lawrence counties convened at Ogdensburg August 28, 1823, to
adopt measures for a canal to reach Lake Champlain from Ogdensburg.
They appointed B. Raymond, of Norfolk ; S. Partridge, of Potsdam ;
J. A. Vanden Heuvel, of Ogdensburg; William Hogan, of Covington;
Thomas Smith, of Chateaugay; and Asa Hascall, of Malone, who pre
pared and published a lengthy report for distribution in the sections to
be most benefited by the work. The preliminary survey made by
Judge Raymond was to use Oswegatchie Natural Canal and Grass River
to Canton. The petition and the iriendly influences towards these
works led to an act for a survey under the direction of the canal com
missioners. The expense was limited to $1,500. The summit was
found to be 811 feet above the St. Lawrence at Ogdensburg and 966
feet above Lake Champlain. This work was commended to the Legis
lature by De Witt Clinton in his annual message in 1825, but the work
was found to be impracticable and the idea was abandoned.
State Roads. — Attention was early directed towards opening roads
from St. Lawrence county to various places in the State. After the
State road leading from Ford's Mills on the Oswegatchie to Carthage
was authorized and worked, as mentioned in a preceding chapter, vari
ous other roads were built. By an act passed April 1, 1808, a road
was made from Canton to Chester in Essex county, the land through
which it passed being taxed for the purpose. Further appropriations
were made by acts passed in 18 10 to 18 14. On the 19th of June, 181 2,
a road was directed to be opened from near the foot of sloop navigation

166 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
on the St. Lawrence to Albany, and again in 1815 a further tax was
laid with which a road was opened from Russell southward and made
passable for teams, but like the ones before mentioned, it soon fell into
decay. A law passed April 5, 1810, imposed a tax on the adjacent
land to repair and construct a road from the Northwest Bay to Hopkin
ton. Further tax was laid for the road in 18 1 2 to 1824. The several
towns were also to be taxed four years for its support, when it was to
be assumed as a highway. In April, 18 16, commissioners were ap
pointed to lay out a road from -Ogdensburg by way of Hamilton to
Massena ; from Massena through Potsdam to Russell ; and from there
to Columbia village, on to Hamilton, at the expense of the adjacent
lands. On the 16th of April, 1827, commissioners were directed to
survey and level a route for a road from Lake Champlain to Hopkinton,
and in 1829, $25,836 were applied for its construction, and a toll col
lected for its support. In 1833 a line of stages started between Port
Kent and Hopkinton. An act passed April 18, 1828, directed a road
to be opened from Canton to Antwerp at the expense of the adjacent
lands. The first turnpike was made by the St. Lawrence Turnpike
Company, incorporated April 5, 1810, which ran from Carthage to
Malone ; in 1813 it was relieved from the obligation of finishing it be
yond the line of Bangor. After the war the road was abandoned by
the company.
The Ogdensburg Turnpike Company was formed June 8, 181 2, was
incorporated with $50,000 and built a road from Wilna to Ogdensburg
by way of Rossie. In April, 1826, the road was abandoned to the
public. The Parishville Turnpike Company was incorporated February 5,
1813, with a capital of $50,000, running from Ogdensburg through to
Canton, and Potsdam to Parishville. In March, 1827, the road was
given up to the towns through which it passed. In April, 183 1, the
part between Ogdensburg and Canton was directed to be improved by
a tax upon the three towns of $500 for two years. With this sum and
tolls collected for its support, an excellent road was kept up for several
years. In 1850 the road was directed to be planked at the expense of
the three towns, when at length the route was abandoned to the public.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 167
Plank Roads. — The plank road craze struck St. Lawrence county
about the year 1848. and covered all the available territory within a
short time. By a special act the Ogdensburg and Heuvelton Plank
Road Company with a capital of $5,000 was incorporated, with the
privilege of raising their capital to $20,000. The road was opened in
September, 1849. The earnings at first were about $2,000 per year.
After the first planking gave out the company was permitted to gravel
its road bed and thus was enabled to hold its charter until it expired by
limitation. The Gouverneur, Somerville and Antwerp Company was formed
under the general law December 30, 1848, and finished its road in 1850.
The length was twelve miles and 124 rods; the capital $13,000. Six
miles of this road were in Jefferson county.
The Gouverneur, Richville and Canton Plank Road Company was
formed July 6, 1849; length of road sixteen miles; capital $16,000.
The Canton plank road, extending from the village of Canton to the
town line of De Kalb. was built under a special act passed March 27,
1849, which authorized a tax on the town of Canton of $6,000 for the
first year and $1,500 annually for three successive years after, the road
to be owned by the town.
The Canton, Morley and Madrid Plank Road Company was formed
in January, 1851, and its road finished in August of that year; length
eleven and a quarter miles.
The Potsdam Plank Road Company was formed October 17, 1850;
length of road five miles and 154 rods, from Potsdam village to the
Northern Railroad; cost $6,439.43; finished October 8, 185 1.
The Hammond, Rossie and Antwerp Plank Road Company was
formed January 13, 1850, and the road finished in December following;
the length twenty miles; capital $35,000. Seven miles of this road
were in Jefferson county. The Rossie Hill cut was forty-one feet deep
and the deepest rock cut was twenty- two feet.
The Morristown- and Hammond Plank Road Company was organized
in July, 185 1 ; length of road ten miles and a quarter. Capital, $10,-
000; finished in May, 1852. This with the preceding formed a con
tinuous plank road communication with a route leading to Utica, Rome,
Watertown, etc., and terminating on the St. Lawrence River in the vil
lage of Morristown.

168 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The Heuvelton and Canton Falls Plank Road Company, originally
organized, had a length of about ten miles; it was continued to the
road from Canton to Hermon by the same company, and designed to
be continued to Edwards.
The Hermon Plank Road Company was formed March i, 185 1 ;
capital, $4,000 ; length of road four and a half miles, extending from
Marshville to the town line of Canton, connecting with Canton Falls
road leading to Ogdensburg. It was finished in July, 1852.
Heuvelton and De Kalb Plank Road Company was organized Feb
ruary 6, 1849, tne road extending to intersect the Gouverneur and
Canton road about three miles east of Richville. Its length was thir
teen miles, to be completed in 1853.
The Norfolk, Raymondville and Massena Plank Road Company was
organized February 14, 185 1, and the road finished in the following
year. Length, ten miles and forty-four chains; capital, $8,500. It
was a continuation of the Potsdam road.
Steamboat Navigation. — Sailing craft had been in use more or less
on the river and lakes since the discovery of these waters by Jacques
Cartier. The first attempt at steamboating on the river and lakes was
made by a company composed of C. Smith, D. Boyd, E. Lusher, A.
Van Santvoord, J. I. De Graff, and several others, who made an unsuc
cessful attempt to incorporate the Lake Ontario Steamboat Company
with a capital of $200,000. They claimed to have purchased of the
heirs of Robert R. Livingston and Robert Fulton the right to the ex
clusive navigation of the St. Lawrence. The Ontario was built in
18 16 under the direction of Hunter Crane, one of the owners, the place
not stated, but supposed to have been Sackett's Harbor. Her length
was 1 IO feet, width twenty-four feet, depth eight feet, and measured
237 tons. She had one low pressure engine of thirty-four inch cylinder
and four feet stroke. She was modeled after the Sea-horse, then run
ning on the Sound near New York. The first trip was made in the
latter part of the summer of 1817, and her arrival was celebrated at all
the ports on the lakes and river with the most extravagant demonstra
tions of joy, and hailed as a new era to the commerce of our inland
seas. In every village that could muster a cannon, and from every
steeple that had a bell, went forth a joyous welcome, and crowds of

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INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 169
eager citizens from the adjoining country thronged the shores to salute
its arrival. Bonfires and illuminations, the congratulations of friends,
and the interchange of hospitalities signalized the event. The trip
from Lewiston to Ogdensburg required ten days. The cabin fare was
$16; deck fare, $8. The Ontario seldom exceeded five miles an
hour. She continued to run on the route till 1832, and was finally
broken up at Oswego.
The Frontenac, a British steamer at Kingston, and The- Walk- in-
the- Water on Lake Erie followed soon afterward. The Martha
Ogden was built at Sackett's Harbor before 1819; she was lost
in a gale off Stony Point, but the passengers and crew were saved ;
the engine was recovered and placed in the Ontario. The Robins was
a schooner built over into a steamer. The Black Hawk was built at
at French Creek (now Clayton), was used several seasons as a packet,
sold to Canadians, and name changed to the Dolphin. The Paul Pry
was built at Heuvelton in 1830, and ran for a time on Black Lake to
Rossie. In 1834 she with great difficulty was passed down the Oswe
gatchie to the St. Lawrence and used as a ferry between Prescott and
Ogdensburg until the affair at the windmill in 1838, when she became
obnoxious to the Canadians, and was run on Black River Bay after
wards. The Lake Ontario Steamboat Company, capital $100,000, was
incorporated January 28, 1831, to expire in 1850, having fifteen direc
tors with head offices at Oswego. The company built their first boat,
the United States, at Ogdensburg, and launched her in November,
183 1. She was finished and made her first trip July 1, 1832, under com
mand of Elias Trowbridge; length 142 feet; width twenty-six feet
beam, fifty-five feet over all; depth ten feet; engines, two low pressure
ones of forty inch cylinder and eight feet stroke ; cost $56,000, and
was the finest steamer at the time on the lake ; she ran on the through
time till 1838, when, having become obnoxious to the Canadians on ac
count of the use made of her in the affair at the windmill, she was run
upon the lake only afterwards, and was finally broken up at Oswego in
1843, and her engines transferred to the Rochester. This was the first
and only boat owned by this company. The Oswego was built at
that place in 1833 of 286 tons; was used several seasons on the
through line, when her engine was transferred to the steamer St.
22

179 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Lawrence and her hull changed to a sail vessel and shortly after lost.
The Brownville was built on Black River, below the village of that
name. In' moving her down to the St. Lawrence she took fire and was
burned. She was afterwards rebuilt and ran a while, and subsequently
lengthened at Sackett's Harbor and her name changed to the William
Avery, and ran between Ogdensburg and Niagara ; she was dismantled
in 1835. The Charles Carroll was built at Sackett's Harbor and ran
between Kingston and Rochester in 1834. Afterwards she was length
ened and her name changed to the America, and ran from Ogdensburg
to Lewiston. The Jack Downing was a small steamer built at Carthage
in 1834, taken to Sackett's Harbor on wheels, launched and fitted up
for a ferry, and ran at Waddington, also from Fort Covington to Corn
wall. Her engine was in 1837 transferred to the Henry Burden, a boat
on a novel principle, being supported on two hollow cylindrical floats
and a wheel between them. It was used a short time on the ferry at
Ogdensburg. The Oneida, of 227 tons, was built at Oswego in 1836.
She was employed by the government from 1838 to 1840, after which
she made regular trips from Ogdensburg to Lewiston until 1845, when
her engine was used in the British Queen and her hull fitted up as a
sailing vessel. She was lost on Lake Erie. The Telegraph, a steamer
of 196 tons, was built near Dexter and came out in the fall of 1836.
She was employed by the government in the fall of 1838, the whole
season of 1839, and a part of the spring of 1840. The St. Lawrence, of
402 tons, was enrolled at Oswego in 1839, but was rebuilt in 1844 and
the tonnage increased to 434 tons, costing $50,000. She was run most
of the time on the through line, and dismantled at French Creek in
185 1. The George Clinton and the President were small boats, built at
Oswego in 1842 ; the former was lost in 1850. The Lady of the Lake
of 432 tons, was built by a company in 1842. She was used on the
through lines until 1852, when she was chartered as a ferry in connec
tion with the railroad from Cape Vincent to Kingston. This was the
first American boat that had state rooms on the upper deck. The
Rochester, built at Oswego in 1843, of 354 tons, was run on the lake and
river until 1 848, since which she ran from Lewiston to Hamilton. The
Niagara, of 473 tons, built at French Creek in 1845 ; length 182 feet;
beam twenty-seven and a half feet ; total breadth forty- seven feet ; hold

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 171
seven and a half feet. Her engine was forty inch cylinders, eleven
feet stroke ; wheels thirty feet in diameter. The British Queen was
built on Long Island, opposite Kingston, in 1846, using the Oneida's
engine. The British Empire was built at the same place. The Cataract
came out in July, 1837 ; her tonnage 577 ; length of keel 202 feet ;
breadth of beam over all forty- eight feet ; forty-four inch cylinders, and
eleven feet stroke, and cost $60,000. The Ontario was built in 1 847 ;
length of keel 222 feet ; deck 233 feet, and over all 240^ feet ; breadth
of beam over all fifty-four feet eight inches ; depth of hold twelve feet ;
cylinders fifty inches, and eleven feet stroke ; tonnage 900 ; cost $80,-
000. Bay State came out in 1849; tonnage 935; length 222 feet ;
breadth of beam over all fifty-eight feet ; depth in hold twelve feet ;
cylinders fifty-six inches; eleven feet stroke ; wheels thirty- two feet in
diameter. The Northerner was built at Oswego and came out in May,
1850 ; has a tonnage of 965 ; length 232 feet; beam over all fifty-eight
feet ; depth of hold twelve and a half feet ; cylinders sixty inches with
eleven feet stroke, and cost $95,000. The New York was the largest
American steamer on the lake, She was built and came out in August,
1852, with R. B. Chapman, master; cost $100,000; tonnage 994;
length 224 feet ; beam over all sixty- four feet ; cylinders sixty inches,
with twelve feet stroke, and wheels thirty- four feet diameter. There
were also built and run on the river and lake the John Marshal, Utica,
Caroline, Prescott, Swan, Express, Gleaner, and a few others, mostly
small. It is a singular fact that since the first steamer was started on
the line in 1816, down for forty years, not a single accident has ever oc
curred on any American steamer on the lake or river which has caused
the death or injury of a passenger. This is not due to chance so much
as to skillful management.
Marine Railway. — The want of some convenience to take vessels and
steamers out of the river for repairs had long been felt, but no definite
action had been taken until the 29th of September, 1852-, when a party
of Ogdensburg capitalists met and organized a company named "The
Ogdensburg Marine Railway,'' with a capital of $1 5,000, to be enlarged
at pleasure. The following officers were then chosen : Henry Van
Rensselaer, E. N. Fairchild, E. S. Allen, Edwin Clark and Allen
Cheney, trustees ; H. Van Rensselaer, president ; W. B. Allen, secre-

172 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
tary. The plan for the machinery was made, and the materials re
quired gathered during the winter, and work was begun early in the
following spring. The plant is situated on the bank of the St. Law
rence, about half a mile above the mouth of the Oswegatchie River at
the southwest corner of the city limits. The bank is low and gradually
slopes into the water, which is sufficiently deep a short distance from
the shore to float the largest vessel on the lakes. The plant was fin
ished in the fall of 1853, and was of sufficient capacity to take out the
largest vessel then made or likely to be made. Connected with the
railway is an extensive shipyard, with all the necessary shops and ap
purtenances for building and repairing all classes of craft. The com
pany operated the plant successfully until i860, when it was leased to
E. B. Allen & Son, who continued building boats and propellers for
two years The property was then sold to H. C. Pearson, who oper
ated it until 1870, when it was again sold to the Northern Transporta
tion Company. This company built a number of their large propellers
there, and repaired vessels of all kinds, doing a good business until they
went into bankruptcy about the year 1879. The works were run on
repairs only until they were burned in the fall of 1883. In 1884 a stock
company was formed under the name of the St. Lawrence Marine Rail
way Company, with a capital stock of $25,000. The property of the
old company was purchased, the plant rebuilt, and it has since contin
ued to do repairing of all kinds.
The Northern Transportation Company. — On the completion of the
Ogdensburg and Lake Champlain Railroad it formed with others a
through line to Boston, greatly stimulating the traffic on the lakes.
This led to the formation of the company in 1855 under the laws of the
State of New York, styled the Northern Transportation Company. It
was reorganized under the laws of Ohio in 1862. This company oper
ated two lines of propellers, the boats of one company plying between
Ogdensburg and Lake Erie, and those of the other between Lake Erie
and Lake Michigan. Fifteen boats were at first employed on the" line,
and the number v»as soon afterward increased to twenty-one. At that
time the boats on the upper lakes were much larger than those of the
N. T. Co., and could not pass through the Welland Canal as it then
existed. A scheme was started in 1868 to increase the capital of the

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 173
company to $100,006, in shares of $100, Philo Chamberlain being pres
ident of the company. Flaming hand- bills were distributed in city and
village, " From Boston via Ogdensburg to the most distant port on the
route." The bills contained a fabulous account of the earnings of the
line, thus preparing the way for what was to follow. The claim was
made that more boats were required to carry the grain and the flour
from the west and the merchandise from the east. The New England
business passed mostly by the way of Ogdensburg, therefore an increase
in this line would greatly benefit all places on the route, and especially
this port. The company owning the Marine Railway here and one in
Cleveland, was prepared to build or repair their boats at a nominal
cost. All of this had the appearance of prosperity. The additional
stock was taken by parties who were eager to benefit the places in
which they lived as well as their own pockets, hence certificates were
issued by the company from half a share up to any amount called for,
to be paid by installments. The company continued its business on the
same plan as before for a few years, without any apparent increase,
while the new stock was being paid in ; but meantime no dividends
were declared. In 1875 the company collapsed. The property went
into the hands of a receiver, was leased to the Central Vermont Line in
1876, and was run under the management of that company about three
years; but they could not make that class of small boats pay in com
petition with the larger ones that were fast coming into use, and there
fore gave them up. The whole outfit of the company was then sold to
Philo Chamberlain, who resold the boats to various parties in 1880,
thus closing the legitimate business of the Northern Transportation
Company.
- The managers of this company, not being satisfied with the amount
already swindled from the people, made an attempt to collect the face
of the certificates issued in December, 1868, to increase the stockj
claiming the right to do so under the laws of Ohio. Some of the more
timid ones settled these claims, while others were sued. When the
hungry attorneys saw there would be no more money voluntarily paid
them they proposed to settle the claim in each case for a portion of
their legal fees. This proposition was accepted and the disgraceful
affair dosed. For six or seven years after the closing up of the old

174 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Northern Transportation line there was no American line of propellers
in operation, except that occasionally a few boats were " run wild," as
the sailors would say.
The Ogdensburg Transit Company. — In the winter of 1886-7 the
managers of the Ogdensburg and Lake Champlain Railroad obtained
the privilege by act of Legislature of building and running a line of
boats on the river and lakes in connection with the road. A company
was formed with the above title, and several boats were purchased or
leased and put in operation. This company made an agreement with
the Detroit Dry Dock Company to build them three boats. The first
one, named Governor Smith, was delivered and made a trip, arriving at
Ogdensburg September 12, 1889. This boat is 254 feet over all, forty-
two feet beam, sixteen feet eight inches depth of hold, and can carry
2,250 tons. She is equipped with all the latest improvements; has
steam windlass, capstan and running gear, and the rooms are heated by
steam. She has compound fore-and-aft engines, cylinders thirty- eight
by fifty- two, with forty inch stroke and two Scott boilers. She makes
twelve to fourteen miles an hour, and carries 200 tons of coal. Her
load was 70,000 bushels of corn and 250 tons of deck freight. The
other boats are to be built after the same pattern. These boats can
carry about four times as much as the old style propellers, at about the
same cost.
Port of Transfer. — The large boats employed by the Ogdensburg
Transit Company in connection with the Vermont Central Elevator (the
new one of 1,000,000 bushels capacity finished in July, 1890; the old
elevator was burned in the fall after), makes Ogdensburg preferable to
Kingston for transferring grain. The freight rates from the various
ports in the west to this place are nearly as low as they are to Kingston,
while the barge rates from the latter place to Montreal are much higher
than from Ogdensburg ; besides, grain can be stored at the Vermont
Central Elevators and await the arrival of foreign vessels at Montreal,
to be met by barges on short notice. Hence the new export route has
caused some sharp bidding as to rates for large lots of grain seeking a
foreign market, which proves advantageous to Ogdensburg.
Northern Railroad. — The opening of the State road through to Al
bany, and a stage route established to Canton and Plattsburg, afforded

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 175
great relief to the little settlement at Ogdensburg at that early day ;
but as population and business increased, a still greater want was felt
for a direct communication between the navigable waters of the St.
Lawrence and the seaboard, but more especially so after the steamboat
lines were in successful operation. The railroad system was being gen
erally discussed about this period, when a large and representative
meeting was held at Montpelier, Vt., February 17, 1830, to consider a
plan which had been favorably reported upon by a committee to build
a railroad from Ogdensburg via Lake Champlain through to Boston.
A similar meeting was held in Ogdensburg, March 17 following, and a
committee of twelve appointed to collect certain information, and an
application was also made to Congress for aid in constructing the work,
which failed. A petition was next forwarded to the State Legislature,
but this also failed. Another enthusiastic meeting was held at Malone,
December 17, 183 1, to promote the object in view. Meetings of this
kind were continued at stated periods until May 21, 1836, when "The
Lake Champlain and Ogdensburg Railroad Company " was incorpo
rated with a capital of $800,000, and a commission named to open books
for subscription to the stock ; but this movement failed by limitation.
At a convention which met at Malone, August 8 1838, a committee
was appointed to collect statistics in order to show the necessity and
uses for a road. The reported freight tonnage that would seek an out
let over this road of produce from the farms and various factories of St.
Lawrence county, as given by this committee, would amount to nearly
$118,000 annually, which estimate was considered by some very ex
travagant ; but it was proved to be far below the actual facts. The
other two counties exhibited similar probable results. To further
strengthen the cause, the opinion of military men was procured as to
the importance of the road to the nation in case of war. All these
measures failed, as they were met by the powerful opposition of the
friends of the Central route. Still courageous, at the session of 1845, a
bill to incorporate the Northern Road was introduced and passed the
Assembly, but was delayed in the Senate till near the close of the ses
sion, as four other similar bills were then before the Legislature ; but
through the influence of friends of one of these bills (desiring similar
aid), the Northern Road was incorporated for fifty years with a capital

176 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY,
of $200,000, in shares of fifty dollars, which received the governor's
signature only twenty minutes before, adjournment. In May, 1845,
several commissioners were named (D. C. Judson, of Ogdensburg, being
one), to receive stock, when great efforts were made to secure pledges,
to the same, there being at that time upwards of $10,000,000 railroad:
stock on the market. In June, 1846, a company was organized in Og
densburg, with George Parish president, to let contracts for grading and
building the road bed. Work was commenced in March, 1848, at the
deep cut at this end of the route, which is 239 feet above tide- water.
The summit below Chateaugay is 1,146 feet, and at Rouse's Point
eighty- four feet above tide-water. The work was pushed with vigor,
and by fall a portion of the road was opened. In the spring this work
was continued with the same energy for about two years to its comple
tion, when the first train of cars passed over the entire road September
20, 1850, arriving at Ogdensburg at 4 P. M., John Scharier being the
engineer. This was followed by the accommodation train, which ar
rived about eight hours later, J. R. Ames being the engineer.
Word has been passed about the village that the first through train
with the officers and distinguished guests aboard, would come through
to Ogdensburg on the 20th, but the hour of arrival could not be given.
In absence of a telegraph the following plan was adopted to notify the
people in time to assemble and view the arrival of the first train of cars
to reach Ogdensburg. A cannon was stationed on the hill above the
depot, a second one some three miles below on the road, and a third
one (Long Tom) was sent on a platform car down to Lisbon Center.
When the train came in sight Long Tom was fired, then the second and
third guns were discharged, then the people in the place, many of whom
were from the country and Prescott, assembled at the depot as the cars
arrived, covered with bunting, amid the waving of flags, shouts of joy,
ringing of bells, bands playing and firing of cannon. A procession was
formed and marched through the principal streets, with music and
waving banners. A supper was served free to all who desired it. In
the evening speeches were made and congratulations extended, during
a beautiful display of fire-works. This was truly a gala day for the
people of Ogdensburg and vicinity. The opening of the Northern road,
connecting with others reaching to the seaboard, was of greater benefit

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 177
to this section of country than all other improvements that came either
before or since. Property in many instances advanced 500 per cent.
and farming lands at least IOO per cent.
The advent of the Northern road corrected a great evil by doing
away with the barter exchange which had been in vogue since Nathan
Ford opened a store in the old barracks. Farm produce was exchanged
principally for dry goods and groceries ; all classes of labor were paid in
"store- pay; " and the young men who could gather a dollar or two in
change for a Fourth of July celebration were considered lucky. The
farmer who did not begin early in the year to save dimes against tax
gathering was not considered wise. Black salts, or potash, was legal
tender in those days and with West India pipe staves were the only
produce that would command part cash in payment. The railroad
brought the cash system and a seaboard market to the farmer's door,
and whatever he had to dispose of brought cash. Therefore, the men,
such as Judge Anthony C. Brown, and a few others who labored under
the trying and discouraging circumstances for a series of years to ac
complish the opening of this thoroughfare, may be truly called bene
factors. R. W. and O. Railroad. — It has been said that the extension of this
road from Watertown to Norwood originated principally through the
dissatisfaction felt by the people of Potsdam and Canton with not hav
ing the Northern Railroad pass through their villages. Be this as it
may, at this period all railroad lines felt more or less the necessity of
extending or building branches as feeders to increase their business.
The difficulty of obtaining a charter for a road at that time has been
very much lessened.
At a meeting of the friends of this road held at Gouverneur January
3, 1852, a favorable report of a survey having been presented, a com
pany was organized under the general law. From this time vigorous
efforts were made to secure sufficient stock, $5,000 per mile according
to a special act passed April 7, 1852, to commence grading the road.
In October of that year, the necessary stock having been taken, the con
tract for the completion of the road called " the Watertown and Pots
dam branch " was given to a Massachusetts company, the contract
stipulating that the road should be finished by July 1, 1854. This
23

178 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
extension completed a line from the New York Central at Rome to
Watertown, Cape Vincent, Canton, Potsdam and Norwood, connecting
at the latter place with the Northern road. Although the road passed
through a fertile country, which furnished a large freight and passenger
patronage, it soon became evident that for the interests of the road, a
branch should be extended to Ogdensburg. The construction of this
latter branch having been decided upon, it was finished in September,
1862, thus making a southern outlet, which proved a great convenience
to the country along its line and especially to Ogdensburg. The sev
eral lines north from Rome were consolidated under the name of " The
Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad."
Utica and Black River Railroad. — A portion of the line of this road
between Carthage and Morristown was first finished and called the
" Black River and Morristown Railroad." It was subsequently con
solidated with the Utica and Black River Railroad, and under the man
agement of the last named company it was found necessary to extend
the road to Ogdensburg, where a better winter ferry could be secured,
and the latter extension was finished in the summer of 1878, forming a
second southern outlet for the city of Ogdensburg. This road then
came into direct competition with the Rome, Watertown and Ogdens
burg road, causing not a little strife in securing freight and passengers
for two years, when the two lines entered into an agreement and pooled
their earnings. In 1885 the Utica and Black River road was leased on
a long term to the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Company and
has been run under their management up to the leasing of the same to
the New York Central Railroad Company. The interest of the Rome,
Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad, also of the Utica and Black
River and Morristown Companies, was transferred to the New York
Central Company, who took possession of the property March 14, 1891,
and have since been under the control of that organization.
The Gouverneur and Oswegatchie Railroad. — This branch road is the
outcome of an agitation which began several years ago by Robert
Dodge and others interested in the talc mines and mills along or near
by its route. In the fall of 1891 the firm ofMoffett, Hodgkins & Clarke
of Syracuse, through the encouragement of the New York Central peo
ple and the right of way guaranteed by the friends of the road, began

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 179
to grade the bed along the route over which it was to pass to Edwards
village. The road was finished and turned over to the New York Cen
tral, August I, 1893. The first regular train, consisting of two passen
ger coaches and four freight cars, left Edwards at seven o'clock A. M.,
and arrived at Gouverneur at nine o'clock, making the trip in two hours
including the stops on the route. The Edwards Cornet Band was
aboard and discoursed music along the way. People from Fine, South
Edwards, and the neighborhood surrounding Edwards, and the places
along the road, took advantage of the long looked for opportunity to go
to Gouverneur by rail.
Street Railway. — Only one street railway has been put in operation
in the county, and is located in Ogdensburg. A company was organ
ized by outside parties who secured the right of way from the Common
Council ; also the consent of the freeholders living on its line in the win
ter and spring of 1886. Work was begun on the track on the 1st day
of July following, when a few rods were laid on the upper end of New
York avenue in order to hold the franchise. The project then rested
for a time, as a hitch occurred between the company and a few citizens
of the place concerning the amount of stock they were to take. The
outcome was the formation of the Ogdensburg Street Railway Com
pany who purchased from the projectors their entire interest in the
road. The work of construction was then pushed with vigor and a por
tion of the road, from the ferry dock to the cemetery on the Heuvel
ton road, was finished that fall, and the remainder, from the upper end
of New York avenue to the railroad bridge on Ford street, was com
pleted in the early part of 1887. Branches were laid to the R. W. &
O. Railroad depot ; also to the L. C. & O. depot. It is also intended
by the company to extend the track in the near future to the hospital
grounds.

180 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

CHAPTER XIV.
THE PATRIOT WAR OF 1837-40.
Cause of the Uprising — Meetings, Open and Secret — Seizure of the Sir Robert Peel —
The Two Mysterious Schooners — Connection of the United States with the Affair — Her
Seizure — Arrival of United States Troops — Statement of Stephen S. Wright — Futile
Attempts of Ogdensburgers to Relieve the Patriots — Their Surrender — Animosity of
the Canadians — The Affair of the Schooner G. S. Weeks.
THIS unhappy episode which occurred in the vicinity of Ogdens
burg deserves more than a passing notice, although it was not
wholly enacted on American soil. It caused more excitement in Og
densburg than at any other point on the frontier. The presence and
prompt action of the governor of the State of New York, and such of
ficers as Gen. Winfield Scott, Col. W. B. Worth, with a few influential
citizens on the American side, and of Governor Arthur, Colonel Young
and others on behalf of the British government, checked the reckless
people of both nationalities, and happily averted a storm that might
have otherwise involved the most serious consequences.
The cause which led to this trouble in Canada sprang principally from
the different views strenuously held by the political parties. For sev
eral years in the Canadian provinces the Reform party labored to extend
the elective franchise and to procure a responsible elective council.
This aroused a bitter feeling, and in November, 1837, tne press of the
reformers was destroyed by a mob, which only increased the excite
ment and at length necessitated calling on the military and the arrest
of certain prominent leaders of the Reform party. The prisons were
filled with persons charged with treason ; martial law was proclaimed in
the lower Provinces and numerous instances of wanton violence on the
part of the soldiers occurred. Numbers fled to the States for an asylum,
and the popular riots that ensued were only aggravated by the efforts
made to suppress them. How much justice there may have been in the
claims of the reformers we will not attempt to state, but their demands

THE PATRIOT WAR OF 1837-40. 181
were met with tyrannical treatment. This was seized upon as a pre
text by a certain class of citizens and refugees in the States, who took
advantage of the opportunity to put forward their own private schemes.
They planned enterprises for their personal aggrandizement and pecun
iary gain, which they had neither the honor nor the courage to sustain,
when personal danger threatened.
Refugees from the provinces were scattered through the Northern
States, who related in exciting language their version of the troubles,
and with many others concurring, they inaugurated movements, having
for their avowed object the independence of the Canadas.
The firing of the steamer Caroline, moored at her dock at Schlosser,
below Buffalo, the murdering of her crew, the cutting the steamer adrift
and sending her over the falls of Niagaraon the night of December 29,
1837, by a party of Canadians, increased the excitement to an extra
ordinary degree. Public meetings were held throughout the country to
express the honest indignation of the people at this outrage and to in
voke the executive power of the government to protect the rights of
citizens. In this movement there was no sectional or political feeling.
The subject became the all-absorbing topic of the press, and every mail
was eagerly awaited to learn the news from the seat of the disturbance.
On the 12th of February, 1838, William McKenzie, a prominent leader
of the Canadian Reform party, addressed the citizens of Ogdensburg
upon the Canadian question, and on the evening of the following day a
cannon was fired several times, ostensibly to honor the speaker, but
with the effect of assembling crowds of excited citizens. That evening
several persons from Prescott came over to ascertain the cause of the
firing, met a company of patriots j(so called) and were arrested by the
latter and detained until morning. This illegal proceeding irritated the
Canadians and increased the growing hostility.
On the 8th of February, 1838, the State arsenal was robbed. Active
measures were taken to assemble arms and munitions of war along the
frontier, and secret organizations styled " Hunter's Lodges" were soon
formed in each large village to organize plans of resistance and to cir
culate early intelligence of new movements.
On the night of the 29th of May, 1838, the British steamer Sir
Robert Peel, while taking fuel at Wells Island on her passage up the

182 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
lake, was boarded by a company of armed men, the crew and passen
gers driven on shore and the steamer set afloat and burned. The next
day the steamer Oneida took the nineteen passengers off the island and
conveyed them to Kingston. An outrage so flagrant as this could not
pass without notice of government, and the most prompt and decisive
measures were adopted by the authorities on both sides of the St. Law
rence for the arrest of the perpetrators of the act. June 10 William
Johnson as commander-in chief of the naval forces of Upper Canada in
the patriot service, issued a proclamation acknowledging the act of
burning the Sir Robert Peel and stated his motives for so doing.
About the ioth of November it was noticed that two schooners were
being freighted at Oswego from canal boats that had arrived from Syr
acuse under suspicious circumstances. After being laden they left the
harbor taking a northerly course. The steamer United States was in
port at Oswego undergoing repairs, which were not completed until
Saturday, the ioth. The United States left Oswego at nine o'clock
Sunday morning following and continued on her trip down the lake.
She took about 150 passengers, nearly all of whom were without bag
gage, except small budgets, and two or three had trunks. A nail keg
on board accidently broke open and its contents proved to be lead bul
lets, which rolled about the deck. The steamer arrived at Sackett's
Harbor about 2 o'clock in the afternoon and took.on board about thirty
additional passengers. At Cape Vincent she took on eleven more.
On reaching a point near the foot of Long Island the two schooners
that had left Oswego on the ioth were discovered, and Captain Van
Cleave, by request of a passenger, who represented that the vessels
belonged to him, and were freighted with merchandise for Ogdensburg,
consented to take them in tow. The steamer touched at French Creek
(now Clayton) a few minutes and received seven or eight men on board.
Soon after leaving that port the nature of the business of the passengers
became evident, and swords and pistols were openly taken from boxes
on board the steamer and the boxes were transferred to the schooners,
which were lashed to the sides of the steamer, and a large number of
men came on board the latter from the other vessels.
A consultation was now held between the captain, two of the owners
of the boat, and Mr. Denio, one of the bank commissioners, who was a

THE PATRIOT WAR OF 1837-40. 183
passenger, to determine the best course to pursue. It was decided to
stop at Morristown and send a messenger to the marshal at Ogdens
burg, informing him of the condition of affairs and the character of the
passengers. Just before the steamer reached Morristown about half of
the passengers, by direction of one acting in capacity of an officer,
entered the schooners, when the latter were cut loose from the steamer
and dropped astern and were seen no more by those on the boat until
their arrival next morning at Ogdensburg. It now became certain
that Prescott was the objective point of the expedition. The steamer
United States, after stopping a few hours at Morristown, resumed her
course towards Ogdensburg, where she arrived about 3 o'clock Monday
morning. November 12, 1838. As usual, the fires were immediately
put out on entering the port and the crew, with the exception of the
watch, retired. The schooners, which had been dropped above Morris
town, reached Prescott during the night. They contained, as has been
inferred, a military armament under command of Gen. John W. Birge,
but ostensibly commanded by one Von Schoultz, a Polish exile of mili
tary fame.
Upon approaching Prescott one of the schooners was made fast to the
upper wharf and Von Schoultz ordered his men to land and, with un
loaded muskets and fixed bayonets, to march into the village and take
possession of the fort at once. A hesitation on the part of some of the
leaders, arising from a difference of opinion as to the mode of attack,
caused a delay, and thus the opportunity to capture the place and fort
was lost. The schooner Charlotte, after casting off from the upper
wharf, dropped down and anchored opposite the windmill, and the
other schooner grounded on the rush bed at the mouth of the Oswe
gatchie. Early the next morning an old cast iron nine-pounder cannon be
longing to the village of Ogdensburg, and a brass four- pounder belong
ing to the State of New York, and in charge of the artillery company
under Captain A. B. James, were seized by the so-called patriots and
conveyed across the river in a scow to the windmill. Meanwhile the
streets of Ogdensburg were filled with armed men. It was thought
from their movements that they intended to seize the steamer United
States. The marshal of the district was absent. The collector, Smith

184 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Stilwell, made strenuous efforts to hold the boat.'but without effect.
The leaders of the patriots began the muster of a volunteer company to
man the steamer, openly deriding the efforts of the civil authorities in
trying to prevent them. A crew having been obtained and steam got
up, they left the wharf, greeted by loud cheers of the crowd, and went
to the assistance of the schooner that had run aground. But they did
not succeed in floating her, and the steamer returned to the wharf.
Additional hands were now procured to navigate the steamer, which
had also got aground on her first trip. The patriots had taken posses
sion of the windmill early Monday morning, November 12, 1838. The
mill is situated about a mile below Prescott on the main road, running
parallel to and near the St. Lawrence. Around it were several mas
sive stone houses and plats of cedar thickets. The mill was round in
shape, and the walls heavy and massive. The interior was divided into
several stories. It had formerly been used as a grist mill, but having
been idle several years, the machinery had fallen into ruin.
The Experiment, a British steamer, which was lying at the time at
the wharf of Prescott, fired upon the steamer United States as she
passed around the bar in going to the windmill, but without effect.
The United States made several trips to Windmill Point during the fore
noon, when she escorted the schooner up the Oswegatchie River, where
she anchored near the American 'shore and near the other schooner.
The firing was repeated at every trip made by the United States with
out damage to the boat, excepting on the last trip, just as the steamer
was turning into the Oswegatchie channel with two pilots, a tall and a
short man standing at the wheel, a cannon shot from the Experiment
struck the water and glanced upwards through the wheel house, passed
over the short man and struck the other pilot, Solomon Foster, carry
ing away a portion of his skull. Upon arriving in port this time the
United States steamer lay the remainder of the day near the wharf.
During this time the steamer was under orders of Oliver W. Birge, the
reputed commander of the invading forces. H. Denio, who was per
sonally acquainted with the former, was requested by the owners of the
steamer to go on board and solicit its peaceable surrender without de
lay. After consultion this was cheerfully done.

THE PATRIOT WAR OF 1837-40. 185
Nathan Garrow, the United States marshal, arrived fiom Sackett's
Harbor on Monday evening and made a formal seizure of the steamer
United States, and had her machinery taken apart. The ferry boat
Paul Pry on Monday afternoon went over to the stranded schooner in
charge of the patriots, and hauled her off, when she passed down and
took a position near the other vessel. In doing this the Paul Pry en
countered a brisk fire from the steamer Experiment, which was returned
by the men on the schooner with small arms.
During Monday there were frequent crossings of the river in small
boats, and no attempt was made to prevent it by the authorities of
either side. On the following morning (November 13) the two schoon
ers were seized about 10 o'clock by the marshal. At this time they
lay in American waters, about forty rods from the abutment of the old
brewery now owned by Hanan Brothers. The vessel that was grounded
had on her deck three cannons, one mounted on wheels and the other
two on small plank trucks. There were also on board boxes and casks
containing guns and munitions of war. The other vessel had on only
a few barrels of apples, the munitions having been removed from her
and landed at the windmill. The crew and boats were placed in charge
of Col. W. J. Worth of the U. S. infantry, who arrived on the steamer
Telegraph, and they were subsequently sent to Sackett's Harbor for
safe keeping. The communication, which had been kept up between
the patriots and the American shore, was suspended upon the arrival of
Colonel Worth with two companies of U. S. troops.
The following is the substance of what occurred on the Canadian
shore, as related by one of the participants, Stephen S. Wright. He
gave a lengthy narrative of the events in 1843, after his return from
Van Diemen's land :
On the afternoon of November 11, 1838, we left Sackett's Harbor about 400 strong
on board the steamer United States, and proceeded down the river. A Mr. Pendergrass
(one of the officious emissaries of Canada) told them that the upper province could be
taken without the discharge of a gun, and that thousands of the people would join them
as soon as the standard of liberty was raised on their soil. Up to this time they did
not know where they were to land or to what particular point they were bound, and
the leaders proved themselves utterly unequal to the task of directing the men under
their control. This inability on their part caused confusion, and ultimately resulted in
the ruin of those whose confidence had been won for the Canadians. The falsehoods
24

186 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
of emissaries from secret societies, etc., led us to volunteer our efforts to achieve the
emancipation of an oppressed people, under the guidance of men who lacked both the
energy and common sense necessary to success.
He says further in substance, that he, with his verdant comrades and
friends, was looking at the bright side of the picture, until the open de
sertion of the cause by that trinity of cowards, Birge, King, and Estis,
together with Bill Johnson and their followers ; and during the bloody
days of the 12th to the 16th of November, and in the hospital of Kings
ton and the dark prison of Fort Henry they were all brought to their
senses. Continuing Mr. Wright said :
On Monday morning the schooners were cut loose from the steamboat, and when
near Prescott they both ran aground. One, the Charlotte, soon got clear and landed at
Windmill Point, where they made a stand at the mill and raised their flag above the
buildings. The flag bore upon its face the device of an eagle and twin stars upon a
ground of blue. The first evening was spent in making arrangements for the morrow ;
the arms and munitions were landed, but the greater part of the balls and other neces
saries were left, amid the confusion which prevailed. All the general officers had de
ceived them, save Colonel Von Schoultz, Woodruff and Abbey, who at first held only
minor positions. After deliberate consultation they elected Von Schoultz commander-
in-chief of the patriot army, which had dwindled from 1,000 to 200 men, who then
composed the " Spartan Band." About midnight Bill Johnson came over and informed
them that 500 men would join them before daylight. The first night no eye closed, no
hand was idle, no heart was faint.
At nine o'clock a. m. three British steamboats, the Coburg, Victoria and Experiment
came down from Prescott, anchored opposite the mill and opened fire with balls and
bombshells ; at the same time 1,500 of the Canadian militia and regulars made their ap
pearance, the Eighty-third Regiment occupying the center and the militia forming the
right and left wings. They were formed in line of battle three deep. The patriots
formed in line of battle one deep, spreading from two to three yards apart so as to
cover the enemy's front. They were protected on their sides by stone walls and stone
buildings, and the steep river banks prevented the shot and shell thrown by the boat
from injuring them, the missiles passing over their heads and creating disaster among
the British land forces. Before the engagement began a six-pounder was placed by the
patriots between the mill and one of the stone buildings, so situated that in case of re
treat it would deliver a raking fire from four different points, and would also serve as a
decoy in case of emergency. The patriots orders were not to fire a gun under any
circumstances until assaulted by the enemy. The British advanced to within twenty
rods, halted and opened fire by platoons, which was returned by the patriots. After
some twenty minutes the Canadian militia fell back over the hill and left the regu
lars (the Eighty-third) alone. They fought bravely for about three hours, when they
also retreated behind the hill and left the field in possession of the patriots. The
latter were comparatively secure in their position, while the British were fully ex-

THE PATRIOT WAR OF 1837-40. 187
posed in the open field and suffered severely from the sharpshooters posted in the
upper stories of the mill. The British officers on horseback were distinctly seen, even
from Ogdensburg, to fall here and there on the field, and the soldiers' ranks were
rapidly thinned out under the unequal contest. The retreat was followed by the
patriots for a short time, who lost a few men, when they returned to the mill ; but
judge of their surprise and desperate situation when they found that there was not a
solitary ball left with which to load their field pieces, rendering the guns useless, ex
cept as they could be loaded with broken pieces of mill irons and gravel stones. No
sooner had the patriots retired to the mill than the British, encouraged by a vacant
field, rallied and attempted to take the stronghold by storm, but they were repulsed
with considerable loss.1
In the morning of the second day the firing was continued at longer range, which
gave the patriots the advantage, as their rifles could do effective work, while the Brit
ish musket balls fell harmless inside of the lines. An incident occurred that morning
which is worthy of notice. A woman who lived in one of the buildings near the mill,
and whose husband had left her during the battle, started with her daughter of seven
teen aid a babe of six months old, to join and claim protection of the loyalist army.
When the little family started the patriot commander gave orders not to fire in that
direction, which order was strictly obeyed. Yet, when she arrived within ten rods
of the British lines, a shot was fired which broke the jaw of the daughter and another
pierced the mother and her child to the heart, and both found an untimely grave on the
field of battle — the dead child clasped in the arms of its dying mother, an example
of that affection which is stronger than death. Comment is unnecessary; humanity
recoils from the recital of such a cold-blooded massacre of the innocent.
During the assault before mentioned, Lieutenant Johnson, of the Eighty-third Regi
ment, with about thirty men, made a dash and endeavored to capture the patriots'
decoy cannon. When within a few paces of it Johnson was shot down by riflemen
in the mill and the effort was then abandoned. That night, under a cover of darkness,
one of the patriots, a Pole, stole the coat and cap from the dead lieutenant, passed him
self off as an officer and escaped through the British camp, reaching the American
shore in safety. The same night also, according to Wright's statement, they received
a visit from Ogdensburg by the cowards who came over to bring golden promises
of men and ammunition ; but Von Schoultz did not relish their encouragements. He
entreated that they would be men enough to send a boat to remove the wounded,
which numbered twenty-eight, as they could not, through lack of necessaries, admin
ister to their wants. The visitors promised that before daylight all the wounded
should be removed and directed to have them conveyed to the shore of the river.
This was done, and the wounded men lay amid storm and snow for seven tedious
hours, waiting for the promised succor, yet no aid came during the dark vigils of that
night of agony.
The morning of the 14th dawned in snow and rain ; the fields in the rear were stud
ded with the bodies of the dead ; now and then a shot was exchanged, and then
1 A party of patriots followed the retreating British, were out-flanked, and some fifteen of them
captured.

188 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
all relapsed into silence. During the night of the 14th the Canadian militia, like so
many harpies, tore from the dead bodies all the clothing, ravaging the field in the dark
ness in search of any kind of plunder.
On the night of the 16th, says Wright, they were surprised by a visit from Preston
King and others. They came in the steamboat Paul Pry to within about twenty-five
rods of the shore and landed in a small boat, accompanied by two or three of the
"extinguished " officers from Ogdensburg. Von Schoultz now expected that help had
come to remove the wounded to a place of safety. The river was clear of craft and
it seemed that now was their chance if ever to escape. King then promised fairly
that he would return to the boat and carry away the wounded. Von Schoultz then
said that after the wounded were cared for, they would all try to save themselves
by retreating down the river. King acted confusedly, staid about five minutes and
then departed, went aboard the Paul Pry and fled back to the American shore, and then
circulated a falsehood among his friends.
On the 17th a flag of truce was sent out for the collection of the dead and wounded,
which lasted two hours. About sunset four steamboats, well armed, lay in front of
the mill, and 2,500 men in the rear. The patriots, thus hemmed in, without am
munition, betrayed, deserted and disheartened, sent a flag of truce to the British host,
as their bugle rang for a charge ; the flag was fired upon wounding one man. Then
the patriots returned and prepared for a desperate resistance. The British advanced
to within thirty rods and halted, when Colonel Dundas sent a flag summoning them
to surrender at his discretion. A council was held and they saw it was in vain to
resist. Vo.i Schoultz said that not for himself would he surrender, but for the sake
of those brave young men who had become dupes of the designing, and in the faint
hope of saving their lives.. The patriots then disarmed and marched out, defiling be
tween ranks of the Eighty-third. Von Schoultz with two others attempted to es
cape at the back door of the mil', but they were taken by the militia and treated in a
most inhuman and brutal manner. They were stripped of nearly every vestige of
clothing and marched to Prescott amid jeers, scoffs, insults and reproaches almost be
yond description. One of the party, Mr. Wright says, for some slight resistance, was
stabbed with a dozen bayonets and died without a cry for mercy. After having
been buffeted, spit upon, and treated with all the indignities possible, they were
branded as Yankee cut- throats, assassins, free-booters, pirates, brigands and buccaneers ;
they were crowded with all their wounded in the forecastle of the steamer Brock
ville, where they were confined, with their hands tied behind them, in so small a space
that they could neither sit nor lie down. They reached Kingston on Saturday, when
all the able bodied men were sent to Fort Henry, and the wounded were placed in
a damp, tireless room, called a hospital.
In closing Mr. Wright says :
Are the Canadian patriots less the martyrs of liberty because victory perched not
upon their banner ? Are they to be thus branded and their names go down to pos
terity to please or justify the despotic aristocrats? No! The motives of those who
fought at the battle of Prescott were pure and noble, and to save the memories of the

THE PATRIOT WAR OF 1837-40. 189
dead from cruel aspersions, this feeble effort is made to place in a true light many of
the- actors of the Canadian revolution.
Colonel Dundas, of the Eighty-third, reported 102 prisoners taken
at the Windmill, sixteen of whom were wounded. There had also been
several taken in boats and on the field, which swelled the number to 145.
The records of the court martial show that two died, nineteen were
released, fifty- nine pardoned, fifty-five transported to Van Diemen's
land, and ten of the officers and leaders were hung.
During the conflict, which was closely watched from the American
shore, it was evident that the brave but misguided men would shortly
be overcome in this unequal contest. Therefore, on the morning of
the 15th, Colonel Worth invited Judge Fine, Preston King, Judge Stil-
well, and Socrates N. Sherman, influential citizens of Ogdensburg, on
board the steamer Telegraph, to go with him to the British com
mander, Colonel P. Young, and ask of him the privilege of preventing
further bloodshed by removing the patriots on their frontier. The
party accordingly visited Prescott and were politely received by the
British officer, who accompanied them back to the steamer, where a
private interview was held between the two colonels. Colonel Young
pointedly refused the favor asked, but from an intimation that was
dropped it was learned that the machinery of the Experiment, the
Coburg and the Victoria was damaged and they had gone up the river
for repairs, which would prevent them being used until two o'clock the
next morning, it was naturally inferred that no means of annoyance
on the river opposite the Windmill would be in possession of the Brit
ish during the early part of the night. This opportunity Colonel
Worth wished to have improved, and having consulted some of the
citizens on the subject, it was understood that early in the evening the
Paul Pry would be at the service of a party of volunteers who might
safely approach the Windmill and rescue the inmates, if they would
leave the place. This responsible service was entrusted to Preston
King, then postmaster of the village. At that time the principal part
of the business section of the village was situated on Water street be
tween the ferry dock and the bridge. The Tremont was the first hotel
in the village, and stood in Marble Row, just opposite the Allen block.
The American (now the Sterling) was also a good house. At these

190 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
hotels and along this street the business men and strangers congregated
on important occasions, it being near the steamboat landing. On
Thursday afternoon, the 15th, the village was filled with excited
people, as the British forces were preparing to close in on the patriots
and their escape seemed almost impossible. , Preston King seemed to
br more excitable than ever, and went up and down the street in front
of the hotels and repeatedly called for volunteers to go with him at the
risk of their lives and rescue the patriots from their perilous situation.
A sufficient number of men was soon raised and about twelve o'clock
that night the party started on the steamer Paul Pry (using oil for fuel)
and moved slowly down the river to within a few rods of the shore op
posite the windmill and anchored. A man said to have been connected
with the patriots and to know their pass-word, was sent ashore with
others to make known the errand of the party. Mr. King soon followed
and explained the folly of looking for reinforcements, even though prom
ised, and earnestly requested that they avail themselves of the only
chance to escape that would be offered. It was reported that the men
on the steamer became impatient at the delay, and insisted upon the
return of the steamer to Ogdensburg. Mr. King said he was thus re
luctantly compelled to return without having accomplished his purpose,
further than to bring six or seven men from the mill, one of whom had
been wounded.
During the time that the steamer lay near the windmill, firing along
the line by the British picket guards was kept up, and occasionally a
cannon ball came whizzing over the boat and dropped into the river be
yond, rendering the men on board impatient at the inaction, and subse
quently making Mr. King very nervous and gloomy. The steamer Paul
Pry had scarcely returned to port when the British armed steamer was
seen going down the river, and all chance of passing between the Amer
ican shore and the windmill was thus cut off.
On Thursday evening the steamer United States, having been refitted
and placed in charge of Captain Vaughan, sailing master of the navy,
with a party of United States troops, under Captain Wright, started for
Sackett's Harbor with the patriot schooners in tow. The schooners had
on their decks the cannon which had formed part of their armament.
Apprehending that they would meet a British force, which was expected

THE PATRIOT WAR OF 1837-40. 191
from Kingston to assist in capturing the party at the windmill, and be
lieving it prddent to provide against any emergency that might arise,
the captain caused the cannon to be loaded and the military to be held
in readiness. When they neared Oak Point they met the British
steamer Brockville with two gunboats in tow. The United States was
hailed and ordered to " lie to and send a boat aboard." The peremp
tory and insulting tone of this order forbade compliance by the officer
in charge of the flotilla, and the reply was made that they " might come
aboard." The demand was repeated and again answered with coolness
and laconic brevity highly creditable to the courage and ability of Cap
tain Wright. The United States having passed the British steamer, the
latter turned and followed some distance, but no further notice was
taken of her by the United States, and she shortly resumed her original
course. On the morning of Friday the 16th, the British had been greatly re
inforced by regulars and by gunboats armed with heavy ordnance, and
they made preparations systematically for the reduction of the windmill.
A battery of heavy guns was posted back of the mill, a gunboat was
stationed below the mill and a heavily armed steamer above it, so ar
ranged that the shots from the three points would not interfere with
each other, and all beyond rifle shot, yet sufficiently near to do good
execution. What followed has been given by Mr. Wright regarding
the surrender, trials, pardons, transportations, executions, etc.
During the four or five days of strange and exciting proceedings
Ogdensburg was filled with anxious people from the adjacent country.
The high banks at Mile Point below the village (just back of the O. &
L. C. Railroad depot site, then partially covered with trees), were
crowded from early morning until dark with excited people watching
the struggle going on between the little band of patriots and the British
forces. The Board of Supervisors was in session at Canton at the time, and
the cannonade of the battle was distinctly heard at that place. Some
of the supervisors were warm sympathizers in the movement, and a reso
lution was drawn up expressing such sympathy for the patriots strug
gling against tyranny and oppression, but it was not adopted.

192 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Bill Johnson, the avowed leader of the gang who burned the Sir
Robert Peel, had been seen on the streets of Ogdensburg for several
days, but no one ventured to arrest him while the village was crowded
with people of his kind. The day after the surrender of the band at the
windmill he was seen to leave the harbor in a boat with his son. The
deputy collector entered a boat belonging to the custom-house depart
ment, hoisted a revenue flag, and, in company with several others, pur
sued him. Johnson landed about three miles above the village, was
pursued and finally captured ; he surrendered on condition that his arms
should be turned over to his son. He was armed with a Cochran rifle,
several pistols, and a bowie knife. The merit of arresting Johnson has
been claimed by different persons, and the bounty offered for his ap
prehension is said to have been paid to C. T. Buswell and A. B. James,
who pursued him on horseback as soon as he landed and were present
when he surrendered. The steamer Oneida, in service of the govern
ment, being near by and having troops on board, was steered towards
the point where the boats landed, to afford any assistance that might be
found necessary. The prisoner was conveyed on board the steamer and
taken to Sackett's Harbor.
On Monday after the capture of the patriots, Hon. John Fine, with
Charles G. Myers, visited Kingston, carried a contribution of several
hundred dollars to supply the wants of the prisoners and offered them
legal counsel. There being no railroads at that time and the steamboat
season being closed, they applied to Colonel Worth to send them over
to Kingston and furnish them with a letter to the commanding officer
there ; both requests were refused. They then crossed to Prescott, ap
plied to Colonel Young, who furnished them with a note to Colonel
Dundas at Kingston. A citizen of Prescott gave them the use of a
small steamer without charge. At Kingston they found several Amer
icans from Oswego and other places on a similar errand. The sheriff
refused an audience with the prisoners in accordance with his orders
from the governor. They then applied to Colonel Dundas, stating that
they were lawyers for the prisoners and had some right to serve them
in that capacity, having been employed by friends of the prisoners for
that purpose. They stated that it was the boast of the English law,
which the Americans inherited from the mother country, that every

THE PATRIOT WAR OF 1837-40. 193
one was presumed innocent of crime until proved guilty, and that the
prisoners had a right to legal advice and the privilege of obtaining wit
nesses for their defence. Upon this the colonel took them to the prison,
told the sheriff that he would take the responsibility, and several were
admitted to the prison rooms. The Ogdensburg counselors remarked
to the boys that there was hope in their cases ; that the power of Eng
land was not so feeble as to fear the loss of Canada by the hands of
boys, and the glory of England would not be enhanced by their sacri
fice. They were advised to plead their youth and throw themselves
on the mercy of the governor, and several were released, as has been
stated. The issue of this expedition did much to render the patriot cause un
popular, and a healthy reaction was soon felt along the frontier ; but a
spirit of jealousy and hostility had been engendered that led to much
difficulty. On the 2 ist of December the village trustees resolved to
organize a company (home guards) to be held ready at a minute's
warning to act in preserving order and to repel, if necessary, any ag
gression. Resolutions were passed to petition Congress for protec
tion of the frontier and asking its intervention in favor of the patriot
prisoners ; also a becoming tribute was paid to the valor and courage
of the misguided youths who had been seduced into aiding the move
ment. On the 2d of January, 1839, another public meeting was called by a
large number of prominent citizens of all parties and was addressed by
Major- General Winfield Scott in a very able manner. A series of reso
lutions embodying the sentiment of the considerate of all parties and
appealing to all good citizens to aid in putting an end to these proceed
ings, so destructive of the public peace and so perilous to our national
welfare, were passed. A bitter feeling towards Americans was mani
fested by the Canadians in the following acts: The steamer United
States, Captain Whitney, left Ogdensburg on the evening of April 14,
1839, with a large number of passengers, and as she was passing out
into the channel, from six to ten rounds of musket shot were fired at
her from the wharf at Prescott. where a crowd was assembled. On the
same evening she was fired upon from the wharf at Brockville. These
insulting attacks were greatly aggravated by a high-handed outrage
25

194 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
committed upon the schooner G. S. Weeks, Captain Turner, on Friday,
May 17, 1839. She stopped at Brockville to discharge some m erchan
dise. The usual papers had been sent to the custom house and a per
mit to unload had been issued by the deputy collector. There was
lying on the deck a six-pounder iron cannon belonging to the State of
New York and consigned to Captain A. B. James, to replace the one
seized by the patriots. Upon discovering this cannon an attempt was
made to seize it, but this was resisted by the crew until the collector of
the district came up and took possession of the vessel under some al
leged irregularity in her papers. The gun was then taken by the mob,
who paraded the streets with it and fired it repeatedly. Word was im
mediately sent to Colonel Worth at Sackett's Harbor, who promptly re
paired to the place in the steamer Oneida and sent a respectful inquiry
to learn on what grounds the schooner was detained. To this the
deputy collector could give no direct answer ; but from what he could
learn Colonel Worth inferred that the seizure was without justification,
and he resolved to vindicate our national honor in the recovery of the can
non. On Saturday evening he went to Prescott and peremptorily de
manded of Colonel Frasier the release of the vessel and her cargo ; to
which answer was made at ten o'clock the next day that the vessel and
cargo should be released, but doubt was expressed whether the gun
could be secured from the mob. Colonel Worth had on board the
steamer Oneida about one hundred regulars, who were supplied with
double the number of muskets and ammunition sufficient for the oc
casion. The steamer took a position along side the schooner and a de
mand for the restoration of the gun was sent to those having it in
charge. The wharves and block houses were densely crowded with an
excited and furious mob, many of whom were armed, and all partaking
of the excitement prevalent. The civil authorities endeavored to pro
cure the restoration of the piece, but were incapable of persuading or com
pelling the rabble to surrender it. Matters remained thus for several
hours, during which a collision was momentarily expected. At 4 P. M.
a steamer from Kingston, with British regulars aboard, arrived, which
had been sent for by the magistrates of the village, and by their aid
several leaders of the mob were arrested and lodged in the guard house.
Having waited sufficiently long, Colonel Worth notified the authorities

THE PATRIOT WAR OF 1837-40. 195
for the last time that the cannon must be instantly returned. It was
done with the utmost haste, and the schooner proceeded on her way to
Ogdensburg, and the gun which had caused so much trouble was deliv
ered to the right person.1
On Tuesday, June 25, 1839, a party from Prescott attempted to ab
duct an army deserter from Ogdensburg, but their plans were discov
ered and the leader was surrounded by a large crowd of people, covered
with tar and feathers, and marched back to his boat under an armed
guard. The officer of the gang thus treated was said to have committed
suicide the next day.
As the American steam packet St. Lawrence was passing down the
river on her regular trip August 4, 1839, she was fired upon by an
armed British schooner lying in the stream opposite Brockville, for the
alleged reason that she disregarded their call to halt and show her
colors This being communicated to Colonel Worth, an explanation
was demanded, and a feeble attempt made to justify the act on the
ground that they were afraid the steamer contained patriots, and they
wanted to know to what nation she belonged, etc.
The renewal of friendly intercourse began soon afterward. The Brit
ish steamers touching at Ogdensburg were well received, which had
much influence in allaying the animosity that existed for a time between
the border inhabitants of the two nations.
lIt is claimed by some that this cannon was the present " Long Tom," which is not the historic
French gun that was used so long in the village and reported to have been taken to the windmill
by the patriots. Others claim, with an appearance of truth, that the present gun is " Long Tom
No. 2," which was captured from the British during the Revolution at Saratoga, and was purchased
from a junk shop in Utica in the winter of 1838-g and mounted here.

196 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

CHAPTER XV.
WAR OF THE REBELLION, 1861-65.
The First War Meeting— Captain Nevin's Company — Other Companies — Various
Organizations Containing St. Lawrence County Representatives — Drafts — Bounties —
Confederate Raids from Canada — Major General Dix's Order — Ogdensburg Home
Guards — The Fenian Movement — Ogdensburg a Center of Active Operations — Misun
derstanding Regarding the Strength of the Movement.
AFTER the excitement of the patriot war, which event necessitated
the marshaling of troops in various parts of Northern New York,
especially in the streets of Ogdensburg, peace and quietness reigned for
a long period, until the slave oligarchy of the South openly rebelled
against the Union and emphasized their actions by firing on Fort Sum
ter at 4 o'clock A. M., April 12, 1 86 1. It will not be expected that a
lengthy or concise history of the movements of a military character that
occurred in St. Lawrence county during the war of the Rebellion will
be given in a work of this character. There is sufficient data on this
subject, if gathered and properly put together, to fill a volume, which
may be done by some one in the near future. Therefore we shall en
deavor to give only a resume of the leading local events during the
great struggle. The act of firing on Fort Sumter thoroughly aroused
the patriotic people of the North, and they assembled spontaneously at
every available point, not only to show their loyalty, but to discuss the
situation and devise methods for future action. The result of these de
liberations, irrespective of political parties, was a determination that the
Union should be preserved.
Fort Sumter, having been kept under continuous fire from the early
morning of the 12th, fell into the hands of the rebel forces on Sunday
morning the 14th. The news of the surrender was received by tele
graph in Ogdensburg on Monday morning the 15th, which spread like
wild- fire over the surrounding country. The Daily Journal issued an
extra containing the news, and at a gathering of the people in the

-EV bu

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^c^tty

WAR OF THE REBELLION. 197
streets enrollment papers asking for volunteers for six months were pre
sented by Henry R. James, and numerously signed. On Monday there
were in Ogdensburg a large number of people from the surrounding
towns eager to learn the news, whom Mr. James consulted, and agreed
to meet some of them at Depeyster Corners that evening. The meet
ing was held in the M. E. church, which was well filled with the sturdy
men of the town, Benjamin Eastman presiding. Mr. James made a
stirring speech, in which he urged them to send at least fourteen men
to join the Ogdensburg company, which they were endeavoring to raise
in the various towns of the county. The chairman called on several
prominent citizens to express their views on the subject, but failed to
draw them out, when he called N. M. Curtis, a young farmer and a law
student, to give his views on the plan proposed. He stated his objec
tion to sending a company for six months only, and advised the prompt
organization of a regiment in the county, to be tendered to the govern
ment to serve as long as the exigencies of the country might require.
He then gave notice that an effort would be made to organize a com
pany in Depeyster and adjoining towns, and invited all favoring it to
assemble the next evening at Mason's tavern, where he would secure a
room to meet in.
Similar proceedings were entered upon in Gouverneur, Potsdam,
Stockholm and other towns.
On Wednesday evening the 17th a large meeting was held in Eagle
Hall at Ogdensburg, Hon. John Fine presiding. The meeting was ad
dressed by many prominent men of the village and county. The move
ment started by Mr. James and others on the 15th, having been aban
doned, steps were taken to organize a company, command of which was
tendered to David A. Nevin, who had that day returned from an army
post in Texas, where he had occupied a civil position, in which he had
improved the opportunity to acquire much information respecting mili
tary affairs. Mr. Neven accepted the offer, and made preparations to open
a recruiting office. A second meeting was called at Lyceum Hall, for
the purpose of stimulating the people to immediate action. Citizens,
both old and young, paraded the streets with music and banners.
Business was virtually suspended to give attention to the all-absorbing
question of the day. The hall was filled to overflowing, R. W. Judson

198 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
presiding, and in a few words stated the object of the meeting, to be
the raising of men and means for the war. The chairman led with a
handsome subscription, and others followed rapidly, until about $3,000
were subscribed and forty-four men enlisted, Isaac T. Merry being the
first one to sign the muster roll. Captain Nevin's company was
promptly organized, and the first to leave for Albany, where they ar
rived on the 24th of April, and became A of the Sixteenth N. Y. Vol.
Inf. Capt. James Pomeroy organized B in Potsdam and vicinity ;
Capt. Frank Palmer, C in Plattsburg; Capt. George Parker, D in Gou
verneur, Fowler and Rossie ; Capt. John L. Stetson, E of Plattsburg ;
Capt. John C. Gilmour, F in Potsdam ; Capt. N. M. Curtis, G in De
peyster, Dekalb, Macomb, Morristown, Hermon, Oswegatchie and Ros-
, sie ; Capt. Warren Gibson, H in Stockholm and vicinity ; Capt. Joel
Seaver, I in Malone, and Capt. Wallace W. Wood, K of Chazy. The
line officers selected Thos. A. Davies, of New York city, a native of St.
Lawrence county, for colonel ; Samuel Marsh of Potsdam, for lieuten
ant-colonel, and Buel Palmer, of Plattsburg, for major. The foregoing
officers so selected were approved by the governor, and the regiment
was mustered into the U. S. service for a term of two years by Cap
tains Lorenzo Sitgreave and Frank Wheaton of the U. S. Army, on
the 15th day of May, 1861, and designated the Sixteenth -N. Y. Vol.
Inf. The following named persons succeeded them as colonels of this
regiment : Joseph Howland and Joel J. Seever.
On May 30th the regiment was sent to " Camp Morgan " near Al
bany, and while there were partially supplied with arms and ammuni
tion, and common wall tents. Most of the companies, through the as
sistance of friends, received colors before their departure for Albany, at
which place they received clothing and general outfit from the State.
The regiment left Albany June 27, reached Washington on the 29th,
and went into camp, where they remained nearly a fortnight under in
struction, Capt. David L. Bartlett organized a company at Ogdensburg, and
was mustered into the U. S. service as Company K of the Eighteenth
N. Y. Vol. Inf., May 17, 1861, with Geo. B. Myres, of Ogdensburg, as
major. These regiments were on the 17th of July following sent forward, and
a portion of them shortly after engaged with the Fifth Alabama Regi-

WAR OF THE REBELLION. 199
ment, in which engagement Sergeant John Allen, of Ogdensburg, was
killed, this being the first casualty of the war from the numbers that
left St. Lawrence county,
During the fore part of the summer of 1861 a number of men from
St. Lawrence county enlisted in the Fifteenth Regiment, organized at
Elmira. The Sixtieth N. Y. Vol. Inf., raised chiefly in St. Lawrence and
Franklin counties, was organized at Ogdensburg, and mustered into the
service October, 1861, with Wm. B. Hayward, of New York city, as
colonel. The following named are those who succeeded as colonels of
this regiment: Geo S. Greene, Wm. B. Goodrich and Abel Godard.
The Ninety-second N. Y. Vol. Inf. was organized and mustered into
the U. S. service at Potsdam, January 1, 1862, with Jonah Sanford as
colonel. The colonel that succeeded him was Lewis C. Hunt.
The 1 06th N. Y. Vol. Inf. was organized and mustered into the U.
U. service at Ogdensburg, September 29, 1862, with Schuyer F, Judd,
colonel. Those succeeding him are Edward E. James, Frederic E.
Embie and Andrew N. McDonald.
The I42d N. Y. Vol. Inf. was organized and mustered into the U. S.
service at Ogdensburg, September 29, 1862, with Roscius W. Judson
colonel. Those succeeding him were N. Martin Curtis and Albert M.
Barney. In addition to the above organizations, St. Lawrence county fur
nished men to the 24th, 100th, I02d, 164th and 193d Infantry; to the
6th, 7th, 20th and 24th N. Y. Cavalry volunteeis; to Batteries D and
L, First N. Y. Artillery (nearly all of Battery D was raised in Gouver
neur and western part of St. Lawrence county), to the 2d, 13th, 14th
and 16th Artillery, and the 50th N. Y Engineers.
On the 25th of October, Hon. William A. Wheeler presented to the
regiment a national flag. On Tuesday, October 29, Col. William B.
Hayward (late of the One Hundred and Second,) reported at camp as
commander of the Sixtieth, which number was given the regiment. Oc
tober 31, Hon. John Fine presented a State banner to the regiment, on
behalf of the ladies of Ogdensburg. The regiment left camp for the
seat of war November 1, 1 861, and shortly after reaching Washington
was assigned to duty in guarding the railroad between Baltimore and

200 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Washington. January 12, 1862, Colonel Hayward tendered his resig
nation to the war department, and on the 27th Col. George Sears Greene
took command; he was promoted in May, and Lieutenant- Colonel
William B. Goodrich succeeded to the command, and Edward C. James
received a commission as major. In the battle of Antietam Colonel
Goodrich was killed.
There were enlisted in the three arms of the service and drafted up
wards of 5,000 men in the county of St. Lawrence. Of this number a
large portion perished on the field or in hospitals, and some in the
prison-pens of the Confederacy.
In the second year of the war a draft was ordered, but the persons
drafted were allowed to furnish a substitute or pay the government $300.
It was also provided that any person liable to do military duty had the
right to put in a substitute, which would be credited to him and he
thereby be exempt from subsequent call. A great many thousand dol
lars were paid in the county by the drafted men and for substitutes by
those who were subject to be drawn.
The liability of being drafted, should the quota of the towns or county
be not filled, so agitated the people that the Board of Supervisors was
assembled on the 19th of July, 1864, when the board took action and
offered large bounties for volunteers to fill the calls that might there
after be made on the county. A general recruiting committee was ap
pointed, consisting of Calvin T. Hulburd, Hiram H. Peck, Charles Shep-
hard, George Robinson, and John R. Brinckerhoff. A finance commit
tee was appointed as follows : Ela N. Merriam, T. S. Clarkson 2d, and
Charles Anthony. County bonds were issued, consisting of $50, $100
and up to $500, at the legal rate of interest (seven per cent.)
This committee issued $1,098,350 in bonds, all of which were called
in within a few years thereafter. The interest on the same amounted
to $358,000. This generous action showed the determination of the
people to carry the war to a successful termination, no matter what the
cost might be.
A new phase was added to the general excitement of the war, which
partook somewhat of terror, when the news was received that thirty or
forty Confederates on Wednesday afternoon, October 19, 1864, nad
made a raid on the three banks at St. Albans, Vt, and after taking

THE FENIAN AFFAIR. 201
about $175,000, had mounted their horses, shooting right and left, kill
ing and wounding, as they fled for Canada. Following this came the
news that sixty thousand Southern refugees in Canada were organizing
raiding parties all along the frontier to burn and pillage the American
cities and villages near the line, their principal object being to draw the
Union forces away from the front in the South, as the southern armies
were at the time hard pressed.
The people in Ogdensburg, not feeling secure in their possessions,
especially of the banks, called a meeting to organize a force to protect
the place, and arrangements were made to form a company of home
guards. A dispatch received from Cornwall, November 3, left little
room to doubt that a hostile demonstration was intended by parties
from the other side of the line, and a large number of citizens were un
der arms that night. On the following day three companies of home
guards were organized, and some fifty or sixty men were detailed to
patrol the streets all night, and picket guards were placed along the
river and outskirts of the village. On the 12th of November the fol
lowing notice appeared in the Daily Journal :
Companies C and A of the Independent Home Guards (east of State street) will meet
for drill at the town hall, at eight o'clock this evening.
Also the following :
Another of the St. Albans raiders was taken at Waterloo, C. E., on Monday, No
vember 7, who had $2,000 of Franklin county bank bills in his possession.
November 9, the course of Judge Coursol, of Montreal, in granting
the application of Lieutenant Young, leader of the confederate raiders,
to be permitted to send to Richmond for evidence of his official status,
showed plainly that the prisoners were to be released. The case for
the prosecution of the St. Albans raiders was closed on Monday the
14th. Lieutenant Young then handed in a statement that he was a
commissioned officer in the confederate service, and the court decided
that the expedition was not projected in Canada. December 10, Gen
eral Fry, the United States provost marshal, gave orders to arrest per
sons of a suspicious character who were lurking around without any
particular business.
Early in December Major- General Dix issued the following general
order No. 97.
26

202 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The guilty St. Albans marauders have been released by the Canadian authorities,
therefore all military commanders on the frontier are hereby instructed, in case further
acts of depredation and murder are attempted, whether by marauders or persons acting
under orders from the rebel authorities at Richmond, to shoot down the perpetrators if
possible while bearing arms against United States authority, or if it be necessary to ac
complish their capture, to cross the boundary between the United States and Canada.
Said commanders are hereby directed to pursue them wherever they may take refuge,
and if captured they are, under no circumstances, to be surrendered, but are to be sent
to these headquarters for trial and punishment by martial law. Major General Dix.
The orders of Generals Dix and Fry gave a fresh impetus to the mili
tary spirit which had been manifested along the border, and the com
panies already formed in Ogdensburg were soon filled to overflowing.
Our people were in the right spirit to strike back in case they were as
saulted, being now clothed with authority to do so.
The passport system was now established, which prevented any per
son crossing from Canada into the States without having a permit from
the proper authority. A company of United States soldiers (from Mas
sachusetts) was stationed at Ogdensburg and quartered in the Parish
stone store, to enforce this order. This measure was somewhat embar
rassing to our citizens ; several were caught on the Canadian side, not
fully understanding the requirements, and were obliged to procure a
passport from the American consul at Prescott, at the expense of five
dollars, before they could again set foot on the American soil.
The following quotation from the New York Times, of December 16,
1864, clearly explains the necessity for such a measure:
So far as this country is concerned the case is in a nut-shell. If Judge Coursol's ac
tion in this case defines the position and action of the Canadian government, the south
ern rebels are quite at liberty to organize raids on Canadian soil against the United
States. That simply converts Canada, so far as this war is concerned, into rebel terri
tory, and our government, by General Dix's order, promptly declares its purpose to so
regard and treat it in case of necessity. In this position it will be heartily sustained by
the great body of the people.
The prompt action of our government and the display of such a mili
tary force along the frontier, brought the Canadian officials to their
senses, as the following correspondence of December 24 indicates:
As soon as the first recapture of the St. Albans raiders had been made, the Canadian
authorities at Quebec telegraphed to our government a statement of the facts, accom
panied by assurance that he (Young) had been dispatched in custody of a competent

THE FENIAN AFFAIR. 203
force to be delivered over to our government. This settles the vexed question which
has sprung up on account of the decision of Justice Coursol, and is an earnest assur
ance that the colonial government is determined to carry out all its obligations to our
people without regard to the sympathy of a few of its subjects or the ruling of petty
officials. Up to the latest, six of the marauders had been captured, including the lead
ers, Young and Burley.
The three Ogdensburg companies of home guards served without
pay, were well drilled and some of them were furnished by the State
with arms and ammunition of the most effective character. The banks
and a few individuals in Ogdensburg employed special watchmen.
These companies, not being sworn into the United States service, were
free to make their own rules and regulations for self-government. The
boys claimed that the many good and enjoyable times that they had,
such as disarming the pickets found asleep, and the mock trials of cer
tain characters when caught on a lark after certain hours, amply repaid
them for the fatigue of drill and night watching.
The regulation was this : that no person should be allowed on the
streets without a pass after a certain hour at night ; therefore all those
who were out without a permit or countersign, were sent to the guard
house, where they could stand or sit on the soft side of a bench until
relieved by the commanding officer in the morning. The tricks which
the home guards played upon each other, and occasionally on strangers,
were extremely amusing, and their soldiering in Ogdensburg may be
considered but little more or less than a grand farce.
In the following spring, when General Lee surrendered his army to
General Grant, on the 9th of April, 1865, the great Rebellion collapsed.
This virtually ended the necessity for further military action in Ogdens
burg. The home guards were soon after disbanded and the passport
system suspended.
Nations, like communities, have their likes and dislikes. In the case
of the two countries, the United States and Canada, having radically
different forms of government, separated only by an imaginary line, or
a narrow belt of water, the liability to invasion in times of great agita
tion by marauding bands creates a feeling of distrust in the settlements
along the borders. While the majority of the community on either
side have identical interests in the welfare and happiness of the people
in their respective territories, there are always a few malcontents found

204 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
in all communities ready to seize upon any opportunity to create strife
by aiding and abetting unlawful schemes. While they recoil from the
result of their own acts, they cunningly lead others into dangers for
which they themselves are responsible. The spirit of retaliation be
tween the United States and Canada, as manifested at this point, com
menced with the French and English war of 1754, and after the con
quest of Canada by the English it was continued by the tories who fled
from the States, to that country during the Revolutionary War. The
animosity engendered by the Revolution of 1776 was kept alive by the
war between the United States and Great Britian which began in 181 2,
and it apparently died out soon after peace was declared in 181 5.
During the political trouble in Canada in 1837-8 the refugees from
there found sympathizers among the more reckless class of people in
the States, who aided them to certain extent in carrying out their un
lawful designs. This feud stirred up a feeling of resentment among a
certain class of the English and Canadians, which feeling again cropped
out during the American troubles of 1861—65. The English favored
the South in a way that prolonged the struggle, at great expense of
blood and treasure, and the Canadian officials encouraged and shielded
the raiders after they had committed acts of violence on our northern
borders. The tables were soon turned, however, for as soon as the Union sol
diers had returned from the front, after General Lee's surrender, the
spirit of retaliation was made manifest through the Fenian movement
of 1886. Large numbers of our people were pleased to have the Fen
ians give the Canadians a big scare, but were not desirous of having
the movement carried any further, as will be seen in the following
account: Soon after the close of our civil war, rumors were set afloat that the
Fenians were raising money to assist in liberating "Ireland from British
rule. Canada was quite often alluded to as the first place to attack ;
very little notice was taken, however, of this talk. The country was
full of discharged soldiers, many of whom were roving about not hav
ing as yet settled down to steady employment, and prompted by the
spirit of retaliation, were ready for any emergency that might arise.
This condition of things was seized by the Fenian leaders as a favorable
opportunity to carry out their long cherished designs.

THE FENIAN AFFAIR. 205
During this period the Fenians had gathered through their secret
organizations a large amount of money and munitions of war, which
fact attracted very little notice from those outside of the brotherhood.
The movement appeared to have been general all along the line; but
by the vigilance of the United States officials it was squelched at the
time by the seizure of their arms at St. Albans, Rouse's Point, Malone,
Ogdensburg, Rome, Oswego, and other places, and by the raiders be
ing prevented from crossing into Canada.
It had been noticed that during the latter part of May, 1866, several
persons in Ogdensburg, not in trade, had received at different dates,
boxes marked "hardware" and "dry goods," which were quietly
stowed away ; also that several meetings were held in certain obscure
places without attracting very much attention.
The first bold movement of the Fenians in this vicinity was exhibited
on Friday, June 1, 1866, when twenty- five men with knapsacks, came
on the early train from Rome and halted at De Kalb Junction, then
passed on by way of Potsdam to Malone. Next came one hundred
and ten men from Rome, and arrived here on the noon train. They
brought the news that Fort Erie had been seized by the Fenians and
that the telegraph wires had been cut. A dispatch had been received
from Boston to the effect that a number of supposed Fenians had left
that city ticketed to Ogdensburg. The same evening, three cars, loaded
with boxes containing arms, and also a large number of men, passed
De Kalb Junation going to Malone. On the night train there was an
equal number of men and munitions of war, all destined for the same
place. D. M. Chapin, collector of the port of Ogdensburg, received the fol
lowing dispatch from U. S. Attorney W. A. Dart :
Have a military force in readiness to prevent any invasion that may be attempted
from Ogdensburg ; fire if necessary, be diligent.
Mr. Chapin issued orders to Captain Cornell, commander of the
United States revenue cutter Chase, then lying in the harbor, to get up
steam and keep in readiness to act on a moment's warning ; also to send
an armed boat to keep a vigilant watch of the ferry boats, and in case
any attempt to seize them was made, to signal the Chase, which should
use force if necessary to prevent a violation of the laws of neutrality.

206 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Saturday morning, June 2, news was received that 400 Fenians had
gathered at St. Albans, and that Major-General Sweeney, the reputed
commander of their forces in this quarter was with them.
All day Saturday every train coming from either way brought both
men and arms into Malone, where General Sweeney made his head
quarters. Saturday afternoon, E. W. Benedict, deputy U. S. marshal,
in obedience to orders, seized at the O. and L. C. depot, three boxes,
marked machinery, en route for Malone. On opening them the machin
ery proved to be arms. Each train from Rome brought from fifty to
one hundred and fifty men, who invariably went to Malone. Several
cars containing arms had been seized and detained by the United States
marshal between Rome and Malone.
On Monday, June 4, General Meade with 250 U. S. soldiers, arrived
in Ogdensburg on the noon train. The soldiers were quartered at the
town house (now academy) and at the Parish stone storehouse. Gen
eral Meade made the Seymour House his headquarters. In the evening
about 1 1 o'clock a large number of citizens, well sprinkled with Fenians,
the countenances of many of them being familiar to the general, gath
ered in front of the hotel, where a large bonfire was built, when Whit
man and Clark's minstrel band serenaded General Meade. He came on
the balcony, in full view of the crowd, and responded in a few appro
priate and pleasing remarks.
It now became evident that the Fenians intended to invade Canada,
as some of their number had already crossed the line at Fort Erie and
had had a brush at Ridgebay, where several were killed and some
taken prisoners ; therefore, great efforts were put forth to prevent a
similar occurrence here.
Several cars containing arms had been intercepted that day by the
marshal at De Kalb Junction and Richville stations ; also six or eight
Fenian officers, or leaders, had been taken in charge, sent to Ogdens
burg and confined a part of the time at the Seymour House. A por
tion of the arms had also been sent there for safe keeping.
The United States troops, sent here to enforce neutrality, were
thoroughly demoralized, and public sentiment seemed to be equally so.
A squad of forty soldiers was drawn up in front of the town house and
ordered to load with ball cartridges. Later they were sent on the

THE FENIAN AFFAIR. 207
evening train in charge of an officer to De Kalb Junction, to guard the
cars in that vicinity and to prevent the arms from being taken away ;
also to arrest any one who should attempt to interfere with them. The
next morning forty balls were picked up in Ogdensburg in front of the
town house, where the soldiers had loaded their guns, they having
quietly taken them from the cartridges and dropped them on the ground.
Encouraged by his fact a couple of leading Fenian sympathizers of the
place started out and notified some of their countrymen (farmers), who
with their teams drove to Richville that night and quietly carried away
the arms from two of the cars, while the guards were on the opposite
side, at a safe distance. It was reported by some of the teamsters that
after they had got under way they heard the report of one or two guns,
but did not hear the whiz of the balls. One of the wagons, having
broken down on the route near Brasher, the arms in charge of the driver
were secreted and left for the night. On their being discovered the
next morning two soldiers were detailed to guard them. About dark
that evening a farmer drove up to the place, having several lusty fellows
in their shirt sleeves with him, and saluted the sentinel thus:
"Sirs, weevs come to get them eare boxes."
The guard replied, " I cannot give them up without proper orders.
Show your authority." The farmer pointing to his chums replied :
" Be gorry them's my authority : Jem, take hold with all yez and
load on this dreffel quick and we'll be after going, or yiz '11 be late for
supper." The farmer's order was promptly obeyed, while the guards stood
dumbfounded and made no attempt to restrain them, reporting to their
superiors that they had been overpowered.
On the evening of the 6th of June the steamer Watertown, armed
with two big guns, and manned by the Garden Island naval brigade,
arrived at Ogdensburg She was engaged in patrolling the St. Law
rence River.
President Johnson issued a proclamation on the 6th of June against
the Fenian raiders, by virtue of which General Meade forbade the
transportation to the front, by railroad companies or any other public
carriers or persons, of any arms or munitions of war, to be used in aid
of any unlawful combination or enterprise. This proclamation had a
beneficial effect and allayed the excitement

208 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
It had been stated on good authority, that there were 5,000 Fenians
at that time scattered along the country between St. Albans and Clay
ton. For some three days there were about fifteen hundred of them in
Ogdensburg, depending, in a measure, on the citizens for food and
shelter, and it may be said to their credit, that during their stay no act
of violence or rowdyism could be laid to their charge. The only dis
orderly action committed during this excitement was by a drunken
soldier belonging to the department at the town house, who fired his
musket on Ford street with ball cartridge about 10 o'clock on Friday
night. The whistling of the ball was distinctly heard by several
persons. The Fenian officers held as prisoners, with most of the rank and file,
were sent away on Friday, June 8, in charge of a marshal and finally
released. We doubt if a single person, outside of Fenian circles, had
the least conception or suspicion of the power of the organization, or
the value and quantity of materials they had gathered for the purpose
of making war upon the British American provinces. The value of the
arms taken from them and brought to Ogdensburg is estimated at
$150,000, beside a vast quantity of small arms, ammunition, stores, etc.,
that were scattered among the sympathizers all along the route.
Up to the time of the president's proclamation, which killed the en
terprise, there was no abatement in the tide of action. In every part of the
border of the country the movement had commenced. Our people and
government for a time regarded the whole thing as a stupendous
swindle ; but that the leaders intended to fight, the large quantity of
arms and munitions, seized by the United States officials in various
parts of the country, furnishes the best evidence. If the object of the
leaders had been to further dupe the Irish people and obtain more
money, they would not have expended so much in the purchase of arms;
therefore, whatever we may heretofore have thought of the Fenians,
candor compels us to admit that those composing the Sweeney-Roberts
wing were at least sincere in their profession and really intended war.
Of course the whole affair from its conception to the moment when
the government put forth its strong arm to crush it, had been illegal in
design and criminal in execution ; yet, laboring under the belief that the
affair was devoid of sincerity, virtually all the people had indirectly en-

TELEGRAPH LINES. 209
couraged it. Therefore it was an exhibition of the greatest cowardice
to attempt to shirk the blame and responsibility and cast it upon those
who were arrested as leaders, when but for the encouragement of public
opinion, the Fenian raid would never have been attempted.

CHAPTER XVI.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, SOCIETIES, CIVIL LIST, STATISTICS, ETC.
Telegraph Lines and Companies— Telephone Line— St. Lawrence State Hospital —
Agricultural Societies — Dairymen's Association and Boards of Trade — Civil List —
Statistics of Population. TELEGRAPH LINES AND COMPANIES.
THE first telegraph stations along the line of St. Lawrence county
were established in the summer of 1849 at Prescott and Brock
ville. This line extended to all the principal cities and villages of Can
ada, as well as 'to those of the United States. These stations, though
situated in Canada, greatly accommodated the business men on this
side, and were much appreciated. The New York line was extended
from Watertown to Ogdensburg, by way of the old Military Road, in
the summer of 1 850, and an office was opened in the latter place, it be
ing the only station in the county that year. The Vermont and Bos
ton line was extended to Ogdensburg, by way of Rouse's Point, in the
following summer. This line was erected a part of the way along the
O. & L. C. Railroad, and the remaining distance along the highway.
A few years later telegraph lines were extended to all the principal
business places, and offices were opened throughout the county by The
Great Northwestern Telegraph Company of Canada. This line con
nects with the Great Western Line, which now does the greater part of
the business of the county.
There is also a line in operation which reaches the principal cities of
the country, but does not reach so many of the smaller towns. This
27

210 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
line is called The Postal Telegraph- Cable Company, and is connected
with the Commercial Cable Line.
The prices for messages to all parts of the country have been greatly
reduced since the introduction of the telephone lines.
TELEPHONE LINE.
A telephone line was set up at Ogdensburg in July, 1881, and used
to connect business places of the city ; it was well patronized. The line
was soon after extended to all the principal business places in the county ;
connecting with other lines in the adjacent counties and with many
places to which no telegraph lines have been erected.
THE ST. LAWRENCE STATE HOSPITAL.
The increase in the number of sick persons that are judged insane has
filled the various asylums of the State to the extent that it became
necessary either to enlarge the present buildings or erect others, in or
der to properly care for this class of unfortunates. This fact being
brought to the attention of the Legislature in the winter of 1885-86,
our member, Gen. N. M. Curtis, presented a bill, which became a law,
to the effect that a committee be appointed to locate an asylum site in
Northern New York, and to make a report of their findings for approval
at the next session of the Legislature.
During the summer of 1886 the committee made a thorough ex
amination of the various places in this northern territory, taking into
consideration the facility of procuring building materials, the quality of
soil, of water supply, and convenience of access. The majority of the
committee, for certain reasons, reported in favor of locating the asylum
at Plattsburg ; but the minority report, which embraced all the facts in
regard to the plant, etc., decided on a site just below Ogdensburg as
the most suitable place, all things considered.
Considerable discussion arose in the Assembly upon the two reports,
which were ably sustained by the friends of each from their respective
standpoints. At length the reports were taken before the Committee
of the Whole, and the matter was decided in favor of the present loca
tion, on the 1 8th day of May, 1887. An appropriation of $100,000 was

STATE HOSPITAL. 211
made for the purchase of the grounds, and something over $300,000 to
survey the same, to make drafts and plans for the necessary buildings,
and to commence the foundations for the same.
The first Board of Managers appointed by the governor were as fol
lows : Wm. L. Proctor, George Hall and John Hannan, of Ogdensburg ;
W. F. Porter, of Watertown ; James D. Tracy, of Canton ; George W.
Pratt, of Corning; Thomas Ryan, of Syracuse; Oscar M. Wood, of
Dexter ; James S. Thurston, of New York ; and George S. Weaver, of
Albany. The Board of Managers held a meeting at Syracuse on the
27th day of October, 1887, and organized by selecting W. L. Porter as
chairman and general manager ; George Hall as secretary ; and Wm.
J. Averill as treasurer of the institution.
The place selected was formerly known by the name of " Indian
Point," which was given it by the early "voyageurs " in 1673. It is
now called Point Airy. The farm commences within the city limits of
Ogdensburg, on its northern boundary, and extends down the river a
mile and a half, and one mile back, forming a compact tract of 950
acres, which cost the State $90,500. The front or central portion of
the tract extends into the river between two bays about two-thirds of a
mile, in the form of an ellipse, presenting nearly two miles of water
front, and at the upper part a bluff rises thirty to forty feet above the
river. The construction of the hospital buildings differs very materially from
the old style linear plans, such as were used in three and four story
buildings of former years. The buildings are constructed on what is
popularly known as " cottage " plan, each not to exceed two stories in
height. There are now (1893) three completed groups and several de
tached cottages, with the necessary outbuildings.
At the extreme point, projecting into the river, a wharf is built to ac
commodate boats in landing. A pump house has been built, with a
suitable engine for raising water for domestic purposes, and for fount
ains that will be placed at different points on the grounds. The water
is taken from the river a short distance from the shore where the cur
rent is quite strong, and forced up to a standpipe near the boiler
house, whence it is distributed by its gravity to the various places on
the grounds.

212 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The Central Hospital Group is located in about the center of the
point, or midway between the two bays and back from the river some
1,700 feet. The group consists of an administration' building, a one
story structure, containing medical offices, dispensary, laboratory, two
sun rooms, and transverse and longitudinal halls; two reception cottages,
two observation cottages, two cottages for convalescents, two cottages
for disturbed patients, therewith containing work rooms and sleeping
apartments for employees ; a one story structure for the accommoda
tion of thirty-five employees, comprising in all fourteen buildings, all
connected by corridors.
Infirmary Group No. 1 is situated northeast from the Central Hos
pital about 1,200 feet. The group consists of a separate building, two
stories high, for the accommodation of an associate physician and super
visor ; four one story pavilions, each containing a room thirty- six by
one hundred feet. On the east and west sides adjoining these pavilions
are two buildings two stories in height. North of the lobbies is a one
story structure containing two associate dining rooms. North of this
is a one story building containing kitchen and pantries. Still north of
the kitchen is a two story building, providing accommodations for forty-
five patients, also store rooms and dining rooms for help. There are
two additional infirmary buildings, two stories high, located at either
end of the dining rooms, connected therewith by circular corridors.
Adjoining each day room is a lavatory and bath room. There are two
detached buildings, two stories high, included in this group, one on the
east and one on the west of the main group, and adjacent to the other
buildings described. The whole group will comprise, practically, nine
teen buildings and three connecting corridors, and will provide accom
modations for assistant physician, a supervisor, 314 patients and forty
attendants. The Laundry Building is a structure situated one hundred feet south
of the Central Hospital. It is a one story structure of sufficient dimen
sions to do the laundry work for 2,000 people. It contains a wash
room, an ironing room, an engine room, a drying room, a room for sort
ing clothes and for storage of stock, and two rooms for water closets,
besides an engine room, a chimney and ventilating stack and ironing
chimney.

STATE HOSPITAL. 213
The Boiler House is situated back of the Central Group and south of
No. I Infirmary, on the branch railroad. In this plant is placed a bench
of boilers of sufficient capacity to warm all the buildings requiring heat,
also to furnish power to ventilate them. There is an electric plant built
in connection with the heating apparatus, furnished with an engine and
dynamos to light the grounds and buildings. There is also a workshop
connected with this group, wherein to make repairs, etc.
The Third Group is situated southwest of the Central and was built
similar to the other groups. The building was completed early in Jan
uary, 1893, and while the paint was drying it took fire and the whole
of the interior was consumed, also injuring the walls considerably by
discoloring them. An appropriation was made at once by the Legis
lature and the contract let to rebuild, which has been completed.
The design is to continue the work on the same plans and erect other
infirmary groups ; also a large amusement hall, and several detached
cottages for special purposes and for the help required in the various
departments, whenever necessity requires it.
The outer walls of the buildings are mostly of native blue limestone,
laid in broken ashlar, rock faced, backed up with stone and faced on the
inside with brick bonded in with stone, with a dead air space between
the outer and inner walls. The buildings are mostly trimmed with
Potsdam red sandstone. A few of the buildings are faced with the
Gouverneur marble and Potdam red sandstone. The interior division
walls of the basement are of stone masonry and laid in cement. All
the division walls above the basement are of brick, in which are flues for
heating the apartments ; also flues for removing the vitiated air. The
window jambs and all projecting angles are rounded, and all walls are
plastered with cement. No hollow spaces are formed between the floors
and ceiling, thus avoiding flues for conveying fire and contaminating
foul air. The stairs are wide, of easy grade, and located at convenient
points for safety of egress, and the work surrounding them is constructed
of fireproof materials. The roofs of the buildings are covered with the
best quality of black slate, and extend beyond the main walls over the
piazzas, forming roofs therefor. Great care has been taken in planning
the buildings so that they will be permanent, requiring but slight re
pairs for years to come. Every precaution has been taken in un-

214 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
derdraining and grading the grounds, and the buildings are so con
structed as to guarantee the best sanitary conditions possible to the in
mates. When the roads and walks are all laid out and properly worked,
through the native groves, and additional shrubbery grown around the
groups, they will provide many sheltered as well as sunny courts and
pleasant resorts for the patients, as well as their friends who may visit
them in years to come. Wide and extensive driveways with boulevards
are now being worked from the asylum grounds to the highway, which
are to connect with a similar road now being worked into the city,
and when completed will give the citizens a very pleasant driving
course. Friends from abroad and pleasure seekers who may visit Ogdensburg
with a view of going to the asylum grounds, can take the overland route,
either by stage, street car or private conveyance, or may take the little
steamer which, in the summer season, plies between the city and the
grounds at stated hours. By either conveyance the pleasure seeker
may take an airing and visit one of the most beautiful and comfortable
hospitals that is to be found in the United States^ or even in the world.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
In accordance with an act of April 7, 18 19, for encouraging and pro
moting agriculture and domestic manufacturers, a St. Lawrence County
Society was formed in 1822 and received from the State $100. The
election of officers was to be held on the fourth Tuesday of February of
each year, and the fairs held on the third Tuesdays and Wednesdays of
October in each year. The membership fee was fifty cents annually.
The fair was to be held at Canton, Potsdam and Madrid alternately.
The society was abandoned the second year.
A second society was formed at Ogdensburg February 4, 1834, with
the title of St. Lawrence County Agricultural Society. Not less than
two fairs were to be held annually at Ogdensburg ; membership fee, $1
annually. Its first officers were : George Parish, president ; H. Van
Rensselaer, Silas Wright, jr., and J. C. Clarkson, vice-presidents; Smith
Stilwell, secretary. At the first fair $227 were distributed among

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 215
thirty- seven competitors, principally on stock. This society also ex
isted about two years.
The general law of May 5, 1841, allowed the county $170 annually
for five years, and led to the formation of a third society, of which R.
N. Harrison was president, and a vice-president was appointed from
each town. The first fair held at Cantonn in October of that year dis
tributed $361 in sixty- six premiums. At the second year's fair $171
were paid to fifty-eight competitors, when the society disbanded.
In 185 1 a resolution was passed by the Board of Supervisors strongly
favoring another attempt to organize a county agricultural society, and
several meetings were held, when, on April 3, 1852, Henry Van Rens
selaer was chosen president ; H. Orvis, Jonah Sanford, and Hiram
Johnson, vice-presidents ; and Henry G. Foot, secretary ; membership
fee, $1 annually. The first fair of this society was held at Canton,
September 16 and 17, 1852, in the lower part of the village, on grounds
leased for five years, and enclosed by a high board fence. There were
396 entries for premiums, very many of which were highly creditable
to the county. The receipts were $1,274.81, and the premiums paid
were $299. In 1856 additional grounds were leased and the track ex
tended. In 1858 the leased grounds, containing thirty-eight acres,
were purchased for the society, on which permanent buildings have
been erected, consisting of floral, dining, vegetable and mechanical
halls, with sheds for stock, and a grand stand with a seating capacity of
about 4,000 persons, at a cost of about $15,000.
The St. Lawrence County Agricultural Society has continued to hold
fairs from three to four days in the month of September for the past
forty-two years, and the exhibitions have been a credit to the farms of
the county.
The early success of this society stimulated farmers in other parts of
the county to organize similar societies to encourage and develop stock
raising and agricultural products.
The Gouverneur Agricultural Society was organized in the year 1859,
and held its first fair in September of that year. The first grounds were
leased from the Averills for a term of five years. At the expiration of
their lease the society purchased of Benjamin Smith twenty acres of land
near the northern extremity of the village at a cost of $3,500. A half

216 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
mile trotting course was made, which is one of the best of its kind ; also,
suitable buildings were erected, sheds, etc., for the accommodation of
exhibitors, and a large grand stand which will accommodate about 3,000
persons, all being enclosed with a high board fence. The cost of the
grounds and buildings is about $10,000. The yearly attendance has
always been large, and the premium lists have been open to all, far and
near. No effort has been spared by the officers to make the fairs at
tractive, interesting and profitable to all.
The Raquette Valley and St. Regis Agricultural Society was organ
ized at Potsdam in the year 1870. Its operations are not restricted to
any particular town, but it receives its principal support from Potsdam
and the adjoining towns east and south. Its grounds, which are just
outside of the village, comprise about twenty acres of land. The trot
ting course, the buildings and other improvements appertaining to mod
ern fair grounds are said to have cost about $22,000. The association
pays annually upwards of $4,000 in premiums. The yearly attendance
at the fairs during the past twenty-three years has been as large or
larger than at any others in the county.
An agricultural fair and cattle show society was organized at Ham
mond about the year 1870. There being no railroad reaching the place
at the time, the fair was poorly patronized, and the society was given
up shortly after. An agricultural society was also organized about the
same time at Waddington, but for the same reasons as in Hammond the
society survived but a short time.
The International Agricultural and Mechanical Association was or
ganized in 1856, with A. P. Morse, of Hammond, president; Charles
Shepard, of Ogdensburg, secretary ; and George N. Seymour, of Og
densburg, treasurer. They negotiated with the Averills for the pur
chase of one hundred acres of land on the east bank of the Oswegatchie
River, about one mile south of Ogdensburg, by private subscription.
The grounds were rough and stumpy, but the tract was largely cleared
and leveled by " bees," or volunteer labor of farmers. Suitable build
ings were erected, including a grand stand, and a trotting course was
made. Annual fairs were held with good results until i860, when the
association, feeling the payments of interest and principal too much of
a burden, relinquished the grounds and dissolved the organization.

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 217
On the dissolution of the International Association The Oswegatchie
Fair Ground Company was organized and incorporated April 12, i860,
with a capital stock of $8,000, divided into 1,600 shares of $5 each,
with the privilege of increasing it to $15,000. The first directors were
George D. V. Seymour, William J. Averill, Peter McGregor, Chester
Dyke, and Charles G. Myers. The society after a few years was dis
solved. The Oswegatchie Agricultural Society was organized June 10, 1871,
and that year the Legislature constituted Messrs. D. C. Judson, A. B.
James, Z. B. Bridges, J. C. Houghton, and John Pickens superinten
dents of fair grounds, and authorized them to issue bonds of the town
of Oswegatchie to the amount of $15,000, and to apply the proceeds to
the purchase of grounds and the erection of buildings. In 1872 the
amount of town bonds was increased to $20,000, which were negotiated
at par. Twenty-seven acres of land, lying on the east side of the Os
wegatchie, in the south part of the city, and partly within the corpora
tion, were purchased for the sum of $7,500. The grounds were in
closed with a high board fence, and a half mile track was built, inclosing
a center which was leveled for a ball ground. The buildings erected on
the grounds consist of the agricultural hall, 62 by 32 feet ; a mechanics'
hall, 100 by 40 feet; dairy hall, 65 by 32 feet; floral hall, octagon
shape, 75 feet in diameter, with a gallery 18 feet in width ; a dining
hall, under the grand stand, 45 by 100 feet ; a kitchen, 18 by 36 feet;
two cattle sheds, each 300 feet in length ; a horse barn, 30 by 50 feet ;
office, 16 by 18 feet ; sheds, 26 by 50 feet ; wing, 26 by 36 feet ; sev
eral open pens for sheep and swine ; and a small dwelling for a janitor.
The expense of the buildings, improvements of the grounds and super
intending the same, consumed the balance of the money raised on the
bonds. The grounds are held in trust for the town by the superinten
dents, who rent them to the agricultural society, which was formed in
1871. The first officers of the society were : A. B. James, president;
J. D. Judson, treasurer ; A. E. Smith, secretary ; J. C. Houghton,
superintendent ; and T. N. Derby, marshal. The annual exhibitions
have been well patronized, and apparently the receipts would amply pay
expenses ; yet for the first seven years a deficiency was reported of
nearly $4,500, which was made up by contributions and assessments on
28

218 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
the life members. In 1890 the society went down, and the fairs have
been continued by private individuals, the town having voted the sum
of $500 to repair the buildings on several occasions since.
The St Lawrence County Dairymen's Association was organized Jan
uary 9, 1872, by the dairymen of the county, for the purpose of promot
ing the dairying interest. The first officers elected were : E. H. South-
worth, president ; J. H. Cook, treasurer ; A. T. Martin, secretary.
There was also named one person in each town as vice-president.
Meetings were held in some of the towns on the first Tuesday of each
month, and a general annual convention on the first Tuesday of Jan
uary, at which papers were read and addresses made on the general
dairying interest of the farmer. The membership reached at one time
one hundred and fifty, and after a few years the association was super
seded by a State organization of a similar kind.
The St. Lawrence County Dairymen' s Board of Trade was the out
growth of the Dairymen's Association, and is designed to be mutual in
its tendency, co-operative in its workings, and beneficial in its results by
producing a system by which each individual shall receive the benefits
of the combined whole. A meeting was held in the court-house at
Canton, November 9, 1875, when the subject of holding market days
was discussed, which resulted in the appointment of a committee, con
sisting of M. D. Packard, C. H. Brown, John May, Andrew Tuck, Hon.
G. M. Gleason, Lucius Crampton, Gen. N. M. Curtis, Marvin Holt and
H. L. Sweet, to make arrangements for the same. On January 5, 1876,
the committee reported to an adjourned meeting, and recommended the
establishment of a Board of Trade in the county. The following were
the officers elected: Hon. G. M. Gleason, president; H. W. Hale, vice-
president ; A. Langdon, treasurer ; and M. R. Wait, secretary. The
directors were L, Crampton, H. O. Sweet, O. H. Hale, O. C. Gillson, T.
Mayne, J. Thompson, and George H. Rowland.
A constitution and code of by-laws were adopted, locating the market
place at Canton ; the market was to be held on Fridays of each week
between the second Friday of May and the first in December of each
year thereafter. The membership fee was placed at one dollar per an
num, and non-members are admitted to the privileges of the salesroom
for a single day for fifty cents. Butter and cheese factories are admitted

BOARD OF TRADE. 219
to the privileges of the board and of the salesroom at five dollars per
annum. The sales of butter and cheese on this board have averaged
about three-fourths of a million dollars per annum up to the present
time. The Ogdensburg Dairymen's Board of Trade was organized April 10,
1880, with a constitution and by-laws similar to those of the county
board just described. A register is kept and a bulletin board arranged
in a conspicuous place in the room, upon which is posted all telegrams
and other information of interest received from the various market
places. Members have also the privilege of posting upon the register
a notice of all dairy and other produce which they may have for sale.
There are also posted the quantities of cheese and butter offered by the
factories and creameries represented on this board. The first officers of
the board were : Charles Wooster, of Hammond, president ; Charles
Ashley, of Ogdensburg, treasurer; W. B. Hutchinson, of Oswegatchie,
secretary. C. B. Herriman, of Ogdensburg, has held the office of presi
dent nearly every year since the first. It was through his suggestion
that a resolution was passed by the board, calling the attention of the
State Legislature to the necessity ot a State Dairymen's Association,
which was organized soon after and took the place of the county or
ganization. Cheese is the principal product disposed of on this board,
the sales amounting to about $350,000 per year.
Gouverneur Dairymen's Board of Trade was organized in 1878. H.
B. Keene was elected president, and held the office twelve years in
succession, with the exception of one year when absent, Hon. Geo. M.
Gleason was president. In 1882 efforts were made to establish a County
Board of Trade, to meet at Dekalb Junction when it was accomplished,
and meetings were held there about one year. After this proving a
failure, the Gouverneur board met at its old quarters in the village.
The board has been continued for the sale of both butter and cheese,
having similar rules and regulations as that of the county board. The
sales have been large, amounting in the aggregate to nearly half a
million dollars per year.

220

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

COUNTY CLERKS.

Louis Hasbrouck  March 1802
Alexander Richards  June 7, 1811
Louis Hasbrouck  March 3, 1813
Myrtle B. Hitchcock  March 4, 1817
Joseph York  July 6, 1819
Mytle B. Hitchcock  Feb. 24,1821
Myrtle B. Hitchcock  Nov. 1822
James G. Hopkins.  '' 1825
William A. Root  " 1831
Alvin C. Low  June 14, 1832
John Leslie Russell  July 8, 1843
Martin Thatcher  Nov. 1843

George S. Winslow  Nov. 1849
Benjamin G. Baldwin  " 1855
Mark W. Spaulding  " 1858
James F. Pierce  " 1861
Moses Rich  " 1864
John Miller  " 1867
Tiras H. Ferris  " 1870
Murray N. Ralph  " 1876
Alanson A. Matteson  " 1879
William R. Remington  " 1882
Thomas M. Wells  Jan. 1, 1889

COUNTY TREASURERS.

John N. Russell  Nov. 1848
Barzillai Hodskin  " 1854
Harvey N. Redway  " 1858

Milton D. Packard  Nov. 1875
Arnold E. Smith  " 1884
M. F. Saekett  " 1894

MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY.

Only one in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence.
Henry Coffeen  Jan. 28, 1806 Moses Kent .
Louis Graves, Jan. 28, 1808.
In St. Lawrence.
Alexander Richards  Jan. 17, 1809

.Jan. 27, 1807

Roswell Hopkins.
Roswell Hopkins.
Roswell Hopkins.
Roswell Hopkins.
Louis Hasbrouck . . .
David A. Ogden
William W. Bowen.
William W. Bowen.

30, 1810
29, 1811
27, 1812
12, 1813
25, 1814
31, 1815
30, 1816
14, 1817

St. Lawrence has two representatives.
Baron Steuben Doty  Jan. 2, 1827
Sylvester Gilbert  " " "
Moses Rowley  " 1, 1828
Jabez Willis  " " "
Jonah Sanford  " 6,1829
Harvey D. Smith  " " "
Jonah Sanford  " 5, 1830
Asa Sprague, jr  " " "
Joseph Freeman  " 4, 1831
Asa Sprague, jr  '' " "
William Allen  " 3, 1832
Edward Dodge  " " "
William Allen  " 1, 1833
Sylvester Butrick  " " "
Sylvester Butrick.  " 7, 1834
Jabez Willis  " " "

David E. Judson  Jan.
Joseph York  "
Joseph York  "
Joseph York  "
William H. Vining  "'
Nathaniel F. Winslow  "
Nathaniel F. Winslow  "
Jacob A. Vanden Heuvel.. . "
Baron Steuben Doty  ''

Preston King  Jan.
William S. Paddock  "
Preston King  "
William S. Paddock  "
Preston King  "
William S. Paddock  "
Preston King  "
Myron G. Peck  "
Myron G. Peck   "
Asa Sprague  '•
Zenas Clark  "
Asa Sprague  -  "
Zenas Clark  '¦
Solomon Pratt  "
Calvin T. Hulburd  .' .' "
George Redington  "

27, 1818
5, 1819
4, 1820
9, 1821
1, 1822
1, 1823
6, 1824
4, 1825
3. 1826

6, 1835
I! II
5, 1836
<< <i
3, 1837
i> i<
2, 1838
ii ii
1, 1839
U (t
7, 1840
u u
3, 1841
4, 1842
(f 11

CIVIL LIST.

221

Calvin T. Hulburd  Jan.
George Redington  ''
Calvin T. Hulburd  "
George Redington  "
Three representatives :
Phineas Atwater  Jan.
Henry Barber  "
Bishop Perkins  "
Charles G. Myers  "
John S. Chipman.  "
Benjamin Holmes  "
Harlow Godard  "
Justus B. Pickit  "
Noble S. Elderkin  "
Harlow Godard  ''
John Horton  ''
Noble S. Elderkin  •'
Smith Stilwell  "
John Horton  "
Noble S. Elderkin  "
Smith Stillwell  "
Benjamin Smith  "
Parker W.Rose  "
Barnabas Hall  ''
Benjamin Smith  "
Parker W. Rose  "
Barnabas Hall  "
Silas Baldwin  "
Levi Miller  "
Asaph Green  "
Silas Baldwin  "
Levi Miller  ''
Emory W. Abbott  "
Benjamin Squire  "
Daniel P. Rose, jr  "
Emory W. Abbott  "
Benjamin Squire  "
Erasmus D. Brooks  "
Harlow Godard  "
William Briggs  "
Oscar F. Shepard 
Harlow Godard  "
William Briggs  ''
Oscar F. Shepard  "
Charles Richardson  "
Edwin A. Merritt  "
Clark S. Chittenden  "
Charles Richardson  "
Edwin A. Merritt  "
Clark S. Chittenden  "
Elias P. Townsley  "
James Redington  ''
Calvin T. Hulburd  "
Elias P. Townsley  "

3, 1843
it (C
2, 1844

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1847 u

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4, U

1848

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1849 If

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1850 u

7,

1851

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1852

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1853

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1854

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1855 ii

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1856 it

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1857 it

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1858 tl

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1860

1, 1861

7, 1862
a ((

6, 1863

Asa L. Hazelton  Jan. 7, 1845
John L. Russell  " " "
Asa L. Hazelton  " 6, 1846
Bishop Perkins  '• " "
James Redington  Jan. 6, 1863
Abraham X. Parker  " " "
George Parker  " 5, 1864
James Rediirgton  " " "
Abraham X. Parker  " " "
George Parker  " 3,1865
James Redington  '' " :'
Daniel Shaw  " " "
George M. Gleason  '• 2, 1866
William R. Chamberlain  " " "
Daniel Shaw  " " "
George M. Gleason  " 1, 1867
William R. Chamberlain  " " "
Richard Bicknell  " " "
George M. Gleason  " 7, 1868
Julius M. Palmer  " " "
Alexander H. Andrews  " " "
George M. Gleason  " 5, 1869
Julius M. Palmer  " " ''
Alexander H.Andrews  " " "
George M. Gleason  " 3,1870
Julius M. Palmer  " " "
William Bradford  " " "
George Parker  " 2, 1871
Dolphus S. Lynde  " " "
William Bradford  " " "
Darius A. Moore  " 2,1872
Dolphus S. Lynde  " " "
Parker W. Rose  " " "
Darius A. Moore  •' 7, 1873
Dolphus S. Lynde  " " "
Parker W. Rose  " " "
Seth G.Pope  " 6, 1874
Dolphus S. Lynde  " " "
Jonah Sanford  " " "
Seth G. Pope  " 5, 1875
A. Barton Hepburn  " " "
Jonah Sanford ... . :  " " "
David McFalls.  " 4,1876
A. Barton Hepburn  " " "
Lewis C. Lang  " *' "
David McFalls  " 2, 1877
A. Barton HeDburn  " " "
Lewis C. Lang  " " "
George F. Rowland  •' 1, 1878
A. Barton Hepburn  " " "
Rufus S. Palmer  " " "
Daniel Peck  " 7,1879
A. Barton Hepburn  '' " "

222

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

Rufus S. Palmer  ; . . . .Jan.
Daniel Peck  ''
Worth Chamberlin  ''
Ebenezer S. Crapser  "
Daniel Peck  "
Worth Chamberlin  "
Ebenezer Crapser  "
Abel Godard 
Worth Chamberlin  "
George Z. Erwin  "
Abel Godard  ''
Morrell D. Beckwith  "
George Z. Erwin  "
N. Martin Curtis  •'
Morrell D. Beckwith  "
George Z. Erwin  "
N. Martin Curtis  '¦
Andrew Tuck  ¦'
George Z. Erwin  "
One representative :
George R. Maltby  Jan.

N. Martin Curtis  ..Jan. 5, 1886
Andrew Tuck  " " "
George Z. Erwin  " " ''
N. M.Curtis  " 1887
William H. Kimbal  "
M. H. Flaherety  " "
N. M. Curtis  " 1888
William H. Kimbal  "
M. H. Flaherety  " "
N. M. Curtis  " 1889
William H. Kimbal  "
William Bradford  "
George R. Maltby  " 1, 1890
John C. Keeler  " '• "
William Bradford  " " "
George R. Maltby  " 1, 1891
JohnC. Keeler  '
Lewis C. Lang  " " "

1, 1892 George R. Maltby  Jan. 1, 1893

1 1
6,

1880

(i

It

4, ft

1881

3,

1882

a

it

2,

1883

It

U

1, tl

1884 tl

Cf

it

6, It

1885

The population of the State of New York in 1880 was 5,082,871 ; in 1890 it was
5,997,853, an increase of 914,982. The population of St. Lawrence county in 1880 was
85,997 ; in 1890 it was 85,048, a loss in ten years of 949. In 1890 there were in the
county 42,476 males, and 42,582 females. Of these 35,648 males were American born,
and 6,818 males foreign born ; also 35,497 females American born, and 7,085 females
foreign born. Colored males, 60; colored females, 40.
Of school age, 5 to 20 : American born males, 12,674 ; females, 12,383. Of foreign
born males, 810 ; females, 835. Of colored males, 18 ; females, 20.
Of native males, white, between the ages of 18 and 44  14,272
Of foreign " " " " " "  2,860
Of colored males " " " "  30
Of native males 21 years and over  18,819
Of foreign born males, 21 years and over  5,896
Of colored males, 21 years and over  32

POPULATION.

223

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224 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Populations of the city and villages in St. Lawrence County :

(Dekalb)

Brasher Falls, village
Canton, "
Colton,
Richville, Gouverneur, " 
Hermon, " 
Madrid, " 
Massena, " 
Morristown, •' 
Ogdensburg 
1st Ward, in 1890  2,721 ]
2d Ward, "  3,324 i
3d Ward, "  2,295 [
4th Ward, "  3,322 J
Parishville, village 
Potsdam, ' ' 
Norwood, " 
Waddington, " 

1880

513
2,049 606339
2,071 522 761

397
10,341

496
2,762 1,221 977

1890

570
2,580 635
336
3,458 473 605
1,049 472
11,662

578
3,961 1,463 900

CHAPTER XVII.

CLOSE COMMUNION, OR SECRET SOCIETIES.

Lodges of Free and Accepted Masons — Royal Arch Masonry — Knights Templar —
Scottish Rite — Order of the Eastern Star — Odd Fellowship — Grand Army of the
Republic — Benevolent Organizations — Knights of Labor — Grangers.
To tell our own secrets is often folly ; to communicate those of others is treachery.
THE word " secret " is subject to various meanings, and is often ap
plied to organizations whose doors are closed to outsiders. A
society that does not conceal its name, time and place of meeting, its
membership, aim and objects, should not be classed with such as hide
these facts from the public and are only known to exist by some overt
act of their own.
The oldest and perhaps the most numerous and widespread of these
societies is the Masonic Order, which is too well known to require de-

MASONIC. 225
scription here, further then to give the dates and places of meeting of
each lodge in the county. The date of the origin of this order is un
known, but is considered to have existed from time immemorial. The
Grand Lodge of the State of New York was organized A. D. 1781, A. L.
578i. New Oswegatchie Lodge, F. and A. M., No. 520, English register,
was organized at " Fort la Presentation " (French Barracks), now Og
densburg, in 1787, while in possession of the British troops. The char
ter was granted to the officers who were stationed at that post at that
time to form a (military) lodge under the usual restrictions. Sergeant
Richard Porter was the officer in charge when the British evacuated the
fort, June 1, 1796, and no doubt was master of the lodge at the time
and carried the charter away with him.1
Northern Light Lodge, No. 11, organized at De Kalb, September 17,
1807. The history of this lodge differs from that of those following, as
the data of the latter were obtained from Grand Secretary M. L. Ehlers,
as found recorded in the archives of the Grand Lodge of the State of
New York. The Northern Light Lodge was not so recorded, but papers
were found among the records that indicated the organization about
the time stated, which leaves no doubt of its having been legally
formed. The writer, some thirty years ago, sat in open lodge with one
of its elder members, who said he had often rode on horseback twelve
miles through the woods by moonlight to attend the meetings. This
lodge must have ceased to work previous to 1825, as the name was ap
propriated by one at Stockholm. The charter was carried away by
some one, and a few years ago it fell into the hands of a Mason in the
West, who sent it to O. D. Barker, near Canton, who in turn gave it
in charge of St. Lawrence Lodge No. in, where it now remains. It
is a parchment, 10 by 12 inches square, with the following inscription
thereon :
Established under the Auspices of (Prince Edwin) at the city of York in Great
Britain, in the year of Masonry 4926 (967 years ago). The Most Worshipful, Hon. De-
witt Clinton, Esq., Grand Master; the Right Worshipful Martin Hoffman, D. G. M. ;
the Rt. W. John Wood, S. G. W. ; the Rt. W. Hon. Philip S. Van Rensselaer, J. G. W. ;
Do by these Presents Approve, Authorize and Empower our worthy Brother Solomon
1 The above information was obtained from Jno. H. Graham, past grand master of Masons of
Quebec, L. C.
29

226 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Rich to be the Master; Isaac Bunham, S.W. ; Joseph Woodhouse, J.W., to form and
hold at the town of Dekalb, in the county of St. Lawrence, to be distinguished as the
Northern Light Lodge No. 11.
Given under our hands and the seal of our Grand Lodge in the City of New York in
North America, this 17th day of Sept., a. d. 1807, a. l. 5807.
John Wells, Grand Secretary.
Hamilton Lodge No. 177 was located in the town of Madrid, now
Waddington, formerly called Hamilton. The warrant was dated March
1, 1809. The names of the first officers were not given, but the lodge
continued to work with fair success until the Morgan flurry, when it
ceased to meet, and in June, 1832, the warrant was declared forfeited
by the Grand Lodge. Amasa Pratt was the treasurer when the lodge
ceased to meet, and it was supposed that through fear of the jewels be
ing destroyed by the " antis," he secreted them. A few years later he
died and the matter was forgotten. About 1843, when the workmen
were digging a trench for the walls of an addition to the Hon. George
Redington's house, the jewels were found. Alexander Miller, a Roman
ist, purchased the jewels of the workmen for a trifle, and quietly disposed
of them to Bell Brothers, in Ogdensburg, for old silver.
St. Lawrence Lodge No. 186, located at the village of Ogdensburg,
in the town of Oswegatchie ; warrant dated September 6, 1809. Twelve
Masons joined in a petition to the Grand Lodge, which was recom
mended by the Northern Light Lodge at De Kalb, when the warrant
was granted with the name and number as above mentioned, naming
Palmer Cleveland, W. M. ; Bethuel Houghton, S. W. ; and John Tib-
bits, J. W. The lodge met in the old historic court-house, and con
tinued its meetings during the war times ofi8i2-i5. But owing to the
bitter persecution and excitement of the Morgan affair, at its regular
meeting of February 19, 1827, it voted to surrender its charter. The
lodge register showed a membership of fifty- seven, including some of
the best citizens of the place.
Benevolence Lodge No. 193, located at Hopkinton ; warrant dated Jan
uary 24, 181 1. The records show that the warrant was forfeited in
June, 1832.
Canton Lodge No. 325, located at Canton ; warrant dated September
11,1819. Forfeited in June,- 1835.
Northern Light Lodge No. 440, located at Stockholm ; warrant
dated June 8, 1825. Forfeited in June, 1832.

MASONIC. 227
Scotch Lodge No. 500, located at Rossie. The warrant was granted
June 7, 1827, just as the Morgan excitement was rising, which made it
difficult for the lodge to grow very much, and after two years it went
down. In October, 1832, it was revived and struggled for existence
two years longer, when they surrendered their charter in- June, 1834.
During the Morgan excitement, which lasted some ten or twelve
years, many lodges in the State surrendered or forfeited their warrants,
when the Grand Lodge renumbered the surviving ones. This accounts
for the discrepancy in numbers.
North Star Lodge No. 107 was located at Lawrence. A dispensa
tion was granted by the Grand Lodge on the 3d of September, 1844, to
Josiah F. Sanders, master; Otis Farrar, S. W. ; and Amasa Harring
ton, J. W., to run to May 15, 1845. It was extended to the same of
ficers at that date one year longer, when a warrant was granted June 5,
1846. This lodge was subsequently moved to Brushton, Franklin
county, where it now remains.
St. Lawrence Lodge No. m, located at Canton, was granted a war
rant June 10, 1846. The first officers were: Elijah Baker, master;
Daniel Mack, S. W. ; and Joseph Ames, J. W.
Ogdensburg Lodge No. 128, located at Ogdensburg. A dispensa
tion was granted in July, 1847, to George Guest as master; Sylvester
Gilbert as S. W. ; and Royal Vilas as J. W. A warrant was granted
to them on June 7, 1848.
Raquette River Lodge No. 213. A warrant was granted in June,
1851, to Joshua Blaisdell, master; Aaron T. Hopkins, S. W. ; and
Jehiel H. Hyde, J. W. Twenty-three petitioners asked for a charter.
Gouverneur Lodge No. 217, located at Gouverneur. A warrant was
granted June 9, 185 1, to Benjamin F. Skinner, master; Josiah Waid,
S. W. ; and William Holmes, J. W. Twenty Masons petitioned for a
charter. Grass River Lodge No. 312, located at Grass River (later Columbia
village), now Madrid. The warrant was granted June 16, 1853, to H.
B. Richardson, master ; Caleb Pierce, S. W. ; and H. K. Belding, J. W.
The lodge room and its furniture was destroyed by fire, and the war
rant declared forfeited June 9, 1881.
Black Lake Lodge No. 319, located at Edwardsville in the town of
Morristown. The warrant was granted to Jacob H. Bellinger, master ;

228 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Andrew Gray, S. W. ; and Abraham Klock, J. W., June 10, 1854.
Eight Masons petitioned for the charter. At the June meeting, 1876,
the Grand Lodge consented to the removal of Black Lake Lodge to
Hammond Corners, and in 1879 to a removal to Brier Hill, and in 1891
granted permission for the lodge to again move to Morristown village,
where it now remains.
Waddington Lodge No. 393, located at Waddington village, in the
town of Waddington (formerly Hamilton in Madrid). The warrant
was granted June 23, 1856, to John Peacock, master; Henry B. Proc
tor, S. W. ; and Leonard J. Proctor, J. W. Nine Masons joined in the
petition. Amber Lodge No. 395, located at Parishville. The warrant was
granted to Leavitt Hatch, master ; Samuel Lincoln, S. W. ; and Eben
ezer C. Culver, J. W. Nine Masons joined in petitioning the Grand
Lodge for the charter.
Norfolk Lodge No. 405, located at Norfolk village, in the town of
Norfolk; warrant dated July 7, 1856, naming Abram N. Thompson,
master ; Lloyd C. Yale, S. W. ; and Edward M. Shepard, J. W. War
rant suspended October, 1863; forfeited June, 1864.
High Falls Lodge No. 428, located at Colton. The warrant was
granted June 26, 1857, to Silas Hawley, master; Alonzo Squire, S. W.;
and John B. Willson, J. W. Seven petitioners for charter.
Wildwood Lodge No. 477, located at Edwards village in the town of
Edwards. The warrant was granted July 6, 1859, to Amos Newton,
master; Otis Earl, S. W., and Joseph Brodie, J. W. Eleven Masons
petitioned for a charter.
Deer River Lodge No. 499, located at Nicholville in the easterly part
of the town of Lawrence. The warrant was granted July 3, i860, to J.
F. Sanders, master ; Silas L. Slocum, S. W. ; and Warren Ives, J. W.
Ten Masons joined in the petition for a charter.
Hermon Lodge No. 500, located at the village of Hermon, in the town
of Hermon. The warrant was granted July 4, i860, to Azariah P.
Sherwin, master ; William D. Gilmour, S. W. ; and Edward F. Cheney,
J. W. Nine Masons petitioned for a charter.
Louisville Lodge No. 502, located at Louisville. The warrent was
granted June 6, 1861, to James Miller, master ; Justus Barrett, S. W. ;
and Levi Miller, J. W. The warrant was forfeited in 1865.

MASONIC. 229
Massena Lodge No. 5 [3, located at the village of Massena. The war
rant was granted June 19, 1861, to Martin G. Chamberlain, master;
Orson Davis, S. W. ; and W. L. P. Garvin, J. W. Seven Masons peti
tioned for a charter.
Brasher Lodge No. 541, located at Brasher Falls. The warrant was
granted June 10, 1864, to Henry F. Taylor, master; N. W. Barker, S.
W. ; and Chauncey Buck, J. W. Seven petitioned for a charter.
Russell Lodge No. 566, located at Russell. The warrant was granted
June 26, 1865, to Samuel V. Padget, master; Washington L. Derby,
S. W. ; and Smith Chase, J. W. Ten Masons joined in the petition for
a charter. Depeyster Lodge No. 573, located at Depeyster Corners, in the town
of Depeyster. The warrant was granted July 4, 1864, to Jacob H.
Bellinger, master ; William Perry, S. W. ; and Gates Curtis, J. W.
Seven Masons petitioned for a charter.
Elk Lodge No. 577, located at Hopkinton. The warrant was granted
July 8, 1865, to Henry M. Sprague, master; Lucius Lockwood, S. W.;
and John Herrin, J. W. Nine Masons petitioned for a charter.
Richville Lodge No. 633, located at Richville, in the town of De
kalb. The warrant was granted July 1, 1867, to Horace White, jr.,
master ; Carlos W. Lynde, S. W. ; and James Sanders, J. W. Eight
een Masons petitioned for a charter.
Oswegatchie Lodge No. 687, located at Fine. The warrant was
granted July 4, 1868, to Azariah P. Sherwin, master; Seth Curtis, S.
W. ; and Lorenzo L. Gay, J. W. Eleven Masons petitioned for a char
ter. What Cheer Lodge No. 689, located at Norfolk. The warrant was
granted June I, 1869, to David W. Branch, master; Levi P. Bedell, S.
W. ; and Josiah C. Mould, J. W. Fourteen Masons petitioned for a
charter. The furniture and warrant were burned in 1883. A dupli
cate warrant was granted them on June 3, 1885. The lodge voted to
move to Norwood, to which consent was given by the Grand Lodge in
June, 1893. Labor was resumed at Norwood the last week in Septem
ber following.
Acacian Lodge No. 705, located at Ogdensburg. The warrant was
granted June 19, 1870, to Charles H. Butrick, master ; James L. Ray-

230 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
mond, S. W. ; and Wm. L. Proctor, J. W. Twenty-three Masons
petitioned for a charter.
Fellowship Lodge No. 749, located at Rensselaer Falls. The warrant
was granted June 15, 1874, to John R. Mills, master; Frank B. Dor
othy, S. W. ; and Patrick McCormick, J. W.. Nine Masons petitioned
for a charter.
Gouverneur Masonic Temple. — This building, which is approaching
completion, is 54 feet in width, 100 feet deep, and four stories high.
The front is of Gouverneur marble laid in broken ashlar, and the sides
and rear of brick. The lower story is designated for stores ; the second
for a public hall and offices ; the third and fourth for Masonic purposes,
such as lodge room, banquet hall, drill chamber, library and the various
ante-rooms for the accommodation of the several Masonic bodies which
are to meet there. A commodious stairway leads from the center of
the front to the second floor, for the accommodation of the halls and of
fices. Other easy flights of stairs lead from the second floor to the
rooms above. The building is to be furnished with modern improve
ments and heated by steam. The structure will cost $20,000. A por
tion of this sum was contributed by members of the order and the re
mainder raised by loan. It is expected that the rentals of the stores,
offices and halls will pay the interest on the loan and in a few years
liquidate the debt, after which a portion of the income will be devoted
to charitable purposes.
ROYAL ARCH, OR ANCIENT CRAFT MASONRY.
This body is distinguished by grand and subordinate chapters. The
date of its origin is supposed to be at the time of the rebuilding of the
second Temple of Zerubbabel. The Grand Chapter of the State of New
York was organized in 1797.
St. Lawrence Chapter R. A. M. No. 24 was located at Massena. The
charter was dated February 9, 1809. The first officers' names were not
found, or brought forward. The convocations were continued until
January, 1821, when by vote of its members they resolved to move it
to Potsdam. The first convocation held at Potsdam was on April 4
following, where they continued to work until December 3, 1828, when
the charter was given up. On the application of several companions

MASONIC. 231
the Grand Chapter renewed the charter July 5, 185 1. The first convo
cation held after the revival was July 17, 185 1, and meetings have been
continued to the pretent time. Present officers (1893) are: Chapin W.
Hazelton, H. P. ; Harlan S. Perrigo, K. ; and Freeman H. Allen, S.
Ogdensburg Chapter R. A. M. No. 63, located at Ogdensburg. The
charter was granted February 5, 18 19, to Palmer Cleveland, H. P. ;
Sylvester Gilbert, K. ; and Amos Bacon, S. The chapter continued to
work until the 27th of December, 1827, when the officers were elected
and installed, but in consequence of the anti-Masonic feeling, the chap
ter closed its labors for a period of twenty- one years, having a member
ship of sixty- seven. At the annual convocation held at Albany, Feb
ruary 17, 1849, the Grand Chapter renewed the warrant, when labor
was resumed and has continued ever since.
St. Lawrence Chapter R. A. M. No. 132, located at Canton. The
warrant was granted February 3, 1848, to Elijah Baker, high priest;
Daniel Mack, king ; and Paul Boynton, scribe.
Elk Chapter R. A. M. No. 197, located at Nicholville. The war
rant was granted February 7, 1867, to Josiah F. Sanders, H. P.; Otis
Farran, K; and Reuben Jones, scribe.
Gouverneur Chapter R. A. M. No. 233, located at Gouverneur. The
warrant was granted February 3, 1869, to George B. Winslow, H. P. ;
A. C. Norton, K. ; and Wm. H. Bowne, S.
Royal and Select Masters. A warrant was issued at the meeting of
the Grand Council in September, 1893, to John McCarty, Thrice Ex
cellent Master ; Omer A. Hine, next, and M. Z. Gates, Capt. of, to
form a lodge at Gouverneur, N. Y.
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR.
The order of Knights Templar dates back to 1064 A. D., or the days
of the Crusades. In England an encampment was established at Bristol
by the Templars who returned with Richard I. from Palestine ; also, one
was established at Bath, and another at York. From these have ema
nated the existing encampments in the British Islands and in the United
States, which are lineal descendants of the ancient order.
St. Lawrence Commandery K. T. No 28, was organized under dis
pensation at Canton, in July 1858. The dispensation was granted to

232 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Darius Clark, E. C. ; William H. Sawyer, G. ; and Amasa O. Brown,
C. G. The dispensation was continued the second year, when at the
annual meeting of the Grand Encampment in September, 1859, a war
rant was granted them. On the 1 1 th of February, i860, the. records
were destroyed by fire. Again on August 5, 1870, the asylum was de
stroyed by fire, including the charter. A second warrant was granted
them in October, 1872, under which the commandery is now held.
Ogdensburg Commandery K. T. No. 54, located at the city of Og
densburg. A dispensation was granted on the 16th of January, 1873.
to E. M. Holbrook, E. C. ; Joseph Thompson, G. ; and N. M. Curtis,
C. G, and on July 8, following, J. B. Chaffee, grand lecturer, assisting,
the first conclave was opened and several members received into the or
der. At the annual conclave of the Grand Commandery, held at the
city of New York, October 15, 1873, a warrant was granted them, and
on December 18 following the commandery was instituted and the of
ficers installed. At the Grand Conclave held at Buffalo, N. Y., Sep
tember, 1893, a dispensation for a commandery was recommended to be
issued to D. G. Whitney, as E. C; John Webb, jr., as G, and Charles
McCarty, as C. G.
SCOTTISH RITE, OR ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE.
This rite is said to have been organized in France early in the eight
eenth century, and derived its title from claims made that it was origin
ally instituted in Scotland, which claims are not fully established. It is
next to the York Rite. The administrative power of the rite is depos
ited in Supreme Councils of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General.
The Scottish Rite consists of thirty- three degrees. The first fourteen
degrees are conferred in a body called a Lodge of Perfection, which in
cludes the three Blue Lodge degrees. The fifteenth and sixteenth de
grees are conferred in a body called a Council of the Princes of Jerusa
lem. The seventeenth and eighteenth degrees are conferred in a body
called a Chapter of Princes of Rose Croix The nineteenth up to the
thirty-second degrees inclusive are conferred in a body designated as a
Consistory of Princes of the Royal Secret, but the three last are con
ferred as the proxies of the Supreme Council. The Thirty- third, or
Sovereign Grand Inspector General, — this degree is given in a body

ODD FELLOWSHIP. 233
called the Supreme Council, which is the administrative head of this
rite. St. Lawrence Lodge of Perfection was organized at Potsdam under
dispensation, October 9, 1888. Charter granted September 19, 1889.
It was removed to Canton, November 24, 1890, where it now remains
in working order.
A Council of the Princes of Jerusalem, and a Chapter of Princes of
Rose Croix, was granted by the Supreme Council of the Ancient Ac
cepted Scottish Rite for the Northern Jurisdiction, convened at Chicago,
September 19, 1893, to be formed at Ogdensburg, N. Y. On the 14th
of November, the two bodies were duly instituted and the officers
installed. ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR.
This is what may be called a side degree, having only the resem
blance of Masonry. The order was originated by a nobleman in France
about 1770 It was placed under the care of an individual Mason, but
is outside of Masonic jurisdiction. Mothers, wives, sisters and daugh
ters of Masons are eligible to receive the degree ; also Master Masons.
The order was introduced into the United States shortly after its or
ganization, but its headway has been slow and unsteady.
Si. Lawrence Chapter No. 60, located at Depeyster, was organized
about 1887.
Empire Chapter No. 68, located at Canton, was organized June 6,
1888. Maple City Chapter No. 71, located at Ogdensburg, was organized
by dispensation February 12, 1889, and a warrant granted in June fol
lowing. Parish Chapter No. 91, located at Parishville. Warrant was granted
June 6, 1893.
Marble City Chapter No. 92, located at Gouverneur. Warrant
granted June 6, 1893. ODD FELLOWSHIP.
This order is of comparatively recent origin, and started in England
abgut 1750. At first it was considered only as a " take-off " on the
30

234 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Masonic order, who at their banquets addressed each other as jolly good
fellows. Therefore in order to be distinguished from the Masons, they
dropped the words jolly good, and substituted the word "odd." Hence
the title, Odd Fellows.
Odd Fellowship in the United States dates from the following cir
cumstances: Thomas Wilder, a blacksmith, and four of his companions,
who had received the degrees of Odd Fellowship in England, organized
a lodge in Baltimore, Md., April 26, 1819. Not being invested with
authority from the grand body of Odd Fellows in England, they acted
independently, and therefore named it Washington Lodge No. 1 of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
The following lodges of I. O. O. F. have been organized in St. Law
rence county :
Ogdensburg Lodge No. 273 (since No. 98) instituted February 24,
1847. Mastaqua Lodge No. 274, located at Potsdam. Instituted March 23,
1847.* St. Lawrence Grand Convent Lodge No. 43, located at Canton, June
27, 1848.*
Ouriga Lodge No. 319, located at Madrid. Instituted August 6,
1848.* Norfolk Lodge No. 243, located at Norfolk. Instituted August 22,
1849.* River de Grass Lodge No. 425, located at Canton. Instituted Jan
uary 29, 1852.*
Deer River Lodge No. 434, located at North Lawrence.*
St. Regis Lodge No. 453, located at Stockholm.*
Gouverneur Lodge No. 325, located at Gouverneur.
Brier Hill Lodge No. 470, located at Brier Hill, Morristown.
Norwood Lodge No. 486, located at Norwood, Potsdam.
Excelsior Lodge No. 548, located at Potsdam.
Elijah White Lodge No. 590, located at Ogdensburg.
De Kalb Lodge No. 617, located at De Kalb Junction.
Lawrenceville Lodge No. 619, located at Lawrenceville.
Winthrop Lodge No. 620, located at Winthrop.
* Lodges that have been disbanded.

BENEVOLENT ORGANIZATIONS. 235
Canton Lodge No 635, located at Canton.
Ogdensburg Encampment I. O. O. F., located at Ogdensburg. Insti
tuted in 1861.
Ogdensburg Company of '" Cantons," located at Ogdensburg. Uni
formed. The membership was fifty- three in 1890.
Degree of Rebekah I. O. O. F., located at Ogdensburg. It was insti
tuted April 30,. 1 89 1.

St. Jean Baptiste Society was organized at Ogdensburg March 3,
1873 ; incorporated June 10, 1875. Eligibility: The applicant must be
in good health, between the ages of sixteen and fifty years, of French
extraction, and a communicant of the Roman Catholic church and
promise to remain such. The entrance fees are from two to five dollars,
according to age ; dues $3 per year. A weekly benefit is paid to a
sick member, and at death a casket is furnished, and the widow or
friends draw $200. GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
Soon after the close of the civil war the officers and soldiers who
served in the Union army felt the necessity of an organization, whereby
they could be brought into closer and more fraternal relations with each
other. Therefore the Grand Army of the Republic was created, and
charters were granted to local posts throughout the United States.
A post, No. 71, was organized at Ogdensburg December 17, 1867.
Other posj:s have been organized in St. Lawrence county from time to
time as follows : At Gouverneur, Potsdam, Canton, Norwood, Massena,
Hermon, Morristown, Waddington, Edwards, Parishville, Nicholville,
North Lawrence, Heuvelton, Colton, and Richville.
BENEVOLENT ORGANIZATIONS.
There are various mutual benefit associations in the county, as fol
lows :
The Northern Tier Masonic Relief Association, organized May 3, 1872,
at Ogdensburg.
Odd Fellows Funeral Aid Society, organized at Ogdensburg in 1870.

236 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Young Men's Catholic Union, organized at Ogdensburg, January 13,
1884. Royal Arcanum, organized at Ogdensburg, June 23, 1877.
Ancient Order of United Workmen. A branch was organized at Og
densburg, July 16, 1888.
Foresters. A lodge was organized recently in Ogdensburg, and two
or three lodges in other towns in the county. Most of these organiza
tions have a ritual and pass words,
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
It is claimed that the object of this organization is to educate and
direct the power of the industrial classes. The first organization was
effected at Reading, Pa., July 4, 1878, which became the highest trib
unal of the order in the United States, and grants charters to local as
semblies. Local Assembly No. 1916 was founded at Ogdensburg in May, 1882,
with 700 charter members.
Local Assembly No. 9544 was organized at Gouverneur in 1884, with
200 charter members.
Local Assembly No. 1003 was organized at Parishville in 1886, with
fifty charter members. GRANGERS,
An organization chiefly composed of farmers, whose object, apart
from sociability, is to dispose of their products at the highest market
price and to purchase their supplies at the lowest rates or wholesale
prices, without paying percentage to middlemen. There are some nine
teen lodges of Grangers in St. Lawrence county,

ANCIENT RELICS. 237

CHAPTER XVIII.
ANCIENT RELICS.
Evidences in St. Lawrence County of Pre-historic Occupation — Trench Enclosures —
Mound near Ogdensburg — Nature and Uses of Implements Found— Theories Concern
ing the Mound Builders.
""^"HE "American Physician" says, "it has been asserted that all
1 animals tend to deteriorate in this country " — the western conti
nent. " Archaeologists give abundant proof that successive races had
peopled the western continent before our own occupied it." Professor
Shaler is satisfied that this continent is far inferior to the Old World in
its capacity of sustaining a dense population.
For many years after the settlement of this part of the country by the
white people it was very common to 'find on or near the surface of the
ground along the shores of the St. Lawrence and its tributaries, the
broken remains of rudely formed pottery, such as pots, images and pipes,
mortars, pestles, arrow and spear heads, axes, chisels, gouges and or
naments of various kinds. These implements were made of clay, stone,
flint, jasper, chalcedony, shale, shells and bone. The Aborigines, or
Indians, who inhabited the land on its discovery by the Europeans,
were in possession of similar implements, which were used by them, in
connection with the bow and arrow, in the chase and on the war path.
During the surveying and settling of this part of the country there were
discovered what are usually termed defensive trench-enclosures. There
were several such enclosures known to have existed in St. Lawrence
county, which locality appears to have been a favorite haunt of these
builders, as evinced by the remains of their rude implements and orna
ments scattered through the soil.
One of these enclosures was found in the Black Lake settlement ; an
other in the town of Macomb near the State road. In and around them
were found beds of ashes, fragments of pottery, pipes both of clay and

238 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
stone with short clumsy stems, two to three inches long, a heavy mas
sive bowl and a small cavity. In the town of Potsdam, on the road
leading to Norfolk, situated on an elevated ridge, was a remarkable en
closure. The form of this work was to have been semi- circular, the
open side resting on a swamp to the west, and with several open spaces
or gateways occurring at irregular intervals. The ditch, which was ex
terior to the bank, appears to have furnished the earth for the breast
work, which was on the inside of the trench and enclosed about two
acres. >When discovered, pine stumps were standing on the bank four
feet in diameter, and beds of ashes have been found under their roots,
mingled with broken pottery, flint arrow-heads, and other relics of the
builders. In the town of Massena, about half a mile west of Raquette
River bridge, and on the western declivity of a slope, have been traced
the outlines of a work which differs considerably from the others de
scribed, and was by far the best preserved. Its form is irregular, being
somewhat like an ox bow, with its open side toward Raquette River
and with numerous spaces or openings, more especially on the southern
side. The open side is in part protected by a ditch, which is not con
nected with the main work, being, separated from it by a considerable
interval on each side. The relics furnished by the soil in this vicinity
do not differ essentially from those of other places. The stumps were
of immense size, standing on the banks and in the ditches, clearly in
dicating that many centuries have elapsed since these stations witnessed
the events for which they were formed. Not far from this work was
found a pipe, formed of whitish steatite, or soap stone, having on its
bowl and stem the figure of a serpent, curiously wrought, with its head
raised a little above the level of the bowl. The figure of the serpent has
been used by savages of all nations, apparently without the knowledge
of each other, and this has given rise to the opinion that it originated in
some religious nation, and that it is symbolical of some idea inherent in
the human mind. Among the mounds in Ohio, in the township of
Adams, there is a most noted work that represents a huge serpent. The
structure is built on the surface of the ground with stone and covered
with earth. The head is seventy feet long, the neck seventy-five feet,
and the entire length eleven hundred and sixteen feet. The whole fig
ure represents a serpent uncoiling itself and gliding towards a frog sit-

ANCIENT RELICS. 239
ting upon the point of a spur, and just as it is in the act of seizing it,
the frog ejecting an egg into the serpent's mouth. " It maybe inferred
that here is a representation of phallic worship, the frog representing
the creation, the egg the productive, and the serpent the destructive
power of nature."
Two mounds were discovered near St. Regis village, in 1818, by Col
onel Hawkins, United States boundary commissioner, and were found
to contain human bones, beds of ashes, stone implements, and various
kinds of ornaments. On the opposite shore of the St. Lawrence, in
making the canal around the rapids, a mound was dug through which
disclosed relics of copper, stone implements, and various ornaments.
Among the latter was a mask of the human face in terra cotta or earthen
ware, which seemed to have belonged to some image.
A mound was discovered below the city of Ogdensburg, on the State
Hospital farm, in the fall of 1888, by the workmen when grading the
bed for a branch railroad running to the grounds. The mound was sit
uated about ten rods south of the boiler house, and was something over
one hundred feet in diameter at its base, gradually rising in an oval
shape to its summit, which was six feet above the grade of the road
bed. On three sides of this mound was a strip of low ground, or what
may be termed a wide ditch, which has in the course of time been
filled with debris. To all appearance the mound has been considerably
flattened by time and cultivation, and many centuries must have elapsed
since it was used for the purpose for which it was designated, as large
pine stumps were standing on it. The mound being opened to the
depth of the road-bed, there were found in the center six pot- shaped
cavities, three feet across and about two feet deep, filled with sand and
thoroughly mixed with red ochre. The cavities were equi- distant from
each other, forming a circle about twenty feet in diameter. Around
the outside and parallel with this circle, some twenty feet distant, were
what appeared to have been fire-pits, or altars, at short intervals from
each other, containing ashes, charcoal (which by time had dissolved to
dust), and what appeared to be decomposed bones. In these pot-
shaped receptacles were found various kinds of implements, such as
hatchets, axes, spear and arrow-heads, chisels, fleshers or bark peelers,
gouges and other curiously shaped articles. The hatchet and spear-

240 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
heads were made from a fine quality of flint, the other implements were
made of chalcedony, jasper, green stone, and brown hematite. The
hatchet, though made of flint, had a clean cut handle eye through it,
an expanding, thin cutting edge, or bit, and a hook- shaped head. All
the articles were beautifully fashioned, especially the hatchet and spear
heads, which show that the work was performed by skillful hands. It
was supposed by those present that the implements were Indian relics,
as similar ones had occasionally been picked up on the ground. Most
of them were carried away, yet some of the articles 'and a portion of the
ochre were left with the asylum managers, who retained them as curi
osities. No special effort was put forth to investigate the place in search
of further relics. It is probable if a thorough examination had been
made beneath the circle containing the ochre pots, still more interesting
facts might have been developed. The workmen making this discov
ery did not suspect that they were on historic grounds, further than that
it was known to have been the site of an Indian village, which at some
time had no doubt been the scene of strife and blood-shed, nor were
they conscious of having disturbed one of the sacred retreats of a pre
historic race, whose tears of joy and of sorrow may have been shed over
the ashes which now serve only as a witness of their former presence.
The writer, shortly after, on being informed of the discovery and the
nature of the relics, made a personal visit to the place, and learned from
Superintending Architect Aiken all the facts connected with the dis
covery, and concluded that the mound and the articles found therein
were not the work of the natives, but that of a pre historic race known
as mound-builders, and in order to fortify himself in that conclusion he
wrote to J. B. MacLean, author of a work on " Mound Builders," who
has had great experience in examining the mounds in the west ; gave
him a description of the place and the various kinds of implements and
the red ochre found in the cavities; also mentioned the trench enclo
sures in this county. Prof. MacLean's opinion was, that this mound be
low the city and the various trench enclosures were the work of mound-
builders. He stated that red ochre had been found in a few mounds in
Ohio. He also replied to the query as to the mound builders being a
race of giants (which seems to be the prevailing opinion), but he stated
that his experience in exhuming skeletons had been to the contrary,

ANCIENT RELICS. 241
and so far as he had been informed, the human race has not diminished
in size from the earliest days of man.
It is evident, from the numerous mounds and other structures in Ohio
and in various other parts of the country, that at some remote period
this continent was occupied by a more civilized and powerful race than
the Indians, who were in possession of the land when discovered by the
Europeans. The construction of their works proves that they had con
siderable engineering skill. The square, the circle, the ellipse and the
octagon are all used in their structures and the proportions are always
perfect. Many implements and ornaments of copper and silver, besides
the ordinary implements of stone heretofore mentioned, were found in
their mounds. There must also have been a large quantity of such im
plements scattered over the country, which were picked up and appro
priated by the Indians, as they were not known to have manufactured
stone or metal implements, but only crude earthen ware and a coarse
quality of arrow points. The Indians are too roving, impatient, and
slothful to raise mounds, or spend the time required in such persistent
and hard labor as is necessary to acquire the skill for producing stone
implements. Flint or flinty stone is not hammered to shape. The
process used by the mound-builders in working such material is sup
posed to be as follows. First, the stone is pressed by lever-power into
shape as near as may be, then gradually heated to a certain degree
(overheating destroys it) and with a bush or twig having a pithy heart,
the operator dips the small end into cold water and applies a drop to
the part of the stone or flint he wishes to reduce. The cold water com
ing in contact with the heated surface of the stone, causes it to contract
so suddenly that a thin scale flies off. In this way the stone, under
skillful hands, is slowly brought to the desired shape. It is said that
no pure flint is found in America suitable to make the delicate spear
heads, hatchets, and ornamental work, such as are found in the mounds
of this country. The pure flint, which this work seems to have been
made of, is found in the chalk beds of Europe, and it is reasonable to
presume either that the finer quality of the mound-builders' imp'ements,
or the flint that they were made from was imported to this continent.
The-theory that the flint or the implements came from Europe goes to
strengthen the one advanced in the early part of this work as well as
31

242 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
by scientists and others, that the two continents were formerly one, and
the transportation of such implements or stone was made overland, as
the people of that day with such rude appliances could not construct
suitable crafts in which to cross the ocean.
The question naturally arises, in what period of the world's history
did the mound-builders occupy this country? In absence of recorded
facts we must base our conclusions to a certain extent oh theories in
harmony with such evidence as we have. Written history is supposed
to have commenced about the latter part of the Bronze, or the com
mencement of the Iron Age. Early history treats of bronze implements
which were in use in various parts of European countries, but it is silent
as to the western continent ; hence, the continents must have been sep
arated long previous to the commencement of written history. Taking
all evidence and theories on the subject into consideration, the mound-
builders must have occupied a country during the latter portion of the
first Epoch or the Stone Age, which at one time may have embraced
the greater part of Europe, as the same kind of implements, made from
the same materials were found buried in the ground and in the rubbish
of caves on both continents.
The discovery of copper tools and ornaments in some of the mounds
on the western continent, is good evidence that the mound-builders
were just entering upon the second Epoch, or the Bronze Age, at the
time they were cut off, or disappeared from the land in which they
dwelt. By the testimony revealed upon opening the mound at the State Hos
pital grounds, we are stimulated to search the pages of the past, that
speaks to us from hieroglyphics and fragmentary symbols, for light that
shall connect these mound-builders with the early Hindoos. The posi
tion of the red ochre pots so peculiarly placed within the fire altars on
either side, has a similarity to certain symbols of an ancient order in
India. It may be inferred that these imperishable articles were de
signedly used in this peculiar figure to show to future generations their
knowledge and their connection with that ancient Hindoo order. There
is still to be seen a subterranean temple, containing many relics of the
early Hindoo, which is situated in the city of Allahhabad, occupying a
point where three rivers unite. There are engraved on the massive

THE COURTS AND THE BENCH AND BAR. 243
stones in the walls symbols of the order and dates from an extremely
remote period. These emblems have been kept and transmitted from
one generation to another, and attest the fact, if fact it be, " that the
great architect of King Solomon's temple derived much of his mystic
lore from this institution."
Sublime truths were set forth in the language of allegory and meta
phor, which came down the stream of time to the Egyptians, and from
them to the children of Israel, by which it appears that the latter had
a full knowledge of the symbolic meaning of the red or scarlet cord.
(See Joshua, chap. 2). This cord Rahab displayed in a peculiar form
in her window that the army of the Lord, in passing seven times by her
dwelling, might see and understand what had been promised her.
Therefore, the red ochre, symbolically displayed in the mound below the
city, may have a significant meaning reaching back to a remote period
in the history of the human family.

CHAPTER XIX.
THE COURTS, THE BENCH AND THE BAR OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Origin of our State Laws — The Original Courts — The Court of Appeals — The Supreme
Court — Justices of the Fourth Judicial District — Court of Common Pleas — Judges and
Justices of the Court of Common Pleas — The County Court — County Judges — The
Surrogate's Court — District Attorneys — Sheriffs — Biographical.
WHILE it is true that the judicial system of the State of New York
is largely copied from the common law of England, it is also
true, as will be apparent upon a close study of the laws and practice
here, that the system is in many respects an original growth. This is
strikingly manifest in the simple manner of entitling a criminal process.
In this State it is the people against the criminal ; in England it is Rex
versus the criminal. In the one there is an independent judiciary,
responsible to the people only; in the other there is a court sub
servient to the king.

244 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The great principle of the sovereignty of the people, even over our
laws, has had a slow, conservative, yet progressive and systematic
unfolding into the present system. In the early history of the State
the governor was, in effect, the maker, interpreter, as well as the
executor of the laws. He was the chief judge of the court of final
resort, while his councillors were commonly his subservient followers.
The execution of English and colonial statutes rested with him, as did
also the exercise of royal authority in the province ; and it was not
until the adoption of the first constitution in 1777, that he ceased to
contend for these prerogatives and to act as though the only functions
of the court and councillors were to do his bidding as servants, while
the Legislature should adopt only such laws as the executive should
suggest and approve. By the first constitution the governor was
entirely stripped of the judicial power which he possessed under
the colonial rule, and this power was vested in the lieutenant-governor
and the Senate, and also in the chancellor and justices of the Supreme
Court ; the former to be elected by the people, the latter to be
appointed by the Council. Under this constitution there was the first
radical separation of the judicial and the legislative powers and the
advancement of the judiciary to a position of a co-ordinate depart
ment of the government, subject only to the limitation consequent
upon the appointment of its members by the Council. This restriction
however, was soon felt to be incompatible, though it was, not
until the adoption of the constitution of 1846 that the last connec
tion between the purely political and the judicial parts of the State
government was abolished, and with it disappeared the last remaining
relic of the colonial period. From that 'time the judiciary became
more directly representative of the people. The development of the
principle of responsibility of the courts to the people, from the time
when all of its members were subservient to the beck of an irresponsible
master, to the time when all judges, even those of the court of last
resort, are voted for directly by the people, has been one of the remark
able features of our government.
A brief review of the history of our courts, past and present, shows
that their system embraces the idea of administering justice by, first,
a trial before a magistrate and jury — arbiters respectively of law and

"nf b> " -fSC- CarnphsJ. ¦'-

&tsZs

THE COURTS AND THE BENCH AND BAR. 245
fact — followed by a review by a higher tribunal of the facts and law, and
ultimately of the law by a court of final resort. Besides the original
court for the trial of impeachments and the correction of errors, pro
vided for in the constitution of 1777, perpetuated in the constitution of
1 82 1, and abolished by that of 1846, the first constitution recognized
the supreme court of the judicature, which was reorganized in 1778, the
judges being appointed by the Council of Appointment. The Court of
Exchequer was a branch of the Supreme Court, the same as it existed
during the colonial period, and was reorganized in 1786, "for the better
levying and accounting for fines forfeitures, issues and amercements,
and debts due to the people of the State." It was abolished in 1828.
Circuit courts were established April 19, 1786, to be held by justices of
the Supreme Court in the various counties. Under the second consti
tution the circuit courts were held by circuit judges, appointed by the
governor, there being then eight circuits in the State. The constitu
tion of 1846 abolished the circuits as they then stood and provided for
the holding of the Circuit Court by the justices of the Supreme Court.
Courts of Oyer and Terminer were provided by an act passed February
22, 1778, to be held by the justices of the Supreme Court at the same
time with the Circuit. Two or more of the judges and assistant judges
of the court of Common Pleas, in the respective counties, were to sit in
the Oyer and Terminer with the justice. Under the constitution of
1821 the Oyer and Terminer was held by the circuit judge. The Court
of Probates was created in 1778, by the act of March 16, which divested
the governor of the powers he possessed during the colonial period in
the Prerogative and Probate Courts, and transferred them to the judge
of the Court of Probates, except in the appointment of surrogates. In
1787 surrogates were empowered to be appointed. This court had
appellate jurisdiction over the Surrogates' Courts, and it was abolished
in 1823, its jurisdiction being transferred to the chancellor. Our surro
gates and their powers, as they at present exist, will be noticed a little
further on. The Court of Common Pleas was continued from the
colonial period by the first constitution, and under that instrument had
a large number of judges, as high as twelve being on the bench at the
same time in some counties. By an act of March 27, 1818, the office
of assistant justice was abolished and the number of justices limited to

246 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
five, including the first judge. The court was continued without
material change by the second constitution and expired with that instru
ment in 1847.
The constitution of 1846 provided for the following courts : A Court
of Impeachments to take the place of the former tribunal of that
nature, and composed of the president of the Senate, the senators and
the judges of the Court of Appeals, or a majority of them.
The Court of Appeals, organized at first with eight judges, four
chosen by the people for eight-year terms, and four selected from
the class of justices of the Supreme Court having the shortest time to
serve. By the article in relation to the judiciary, framed by the con
vention of 1867-8, and adopted by the people in November, 1869, the
Court of Appeals was reorganized, making it to consist of a chief judge
and six associate judges, to hold their office for fourteen years. It is in
constant session in Albany, except as it takes recess upon its own
motion. It has full power to correct or reverse the decisions of all
inferior courts when brought before it for review. Four judges must
agree to render judgment; if four do not agree the case must be
reargued, but no more than two hearings can be had, and when four
judges do not concur, the judgment of the court below stands affirmed.
Upon the reorganization of this court in 1869, its work was far in
arrears, a fact which led to the establishment in 1870 of a Commission
of Appeals, which continued until 1875, and possessed substantially the
powers of its sister court and designed to relieve the latter. In 1888
the Legislature passed a concurrent resolution that section 6 of article 6
of the constitution be so amended that upon the certificate of the Court
of Appeals to the governor of such an accumulation of causes upon
the calendar of that court that the public interests were suffering by
the delay in their adjudication, the governor might designate seven
justices of trie Supreme Court to act as associate judges for the
time being of the Court of Appeals, and to form a second division of
that court, and to be dissolved by the governor when the pressure
on the court proper was relieved. This amendment was ratified by
the people of the State and led to the appointment of the present
second division of the Court of Appeals.
The Supreme Court, as it now exists, is a combination of very
diverse elements. The Court of Chancery (organized 1763, and con-

THE COURTS AND THE BENCH AND BAR. 247
tinued with some modifications until 1846), the Court of Exchequer,
(before described), the Court of Oyer and Terminer, the Probate Court,
the Circuit Court and the Supreme Court proper, have all contributed
elements to build up this important branch of the judiciary system.
The last union of these elements was made by the constitution of
1846, when the old Supreme Court and the Circuit Courts were com
bined. In the early part of the present century the Supreme Court of
the State consisted of five justices. It had been the practice to hold
four terms each year, two in Albany and two in New York. But
previous to that time and in the closing years of the last century,
through the establishment of the circuit system it was enacted that the
judges should, during their vacations, hold courts in the various
counties of the State, and return their proceedings to the Supreme
Court when it convened again, where they should be recorded and
judgment rendered. A few years later the system was simplified by
dividing the State into four judicial districts. To each of these districts
was assigned a judge whose duty it was to hold circuits in each of the
counties therein at least once in each year. This circuit system is very
similar to the one now followed, except that our Special Term is substi
tuted for the Court of Chancery. After the constitution of 1821 the
State was divided into eight judicial districts, each being provided with
a circuit judge, in whom were vested certain equity powers subject to
appeal to the Court of Chancery, while the Supreme Court proper held
much the same position as the present General Term. In 1846 the new
constitution abolished the Court of Chancery, as before stated, and gave
its powers to the Supreme Court.
Justices of the Fourth Judicial District. — Amaziah B. James, Ogdens-
burgh, two terms from January 1, 1853, to December 31, 1869; Will
iam H. Sawyer, Canton, appointed to fill vacancy December 26, 1876,
term expired December 31, 1877 ; Charles O. Tappan, Potsdam, Jan
uary 1, 1878, to January 1, 1891, when he was succeeded by Lester
W. Russell, of Canton.
The system of local judicature has also changed to correspond with
that of the State at large. The old Court of Common Pleas, organized
contemporaneously with the colonial Court for the Correction of Errors
and Appeals, has given way to the County Court. In St. Lawrence

248 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
county, it will be seen by reference to the act erecting the county (see
Chapter X of this work), the first Court of Common Pleas was to be held
on the first Tuesday of June, 1802. On that day Judge Nathan Ford
appeared at the old barracks in Oswegatchie, with the sheriff, Thomas J.
Davis, and the clerk, ready for business. No associate justices appeared
and the court was adjourned to five o'clock of the following day. Between
that time and Saturday at ten o'clock there were three dailyadjournments;
but on Saturday there was a full bench, as follows : Nathan Ford, first
judge; Alexander J. Turner, judge; Stillman Foote, of Canton, and
John Tibbits, jr., assistant justices. Matthew Perkins was admitted to
the bar before this court. Louis Hasbrouck signed the record as
clerk. The second term of the court was held November 9, 1802, with
the same persons presiding with the exception that Joseph Edsall
appeared in place of Stillman Foote. The term beginning in Novem
ber, 1804, was held in the court house in Ogdensburg. At the term
of 1805 a license was granted to John Fulton to run a ferry across the
St. Lawrence River, between his house on lot No. 21, in Massena, and
the house of George Barnhart, in Canada, and also to run a ferry across
the Grass River.
The following persons held the position of first judge of this court :
Nathan Ford, 1802 to 1820. David A. Ogden to 1824. John Fine to
1825. David A. Ogden to 1829. John Fine to 1838. Horace Allen
and John Fine from 1843 unt>l the adoption of the new constitution
1846). The office was then made elective and at a special election in
June, 1847, Edwin Dodge was chosen, and re-elected in 185 1.
Those who held the office of judge down to 1845 were as follows,
with the dates of their appointment : Alexander J. Turner, Joseph
Edsall, March 10, 1862; Russell Attwater, Benjamin Raymond, Alex
ander Richards and Joseph Edsall, April 8, 1803 ; Roswell Hopkins,
March 27, 1 8 10; Russell Attwater, Benjamin Raymond, Alexander
Richards, Roswell Hopkins, Robert Livingston, David A. Ogden,
March 6, 1811 ; David A. Ogden, Robert Livingston, June 5, 1812;
Russell Attwater, Alexander Richards, Roswell Hopkins, Benjamin
Raymond, David A. Ogden, Robert Livingston, April 5, 1814; Russell
Attwater, Alexander Richards, Robert Livingston, Thomas J.
Davies, N. F, Winslow, April 15, 1815 ; Russell Attwater, Robert

y£/Vi~l^is^y

stg^/^C^lSlrisi^C*^

THE COURTS AND THE BENCH AND BAR. 249
Livingston, T. J. Davies, J. Fenton, A. Richards, March i,
1818; Amasa Hackley, jr., Jason Fenton, Robert Livingston, Ansel
Bailey, Smith Stilwell, January 24, 1823 ; Robert Livingston, J. Fen
ton, Smith Stilwell, Ansel Bailey, March 28,1828; David C. Judson,
Jabez Willes, Asa Sprague, jr., Chauncey Pettibone, March 29, 1829;
Minot Jenison, January 10, 1832; Minot Jenison, January 13, 1837;
Zenas Clark, March 27, 1835 ; Minot Jenison, January 21, 1837; Edwin
Dodge, George Redington, Phineas Attwater, March 19, 1845.
(According to Mr. Hough this latter list may be incorrect, as James
Averill, appointed judge of the Court of Common Pleas, 1840, Anthony
Brown and Isaac R. Hopkins are known to have filled the office at
some period.)
Assistant Justices. — By appointment, Stillman Foote, John Tibbits,
jr., March 10, 1802; Luke McCracken, Robert Livingston, Daniel W.
Church, March 5,1806; Daniel W. Church, Stillman Foote, April 8, 1808 ;
John Tibbits, jr., Luke McCracken, Charles Cox, Daniel W. Church,
Stillman Foote, David Ford, David Robinson, Reuben Ashman, March
16, 1811; Charles Cox, June 5, 1812; Daniel W. Church, John
Tibbits, jr., Stillman Foote, David Ford, Daniel Robinson, Reuben
Ashman, April 5, 1814; Reuben Ashman, Jason Fenton, D. W.
Church, Richard Townsend, Zephaniah French, Timothy Pope, John
Polley, Charles Hill, Caleb Hough, jr., April 15, 1815 ; Caleb Hough,
jr., Moses A. Bunnell, John Lyttle, Reuben Streeter, N. F. Winslow,
March 16, 1818.
The old Court of Common Pleas has given way to the present County
Court for which the constitution of 1846 provided the election in each
county, except the city and county of New York, of one county judge,
who should have such jurisdiction in cases arising injustices' Courts and
in special cases as the Legislature might provide; but should have no
original civil jurisdiction, except in such special <:ases. It has also
equity jurisdiction in the foreclosure of mortgages, the sale of real
estate of infants, partition of lands, assignment of dower, satisfaction of
judgments, whenever seventy-five dollars or more is due on an unsatis
fied execution, and the care and custody of lunatics and habitual
drunkards. The act of 1869 continued this jurisdiction and gave the
court original jurisdiction in all cases where the defendants reside in
32

250 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
the county and in which the damages shall not exceed $1,000. The
term of office of county judge was originally four years, but was ex
tended to six years, upon election of successors to the incumbents then
in. office, the new tenure beginning January I, 187 1. The following
persons have held the office of county judge in St. Lawrence county :
Edwin Dodge, June, 1847, to December 31, 1855 ; William C. Brown,
January 1, 1856, to December 31, 1863 ; Henry L Knowles, January
1, 1864, to December 31, 1871 ; Charles O. Tappan, November, 1871,
to December, 1877 ; Leslie W. Russell, November, 1877, to December
31, 1883; John M. Kellogg, November, 1883, to the present time.
The constitution of 1846 provided that two justices of the peace, to
be designated by law, should be associated with the county judge to
hold Courts of Sessions, with such criminal jurisdiction as the Legisla
ture should prescribe. Special judges are elected in counties to dis
charge the duties of county judge when required. The following have
held the office of justice of sessions in this county: 1847, Joseph
Barnes, James C. Barter; 1849, Joseph Barnes, C. Billing; 1850, Jos.
Barnes, Silas Baldwin; 185 1-2, Joseph H. Beard, Silas Baldwin, (who
held through 1853-56, with others whose names are not obtainable);
1857-58, Harlow Godard, Joseph Barnes; 1859, Silas Baldwin, Joseph
Barnes; i860, Silas Baldwin, Roswell Hopkins; 186 1, O. D. Edger-
ton, Harlow Godard; 1862-64, O. D. Edgerton, Silas Baldwin; 1865,
Silas Baldwin, W. Tanner; 1866, W. E. Tanner, Harlow Godard;
1867-68, Silas Baldwin, George G. Simons; 1869-70, Silas Baldwin,
A. S. Tucker; 1871-2-, Silas Baldwin, James Miller; 1873-5, Silas
Baldwin, W. P. Smith; 1876, A. S.Tucker, Rufus K. Jackson; 1877,
Cornelius Carter, A. S. Tucker; 1878, Cornelius Carter, George
Backus. Special County Judges. — 1854-55, William H. Wallace; 1856-57,
William H. Sawyer; 1858, Edward Crary; 1858-9, Harvey D. Smith;
i860, Edward H. Neary ; 1 86 1-3, Edward Crary ; 1864-6, Samuel B.
M. Beckwith; 1867-75, Edward H. Neary ; 1876-79, Vasco P. Abbott ;
Gerrit S. Conger, present special judge,
The Surrogate's Court has undergone less change during its history
in St. Lawrence county than any of the others. In the early times,
even before the Dutch supremacy in this country was displaced by the

THE COURTS AND THE BENCH AND BAR. 251
English, there had been a short-lived Orphan's Court. The English
introduced the Prerogative Court, which was in turn superseded by
the Court of Probates after the Revolution. Surrogates were then
appointed in each county, having much the same powers as at present,
from whose judgment appeals to the Court of Probates lay. This was
the system down to 1823, when the Court of Chancery took the place
of the Court of Probates, as to appeals, the office of surrogate remain
ing as before. The Surrogate's Court in this county first convened
April 28, 1805, with Mathew Perkins as surrogate. On that occasion
the will of Ezekiel Colburn was proven by Elisha W. Barber and David
White, witnesses, and admitted. On the 24th of August of the same
year, the will of John Harris was admitted. The first intestate estate
in the county was presented to that court and administration granted
thereon in 1806 ; it being the estate of Royal Chapman, of Madrid, and
Stephen Eldridge was appointed administrator. Mathew Perkins, the
first surrogate, died, and his estate was administered upon by his suc
cessor, Andrew McCollom. The surrogates of the county have been
as follows: Mathew Perkins, 1802 until his death ; Andrew McCollom,
1809 to 1813; Gouverneur Ogden, 1813 to 1820; Silas Wright, jr.,
1821 to 1823; Horace Allen, 1824 to 1840; James Redington, 1840
to 1844; Charles G. Myers, 1844 to 1847; Benjamin B. Baldwin, 1847
to 1855 ; James Redington, 1856 to 1859; Harvey D. Smith, i860 to
1863; Stillman Foote, 1864 to 1877 ; D. A. Johnson, 1878 to 1883 ;
V P. Abbott, 1883 to January, 1893; John A. Vance, 1893 to the
present time.
District Attorney. — This office has undergone considerable change.
Early in the century the State was divided into seven districts, for each
of which there was an assistant attorney- general. The present office,
as distinct from the attorney-generalship, was created in 1801. Since
181 8 each county has had its own district attorney, the name being
preserved in its original form. The district attorneys who have held
the office in this county are as follows: Amos Benedict, Samuel
Whittlesey, Amos Benedict, Jesse L. Billings, and Ela Collins, while
Lewis and Jefferson counties were united in one district with St. Law
rence county. Since 18 18 John Scott, who was succeeded by Bishop
Perkins; John W. Grant, 1840; Wm. A. Dart, 1845. When the office

252 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
became elective, Charles G. Myers was the first incumbent, elected in
June, 1847, and re-elected in 185 1, served to 1853; Thomas V. Russell,
1854-60; B. H. Vary, 1861-69; Leslie W. Russell, 1870-72; J. R.
Brinkerhoff 1873-1878 ; L. C. Lang, 1878-1885; Charles A. Kellogg,
1 885-1 894; Ledyard P. Hale, present incumbent.
The sheriffs of this county, with the terms of service, have been as
follows: 1802, Elisha Tibbitts; 1 803-6, Thomas J. Davies ; 1807-10,
John Boyd ; 181 1-1 3, Thomas J. Davies ; 1814-17, Joseph York; 1818-
25, David C. Judson; 1826-28, Levi Lockwood ; 1829-31, Minot Jeni
son; 1832-34, Lemuel Buck; 1835-37, Jonathan Hoyt; 1838-40,
Luman Moody; 1841-43, Benjamin Squire; 1843—46, Noble S.
Elderkin; 1847-49, Josiah Waid ; 1850-52, Henry Barber; 1853-55,
Reuben Nott; 1856-58, Paine Converse; 1859-61, Shubael R. Gurley ;
1862-64, Lorenzo Chamberlain; 1865-67, Edward J. Chapin; 1868-
70, William E. Tanner; 1871-73, William H. Walling ; 1874-76, Ed
ward J. Chapin; 1877-79, Orson O. Wheeler; 1880-82, Alexander
Mathewson; 1883-85, Lorenzo Smith; 1886, L.Bailey; 1887-89,0.
O. Wheeler; 1889-92, E P. Backus, and Loren H. Wilson to present
time.1 BIOGRAPHICAL.
Benjamin G. Baldwin. — He was born in Bradford, Vt., and died at
Potsdam Junction (Norwood) January 21, 1873. (See history of the vil
lage of Norwood in later pages.) Mr. Baldwin was prepared for college
at academies in Bradford and Hartford, Vt., and graduated from Dart
mouth college in the class of 1826. After a brief period of teaching he
began the study of law in White Creek, N. Y., and removed to Potsdam
village in March, 1828. There he finished his studies with Horace
Allen, and was admitted to the bar in 1832. He practiced with Mr,
Allen, with William A. Dart, or alone, until the fall of 1850, when he
took charge of the station on the new Northern Railroad at what is
now Norwood. There he founded the present village on land that
largely belonged to him. In June, 1847, ne was elected surrogate, and
was re-elected in 185 1. January 1, 1856, he began a three years' term
1 The reader will find an account of the several court houses and jails, as well of other county
buildings and institutions, in earlier pages of this history.

feyaJS T<fa*_

THE COURTS AND THE BENCH AND BAR. 253
as clerk of this county, requiring his removal to Canton. Returning to
Potsdam Junction at the close of his term he there passed the re
mainder of his life. In the spring of 1867 he was appointed register
in bankruptcy of the congressional district comprising the counties of
St. Lawrence and Franklin. He married in August, 1833, Mary Ann
Lamghier, who died in October, 1835. He married in October, 1837,
Emeline Lamphier, sister of his first wife. Mr. Baldwin's life was a
beautiful example of Christian benevolence and good will to his fellows,
and his life work was imbued with honesty and uprightness. These
added bright lustre to his reputation as a lawyer.
John Fine. — This pioneer in St. Lawrence county was born in New
York August 26, 1794 He entered Columbia College in 1805 and
graduated in 1809, and afterwards studied law and attended law lec
tures at Litchfield, Conn. He settled in St. Lawrence county in 181 5
and formed a partnership with Louis Hasbrouck. In 1824 he was
appointed first judge of the county and was continued such by reap
pointment until March, 1839. In the fall of 1838 he was elected to
Congress. In 1844 he was again appointed first judge and held the
office until the adoption of the new constitution, 1847. During his
long career on the bench only three of his decisions were reversed. In
1848 he was elected to the State Senate. Judge Fine received the
degree of A.M. from Columbia College in 18 12, and that of LL.D.
from Hamilton. In 1847 ar,d 1849 he was nominated for judge of
the Supreme Court, but was unsuccessful. From 1821 to 1833 he was
county treasurer. He was a man of very high attainments, and in the
various benevolent movements of his time he was among the foremost.
He died January 4, 1865.
Silas Wright. — This illustrious citizen of this county was born in
Amherst, Mass., May 24, 1795, and was taken by his parents while an
infant to Weybridge, Vt. After an academic course he attended and
graduated from Middlebury College. Having studied law with Henry
C. Martindale at Sandy Hill, N. Y., he was in 18 19 licensed to practice
as an attorney in the Supreme Court, and in that year settled in Canton.
Here he soon acquired a good law practice and gained the esteem of
his fellow citizens and public confidence. He was appointed surrogate
in 1 82 1, and was made postmaster of the place; he also held other

254 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
town offices and passed by promotion through several grades of military
position to that of brigadier- general. As a magistrate he discouraged
litigation, and as a lawyer he was especially eminent for his success in
drawing from witnesses the statements bearing upon cases, without
touching their feelings by rudeness or satire. His arguments were
always lucid and logical, and carried conviction to the hearer. In all
public affairs he took an active interest. He became prominent in
politics, and in the fall of 1823 his friends, without his knowledge, pre
sented his name to the Republican Convention of the Fourth Senatorial
District, at which he was unanimously nominated by them. His vote
in the county was 1,419, and that of his opponent 20. While in the
Senate at that and the following sessions, Mr. Wright assumed from
the first a conspicuous and influential position. In 1826 he was elected
to Congress, and was made a member of a committee which had im
portant work bearing upon the then leading questions of tariff At the
next congressional election he was defeated through the omission of
"jr." in his name on some of the ballots. Early in 1829 he was
appointed comptroller and held the office until 1833, when he was
chosen United States senator, taking his seat in that august body at
the early age of thirty eight. He was re-elected in 1837. At the
National Convention of 1844 the nomination for vice president was
tendered him, but he declined. In 1842 he declined the proffered
nomination for governor, as he had also that of the office of judge in
the United States Supreme Court. In 1844 he was nominated for
-"governor and elected. In 1846 he was defeated for the same office.
At the close of his official term Mr. Wright returned to Canton and
engaged in practical agriculture, an occupation for which he had
especial fondness. Among the names of many eminent citizens who
have left their record in this county, that of Mr. Wright stands
perhaps at the head. His biography forms the third volume of Ham
mond's Political History of New York. Mr. Wright died suddenly in
the summer of 1847, Just after accepting an appointment to deliver an
address before the State Agricultural Society.
David A. Ogden was a son of Abraham Ogden, who was a lawyer
of Newark, N. J., and was the eldest of twelve children. After the death
of their father, David A. and Thomas L. Ogden, brothers, became

THE COURTS AND THE BENCH AND BAR 255
owners of the lands of the town of Madrid, one-third of which they
sold in 1803 to Joshua Waddington. David A. Ogden studied law
with his father, settled in New York and began practice with his brother.
They formed a business connection with Alexander Hamilton, which
gave them prominence and terminated with the memorable duel in
which Hamilton was killed. Mr. Ogden continued the practice of law
in New York until 181 2, when he retired and carried out a cherished
plan of settling on the island opposite the village of Waddington. There
he carried on farming and rural employments. He was elected to Con
gress, 1817 19, and held the office of first judge of the county 1821 24,
in which positions he won the confidence and esteem of his fellow citi
zens. His death occurred at Montreal, June 9, 1829, at the age of
sixty years.
Thomas J. Davies, one of the pioneers in the judiciary of this
county, although not a lawyer, was a native of Washington, Conn., and
came here in 1800, taking up a farm eight miles from Ogdensburg, on
Black Lake. He soon took an active part in public affairs. He was
the first acting sheriff, 1 803-6, and 181 1-13 ; and also held the office of
county judge for a time. He was a Democrat in politics. Judge
Davies died on his farm April 18, 1845.
Nathan Ford was one of the early settlers of the county. He was a
native of Morristown, N. J., born December 8, 1763. In early life he
secured the confidence of some of those who had become interested
in the lands of Northern New York and came hither on a tour of
exploration. He was appointed first judge of the county and held
the office many years. In politics he was a Federal. He died -in
April, 1829, after a life of usefulness. (See town history of Oswe
gatchie). Louis Hasbrouck — He was one of the'early attorneys who attained
prominence; was born at New Paltz, Ulster county, N. Y., April 22,
1777, and was educated in Nassau Hall, Princeton, graduating in Sep
tember, 1797. He studied law in New York and was admitted at
Albany in 1801. While at Albany he met Judge Ford, who persuaded
him to settle in Ogdensburg. which he did and was appointed first
clerk of the county, which office he held through two long periods. In
Ogdensburg he practiced law until his death and was intimately asso-

256 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ciated with its growth and prosperity. He was a man of the highest
rectitude, modest and unassuming, he was respected and beloved by
all. In 1832 he was elected State senator, and was a member of that
body at the time of his death, August 20, 1834.
Roswell Hopkins — Born in Amenia, N. Y., in May, 1757; was a
Revolutionary soldier, settled in Arlington, Vt, and at the time of the
early settlements in this county, he removed to a large tract of land in
Hopkinton, and was one of the foremost citizens in promoting the
growth and advancement of this region. He was appointed a judge
of the Court of Common Pleas in 1800, and held it during a later term.
He was elected to the Legislature four successive years, 18 10- 13, and
honored the office with integrity and ability. He died September 5,
1829. David C. Judson was not a lawyer, but held distinguished position
on the bench in this county. He came with his father to this region
and settled on Black Lake. In 181 1, when Thomas J. Davies was
appointed sheriff, Mr. Judson undertook the performance of the duties
of that office for him, in the territory east of the east line of Canton
and Lisbon. For this purpose he located at Hamilton, now Waddington.
In 18 1 8, he was appointed sheriff. Adhering to Mr. Clinton in the
division of Democratic politics, he was removed from the office upon
the triumph of the Bucktails in 182 1. He was at once nominated and
elected to the State Senate. Under the new constitution in 1822 all
legislative and judicial offices were vacated, and Mr. Judson declined
renomination. Identifying himself prominently with the movement for
the removal of the county seat, he was elected to the Assembly in
1 8 18 largely on that issue. From 1829 to 1840 he was one of the
county judges, and in the fall of 1829 was chosen cashier of the Ogdens
burg Bank, resigning in 1840. In the fall of that year he was appointed
collector of the district of Oswegatchie. He died May 5, 1875, in the
esteem and respect of the whole community.
William C. Brown, son of Hon. Anthony C. Brown (the latter an
attorney of Ogdensburg), was born in 1820. He studied in his father's
office and was admitted to practice in October, 1841. In December
following he became a partner with Judge Amaziah B. James, which

THE COURTS AND THE BENCH AND BAR. 257
continued twelve years, when the latter was made judge of the Supreme
Court. He held the office of county judge from January, 1856, to the
beginning of 1863. In this year he was a delegate to the State Con
vention from the First Assembly District, and was the first mayor of
Ogdensburg. He was justly distinguished in his profession, possessed
a clear, comprehensive and logical mind, and was conspicuous in all
good works. He died December 12, 1870.
Charles Y. Fullington was born in Madrid, February 3, 1864, and was
educated at the Canton Union School and at the St. Lawrence Univer
sity. He read law with the Hon. Worth Chamberlain, and has held
the office of justice of the peace two years. He married Belle, daugh
ter of R. M. Emerson, of Canton. Charles Y. Fullington is a son of W.
B. Fullington, a native of Madrid, son of Ira Fullington, one of the first
settlers of the town, born in Vermont in 1800.
Calvin Harrison Smith was a young attorney whose promise of an
eminent career was blighted by death. He was a graduate of Yale Col
lege in i860, studied in the office of Bart & Tappan, and was admitted
in 1863. He assisted William A. Dart in his position as United States
district attorney. He afterward went to Chicago, formed promising
business connections there, and was just entering a career of usefulness
when he returned to Potsdam and died July 24, 1868, aged twenty-
four years.
John R. Brinkerhoff was born in Turin, N. Y., May 23, 1830, and
died at Lyons, Kansas, October 1, 1889. He studied law with Thomas
J. Spriggs, of Lowville, and after his admission removed to Norfolk,
this county. He was conspicuous in the war period in raising volun
teers; was a Democrat in politics and afterwards a Republican. In
1870 he was elected district attorney and held the office nine years. He
afterwards ran for senator and was defeated by a small majority. He
was an able lawyer and a vigorous public prosecutor. In 1882 he rer
moved to Kansas, where he was prominent in public and private life.
Silas Baldwin. — This eminent member of the bar of Lawrence county
was born in Dorset, Bennington county, Vt, May 15, 1797. He was
educated in Middlebury College, graduating in 1821, read law in Ver
mont and settled in Canton in 1824. There he entered the office of
33

258 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Silas Wright, and was admitted to practice in this State in 1828.
Meanwhile he had become a partner with Mr. Wright. He was elected
justice of sessions in 1850, and held the position with honor and ability
until 1875. Previous to his incumbency of this office he had been a
justice of the peace after 1825 to 1842 ; was supervisor of the town of
Canton several terms, and was elected to the Assembly in 1854-5. He
was postmaster of Canton 1826 to 1833. In these various public sta
tions Mr. Baldwin exemplified the life of the good citizen and consist
ent Christian. He was married in February, 1826, to Harriet, daugh
ter of Jeduthun Farwell; she died in 1828, and in 1829 he married
Elizabeth Strong. Mr. Baldwin continued his labor until just before
his death.
Horace Allen. — He was born in Williston, Vt, April 24, 1789.
Mainly by his own exertions he fitted himself for college and graduated
from the University of Vermont in 18 12. He studied law in Essex,
N. Y., and began practice in Potsdam in 18 16. He promptly
assumed a prominent position, not only at the bar, but in the pro
motion of all public affairs. In the year 1824 he was appointed
surrogate and held the office until 1840. In 1838 he was appointed
first judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and held the office until
1842. He was also postmaster of the village for a number of years.
He was a leading member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Allen died
May 24, 1866.
Bishop Perkins was born in Becket, Mass., September 5, 1787, and
died November 22, 1866. He was educated in Williams College, and
studied law in Troy and with Joseph Kirkland of Utica. He settled in
Lisbon soon after the war of 18 12, and a little later removed to Ogdens
burg. He succeeded John Scott as district attorney and held the office
with honor and ability about twenty years. He was in the Assembly
and member of Congress, where his services were conspicuous. In
politics he was a life-long Democrat. " The leading trait in his char
acter as a public officer was his unselfish devotion to the maintenance
of whatever his judgment dictated as right." The bar of the county
erected a monument on his grave and placed upon it a suitable inscrip
tion,

THE COURTS AND THE BENCH AND BAR. 259
Charles G. Myers was born in Madrid, in this county, February 17,
1 8 10. He attended the St. Lawrence Academy and at the age of six
teen entered the law office of Gouverneur and William Ogden, at
Waddington, and was admitted in October, 1832. In the next year he
formed a partnership with Hon. Ransom Gillett, at Ogdensburg. In
1844 he was made surrogate and served four years ; in 1848 was mem
ber of assembly ; in 1847 was elected district attorney and re-elected,
serving until January 1, 1854; in 1859 he was elected attorney- gen
eral. He was conspicuous in the war period as a member of the Military
Board and chairman of the Military Committee of his district. In 1873
he was appointed canal appraiser. A Democrat in his early years, he
became a Republican when that party was organized and remained
such until his death. It was written of him that " He stood a peer
among his associates, having great consideration for others ; gentle
manly, unpretentious," and with admirable social qualities. He died
March 31, 1890.
Ransom H. Gillett was born in Columbia county, N. Y., about the
year 1800. He settled in Canton about the year 1823; studied law
with Hon. Silas Wright, teaching at the same time to pay his expenses.
Attended the St. Lawrence Academy at Potsdam and after his admis
sion to the bar formed a partnership with Aaron Hackley He was
appointed postmaster of Ogdensburg in 1832, and in the fall of that
year was elected to Congress and re-elected the two following terms.
In the fall of 1833 he became associated with Charles G. Myers. In
politics he was a Democrat and occupied a conspicuous position in his
party. In 1845 ne removed to Washington. In 1867 he retired from
business and removed to his former home in Columbia county. He
died in the city of Washington in 1877.
David M. Chapin was born on the ridge, near Ogdensburg, April 22,
1806. His grandfather was John Chapin, who settled in Ogdensburg in
1 800. By determined effort and surmounting many obstacles he obtained
a good education, finishing with one year in Hamilton College. Return
ing to Ogdensburg he taught a select school three years, at the same time
studying law in the office of Hon. James G. Hopkins. He was admitted
to practice in 1836. He was originally a Democrat, but joined the
ranks of the Republican party upon its organization and was active in

260 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
its interests. In April, 1861, he was appointed by President Lincoln
collector of customs for the Oswegatchie district and held the office
until 1866. While not eminent as a lawyer, Mr. Chapin enjoyed the
unqualified respect and confidence of his fellow citizens.
Preston King was a member of the bar of this county, though he
never engaged in active practice. He was born in Ogdensburg, Octo
ber 14, 1806. He was a graduate of Union College and studied law
with Judge John Fine. In 1832 he was appointed postmaster of
Ogdensburg, and in 1834 was elected to the Assembly, where he
served several terms. He was an ardent Democrat and was led
to take an active part in the hopeless effort of the so-called " Patriots,"
who invaded Canada. In 1845 he was elected to Congress and twice
consecutively was re-elected. He became one of the prominent
founders of the Republican party and in 1855 was elected by
the new organization to the office of secretary of state. In 1857 he
was elected to the United States Senate, where he held high rank. He
was defeated for re-election through the Greeley movement. He was
a delegate in the Baltimore Convention in 1864, and in 1865 was
appointed collector of the port of New York. He died by his own
hand while insane, November 12, 1865. In all of his varied public
career Mr. King exhibited eminent qualifications and fully sustained
his high character as a man.
John A. Vance, surrogate of St. Lawrence county, was born in Osna-
bruck, Canada, on the 8th of October, 1836. His father was a native
of Ireland and came to this country before the year 1820, locating
in Canada, where he married Ann Hill. He was a farmer by occupa
tion. The subject of this sketch secured a good education against
obstacles that would have discouraged one of less perseverance and
determination. At the early age of fourteen he left home and reached
St. Lawrence county, the possessor of ten shillings in money and a
limited wardrobe. From the year 1850 to 1858, he was in attendance
at school a part of the time, the remainder being devoted to teaching
and other work which he was compelled to do to obtain means for his
support and expenses. His first experience as a teacher was in Canada
in 1853, for which he was paid six dollars and a half a month, and
" boarded around." In 1859 he entered the law office of E. & N.

THE COURTS AND THE BENCH AND BAR. 261
Crary, of Potsdam, where he studied two years until the breaking out
of the war. Answering his country's call, he entered the service as
first lieutenant in the Sixteenth New York Infantry. In the fall of
1 86 1 he was detailed to the Signal Corps, where he served with credit
to the close of his term of two years. Returning to Potsdam he renewecT
his studies and in 1864 was admitted to the bar. He began practice
with Edward Crary, which connection continued five years. He was
then elected justice of the peace and held the office eight years, con
tinuing his practice alone. In 1882 he was elected supervisor and held
the office eleven years, during three of which he was chairman of the
board and declined further election to the office. In 1892 he was
elected surrogate of the county and is now efficiently performing the
duties of that office. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and
a member of the Local Board of the Normal School. By persevering
attention to his labors, public and private, his thorough integrity and
his legal ability, Mr. Vance has won the esteem of his fellow citizens.
He was married August 16, 1864, to Clarinda Daggett, of Parishville,
and they have two children.
Amaziah Bailey James. — The family of this name have been and now
are conspicuous in the history of St. Lawrence county. Amaziah
Bailey James was born on the 1st of July, 1812, at Stephentown, Rens
selaer county, N. Y. At the age of six years he went with his father,
Samuel B. James, to Western New York. At the age of fourteen years
he began learning the printing trade at Batavia, N. Y., and followed
that vocation for a number of years thereafter, and came to Ogdens
burg in 183 1. In 1836 he married Lucia W. Ripley. To them were
born two sons: Henry R. and Edward C. James. In 1832 he associated
himself with others in publishing The Northern Light, an anti-Masonic
weekly paper. The name of the paper was changed soon afterward to
The Times and Advertiser, which became the leading Whig paper in
the county. He was in 1836 captain of the Ogdensburg Artillery and
afterwards was promoted to major of militia. At the time of the
Patriot war in Canada he performed an important part in the capture
of the famous Belle Johnson on the river just above the village. Mr.
James studied law with James G. Hopkins and was admitted to the bar
in 1838. Always conspicuous in current political affairs, and with a

262 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
character above reproach, he was elected to the Supreme Bench in
1853 and honorably and ably filled that station until 1876, when he
resigned to accept his seat in Congress. In 1861 he was appointed one
of the commissioners from the State of New York to the Peace Conven
tion at Washington. In politics Mr. James first acted with the anti-
Masonic movement, but upon the collapse of that party he united with
the Whigs and became a leader in the county. On the formation of
the Republican party he heartily joined the movement and took a
prominent part in its councils until his death. While serving his second
term in Congress he was stricken with paralysis, and his death took
place at his home on the 6th of July, 1883. Possessing all the elements
of a good lawyer and an eminent jurist, he became a successful practi
tioner, rising rapidly to the head of his profession. Always studious,
he acquired a fund of general knowledge in art, science, agriculture,
and horticulture. He gave his support to all measures and projects
calculated to build up and improve the city of his home. He was the
one individual in the community who could approach every man and
whom every man felt that he could approach, for the purpose of telling
his troubles, always receiving counsel and services which never failed
to prove beneficial. He began life a poor boy. The misfortune of
poverty, however, had no discouragement for him. Nature gave him
the elements of greatness, provided him with the talent to acquire and
to hold, and he early earned a competence. In his death the com
munity lost a good citizen, a brave and generous man. His widow sur
vives. Samuel H. Palmer was born in Colton, St. Lawrence county, August
12, 1837. His family is a branch of the Connecticut Palmers, originally
of English extraction, whose ancestry dates back to Walter Palmer,
who came to this country with John Endicott in 1620 and in 1653 set
tled at Stonington, Conn. In 1824 Mr. Palmer's parents moved to
Parishville, St. Lawrence county, and later to Colton and Madrid,
where the years of his boyhood were passed. He received a liberal
education in the schools of this county, including the Potsdam Academy
and Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary, after which for two and a half
years he taught the West Side Ogdensburg school. Mr. Palmer then
took up the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1863. Soon

THE COURTS AND THE BENCH AND BAR. 263
after he purchased the insurance business of J. H. Fairchild, which he
conducted for nine years, At the expiration of this time he sold his
interests therein to A. E. Smith, and bought an interest in the St. Law
rence Republican and the Ogdensburg Journal, January i, 1874. With
these papers he has since been actively identified, owning over one-
half the capital stock of the Republican and Journal company and
occupying the position of manager and treasurer. Mr. Palmer married
June I, 1867, Mrs. Martha E. (Packard) Wright, and has had five
children, four of whom are living. Mr. Palmer has served as supervisor
of the town for thirteen years, and was chairman of the Board of Super
visors for three years. He has also been a member of the Board of
Education of Ogdensburg, serving for many years as president of the
board, has held other positions of local importance and has always been
recognized as an active and influential citizen of his city and county.
Judge E. H. Neary was born in the old country in 1834 and
came to the United States in 1848. He attended the schools of Og
densburg, graduating from Ogdensburg Academy in 1853. He com
menced the study of law in that year and read in the chambers of
Judge James, and also with Brown & Spencer, teaching school a por
tion of the time. January 1, 1856, he became deputy county clerk of
St. Lawrence county, which position he occupied for three years. He
then came to Gouverneur and engaged in his profession, where he still
remains. In i860 he was appointed special county judge, serving in
that capacity for sixteen years, acting also as United States commis
sioner. Notwithstanding the demands of his profession, Mr. Neary is
deeply interested in all movements for the good of his town, being for
many years on the Board of Trustees of the seminary. With him in
his law practice he has associated his son, William Neary, a graduate of
Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary, class of 1885, and who was admitted
to practice in 1889. He is one of the representative young men of the
town, and was elected town clerk in 1893.
Gaylord T. Chaney was born in Rossie, October 31, 1864, was edu
cated in the public schools and by special tutors in Boston. He taught
school, followed surveying, and studied law in the office of the late E.
B. White until 1888, and started the Hermon Observer. He sold this
and went West, and was admitted to the bar of Colorado in 1891. Re-

264 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
turning to Hermon the same fall, and was admitted to the bar of this
State in 1892, when he opened his present office. Mr. Chaney was
elected justice of the peace in Hermon, police justice and village clerk
of Hermon, when only twenty- one years old, and is at present justice
of sessions of St. Lawrence county. He is an enthusiastic Mason and
serving his third year as master of Hermon Lodge No. 500 He
married Sarah A. Partridge, and they have two children, Ceylon G.
and Gertrude M.
Luther E. Wadleigh was born at Stocksboro, Vt., February 22, 1837.
He was a son of Rev. Aaron Wadleigh, who was a miller and mason by
trade, but on Sundays officiated as a preacher in the Methodist Church.
He died in 1842 at thirty- nine years of age. The mother of Luther E.,
Betsey E. Cole, was a native of New Hampshire. They had five
children, one of whom died when a child, and three of the family are
now living: Mrs. Mary Ward, of Kansas; Willard C, a farmer of
Stockholm, and Luther E. Luther was but twelve years of age when
he started for himself. In a letter to our subject from Brainbridge
Wadleigh, late United States senator of New Hampshire, it is found
that the great-grandfather on the paternal side was a captain in the
war of the Revolution, and the grandfather, Aaron W., a captain in the
war of 1 8 12, and the ancestry can be traced back to the Mayflower
on that side. The education of Luther E. was limited to the common
schools and a few terms at St. Lawrence Academy ; and after leaving
school, which was hastened by poor health, he spent a year on the
farm, and then entered the office of Dart & Tappan, where he was for
four years the assistant of W. A. Dart while he was United States
district attorney for the Northern District of New York, from 1861-65.
In the spring of 1865 he entered Albany Law College, where he spent
a year, being admitted to practice in November, 1865. He traveled
through the west and ventured a settlement there, conducting an insur
ance business. He returned here in the fall of 1866 and immediately
went to Hartford, where for three years he was in the employ of the
Hartford Fire Insurance Company as general agent. He returned to
Potsdam and began a law practice. He was for eight years a magis
trate of the town and refused a third term, giving his time to increasing
his law business. He has occupied his present office since 1870. Mr.

THE COURTS AND THE BENCH AND BAR. 265
Wadleigh is at present holding his third term as president of the Board
ofTrustees of Potsdam. He married in 1859 Hannah H., daughter of
Captain R. W. Seeley, of Madrid, and they have two children : Millie
A., and Ogden O., a student in his father's office, and a graduate of
Normal School and Syracuse University, and now taking a year's law
lectures at Ann Arbor, Mich.
John Gilbert Mclntyre was born in Massena, December 1, 1839, a
son of Angus Augustus Mclntyre, a native of Scotland, who came to
this country about 1825. His mother was a native of Vermont, who
lived at Massena at the time of her marriage. The early life of our
subject was spent in the town of his birth on a farm. He was educated
in the district and select schools of Massena, and at the age of seven
teen he entered St. Lawrence Academy at Potsdam, graduating from
that institution in 1861, and then entered Middlebury College, from
which he graduated with the degree of A.B. and A.M. He taught as
the principal of the academy at Northfield, Vt., one year, and then
came to Potsdam to teach in the old St. Lawrence Academy as pro
fessor of mathematics . for a year and one term, studying law in the
meantime in the office of Judge H. L. Knowles. He was admitted to
the bar in 1867, and became a partner of the Hon. A. X. Parker. The
firm of Parker & Mclntyre existed until Mr. Parker went to Congress,
since which time Mr. Mclntyre has been alone. He has been president
of the Board of Trustees of Potsdam, and is now trustee and secre
tary of the Local Board of the State Normal School. He married in
1869 Amelia M., daughter of thejate L. H. Dunton, of Stockholm.
Norman H. Claflin was born in the town of Stockholm, April 20,
1858, a son of William, who was a native of Vermont, and settled in
St. Lawrence county in 1823. He always followed farming, and died
in Stockholm on his farm of 175 acres. December 10, 1871, aged sixty
years. The mother of our subject, Julia A. Millington, was also a
native of Vermont, who came to this State about 1830, and died
November 28, 1867. They were married in 185 1 and had two chil
dren: Hattie E., who married Fernando S. Wing, of Madrid, in
March, 1879, and immediately moved to the west, where she died soon
after. The boyhood of our subject was spent on the homestead farm.
After his father's death he went to Lawrenceville, where he attended
34

266 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
the academy until 1875, then going to Fort Edward, where he finished
his preparatory course, entering Madison University (now Colgate) in
the fall of 1877. He was a teacher in Lawrenceville Academy from
the fall of 1879 till the spring of the following year, He commenced
the study of law in the fall of 1876, in the office of D. L. Bugbee at
Lawrenceville, and while teaching in the academy prosecuted his law
study in the same office, and in the fall of 1880 entered Albany Law
School, being admitted to the bar January 28, 1881, as an attorney,
and admitted as counsellor at Binghamton, May 9, 1884. He began
his practice in Norwood, April 1881, and June 3, formed a co-partner
ship with W. J. Fletcher, which existed until June 12, 1887, since
which time Mr. Claflin has been alone. He is a Republican, and
in 1883 was elected member of the Board of Education of Norwood,
which office he held two years and was again elected in 1892, and is
president of the present board. He was appointed assistant district
attorney January 1, 1888, a position he still holds, now serving his
second term. He married August 11, 188 1, Helen A., daughter of
Barney Whitney, superintendent of schools of Ogdensburg, and they
have one child, Harry B., now in his eleventh year.
Colonel Edward C. James, second son of Hon. A. B. and Lucia (Rip
ley) James, was born in Ogdensburg in May, 1841. He attended the
public schools of that place till his eighteenth year, when he entered
Walnut Hill School at Geneva, N. Y., to prepare for college. The
breaking out of the war, however, interrupted his plans. He entered
the field for his country in August, 1861, as adjutant of the Fiftieth
N. Y Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Charles B. Stuart. He served
with his regiment until the spring of 1862, when, on May 1, while par
ticipating in McClellan's campaign on the peninsula, he received his
commission as major of the Sixtieth N. Y. Volunteer Infantry, then
stationed at the Relay House, near Baltimore, Md. In July of the
same year the Sixtieth became a part of the Twelfth Corps under General
Banks, and took part in most of the operations of that corps during
General Pope's campaign in Virginia. In August, 1862, after the bat
tles of Manassas and Chantilly, Major James was commissioned lieuten
ant colonel of the One Hundred and Sixth N, Y. Volunteer Infantry,
and joined his regiment at New Creek, W. Va. In September, 1862,

THE COURTS AND THE BENCH AND BAR. 267
he was promoted to be colonel of that regiment. He commanded
his regiment through all its operations in Virginia. Upon the ad
vance of General Lee up the Shenandoah Valley, in June 1863,
Colonel James was at Martinsburg, in the line of Lee's march. The
Federal forces consisted of only two regiments of infantry, the One
Hundred and Sixth New York and the One Hundred and Twenty-
sixth Ohio, under Colonel Smith, with a West Virginia Battery and
a squadron of the Ringgold Cavalry. Sunday morning, June 14,
1863, Lee's army, after its victory at Winchester, came suddenly
upon Martinsburg. For the Federal forces to attempt to retire in
daylight meant capture. To fight against such overwhelming odds
meant, practically, annihilation. Colonel James hit upon a strategem.
He threw out all but two of his infantry companies into a skirmish line
of extensive front. The enemy, believing they had come upon a large
force, stopped to reconnoiter. By following up his strategem with
well-timed lactics, Colonel James succeeded in halting the advance of
Lee's army for the entire day. At nightfall, under a furious cannon
ade from the Rebel batteries, the Federal forces escaped by the Antie-
tam ford of the Potomac to Harper's Ferry, without loss. The surprise
and chagrin of the Rebels was great when they discovered, too late,
that they had been outwitted. The incident, however, was of greater
moment than its mere recital would imply. This was a short time be
fore the battle of Gettysburg. The delay of Lee's army a whole day
at Martinsburg, probably made a difference in the positions of the
armies, date, and possibly in the result at Gettysburg. After the Mar
tinsburg incident Colonel James and his regiment was stationed on
Maryland Heights. Upon the evacuation of Harper's Ferry, before
the battle of Gettysburg, the brigade to which his regiment was
attached was sent to Washington with the stores and munitions of war
from Harper's Ferry and Maryland Heights, amounting to millions of
dollars in value. These were conveyed safely to their destination.
Colonel James then returned to the field and participated in all of the
operations of the Army of the Potomac subsequent to Gettysburg. In
August, 1863, he was honorably discharged through disability incurred
in the service and returned to his home in Ogdensburg. In the same
year he was admitted to the bar, and began the practice of law with

268 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Stillman Foote, esq., then surrogate of St. Lawrence county, in Jan
uary, 1864. This partnership continued until 1874. Colonel James
remained in Ogdensburg seventeen years, and conducted a law business
which extended over the whole State. He then removed to New York
city, where he still continues to practice his profession, and has gained
the reputation of being one of the most eminent advocates of that city.
He is counsel for the Manhattan Railway Company and other corpora
tions, and socially is a member of several of the leading clubs of New
York city. Colonel James married Sarah W. Perkins, eldest daughter
of Edward H. Perkins, of Athens, Pa., November 16, 1864. His wife
died December 3, 1879, leaving two daughters: Lucia and Sarah
Welles. The former married Dr. Grant C. Madill, of Ogdensburg,
September 6, 1893.
George Morton was born in Mallorytown, Ont, June 23, 1859. His
father moved to Canada from Rhode Island about 1839. After a
residence of several years there the elder Morton returned to Ogdens
burg, where he assumed charge of the old Tremont Hotel, which in
1886 was burned. After the fire he returned to Canada, settling in
Belleville, Ontario. In 1870 he engaged in the wholesale and retail
grocery trade. George Morton entered his father's establishment as
clerk, where he remained until 1873, when he attended a full course in
a commercial college. He then returned and took charge of his father's
books for two years. His father then decided on having his son take
a classical course and sent him to Albert University, but, unfortunately,
the father shortly afterward met with business reverses which compelled
George to employ part of his time in teaching to obtain the necessary
funds to pay his tuition. By courage and marked ability he succeeded
in both paying his way and carrying off first prize in classics, graduating
with highest honors at the end of his term. In fact, so brilliant was
his record that the faculty rewarded him by remitting at the end of his
term a part of his tuition fees. Mr. Morton then entered the law office
of J. J. B. Flint, and was admitted to practice in 1 881, at Osgood Hall,
Toronto. After practicing one year he removed to Ogdensburg and
entered the law office of Daniel Magone,.with whom he remained until
that gentleman received the appointment of collector of the port of

^f^ /£c /£^£t

THE COURTS AND THE BENCH AND BAR. 269
New York, since which time Mr. Morton has been actively engaged in
the practice of his profession.
C. A. Kellogg was born in Massena, St. Lawrence county, November
30, 1850. After receiving an academic education he commenced, in
1874, the study of law in the office of L. C. Lang, and later in that of
L. E. Wadleigh, and was admitted to the bar in 1877. In 1878 he
commenced practice in Russell, St. Lawrence county, and in the fall of
1 88 1 moved to Ogdensburg, where he has since been actively engaged
in the practice of his profession. In 1885 he was elected district
attorney and re-elected in the fall of 1888. Mr. Kellogg married in
18 — Flora Barnes, of Russell, and they have a son and a daughter.
He is identified with all local social and benevolent institutions.
F. R. Moreland was born in Ogdensburg, January 25, 1853, °f
Irish-American parentage. He received an excellent education in the
common schools and Ogdensburg Institute, read law with George
Morris, of Ogdensburg, and was admitted to the bar in 1878. For
some time Mr. Moreland was actively engaged in the practice of his
profession, until 1885, when he became identified with agricultural
legislation, drafting and being instrumental in having a number of the
most important dairy bills passed through Congress. He was also en
gaged in delivering addresses upon these subjects in many of the States
of the Union. In 1890 he again resumed the active practice of his
profession in Ogdensburg. He is a life member of the New York State
Dairymen's Association.
John C. Keeler, now of Canton, an attorney and counsellor at law,
is a son of the late Carlos C. Keeler, of Malone, Franklin county, in
this State. Mr. Keeler was educated at Franklin Academy in Malone
and at Williams College in Massachusetts, being a member of the class
of 1 873. After leaving college he entered the law department of the St
Lawrence University at Canton, and pursued a course of study therein,
until the discontinuance of that department a few months afterwards.
He then studied law and was a law clerk in the office of Sawyer &
Russell, in Canton, until midsummer of 1874, when he went to Mil
waukee, Wisconsin, where he was admitted to the bar in September,
1874. For a short time he was in the office of Hon. James G. Jenkins,

270 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
now circuit judge of the United States Court in the present Milwaukee
district, but in December, 1874, went to New York city and became
an employee in the district attorney's office of that city, the Hon.
Benjamin K. Phelps being at that time district attorney of New York.
Mr. Keeler remained in the district attorney's office of New York until
the summer of 1877, when he removed to Canton and formed a partner
ship in the practice of law with William C. Cooke, late of Canton, and
Hon. Worth Chamberlain, the partnership continuing until the death
of Mr. Cooke in 1879. In January, 1882, Mr. Keeler was appointed
deputy attorney- general by Hon. Leslie W. Russell, and served the
State in that capacity during Mr. Russell's term as attorney general,
and had during that time charge of the receiverships of insolvent cor
porations, there being then forty of those trusts in progress of liquida
tion, many of which were finally closed out and final dividends paid
during Mr. Russell's incumbency of that office. In January, 1884, at
the solicitation of Hon. A. B. Hepburn, late comptroller of the cur
rency, and now president of the Third National Bank of New York city,
and who was then the receiver of the Continental Life Insurance Com
pany, and also at the request of Hon. Charles H. Russell, of New York,
who was the receiver of the Knickerbocker Life Insurance Company.
Mr. Keeler went to New York as counsel for those receivers and assisted
in winding up the affairs of those trusts. In the spring of 1885, Mr.
Keeler and two of his friends went to Arizona, with the intention of
organizing and conducting "a cattle ranch in that territory, but found
the country too hot for " tender- feet," and in the summer of 1885
resumed the practice of law at Canton, where he has since remained
and practiced law, except that in the winters of 1891 and 1892 he
represented the Second Assembly District of St. Lawrence county in
the Assembly. Mr. Keeler is married and has two children.
George E. Van Kennen was born in Norfolk, September 11, 1861,
of German parentage, his father having immigrated to this country
in the year 1842. George received his rudimentary education in
the public schools, after which he took a classical course in the Pots
dam Normal School, and graduated from Hamilton College in 1886
with high honors. He then entered the law office of McNaughton &
Waterman, where he remained some time. He then went into the

THE COURTS AND THE BENCH AND BAR 271
office of Magone & Spratt, and was admitted to the bar from this office
in 1888. In 1890 Mr. Van Kennen married a daughter of R. H. Hous
ton, and they have one son. Mr. Van Kennen has been four times
elected upon the Democratic ticket to the office of recorder of the city
of Ogdensburg. He is secretary of the Democratic County Committee,
which position he has held for the past two years ; is president of the
Oswegatchie Club, a Mason and fellow of the Phi Beta Kappa of
Hamilton College.
F. N. Cleaveland was born in the town of Russell, March 6, 1855,
and received his education in the Canton Union School and the St.
Lawrence University, from which he graduated with the degree of
A. B. in 1877, and A. M. in 1882. He was admitted to the bar in
1879, and in 1883 was appointed deputy county clerk, which office he
held until 1889. He is also one of the trustees of the St. Lawrence
University. In 1889 Mr. Cleaveland married Abbie S.Kendall, daugh
ter of Paul R. Kendall, and they have one child : Dorothy K. Mr.
Cleaveland's father was Francis, and his mother Harriet (Ellsworth)
Cleaveland. G. W. Hurlbut was born in Depeyster, March 20, 1852. The family
is of Revolutionary antecedents, having come from Connecticut.
Thomas, great-grandfather of G. W. Hurlbut, a native of Roxbury,
Conn., participated in the war of that period, and Philo Hurlbut, a son
of Thomas, moved from Roxbury to St. Lawrence county and settled
at Depeyster in 1805. Here Horace, father of G. W. Hurlbut and son
of Philo, was born. He died in 189 1. G W. Hurlbut received his
education in the Gouverneur Academy, Potsdam Normal School, and
graduated in law from the Union University in the spring of 1879,
immediately thereafter commencing the practice of his profession in
Ogdensburg and Heuvelton. In the spring of 1891 he was elected
supervisor upon the Republican ticket, re elected in 1892, and in 1893
was the unanimous candidate of both parties. He married in 1872
Mary J. Smithers, and they have two sons.
Willis J. Fletcher was born in the town of Stockholm, September
18, 1855, a son of William, who was a native of New Hampshire,
born in Walpole in 18 18. He immigrated to St. Lawrence county

272 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
when about twenty one years of age and took up a tract of land
in Stockholm, where he reared a family of four sons and one daugh
ter, and spent the balance of his days. He died July II, 1877. The
mother of our subject, Fidelia Grandy, he married in Stockholm,
where she died April 11, 1880. The boyhood of our subject was
spent on the homestead farm and he attended the common schools,
Norwood High School, Lawrenceville Academy and Potsdam State Nor
mal School, graduating in the class of 1877. After teaching a while he
commenced the study of law in the office of L. C. Lang at Brasher
Falls. He remained with him three years and was admitted to the
bar May 6, 1881. He commenced practice in June, 1881, at Nor
wood, in company with N. M. Claflin. This partnership existed six
years and since the dissolution of the firm, Mr. Fletcher has had a very
successful practice alone. He has always been a Republican and has
been active in every campaign since 1880. He was a member of the
Board of Education of Norwood Free School for years, and is now a
member of the Republican Town Committee and has been such mem
ber for the past six years. He married October 8, 1879, Esther A.,
daughter of O. H. Hale, supervisor of the town of Norfolk at the present
time, and had two daughters : Grace Louise and Margaret Gage.
P'red J. Merriman was born in Somerville, St. Lawrence county,
July 9, 1856, a son of Lyman Merriman, a farmer of Gouverneur. The
boyhood of the subject was spent in the towns of Rossie and Gouver
neur. His parents moved on the farm in the latter town when Fred
was seven years of age. His first education was received in the com
mon schools, and when he was seventeen years of age he was sent to
the Wesleyan Seminary at Gouverneur. His first occupation was
a teacher, which he began in his nineteenth year. The year he was
twenty-one he went to Watertown, where he began the study of law in
the office of McCartin & Williams. He was in the office as student
and clerk about four and one half years, and was admitted to the bar
January 9, 1880. He was in the office of H. M. Wilbur as clerk and
practicing for himself about a year and a half, and with Henry Purcell,
then city recorder, a year and a half. In 1884 he moved to the village
of Madrid, where he opened an office and established a practice that
has since occupied his attention. The winter of 1879 he was clerk to

THE COURTS AND THE BENCH AND BAR. 273.
the Committee on Printing and Committee on Militia in the Assembly
chambers at Albany. September I, 1890, Mr. Merriman was ap
pointed by A. Von Landburg deputy collector of internal revenue for
the third division of the Twenty- first. District, consisting of the counties
of Franklin, St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis, an office he filled with
satisfaction to his superiors and credit to himself. He is a retired
member of the State militia, serving five years in the 39th Separate
Company, and retired as corporal. He married September 2, 1886,
Edith T., daughter of the late O. C. Robinson, of Madrid. They have
one daughter, Jessie Viles.
Robert Emmet Waterman, was born in Ogdensburg in 1850. He
received his education in the Ogdensburg Institute and at St. Law
rence University, Canton, from which institution he graduated in 1872.
He then entered the law office of Mr. McNaughton, and was admitted
to the bar in 1875. He entered into a law partnership with Mr. Mc
Naughton in 1877 which continued until 1887, when Mr, McNaughton
retired from active practice, since which period he has conducted his
business separate. Mr. Waterman married Miss Blodgett, daughter
of Dr. Blodgett. He is a member of the Civil Service Board, the Og
densburg Club, the Oswegatchie Democratic Club, the State Bar
Association and one of the executive committee of the Anglers' As
sociation of the St. Lawrence River, and was for many years a member
of the City Board of Health. He was city attorney in 1 89 1, and is the
nominee of the Democratic party for district delegate to the State Con
stitutional Convention. He never has held a public office to which any
pay was attached.
David R. P. Parker was born in Greene, Androscoggin county,
Maine, October 10, 1848, and was educated in Monmouth Academy,
Monmouth, Maine, and in Nichols Latin School and Bates College,
Lewiston, Maine. He came to Northern New York in 1873. He
studied law one year with J. H. Moore, of Potsdam, and two years
with L. M. and L. K. Soper of Ogdensburg, being admitted to the bar
at Albany in 1879. He began practice in Hermon the same year. In
1880 he married Mary E., daughter of the late William Pickens, of
Heuvelton, N. Y. The father of our subject was David R. Parker, and
the family dates back to one John Parker, who came over in the May-
35

271 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
flower and early settled on the Kennebec River in the now town of
Arrowsic, and of whom Mr Parker is a lineal descendant. By his
mother, Jane Cummings, Mr. Parker is descended from the Scottish
family Cummings, which was represented by three brothers, who
settled in Massachusetts in the early history of New England.
Gustave S. Dorwin was born in Hammond, St. Lawrence county,
June 26, 1862. He received his education in the Potsdam Normal
School and Union College, after which he entered the law office of Ma-
gone & Spratt, and graduated from the Albany Law School in 1886.
In 1888 he commenced the practice of his profession in Ogdensburg,
In 1889 Mr. Dorwin married Mary L. Allen. Mr. Dorwin has served
two terms as city recorder on the Republican ticket. He is a member
of the Masonic fraternity, one of the managers of the Ogdensburg Club,
a fellow of the Delta Upsilon of Union College, and is a direct descend
ant of a New England family of Revolutionary ancestry.
Theodore H. Swift was born in Potsdam June 14, 1850, a son of
Hiram Swift, also a native of the town. The mother of Mr. Swift was
Aurilla, daughter of Shadrach Foster, a native of Vermont. At the
time of her marriage she was a resident of Massena. Theodore H. was
educated in the common schools and the old St. Lawrence Academy,
and after leaving school in 1868, he went into the law office of Dart &
Tappan. He graduated in June, 1871, from the law department of
St. Lawrence University, Canton. He was employed in the office of
Tappan & Erwin for two years, and in the fall of 1873 opened an office
in Potsdam, where he conducted practice about two years and then
formed a co-partnership with C. E. Sandford, which lasted about three
years. He was engaged there until 1880, and in June of that year he
removed to New York, where he conducted a very successful practice
for eight years. In 1885 he was employed on the most remarkable
case ever tried in the New York county Surrogate's Court, the Paine
will case, where he was engaged as attorney and counsel for the admin
istrators of the James H. Paine estate. The decision in this case was
rendered in favor of the administrators, December 31, 1887, the last
day of Daniel G. Rollins's term of surrogate of New York. He re
turned to Potsdam in May, 1888, and entered into practice with his old
partner, C. E. Sandford, which existed until May, 1892. In Decern-

THE COURTS AND THE BENCH AND BAR. 275
ber, 1892, he was joined by Frank L. Bell, who is still with him. Mr.
Smith is a director of the People's National Bank. He has always
taken an active interest in politics, and has acquired a reputation as an
orator second to none in this section. He married in 1871, Mary A.,
daughter of John L. Perkins, of Parishville, and they have one son,
Hiram H., who lives at home.
Geo. B. Shepard was born September 23, 1847. He received his
rudimentary education in the public schools of Ogdensburg, and at
private institutions here, and in 1862 he entered the law office of Foote
& James, as a student. He was admitted to the bar at Ballston Spa,
November 10, 1869; since which time he has never discontinued
practice; though his other undertakings have interfered with active
litigation. From 1873 he served two terms as clerk of Surrogate's Court of
St. Lawrence county, and December 17, 1879, was appointed United
States deputy collector of Internal Revenue for St. Lawrence and Frank
lin counties, serving as such until the office was filled by Democratic
administration ; he having always been a staunch Republican.
Mr. Shepard's paternal grandfather, Bohan Shepard, then a merchant
of St. Albans, Vt , in 1810 built the first saw-mill on the Raquette
river in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., then in the midst of the wilder
ness; but since developed to an immense industry. In 1827 his son
Charles (Mr. Shepard's father), after being engaged a few years in mer
cantile pursuits at New York and Albany, came to Ogdensburg and
went into the business of general merchandising and manufacturing
lumber; sending rafts of timber down the St. Lawrence River rapids,
and lumber and produce by Durham boats to Montreal; and through
Erie Canal to Albany and New York. On the return trip these would
bring foreign and mauufactured goods to supply the interior towns of
St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, whose place ©f supply was then
Ogdensburg, there being no railroads. For a number of years preced
ing the War of the Rebellion, and until the boats were sold, he was
superintendent of the American Express line of steamers plying
between Lewiston and Montreal; of which line the New York and
Northern were sold to the United States government, and used as
transport steamers during the war. He was a Republican from the

276 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
formation of that party, and after the election of Lincoln was appointed
United States internal revenue assessor in this district, and afterwards
to a position in the United States Customs, which he held at the time
of his death. His son. Lieut. Chas. W. Shepard of Co. I, 106th Regi
ment New York Volunteers, was killed in the battle of Cold Harbor
June i, 1864.
Mr. Shepard's maternal grandfather, Capt. Christopher Riley, 37th
Regiment United States Infantry, War of 18 12, was born at Windham,
Conn , and settled in Ogdensburg in 1828, as land agent for Thomas
Denny of New York.
Mr. Geo. B. Shepard introduced the electric telephone in St. Law
rence county, established all the local exchanges and built the con
necting county lines ; which undertaking, after proving a business
success, was consolidated with the Central New York Telephone Com
pany of Utica. In 1878 he built the brick block facing Ford, Catherine
and Water streets, in which his office is still located. He was one of
the promoters of the Ogdensburg street railway, a charter member of
the Ogdensburg Club, and is a stockholder in several local enterprises.
He is a member of St. John's Episcopal Church here, and served as
treasurer for that society a number of years. His business attention,
at present, is mostly given to patent law and promotion of patents ;
though he has several estates under his charge and the business inci
dental to the care and rental of eleven stores in the city.
On June 16, 1874, he married Jane E. Kriiger, granddaughter of
Christian Kriiger, a banker of Hamburg, Germany, and of Louis Has
brouck, an attorney of Ogdensburg, N. Y. ; and has four daughters,
only children living.
Thomas Newton Murphy was born in the town of Stockholm,
December 20, 1844, a son of John, who was a native of Ireland,
emigrating to this country in 1828, when he was only eighteen years
of age. He took up a tract of 200 acres in the town of Stockholm,
where he reared a family of eight children and spent the balance of his
days. He died December 18, 1855. The mother of our subject,
Betsey Egerton, was also a native of Ireland, born in 181 1 and is still
living, now a resident of Hesperia, Mich. The boyhood of our subject
was spent on the homestead farm. He was educated in the common

THE COURTS AND THE BENCH AND BAR. 277
schools, old St. Lawrence Academy, Lawrenceville Academy, and Fort
Edward Collegiate Institute. September 24, 1861, he enlisted in Com
pany I, 6th Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry, and served with
them until the war closed, at the expiration of the three year term re-
enlisting December 24, 1863. He was in the great battles of Second
Bull Run, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, with the Army of the
Potomac and Southwest, was at Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge,
Ringgold, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain and
Pine Knob. At the latter battle Mr. Murphy lost his left arm, but
five months later, at the battle of Nashville, he was fighting with one
arm. After his return home he finished his education in 1868, and
commenced the study of law in the office of John R. Brinkerhoff at
Norfolk, and in 1871 entered the Albany Law School, from which he
graduated May 3, 1872. He began the practice of law at Plattsburg in
company with Beckwith & Doby, which partnership existed but a short
time, and November 1, 1872, Mr. Murphy moved to Norwood, where
he formed a partnership with S. N. Judd. He was with him two years
and since that time has had a very successful practice alone. He is a
staunch Republican and is now one of the trustees of Norwood village,
assessor and justice of the peace for the town of Potsdam. He is a
member of Luther Priest Post, No. 167, G. A R , past commander and
now quartermaster. He married, May 6, 1873, Adellie, daughter of
Wright Lansing of Plattsburg, and they have seven children : Charles
F., Henry R., Jessie M., Daisy D., Gertrude, Thomas N. and Mable E.
Henry E. Seaver was born in Jamaica Plain, Mass., April 30, i860.
He was educated at Harvard College, from which he graduated in 1881.
In 1884 he began the study of law in Canton, being admitted to the
bar in Albany in 1886, in which year he opened his office in Canton.
In 1891 Mr. Seaver married Charlotte E. Dezell, daughter of Robert
Dezell of Waddington. Our subject has been town clerk one year and
has served as police justice seven years. He has also been secretary of
the county fair for five years.
D. B. Lucey was born in Boston, Mass., August 17, 1858, of Irish-
American parentage. He received his elementary education in the
schools of this county, and finished at Oswego and Potsdam Normal
Schools. In 1883 he accepted the position of principal of the Ogdens-

278 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
burg Normal School, and after one year received the appointment to
the class of natural and physical sciences in the academy. During
this time he continued the study of law, and was admitted to the bar
September 16, 1887. In the following June (1888) he retired from
the academy and formed a law partnership with Judge Kellogg,
which continued until 1890, when he retired from this firm to form a co
partnership with George R. Malby, who is the present speaker of the
Assembly of this State. Mr. Lucey married, June-30, l89i,MaryA.
Tuck, daughter of Andrew Tuck of Lisbon. Mr. Lucey is a member of
the Board of Education, and has for several years past been second
lieutenant in the 35th Separate Company New York National Guards.
Joseph George was born in Madrid, St. Lawrence county, in 1 850,
and was educated at Ogdensburg. He studied law with Judge Abboit
and Judge Neary, was admitted to the bar in 1877, and began practice
in Richville, where he is still located. His father was Henry George.
In 1877 Mr. George married Cornelia A. Graves, daughter of Will
iam Graves, of Gouverneur. He is one of the leading members of the
bar in St. Lawrence county.
E. P. Kingsbury was born in Westfield, N. Y., November 21, 1862.
He was prepared for college by a private tutor, after which he attended
Hamilton College for three years. After leaving college he com
menced the study of law in the office of Harrison Hoyt, of Syracuse,
with whom he remained one year, then with W. Chapman, of Bingham
ton. He was admitted to the bar in 1883, at the General Term in
Buffalo, N. Y. He afterward entered the law office of Camp & Dun-
nells, Lyons, N. Y., with whom he remained until 1885. In 1886 he
entered the office of Magone & Spratt, of Ogdensburg. Mr. Kings
bury married Miss Josephine Fuller. They have no children. Mr.
Kingsbury is a staunch Democrat.
Lawrence Russell was born in Maiden, Mass., July 27, 1867. He was
educated at Canton Union School till fourteen years of age, then attended
St. John's School for one year, and later went to St. Paul's School,
at Concord, N. H., for three years. He was then a year in the law
office of his father, Judge Leslie W. Russell, in New York. Entering
Williams College he withdrew to go to Columbia Law School, from

THE COURTS AND THE BENCH AND BAR. 279
which he graduated in the spring of 1889 and was admitted to the bar
in February, 1890. In October of that year he came to Canton and
opened his present office, being the third generation of lawyers in the
same place, his father and grandfather having preceded him. Mr. Rus
sell married Mabel Bostwick, of New York, daughter of Col. C. B.
Bostwick, in April, 1893. He was elected justice of the peace in 1892.
J. McNaughton was born in the town of Essex, Chittenden county,
Vt., July 3, 1823. He received an academic education and commenced
the study of law in 1846 with Ransom H. Gillett, continuing his studies
later with Bishop Perkins, from whose office he was admitted to the
bar in 1853. In 1869 Mr. McNaughton formed a copartnership with
J. S. Grinnell, now of Chicago, which continued one year. Later he
formed one with R. E. Waterman, which continued several years, after
which he retired from actual practice. Mr. McNaughton has never
accepted public office, although in his younger days he served as deputy
collector of customs and deputy postmaster (about 1847). He is a
staunch Democrat and a member of the Ogdensburg Club.
Charles Nathanial Bixby was born in the town of Norfolk, Febru
ary 14, 1836. The grandfather of our subject, Solomon, was a native
of Vermont and immigrated to this country at a very early day, bring
ing his family consisting of wife and seven children. The family first
settled in the town of Madrid, but remained there only a short time
and moved to Parishville, where he was afterwards drowned in the St.
Regis river. Nathaniel Healy Bixby, father of our subject, was born in
Dudley, Mass, December 17, 1798 When six months old he moved
with his parents to Underhill, Vt, thence in 181 1 to Madrid, N. Y.,
where he settled in the Haskell neighborhood. About the year 18 19
he bought land in Norfolk, and there established a home. In Febru
ary, 1828, he married Marcia Haskell. Charles N. Bixby, esquire, a
lawyer and register in bankruptcy, residing at Norwood, is his only son
and child. His first wife died in May, 1847, and in 1849 he married
Harriet Wilson of Canton, who survives him. He resided on his farm
in Norfolk until the fall of 1870, when he sold it and purchased a house
in the village of Morley, where he remained till the time of his death,
July 11, 1881, aged eighty-two years, seven months and twenty-five
days. He was a man of generous impulses, a kind husband, father and

280 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
neighbor, and honest in his dealings with all. His education was limit
ed, but he possessed solid character, accumulated a competence of this
world's goods, and exerted a benign and wide influence in the com
munity in which he lived. The boyhood of our subject was spent on
the homestead in Norfolk, and was educated in the common schools
and old St. Lawrence Academy at Potsdam. He taught school for a
number of winters. He commenced the study of law in the office of
Brown & Spencer at Ogdensburg, in the spring of 1861, at the same
time that Louis Hasbrouck was studying in the same office. In 1865
he entered Albany Law School, and completing his course was admitted
to practice as attorney and counsellor in May, 1866. In the fall of
1867 he was admitted to practice in the United States Courts. He
was for six months after admittance a clerk in the office of Knowles &
Bicknall of Potsdam, and in April, 1867, opened an office in Norwood,
where he has since been engaged in practice. In 1869 he was appoint
ed register in bankruptcy for this congressional district, and still holds
the office. He has been justice of the peace for ten years and a mem
ber of the Board of Education of Norwood Union School and Academy
fifteen years, ten years of that time president of the board. He has
served as a member of the Board of Village Trustees and has held
many minor offices. He married, June 21, 1869, Mary Ann Lamphire,
niece of Mrs. B. G. Baldwin, and they have one daughter, Mary Eliza
beth, now a musical student of the State Normal School. .Mrs. Bixby
died October 29, 1884.
D. M. Robertson was born in Gouverneur, December 1, 1829. He
was educated in the Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary, and the Canton
Law School. He was admitted to the bar in 1871, and opened his
present office in the same year. In 1 861 Mr. Robertson enlisted in
Company A, 60th New York Infantry, and served nearly two years,
enlisting as a private, and returning home a major. In 1872 he married
Sarah Thatcher, and they have one daughter, Jessie Robertson. Major
Robertson has been president of the St. Lawrence County Veterans'
Association for two years ; was formerly deputy county clerk of St.
Lawrence county ; was for several years superintendent of the St. Law
rence County Agricultural Society, and is now, and has been for three
years, president of the Canton Savings and Loan Association.

THE COURTS AND THE BENCH AND BAR. 281
William H. Andrews, one of nine children of Hugh and Clarisa An
drews, was born in Parishville, December 8, 1824. Hugh, the father,
was born in Germany, and when a boy came to America with his fath
er, James, locating at Alburg, Vt, and subsequently removing to St.
Lawrence county, N. Y. The boyhood of William H. was spent
among the hardships of chopping, logging, lumbering, and in the clear
ing of the farm. In 1843 he entered the Potsdam Academy, where
he finished his studies in 1848, teaching school in the mean time. In
1849 he came to Gouverneur, as teacher of writing and the higher
branches. He began the study of law in the office of Charles Anthony,
esq., May 29. 1849, and was admitted attorney and counsellor to prac
tice in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in 185 1, and in
1856, was admitted to practice in the United States Courts, and for
forty-two years, has practiced his profession in this village. While in
the office with Charles Anthony, esq., in 1849, he formed the acquaint
ance of Dr. Franklin B. Hough, a historian of note and also an expert
in mineralogy, and a love for that branch of science which has never
left him, one of the results of which is a collection of minerals noted
the world over. Regarding it. Prof. David T. Day says in the United
States Geological Survey of 1885, on the Mineral Resources of the
United States : "Mr. William H. Andrews, of Gouverneur, has a re
markable collection of 2,200 specimens of polished marbles, serpentines,
jaspers, agates, and other ornamental stones, principally from St. Law
rence, Jefferson and adjoining counties. A variety of other minerals
are also to be found in this collection, which, though the polishing is
mainly done by Mr. Andrews himself, is one of the most complete
series of the kind in the United States." The collection now numbers
over 3,000 polished specimens, which have recently been labeled and
catalogued. The entire collection contains some 14,000 to 15,000
specimens of crystals gathered from Europe, Asia, Africa and America.
Mr. Andrews cuts and polishes all kinds of gems and does lapidary
work equal to the skill of the best experts.
Henry E. Seaver was born in Jamacia Plain, Mass., April 30, 1869.
He was educated at Harvard College, from which he graduated in 1881.
In 1884 he began to study law in Canton, being admitted to the bar in
1886, in which year he opened his office in Canton. In 1891 Mr.
36

2S2

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

Seaver married Charlotte E. Dezell, daughter of Robert Dezell of Wad
dington. He has been town clerk one year and has served as police
justice seven years. He has also been secretary of the County Fair
for five years.
The reader of the few foregoing pages has learned that the Bar of St.
Lawrence county has included many men of eminence in their pro -
fession, and many who have been called by their fellow citizens to high
station in the councils of the county, the State and the nation. The
lawyers of this county, as a class, have been characterized as unusually
self-reliant and independent, their comparative isolation from other
more central parts of the State, compelling them to rely mainly upon
their own talents and energies for their success, intead of calling the
ready aid of those whose reputation at least would have been of great
benefit. At the present time it can be safely stated that the bar of the
county is wholly able to cope with professional antagonists from any
other interior locality, while in point of character they are far above the
average. The St. Lawrence Bar Association was organized in May, 1877,
with its chief objects the proper and closer association of its members,
aiding in obtaining proper legislation, maintaining a library, etc. In
these respects it is auxiliary to the State association. Its meetings have
been held in Canton. The first officers were : Hon. Charles O. Tap-
pan, president; Edwin M. Holbrook, corresponding secretary; Delos
McCurdy, secretary ; V. P. Abbott, treasurer.
FRESENT ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY BAR.

Calvin Hulburd.
Lewis C. Lang.

Thomas V. Russell.
Chamberlain & Caldwell.
( Worth Chamberlain.
( Everett Caldwell.
Hale & Bowers.
( Ledyard P. Hale.
) George H. Bowers.
William A. Poste.
Horace D. Ellsworth.

D. M. Robertson.
John C. Keeler.
Lawrence Russell.
A. Z. Squires.
John F. Bugbee.
John T. Rutherford.
Carson E. Chamberlain.
Frank N. Cleaveland.
P. R. McMonagle
A. B. Hepburn.
Henry E. Seaver.
Sawyer & Sawyer.
I Geo. C. Sawyer.
] Lawrence C. Sawyer.
Nelson L. Robinson.

Charles Anstead.
Clarence S. Ferris.
DEKALB
E. 0. Hurlbut. EDWARDS.
Earl Bancroft. GOUVERNEUR.
Charles Anthony.
Parker & Parker.
t C. A. Parker.
/ C. Arthur Parker.

THE COURTS AND THE BENCH AND BAR.

283

Conger & Orvis.
t G. S. Conger.
/ A. W. Orvis.
Gleason & Johnson.
t George M. Gleason.
( Arthur T. Johnson.
E. H. Neary.
V. P. Abbott.
Grace E. Robinson.
William H. Andrews.
J. B. Preston.
Jesse T. Reynolds.
Fred H. Norton.
William Neary.
Charles N. Reyno'ds.
Herbert G. Aldrich.
Archie F. McAllaster.
Charles M. Hale.
HERMON.
D. R. P. Parker.
H. W. Day. LAWRENCE.
George B. Stacy.
N. P. Hays. MADRID.
V. J. Merriman. MASSENA.
C. A. Boynton.
L. S. Dominy. NORWOOD.
Charles N. Bixby.

Thomas N. Murphy.
Norman M. Claflin.
Willis J. Fletcher.
Frederick R. Smith.
OGDENSBURG.
E. C. James.
A. R. Herriman.
J. M. Kellogg.
J. Y. Chapin.
Daniel Magone.
Thomas Spratt.
George B. Shepard.
C. McC. Myers.
Chas A. Kellogg.
L. Hasbrouck.
Charles G. Idler.
F. K. Moreland.
A. E. Smith.
0. F. Partridge.
M. C. Spratt.
Nathan T. Lovejoy.
George M. McGuire.
Joseph McNaughton.
R. E. Waterman.
R. W. Judson.
Charles G Egert.
Wells & Wells.
Nathaniel Wells.
Leslie I. Wells.
Charles R. Westbrook.
Edward L. Strong.
Malby & Lucey.
\ G. R. Malby.
I D. B. Lucey.
Martin O'Brian.

0. W. Dodge.
George Morton.
Gustave S. Dorwin.
George E. Van Kennen.
E. P. Kingsbury.
James H. Martin.
P. H. McCarthy. HEUVELTON.
Dan S. Giffin.
George W. Hurlbut.
PARISHVILLE.
Nathan W. Bartlett.
POTSpAM.
Charles O. Tappan.
A. X. Parker.
John G. Mclntyre.
George Z. Erwin.
Luther E. Wadleigh.
W. M. Hawkins.
John A. Vance.
Swift & Bell.
j Theo. Swift.
( Frank L. Bell.
C. E. Sanford.
E. A. Everett. RICHVILLE.
Joseph George. WADDINGTON.
A. B. Shepard.
C. L. Montgomery.
Sellar Leishman.

Biographies of Charles O. Tappan, William A. Dart, George Z.
Erwin, Daniel Magone, Leslie W. Russell, H. L. Knowles, L. Has
brouck, C. E. Sanford, Dan S. Giffin, and others will be found in a later
department of this volume.

284 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

CHAPTER XX.
ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY MEDICAL PROFESSION.
Organization of the St. Lawrence County Medical Society — Reorganization of Same
— List of Presidents of the Society — List of Resident and Non-Resident Members — St. .
Lawrence Homoeopathic Medical Society — Medical Association of Northern New York
— Biographies.
THE organization of the medical profession into societies was begun
in the State of New York early in the century, under a law
passed for that purpose in 1806. There were not at that time very
many physicians in St. Lawrence county, but those who had become
residents acted promptly under the law and organized the St. Law
rence County Medical Society on the 14th of October, 1807. At the
first meeting the following officers were elected : President, Joseph
W. Smith; vice-president, I. W. Pier; secretary, W. Noble; treas
urer, B. Holmes ; censors, John Seeley, Powell Davis and B. Holmes.
The records of the society down to 1856 are lost, but by diligent
research Mr. Hough was able to collect considerable data relating to
its membership. It is believed that regular annual meetings were
usually held previous to the date named, and it is known that many
able papers were read by members. Through the labors of Dr. Hough
and Dr. Darius Clark, of Canton, who was secretary in 1856 a nearly
or quite correct list of the members up to that year was collected
which has been supplemented by those who have joined since as ap
pears in the records.
On the 19th of January, 1864, between which date and the year
1856 the society was in a state of suspension, several of the members of
the old organization met and reorganized by electing M. S. Parker,
president ; S. L. Parmalee, vice-president ; R. R. Sherman, secretary ;
Jessie Reynolds, treasurer ; N. L. Buck, F. P. Sprague and H. A.
Boland, censors.

i;«Sii£:s?

^K-Carripb ea. S^ *'

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 285
The following physicians have held the office of president of the
society since its first organization : Joseph W. Smith, Robert McChes-
ney, Gideon Sprague, B. Holmes, E. Baker, S. H. McChesney, S. N.
Sherman, J. A. Mott, S. Ford, W. S. Paddock, Francis Parker, M. S.
Parker, Lewis Stowers, Z. B. Bridges, C. C. Bates, B. F. Sherman, S.
L. Parmalee, Jesse Reynolds, Robert Morris, D. McFauls, A. R.
Gregor, E. H. Bridges, H. A. Boland, L. E. Felton, C. C. Barthol
omew, F. Geare, C. M. Wilson, F. R. Sherman, G. G. Munroe, F. H.
Brewer, B. F. Drury. M. E. Smith, W. E. Whitford, W. B. Hanbridge,
A. C. Drury, A. H. Allen, Wilbur H. Reynolds, W. Shanly Daly, and
S. E. Brown, the present incumbent. The officers in 1893 are John
Sherman, vice-president ; B. F. Drury, E. H. Bridges and Jesse Rey
nolds, censors.
The following lists of resident and non resident members of the
society is as nearly full as it can be made under the circumstances :
RESIDENT MEMBERS.
1888, Andrew H. Allen, Gouverneur ; 1877, F. A. Anderson, Massena ; 1876, Lucius
B. Baker, Russell; 1883, John N. Bassett, jr., Canton; 1882, C. W. Bayley, Rensselaer
Falls; 1870; C.C.Bartholomew, Ogdensburg; 1864, H. A. Boland, Lawrenceville;
Silas J. Bower, Waddington ; 1881, F. H. Brewer, Madrid; 1860, Zina B. Bridges,
Ogdensburg; 1867, E. H. Bridges, Ogdensburg; 1883, Silas E. Brown, Ogdensburg;
1873, H. H. Carpenter, Lawrenceville; 1885, S. W. Close, Gouverneur; 1878, G. R.
Cook, Louisville ; 1885, M. D. Cook, West Stockholm ; 1856, W. H. Cruickshank, Lis
bon Centre ; 1885, W. Shanly Daly, Ogdensburg ; 1868, B. F. Drury, Gouverneur ;
1884, A. C. Drury, Canton; 1881, H. E. Dunton, North Lawrence; 1871, Lucius E.
Felton, Potsdam; 1882, James Q. Flood, Hopkinton; 1855, James S. Gale, Canton;
1874, James Garvin, Morristown; 1875, A. B. Goodenough, Edwards; 1864, A. R.
Gregor, Hammond ; 1887, E. H. Hackett, North Lawrence ; 1876, H. T. Hammond,
Chase's Mills ; 1884, W. B. Hanbidge, Ogdensburg ; 1880, T. R. Hossie, Gouverneur ;
1876, 0. J. Hutchins, Canton; 1881, A. M. Larkin, Norwood ; 1873, Orrell McFadden,
Massena; 1867, David McFalls, Gouverneur; 1886, W. J. S. Millar, Depeyster; 1879
Geo. G. Munroe, Crary's Mills ; 1866, Robert Morris, Ogdensburg; 1874, John Mor
rison, Ogdensburg ; 1876, Albert L.Morgan, Lisbon Centre; 1843, Martin S. Parker,
Parishville ; 1869, Truman A. Pease, Norwood ; 1873, James A. Phillips, Morristown
1852, John C.Preston, Canton; 1852, Jesse Reynolds, Potsdam; 1867, G. W.Rey
nolds, Madrid; 1881, Geo. M. Russell, Potsdam ; 1875, David M. Seelee, Morristown
1865, E. G. Seymour, Hermon; 1842, B. F. Sherman, Ogdensburg; 1879, Moses E'
Smith, Heuvelton ; 1881, W. C. Smith, Brasher Falls; 1888, Geo. B. Smith, Stockholm
Depot; 1886, H. A. Stearns, Waddington; 1867, E. C. Walsh, Madrid; 1883, Wm. E
Whitford, DeKalb Junction ; 1871, C. M. Wilson, Gouverneur ; 1889, David M. Foss,

286 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Depeyster; 1839, Grant C. Madill, Ogdensburg; 1889, Frank D. Allen, Richville ; 1890,
Sidney W. Dodge, Massena; 1891, John C. Sherman, Ogdensburg; 1891, Fred F.
Drury, Gouveneurj; 1891, J. M. Mosher, Ogdensburg; 1891, J. H. Brownlow, Og
densburg; 1892, P. Monakey, Gouverneur; 1892, Thos. F. Connolly, Ogdensburg; 1892,
H. S. Stilwell, Ogdensburg ; 1892, John W. Benton, Ogdensburg ; 1892, D. M. Taylor,
Edwards; 1893, Geo. H. Dowsey, Brasher Falls; 1893, R. H. Hutchings, Ogdensburg;
1890, P. M. Wise, Ogdensburg. NON-RESIDENT MEMBERS.
1882, S. 0. Alguire, Cornwall, Ont., Can. ; 1867, C. B. Barber, Bloomingdale ; 1884,
Blake Bigelow, Malone; 1882, M. D. B-iggs, Chateaugay ; 1864, N. S. Buck, Springfield,
Mass , 1864, Cornelius H. Buck,  , Mass.; 1878, J- E. Colburn, Chicago, 111.;
1846, R. L. Clark,  — ; 1879, Henry M. Cox, 225 E. 118th street, New York;
1866, Stuart Crichton,  , Cal. ; 1866, F. A. Cutter, formerly at Hopkinton ; 1866,
Ira A. Darling, West Bangor, Franklin county ; 1852, R. Davidson,  ; 1878,
David F. Dayton, Anthony, Harper county, Kansas ; 1870, Isaac Drake, formerly at
Stockholm ; 1842, J. H. Dnnton,  ; 1875, Sidney H. Foster, formerly at West
Stockholm; 1874, D. R. Freeman, formerly at Parishville ; 1878, A. P. Grinnell, Bur
lington Vt.; 1847, W. F. Galloway,  ; 1873, Frederic Geare, 158 West avenue,
Rochester; 1878, L. M. Giffin, Boulder, Colorado; 1842, Geo. Green,  ; 1875,
Charles B. Hawley, San Jose, Cal. ; 1858, Charles N. Hewitt, Redwing, Minn. ; 1866
Samuel A. Ef olman, North Parma, Munroe county ; 1880, J. S. Howard, Oswego ;
1866, Eugene A. Hutchins, Minneapolis, Minn. ; 1852, J. H. Hyer,  ¦ 1844 C.
F. Ide,  ; 1866, J. H. Jackson, Barre, Washington county, Vt. ; 1864, J. A.
Jackson, Manchester, N. H. ; 1852, G. R. Lowe,  ; 1881, M. M. Lown, formerly
at Hopkinton; 1844, W. J. Manley,  ; 1843, O. H. Mayhew,  ¦ 1836, H.
Mazuzan,  ; 1876, C. S. Merrill, West Liberty, Iowa; 1886, Chas. N. Miller,
formerly at Ogdensburg ; 1835, Calvin S. Millington,  ; 1882, W. L. Moon, Fair-
haven, Vt. ; 1873, Richard S. O'Connell, formerly at Waddington ; 1838, D. S. Olin,
 ; 1836, Charles Orvis,  ; 1843, T. R. Pangburn,  ; 1852, O. f!
Parker,  ; 1863, John, Pierce, Adams, Jefferson county; 1885, W. N. Rand
Syracuse; 1848, D. A. Raymond,  ; 1887, Wilbur H. Reynolds, Ava, Oneida
county; 1832, R. M. Rigdon,  ; 1869, O. G. Ross, Dickinson Centre, Franklin
county; 1840, M. G. Sherman, Michigan City, Indiana; 1843, Asaph B. Sherman,
Morrisburg, Canada; 1832, Benjamin P. Smith,  ; 1878, L. T. Sprague, Peoria,
111. ; 1842, C. A J. Sprague,  ; 1842, W. H. Sprague, formerly at Nicholville ;
1852, F. P. Sprague, formerly at Hopkinton; 1852, G. S. Sutherland,  ; I860,
A. C. Taylor, Malone, Franklin county; 1879, A. Dixon Wagner, Dickinson's Landing,
Ont.; 1864, John Willson,  ; 1842, Wm. Witherell,  ; 1833,  Wood'
 ; 1870, W. C. Wood, Lockport, H. A. Boland, dead ; F. R. Brewer, moved to
Utica; Zina B. Bridges, dead ; W. H. Cruickshank, dead; Lucius E. Felton, moved to
Hanford, Cal. ; A. R. Gregor, dead ; David McFalls, dead ; Geo. G. Munroe, moved to
Chicago, III. ; Albert L. Morgan, dead ; David M. Seelee, dead ; E. G. Seymour, dead •
W. C. Smith, moved west ; Geo. B. Smith, moved west ; C. M. Wilson moved to Park
City, Utah.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 287
The following physicians who were non-resident members have
moved back into the county :
1875, Chas. B. Hawley, to Gouverneur ; 1885, N. Rand, to Rossie.
The St. Lawrence Homoeopathic Medical Society. — This society was
organized October 4, 1871, with the following officers: D. E. South-
wick, president; Ezra Parmalee, vice president; H. D. Brown, secre
tary ; N. N. Child, treasurer ; E. R. Belding, Sanford Hoag and J. M.
Dow, censors. The society embraces in its jurisdiction both St. Law
rence and Franklin counties. Physicians in this school had practiced
in Northern New York many years previous to the date of organiza
tion of this society, and when Dr. Southwick made his annual address
in 1872, he sketched the early history of homoeopathy in this section.
He noted the fact that Dr. Edward Parmalee, of Morley, was the first
homceopathist in St. Lawrence county. He had practiced in the old
school until 1856, when he was converted to the new school. In 1857
Dr.  Austin began practice in Canton, and Dr. Southwick in
Ogdensburg. In 1890 Dr.  ¦ — Johnson changed his faith from the
old to the new school in Depeyster, and afterward removed to Illinois.
About the same time Dr. Swan began in Richville, and Dr. Willard at
Potsdam. The latter was succeeded by Dr. H. D. Brown. E. R.
Belding was a student with Dr. Willard and settled in Malone, Frank
lin county. In 1864 Dr. George Dart settled in Depeyster, succeeding
Dr. Johnson, and removed to California in 1870. Dr. N. N. Child
located in Ogdensburg in 1863. The membership of this society has
always been small, and for a period of ten years, between 1880 and
June, l890.no meetings were held at which business was transacted.
On the last named date, several physicians, among whom were a few
from Franklin county, held a meeting, and they have been regularly
kept up since. The name of the society now stands as the St. Law
rence and Franklin Homoeopathic Society, and has for 1893 the follow
ing officers : Dexter R. Belding, of Franklin county, president ; Edson
C. Austin, of Norwood, secretary; H. D. Brown, vice-president; Wil
lard N. Bell, treasurer ; N. N. Childs, F. F. Williams and W. J. Flint,
censors. The Medical Association of Northern New York is composed of
physicians of the old school practicing in that portion of the State, as

288 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
indicated by the title of the society ; but members are admitted from
any part of the State, provided they are at the time of application
members of the county organization where they reside. Physicians of
the Dominion of Canada may also become members on presentation of
a diploma of some regularly incorporated and organized medical school.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Through the loss of the records of the medical society from its
organization down to about 1850, we are deprived of a source from
which we might have drawn personal notes of many of the early
physicians of this county. As it is, there were a large number, some
of whom attained considerable local fame, of whom very little is now
known, except that they faithfully and unselfishly performed their
mission in healing and comforting the sick.
Dr. Pierce Shepard settled in the town of Potsdam as early as 1808,
when he joined the medical society. Previous to his arrival the sick
had been cared for in that town by Dr. Elijah Baker, of Canton. Dr.
Shepard died in Potsdam.
Dr. W. Noble was the first physician in Canton, where he settled
either in 1805 or 1806. He had a large practice for many years and
died in Canton in 1871.
Darius Clark. — This distinguished early physician of Canton was
born in Weybridge, Vt, April 7, 1798, and settled for a time in
Malone, Franklin county, some time before 1822, where he began to
study medicine with Dr. Waterhouse. In 1824 he was admitted to
practice and removed to Canton. He was admitted to the St Law
rence Medical Society the same year, and was several years its secretary.
He was prominent not alone in his profession, but in public affairs and
politics, as a Democrat, and held several offices, among them inspector
of State prisons, serving six years. He married, February 5, 1826,
Clarissa Maria, daughter of Elijah Baker, of Canton, and they had
three children. Dr. Clark died in Canton, January 23, 1871.
Henry Hewitt. — Dr. Hewitt was born in New London, Conn., Octo
ber 8, 1797, studied medicine in Yale College and began practice in Ver-
gennes, Vt , and removed to Coventry in the same State, where he

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 289
remained until 1840, when he removed to Potsdam. He was a pro
gressive, self-reliant man, and while he continued in active practice,
was among the foremost. But his restless energy soon took him into
other pursuits, and he was conspicuous in the project of improving the
channel of the Raquette River, as related in the history of the town of
Potsdam. He founded what became known as the town of Hewitt-
ville, where he built and carried on a large mill. He died at Potsdam,
July 2, 1869.
Robert McChesney. — Dr. McChesney was a native of Troy, N. Y.,
and studied his profession in Cherry Valley and Springfield, N. Y. In
1 8 10 he removed to Madrid and in the following year to Potsdam. He
continued in a large and successful practice until his death, which
occurred in 1824.
Dr. Joseph W. Smith was probably the first physician to settle in St.
Lawrence county, at a time when the duties of the profession were of
the most arduous character, and the financial returns were compara
tively insignificant He was born in Cheshire, Mass , February 22,
1781, studied in Vergennes, Vt., in 1799 and finished in Middlebury
in 1802. In the following year he removed to Lisbon and began
practice, which soon called him to attend the sick jn several surrounding
towns. It is said that he was known to travel on foot in the night,
carrying a torch, to Canton, a distance of eighteen miles, to minister to
a patient. In 1807 he removed to Ogdensburg, and became the first
settled physician in that place. He was the first president of the
County Medical Society, and filled the office much of the time until his
death. He also held the office of loan commissioner. It has been
written of him : " Perhaps no physician ever had the universal con
fidence both of his professional brethren and of his patients, more than
Dr. Smith. To the poor and distressed he was the good Samaritan,
and in the various relations of life, professional and private, he was
ever found exemplary." He died in Ogdensburg July 4, 1835.
Richard Townsend. — Dr. Townsend was born in Hebron, N. Y.,
about 1798. He studied medicine in his early life, but did not practice
much until 1813, when a prevailing epidemic drew him perforce into
his profession, having settled in Gouverneur soon after 1804. He gave
37

290 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
most of his time and energy to farming, and was much esteemed in the
community. Later in his life he became a Quaker and died in that
faith near Gouverneur village about 1826.
Charles Carroll Benton, born August 20, 18 18; studied medicine in
Watertown about three years, and was with Prof. William E. Horner
of Philadelphia three years, and later with Professor Gibson of the same
city four years. He graduated in 1850, left Philadelphia in 1854 and
made a long tour of Europe, visiting the hospitals of Paris, London
and Edinburgh. He settled at Oxbow, St. Lawrence county, in 1854,
and practiced there until 1875, when he removed to Ogdensburg and
continued in practice until near his death.
Dr. Geo. W. Barber was born in Wardsboro, Vt, January 1, 1793.
He studied medicine with Dr. Ranney of Townshead, Vt., after which
he attended the medical department at Dartmouth College, N. H.,
from which he graduated and received his diploma in 18 18. He
returned to Townshead and practiced his profession four years. In the
mean time he married Miss Susan, daughter of Rev. Samuel Kingsbury,
of the same place, on May 24, 1820. She was born there on January
19, 1801. In 1824 Dr. Barber moved with his wife to Depeyster, N.
Y., where he practiced-his profession the remainder of his days, thirty-
four years. By his untiring energy and devotion to the sick, he soon
became the family physician and confidential friend of the pioneers of
that early day. He was honored with the various offices in the town,
and he held the office of justice of the peace for a number of terms, and
did the principal part of the business in town, drafting wills, deeds
and contracts. They had a family of nine children, three of whom died
in infancy. Mr. Barber died March 23, 1858, and his wife survived him
several years and died September 4, 1867, in Brooklin, Vt.
The Sherman family trace their origin to Henry Sherman, who was
born in Devon, England, in 15 16, and died in 1590. He had two sons,
Henry and Edward. Edward had a son John, whose son (also John),
born in 1613, came to New England and died in 1691. Dr. B. F.
Sherman descended from him. The doctor's father's name was Asaph.
His grandfather was of the same name. Benjamin Franklin Sherman,
a brother of Socrates N. Sherman, was born at Barre, Vt, May 24,

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 291
1817, being the youngest of five brothers, all of whom were physicians.
He, like most lads brought up in the Green Mountain State, spent his
boyhood days on the farm, and was taught frugality, industry and
honest economy. He pursued his professional studies at the Albany
Medical College, and graduated February, 1841. Mr. Sherman com
menced shortly after to practice medicine at Hammond, N. Y., where
he remained some two years, then moved to Potsdam and practiced
there about two years. In 1845 he came to Ogdensburg and opened
an office, where he has continued to follow his profession ever since,
being now the oldest practicing physician in the city and county. In
1847 he married Miss Charlotte Chipman of Waddington, N. Y. They
have raised a family of five children, three sons and two daughters.
Mr. Sherman, though a Republican, is not a politician, but has strong
and clear convictions on general topics of the day. He does not possess
a monkish spirit of seclusion from the world or the shrinking of any of
the social or political responsibilities that bind one to the neighborhood,
city or state. He has always taken great interest in our city schools
and was for a number of years a member of the school board. Mr.
Sherman was also appointed by Abraham Lincoln in 1862, a member of
the Board of Examining Surgeons to recommend pensions in this dis
trict, and was chairman of that body for a number of years. He still
continues to follow his profession, being one of the leading physicians of
the city, is hale and hearty as ever at the advanced age of seventy-six
years. He has practiced fifty-three years,, has been president of the
New York State Medical Society, organized the Northern New York
Medical Association, has been president of the St. Lawrence County
Medical Society, vice-president of the New York State Medical Society,
and has been president of the Ogdensburg Medical Association for
twenty- five years.
Socrates N. Sherman, brother of B. F., was born in Barre, Vt, July 22,
1801. At the age of twenty he left the farm and entered the office of
Dr. Van Sicklin, in his native town, as a student of medicine. He
graduated and received his diploma at Castleton Medical College in 1 824.
In the spring of 1825 he located at Heuvelton, and after practicing
medicine a few months, he removed to Ogdensburg and entered into
partnership with Dr. J. W. Smith, the foremost physician in the county.

292 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Dr. Sherman applied himself devotedly to the study and practice of his
profession, gaining the love, respect and confidence of his patients, as
well as of the public, during his practice, which extended over this and
the surrounding towns, and he soon became eminent in his profession.
In February, 1828, he married Miss Lois Low, formerly from Ver
mont. In politics he first acted with the Anti-Masonic organization.
At the collapse of that party, he united with the Whigs and became a
leader. On the formation of the Republican party, he heartily joined
in the movement, and in i860 was elected a representative in Congress.
His congressional career, which opened favorably, was arrested by the
War of the Rebellion, in which he volunteered as surgeon of the 37th
New York Volunteers. He was on the Peninsula in 1862, and was
there taken very sick. He was ordered to Washington to save his life,
but afterwards joined the regiment. Subsequently was appointed
United States surgeon and had charge of a large hospital in West
Virginia. Dr. Sherman was instrumental in the erection of our extended system
of free dnd graded schools, under a board of education in Ogdensburg.
In the matter of religion he was in sympathy with the Universalist,
and was a liberal supporter of that denomination.
His wife, while on a visit with him in the South, died suddenly, June
14, 1864. Dr. Sherman contracted disease while in the service of his
country which finally terminated his life. He died at his home Feb
ruary I, 1873.
A. B. Sherman settled in Ogdensburg about 1830, and was a clerk
in the drug store of Dr. S. N. Sherman, his brother. He bought his
brother's interest in 1835 and two years later closed out the business.
Graduated as a physician in Pittsfield, Mass., in 1838, and practiced
in Ogdensburg with his brothers until 1840. He removed to Rossie,
and about two years later to Waddington, where he remained to about
1848, when he removed to Morrisburg, Canada.
Frank R. Sherman, son of Dr. B. F. Sherman, studied with his fath
er and graduated in the scientific department of Cornell University
and in Bellevue Hospital in February, 1875. He practiced a year in
Ogdensburg, removed to Michigan City, Ind., returned and died in
Hammond, July 29, 1881, at the age of thirty years.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 293
J. Chipman Sherman, son of Dr. B. F. Sherman, is associated in prac
tice with his father. He was born July 28, 1849, studied in Ogdens
burg High School and graduated in medicine from the University of
New York. He is president of the St. Lawrence County Medical
Society. Robert Morris was born in Glasgow, Scotland, January 28, 1810;
settled in Hammond in 18 19 and studied medicine in Albany and at
tended two terms in the Albany Medical College, graduating in Jan
uary, 1846. He practiced four years in Hammond and in 1850 settled
in Ogdensburg. He served through the war as surgeon of the Ninety-
first N. Y. Infantry.
J. H. Benton was born in Antwerp, Jefferson county, February 8,
1823, and studied medicine in Watertown ; attended lectures at Wil-
loughby College in 1848, graduating from the University of Penn
sylvania in 1848. He practiced two years in West Philadelphia
and settled in Ogdensburg in 185 1. He died in Ogdensburg,
August 31, 1885.
Dr. David E. Southwick was born in Keesville, Clinton county, N.
Y., September 29, 1831, and received his rudimentary education in the
common schools and by private tuition. At eighteen years of age he
entered the Keesville Academy and after a three years' course in that
institution began the study of medicine with Dr. Blanchard, of his
native place. The following year he entered the office of Dr. Ward,
also of Keesville, and attended a course of medical lectures in Albany.
He then entered the Homoeopathic Medical College at Philadelphia,
the first homceopathic college established in this country. From this
institution he graduated with honors in 1857. In this year he came to
Ogdensburg and began the practice of his profession, in which he at
tained eminence. He was the pioneer of the principles of homoe
opathy in this city and his success from the first has been a fine vindica
tion of the principles of this school and also a practical encomium on
his own splendid abilities and professional skill. An epidemic which
broke out among the children in the winter of 1858 gave the doctor an
admirable opportunity to illustrate the efficacy of his medical theory
and his treatment of patients was so singularly successful that his repu-

294 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
tation and practice were at once permanently established. In 1864 Dr.
Southwick associated Dr. N. N. Child with him and the partnership
continued till 1871. Dr. Southwick is highly popular both with the
members of the medical profession, who respect and admire him for his
knowledge, skill and courtesy, and by the people at large who hold
him in high esteem for his social qualities, his sterling principles and
the fact that while enjoying a large and ofttimes taxing practice, he is
always ready to give his best services to the poorest as well as the
richest patient. Dr. Southwick has never gone into politics, but pro
fessionally is a member of the American Medical Institute, the State
Medical Society and the St. Lawrence County Medical Society, of
which he has been president. He is a man of broad and liberal views,
enterprising and patriotic, locally as well as nationally. His character
is strong, yet unobtrusive, and all his intercourse with his fellowmen is
marked by the culture of a gentleman and the wisdom of knowledge.
In 1 87 1 he married Sarah Frances Vilas, daughter of Alden and Ellen
Vilas, of Ogdensburg. Mr. Vilas was a New Englander by birth, and
one of the pioneers in the town of Oswegatchie. He was a son of Peter
Vilas, an Englishman, born in 1804. Mrs. Vilas was a daughter of
Thomas and Sarah Chandler of Reading, Vt. Dr. Southwick's father
was Paul Southwick, who was born in Salem, Mass, May 15, 1797.
His ancestors were of English birth and were among the early New
England settlers. Mrs. Southwick, the doctor's mother, was born Sep
tember 14, 1800. She died while he was quite young. His father died
at the age of sixty-three.
Dr. Caleb Pierce. — This physician was a son of Bestor Pierce, who
has been noticed in the history of Potsdam. He was born at Royal-
ton, Vt, August 6, 1800, and was six years old when his father removed
to Potsdam. When he was nineteen he went to Lebanon, N. H., and
studied medicine with two professors of Dartmouth College, attending
lectures at the same time, and received his diploma in 1822. In 1823
he settled in the village of Madrid. He was honored with the offices
of president and vice president of the County Medical Society, held an
honorary diploma from the Medical College at Castleton, and the degree
of M. D. from Dartmouth College. He was prominent in the affairs

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 295
of the town and much respected in the community. He died in Madrid
June 14, 1887.
Charles C. Bartholomew was born in Waddington, May 16, 1846.
He studied with Dr. J. H. Bartholomew, in Lansing, Mich., attended
one term at Ann Arbor and graduated from Bellevue Hospital in
1870. He settled in Ogdensburg and soon gained an excellent repu
tation and large practice. He has held the office of president of
the County Medical Society.
Dr. Louis Sanburn studied his profession, in Barre, Vt, attended
two courses of lectures at Castleton and graduated from the Burlington
University in 1825. In 1826 he settled in Heuvelton, where he was
for many years a prominent physician. He became a member of the
County Medical Society in 1828, and was several times a delegate to
the State Society. He removed to Montana and died there at the age
of eighty-three.
William Floyd. — Dr. Floyd was born in New Haven, Vt., October
16, 1800, and settled in Norfolk, St. Lawrence county, in 1829. There
is little known of the particulars of his life, excepting that he was a
Free Mason of good standing, a staunch Republican in politics, and
widely respected in his profession. He died in Norfolk, but the date
of his death is not known.
The first physician in the town of Rossie was a Dr. Slade, of
whom little is known. He settled there at an early day and continued
in practice until 185 I, when he removed to Florida and died.
One of the earliest, if not the very first, physicians in the town of
Hopkinton was Dr. Stephen Langworthy. He was succeeded in that
town by Dr. Gideon Sprague, who came from Addison county, Ver
mont, in 181 1, and joined the Medical Society in 18 14. He con
tinued in practice until his death in 1859, and was succeeded by his
son, F. P. Sprague.
Francis Parker. — Dr. Parker was a native of Clarendon, Vt, where
he was born July 14, 1790. He studied medicine in Cornwall, Vt, and
received a diploma from the Vermont State Medical Society in 18 15.
He was present as a surgeon at the battle of Plattsburg, in the war of

296 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
1 8 1 2. He lived in Clinton county a few years and then settled in the
town of Parish, where he practiced until his death. He was president
of the County Medical Society in 1840. He died May 13, 1858.
Robert Campbell. — Dr. Campbell was the first physician in the town
of De Kalb, being one of the party of first settlers who located there in
1803. Nothing is known of his afterlife.
Dr. John Seeley succeeded Dr. Campbell in the town and was for
many years a successful physician. It is related of him that he success
fully performed the operation of trepanning on a man who was injured
at the raising of a building in 1804, using no other instrument than a
steel thimble, which he made into an annular saw. Dr. Seeley died at
Cooper's Falls on the 24th of May, 1829.
G. Dart. — Dr. Dart was a homoeopathic physician of the town of
Depeyster. He first attended lectures in the Rush Medical College of
Chicago and practiced in Depeyster village until 1875, then he attended
lectures and graduated at the Detroit Homoeopathic College. He
returned to Depeyster and continued practice there a few years and
moved to California where he continued to practice his profession.
Joseph Boynton. — Dr. Boynton was one of the early physicians and
the first to settle in Morristown. He was from Massachusetts. He
continued in practice until about the year 1834.
Dr. Solomon P. Sherwood was also an early physician in Morristown
and became a member of the County Medical Society in 1820. He
removed to Jefferson county, but returned and practiced there until
1850, when he removed to Illinois.
Dr. J. S. Morgan, a graduate of the Albany Medical College, in 1825,
settled in Morristown in 1826. In 1828 he became a member of the
County Medical Society, and continued in practice more than fifty
years. He died in 1878.
Dr. Robert Burns, a graduate of a medical college at Glasgow, Scot
land, located at Brier Hill at an early day and practiced there with
good success until a short time before his death. He joined the County
Medical Society in 1848 and died in Morristown in 1862.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 297
John Bean was the first practicing physician in the town of Ham
mond, where he settled as early as 1820. He continued in practice
there until about 1856, when he removed to Richville and died a few
years later. With him was associated as a partner for a time a Dr.
Blackman. A. R. Gregor, a graduate of the Geneva Medical College in 1846,
having previously attended lectures in the Albany Medical College,
settled in the village of Hammond and joined the County Medical
Society in 1864, and later was made an honorary member. He was
superintendent of schools in 1847 and was coroner from 1867 to 1875.
William S. Paddock. — Dr. Paddock was one of the earliest physicians
in the town of Massena, and located there not very long after first
settlement of the town. Through his long life he continued in practice,
and gained the respect of the community. He joined the County
Medical Society in 1816 and held the office of president in 1839. His
death took place in Massena May 6, 1859, at the age of seventy-two
years. Joseph H. Ripley, another early physician of Massena, joined the
County Society in 1834, and practiced in the town more than forty
years. He died in the town February 28, 1880, at the age of eighty-
five years.
Dr. E. Whitney settled early in Massena, became a member of the
County Medical Society in 1834, and died in the town May 20, 1884.
Henry D. Laughlin. — Dr. Laughlin was born in Hopkinton Sep
tember 17, 1806, and studied medicine with Dr. Sprague in his native
town and Dr. Allen, of Middlebury, Vt. He practiced seven years in
Hopkinton and removed to Ogdensburg, where he continued his busi
ness more than thirty-five years, and ranked among the foremost phy
sicians of the county. He died in Ogdensburg June 20, 1865, aged
fifty- eight years.
P. M. Wise, M.D., was born in Erie county, N. Y, March 7, 185 1,
and received his literary education in the district schools and Parker
Classical Institute. He studied medicine in the University of Buffalo,
and was graduated from that institution in 1872. He then took a
38

298 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
position in the St. Louis City Hospital, where he remained a year. It
was during this year that the city was visited with an epidemic of small
pox. Dr. Wise was appointed quarantine physician, and his admirable
work won for him the commendation of the officials and the people of
the city.
In 1873 Dr. Wise accepted a position on the medical staff of the
Willard Asylum for the Insane, a State institution located on Seneca
Lake, New York, and was connected with that institution for eighteen
years, during the last six of which he was superintendent.
In 1886 he was one of the commissioners appointed by Governor Hill
to locate a site for an asylum in Northern New York, and along with
Commissioner Latchworth made a minority report in favor of Ogdens
burg, which, notwithstanding the report of the majority, was sub
sequently acted upon.
In 1890 Dr. Wise accepted his present position of superintendent of
the St. Lawrence State Hospital, and his three years of incumbency has
established his eminent qualifications for the position. Not only has
his superior mind been stored with all the learning of his profession,
but a practical experience of twenty years in his special work and the
information gained by travel and the inspection of the best asylums of
Europe, have contributed to make him one of the ablest experts in this
country on mental diseases. But Dr. Wise possesses attributes of heart
commensurate with his intellectual attainments, and his kindly sympathy
for human suffering, combined with his medical knowledge and fine
executive abilities, renders him the one man absolutely fitted for the
responsible position he occupies.
The St. Lawrence State Hospital, when completed, will be the
largest institution of its kind in the world. Commenting on the insti
tution and its superintendent, the Daily News says : " So with this
kindly man at its head, and the great power and resources of the State
at its back, the St. Lawrence State Hospital is performing a mighty
work for the amelioration of the pain and ills which afflict society's most
unfortunate people."
N. N. Child, M.D., was born in the town of Compton, Quebec, Jan
uary 31, 1837. He received an academic education, and also took a
classical course. At the age of twenty-three years he entered the office

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 299
of Dr. H. A. Houghton, of Keesville, Clinton county, N. Y., and began
the study of medicine. He remained under Dr. Houghton's tutorship
for three years, attending lectures at intervals in the medical depart
ment of the University of Vermont ; later on he attended a preliminary
and regular course of lectures at the Berkshire Medical College at
Pittsfield, Mass , and in November, '62, entered the Homoeopathic Med
ical College of Philadelphia, and graduated from that institution in
March, 1863. The same spring he came to Ogdensburg and com
menced the practice of his profession. He was for eight years (from
1863 to 1 871), associated with Dr. D. E. Southwick in the practice of
his profession, and since that time has been actively engaged in caring
for his large and influential practice in the country and city. Dr. Child
was married December 7, i860, to Miss Phoebe Southwick, of Keese-
ville, N. Y., a descendant of a Revolutionary family. They have one
daughter married, Mrs. G. W. Huntley ; son, Frank S., died at twelve.
Dr. Child is a direct descendant of Thomas Child, who came over in
the Mayflower, and settled in Massachusetts. His father was Walter
Child, a native of West Boylston, Mass., and his mother was Laura B.
Bonnell, a daughter of Seth and Rebecca Bonnell. Dr. Child is emi
nently a successful practitioner, and enjoys a well earned competency,
the result of his untiring energy. He is held in the highest esteem for
his uprightness of character, his quiet and unassuming deportment, as
well as for his scientific qualifications and great success in the field of
medicine ; being recognized as the leading exponent of homoeopathy in
St. Lawrence county. In politics Dr. Child is a Democrat, and is
identified with leading local and State institutions, both political and
professional. He was appointed examining surgeon upon the Pension Board a
few years ago, and has recently been appointed to the same position
a second term, and has been a member of the Board of Health for
some time, and is now a member of the Board of Public Works of the
city. Dr. Child is a gentleman of large and robust frame, combined
with a courteous and affable manner, which makes him much respected
and esteemed, as a family physician, a public officer and a citizen.
James B. Carpenter, M.D., was born June 9, 18 19, at Johnstown, N.
Y. He was one of ten children of Jonathan and Lucy (Johnson) Car-

300 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
penter. The grandfather, Jonathan Carpenter, was born in Connecti
cut, coming to Montgomery county near Johnstown and settling early
in life. James B. was educated at Gouverneur Academy, studied
medicine with Doctors Davison and Brewster, of Theresa, and at Castle
ton Medical College, where he graduated in 1847. He was engaged
in the practice of his profession in Theresa for twenty years, when he
removed to Gouverneur in March, 1867, where he now lives. He
served in the army as surgeon for about two years with the 35th New
York Volunteers ; was at the battles of Gettysburg, Fredericksburg,
the Wilderness and many others. He married, August 3, 1848,
Roxaline Celia Flower, daughter of Nathan M., and sister of Gov.
Roswell P. Flower. She died July 9, 1887, leaving one daughter,
Francis Amelia, (now Mrs. Andrew Irving of Baltimore).
Jesse Reynolds, M. D., was born in Chazy, Clinton county, Decem
ber 10, 1823, a son of Assemblyman Guy Reynolds, a prominent farm
er of that town. The tradition of the ancestry is that some time in the
eighteenth century seven brothers of this name came to this country
from Ireland and located in Rhode Island. The first of the family in
Vermont was Grindle Reynolds, father of Guy. The latter married
Elizabeth Hyde a native of Vermont. The boyhood of Jesse was spent
on Grand Island, Vt. He was educated in the common schools and at
twenty-one went into the office of Hardy H. Reynolds, M. D., in Al-
burgh, Vt, where he spent three years, attending lectures at old Ver
mont Medical College at Woodstock, and graduating June 14, 1847.
His first practice was at South Canton, St. Lawrence county, where he
spent twelve years. In February, i860, he located at Potsdam, where
he has ever since practiced. Dr. Reynolds was the chairman of the
Board of Health in 1890-91, was a member of the first local board of
the Potsdam Normal School, and the only one of that board living in
Potsdam that is still a trustee. Dr. Reynolds married in September,
1852, Louisa Montgomery, of Canton, who died in March, 1871. His
second wife was Lucy A. Leonard, of Canton, who died in November,
1882. The present Mrs. Reynolds was Elizabeth Hargrave of Madrid.
Dr. Reynolds has seven children.
B. F. Drury, M. D., was born in Canton, January 6, 1837. His fath
er, Isaac R,, and mother, Elizabeth (Van Allen) Drury, were natives of

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 301
Vermont, as was also the grandfather, Ebenezer. He studied medicine
with Dr. Hastings at De Kalb, at Castleton, and Burlington, Vt., grad
uating from the medical department of the University of Vermont in
1859. He practiced in Edwards and De Kalb until the fall of 1876,
when he came to Gouverneur and engaged in the practice of his pro
fession, where he has since remained. He was married in August,
1859, to Mary A., daughter of Thomas and Mary (Hudson) Ritchie, of
De Kalb. The father of Mrs. Drury, a native of Scotland, came to this
country in early life, is a civil engineer, and has been a resident of De
Kalb for many years. The mother's ancestry were of English descent.
They have three children: Juliet L., Frederick F., and Albert N.
Frederick F., a physician and surgeon, received his education at Bur
lington, Vt, and at Bellevue Medical College, New York, graduating
from Bellevue in April, 1891, since which time he has been engaged in
the practice of his profession in partnership with his. father, in Gouver
neur. Hervey Dexter Thatcher, M. D., was born in Newport, N. H., Decem
ber 28, 1835, the second son of Calvin, a native of that town. He attend
ed the academies at Newport, New London and Washington, N. H., and
Potsdam and Ogdensburg, N. Y. Spending one and a half years as a
student in medicine he went to New York where he made a year's en
gagement with Ewen Mclntyre, president of the New York College of
Pharmacy to fill a position in the Broadway Drug Store. Later he
turned his attention to the study of medicine, graduating at the Ec
lectic College of Cincinnati, O., in the spring of 1859. During his
student life he taught school many terms to procure funds with which
to pursue his studies. His first venture in a professional way was in
the little town of Walton, Ky., where he had previously taught select
school ; his stay here was very short as an opening offered in Canton,
N. Y., to connect himself with a drug store at that point and at the
same time follow the practice of medicine. He remained here but one
year or until the great fire of i860 destroyed half the business part of
the town, when he removed to Potsdam, N. Y., where for more than
a third of a century he has conducted the drug store of which he is still
the proprietor. In i860 he formulated Thatcher's Orange Butter Color
and later established a trade for it in every State and in the Canadas.

302 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
In 1886, in connection with Mr. Barnhart, he originated the famous
milk jar now so widely distributed, and which was later, with the butter
color, transferred to the Barnhart Bros. In 1889 he formulated the
Sugar of Milk Baking Powder, taking out letters patent on the same
in 1890, the exhibition of which at the World's Columbian Exposition
in Chicago made such a favorable impression on the people. The
brick structures for many years used by him for store and residence
were both planned and built by him. In 1865 he married Miss O.
Adelaide Barnhart, of Barnhart's Island, N. Y. While the Thatcher
ancestry traces back with unbroken lineage hundreds of years through
many generations, taking the first pastor of old South Church, Boston,
Mass., the rector of St. George's Church, Salsbury, England, who died
in 1640, yet the subject of our sketch builds nowhere but on the untir
ing energy and perseverance of that personality that pertains to self
alone. One's own work is the only standard by which we can measure
success. S. W. Close, M. D., was born in Toronto, Canada, May 2, 1857, but
came to Stockholm when quite young. He studied medicine at the
medical department of the University of the City of New York and
graduated in 1885, and in April of that year began the practice of
medicine in Potsdam. June 16, 1886, he married Miss Clara A.
Smith, of Gouverneur, and in the following December he removed to
the latter town. Dr. Close is secretary of the St Lawrence County
Medical Society, a member of the Northern New York Medical Asso
ciation and of the New York State Medical Society. He is also an
elder in the Presbyterian Church.
Erasmus D. Brooks was born in Shoreham, Vt., March 6, 1818, a
son of Hosea Brooks, a native of Massachusetts, born in Colerain in
1 78 1, and was but a boy when he moved into Vermont. He served in
the war of 18 12 as assistant surgeon. After the war he resumed the
practice of his profession in Vermont, and in 18 19 removed to this
county and located at Hopkinton, where he remained five years and
then moved into the town of Stockholm. Here he spent three and
one-half years and then went to Parishville, where he died in 1853.
His wife was Phoebe Post, a native of Vermont, where she died in 1864.
Our subject had the advantage of a good education, and was a student

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 303
of Middlebury College. He first went into business as a clerk in the
store of his father at Parishville when he was about sixteen. He re
mained there until 1838, when he settled up the business of the firm,
and the next year engaged in business on his own account in the same
village. In 1858 he removed to Potsdam, and in 1866 engaged in the
dry goods business, where for three years he was a partner with H. M.
Story. In 1870 Mr. Brooks erected a fine brick block on the west side
of Market street, where he opened a dry goods store alone in the fall
of 1870. Here he remained until December 1, 1891, selling the busi
ness to Glover & Orne, who now conduct it. In connection with his
mercantile business Mr. Brooks has always taken an active interest in
public affairs, and has held many offices of honor and trust. He was
elected in 1848 supervisor of Parishville, an office he held three or four
years. In 1857 he was elected assemblyman of the Third District of
St. Lawrence county in the Legislature. In 1862 he was appointed by
President Lincoln to the position of internal revenue collector for the
Nineteenth Congressional District, an office he held over thirteen
years, resigning to take effect January 1, 1876. Mr. Brooks was for
seven or eight years supervisor of the town of Potsdam, and was chair
man of the board part of the time. He has been a trustee of the
village, and was one of the building committee of the Normal School.
Mr. Brooks married in 1841 Permelia, daughter of Col. Jonah Sandford,
of Hopkinton, and they have had six children, but one of whom, Mrs.
W. A. Landers, widow, is now living. Mrs. Brooks died October 16,
1886. C. B. Hawley, M. D., was born in Millroche, Canada, while the
family were temporarily living there, they being St. Lawrence county
people. Jesse B., the father, was born in Kings county, but spent
most of his life in the town of Madrid, St. Lawrence county. He died
at Richville, aged eighty-nine years. His wife, Rebecca L. (Hitch
cock) Hawley, was born in Franklin county. Dr. Hawley was edu-
gated at the St. Lawrence University and the Cincinnati College of
of Medicine and Surgery, where he graduated in 1871, since which
time he has been engaged in the practice of his profession in the towns
of Russell, Richville and Gouverneur, coming to the latter place in
1888. In the fall of 1890 he was appointed coroner. He is also one

304 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
of the Board of United States Examining Surgeons at Ogdensburg.
He married December 27, 187 1, Lucy, daughter of Darius and Almira
(Hoard) Chapin, of Russell They have two sons, Henry Bartlett,
student at St. Lawrence University, and Jessie B. They have also an
adopted daughter, Louise Chapin Hawley, daughter of Thomas Sparks,
of England.
Andrew H. Allen, one of nine children of Lorenzo D. and Mary
(Cummings) Allen, was born at Antwerp, Jefferson county. The ances
try on the father's side were Herkimer county people, the Cummings
family having been originally natives of Massachusetts. Andrew H.
studied at Ives Seminary, Antwerp, where he graduated in 1877,
teaching school for several seasons. He entered Long Island College,
where he graduated in 1879. He began the practice of his profession
in Spragueville, where he remained two years, when he came to Gou
verneur and located where he has since remained, engaged in practice.
He married, in August, 1880, Libbie A., daughter of Charles and Ada
(Hungerford) Cheney, of Antwerp. They have four daughters, E.
Blanche, Grace M., Maud B. and Bell Allen.
H. S. Stillwell, M.D., was born in Oswegatchie, June 23, 1859. He
received a liberal education in the St. Lawrence county schools, includ
ing the Potsdam Academy, after which he entered upon the study of
medicine, and graduated from the medical department of the University
of New York City in 1887, immediately thereafter commencing the
practice of his profession in Ogdensburg, where he has since acquired a
large and influential patronage. Dr. Stillwell married, shortly after
receiving his degree, Florence E. Witerhead, of Lowell, Mass. He is a
member of the County Medical Society, Masons, Odd Fellows and A.
O. U. W., of which latter organization he is examining physician. Dr.
Stillwell is also health officer for the town of Oswegatchie, and a mem
ber of the Presbyterian Church of this city.
S. Dandurand, M.D., was born in Macon, France, May 5, 1862. He
studied at Juliette College, and graduated from Victoria Medical Col
lege, Montreal, in 1888. He first began practice at St. Regis Falls,
but came to Gouverneur in July, 1891, where he now enjoys a large
practice and owns a leading drug store, Previous to studying medicine

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 305
Dr. Dandurand was for seven years engaged in the drug business. In
1885 he married Elizabeth Rancourt, and they have four children.
S. E. Brown, M. D., was born in Lisbon, February 24, 1856. He
received his education in the schools of that vicinity and the Potsdam
Normal School, eventually graduating in medicine from the University
Medical College, New York City, after which in the spring of 1883 he
located in Ogdensburg, and commenced the practice of his profession,
in the prosecution of which he has taken a leading position among the
representative physicians of this State. He was appointed by the gen
eral government, marine surgeon and United States medical health
officer, and for the past five years has been coroner of this county. He
is also medical examiner for the Mutual Life Insurance Company. Dr.
Brown is also president of the St. Lawrence County Medical Society, a
member of Ogdensburg Club, and identified with the numerous other
local and State institutions. Dr. Brown married in 1885, Mary C.
Bacon, of Brooklyn, a daughter of Lieutenant Commander Bacon of
the United States Navy, and they have two daughters.
Dr. Moses E. Smith was born in Morgan, Vt, August 27, 1846, a
son of Russeil W., of Lyman, N. H., born March 29, 1819, whose
father, Nathan, was born June 8, 1793 and died August 25, 1834. His
wife was Dorcas S. Parker, who was born June 9, 1800. Their chil
dren were : Russell W., born March 29, 1819; Chilson P., born July
6, 1820, died 1829; Ira B, born October 5, 1821, died 1822; Nathan
W.,born August 18, 1823; Zilpha, born November 22, 1825 ; Ethan,
born August 28, 1829, died 1830; and Samuel C. P., born January 25,
1 83 1. Dorcas S. Smith married second time, Samuel Titus, 1843, and
had one child Candice, born February 5, 1841, and died April 24,
1844. Russell W. Smith, father of our subject, went at the age of
sixteen to work in the lumber woods in New Hampshire, and later to
Vermont. In 1843 he married Susan Chase, a native of Strafford,
N. H., born July 19, 1821, a daughter of John Chase, a native of West
Newbury, Mass., born July 3, 1790 and died Jauuary 8, 1866. Rus
sell W. Smith and wife resided in Vermont from 1843 to 1853, then
came to St. Lawrence county and settled in Hopkinton, where Russell
died, December 10, 1880, and his widow resides with her son, M. E.
Smith. Their children were as follows: Wilbur, born May 22, 1844;
39

306 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Moses E., born August 27, 1846 ; Zorah, born June 26, 1848 ; Willard
R., born June 13, 1850; Ryley, born April 10, 1852, died May 11,
1863; Dorcas A., born June 7, 1855, died April 3, 1856; Celon, born
January 24, 1858, died September 17, 1861. Moses E. Smith was
seven years of age when his parents came to Hopkinton, and at twelve
he started in life working on a farm. He received a common school
education and in 1875 commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Cook,
of Stockholm, graduating from the medical department of the Burling
ton University in 1868. In the same year he came to Colton, and
except five years in Heuvelton, has since had a successful practice in
that village. March 5, 1879, Dr. Smith married Lorene J. Perkins,
daughter of Amos Perkins, of Stockholm. They have had the follow
ing children : Myrtle A., born September 24, 1881 ; Harold M., born
October 1, 1888. Dr. Smith is a Republican and has been health
commissioner seven years, and is a member of the St. Lawrence Medi
cal Association, having been president and vice-president of the society,
and delegate to the State society. He is also a member of the North
ern New York Medical Society.
J. A. Hamelin, was born in Canada, December 4, 1861. He received
his preliminary education at Three Rivers, and graduated in medicine
from the Victoria College, Montreal in the class of '89. After gradu
ating he came to this county and practiced his profession for a time at
Spencer, Mass., but finding a better opening at Ogdensburg he located
there, where he has since most successfully practiced. Dr. Hamelin
married in 1891, and has one child. He is a member of St. John the
Baptist Society, of which he is the physician, and also is prominent in
social and benevolent institutions.
T. R. Hossie, M. D., was born at Perth, Canada, December 14, 1859,
one of five children of George and Margaret (Brice) Hossie. He was
educated at Kingston, Canada, Queen's University, where he graduated
in April, 1878. He settled in Gouverneur during the same year, where
he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. He is one
of the stirring men of the town, warmly interested in politics since
1884, and for two years master of Gouverneur Lodge of Masons.
Grant Madill, M. D., was born in Stockton, Cal, July 6, 1864. He
received his education in the Ogdensburg Academy and in New York,

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 307
and graduated in medicine from the Bellevue Hospital College in 1886.
After serving two years in the Presbyterian Hospital in New York, he
in 1888 commenced the practice of medicine in Ogdensburg. Dr.
Madill is considered one of the leading surgeons of the State. His
ancestors were of Revolutionary stock, and are among the earliest set
tlers of this county.
John W. Benton, M. D., son of Dr. Charles C. Benton, was born in Ox
Bow, November 1 5, 1864. He waseducated in the schools of Ogdensburg,
after which he graduated in medicine from the University of Pennsyl
vania class of '86, and immediately thereafter commenced the practice of
his profession in Ogdensburg. Dr. Benton is a Mason of high degree,
a member of the Democratic and Ogdensburg Clubs, health officer of
the city, and an influential member of our leading social and benevolent
circles. His father, Charles Carroll Benton, M. D., was also a native of
Ox Bow where he practices medicine.
Abram N. Thompson, M.D. (deceased), was born at St. Armond,
Canada, February 5, 1828. His father was Abram Thompson, M.D.,
a native of Edinburg, Scotland, where he was reared and educated
graduating from the Medical University of that place in 18 12. He
came to St. Armond, Canada, when a young man and engaged in the
practice of his profession, where he resided a number of years, and here
spent his last days. His wife was Nancy Hubbard, a native of Ver
mont, by whom he had three sons and one daughter. Dr. Thompson
died in i860, and his wife in 1866. Abram N. Thompson was reared
in the village of St Armond, Canada, and educated in St. Armond and
Bakersfield Academy of Vermont, graduating from the Vermont Medi
cal College at Woodstock in 185 1. He then went to Phillipsburg,
Canada, and practiced his profession three years. He married, June 4,
1855, Harriet E. Maynard, a native of St. Albans, Vt, daughter of
Samuel and Maria (Baker) Maynard, of Bakersfield, Vt. Dr. Thomp
son and wife have had two children, Lizzie C, who died at the age of
sixteen years, and Jessie M., who was educated at Compton and Dun
ham Colleges. She married, January 20, 1888, John C. O'Brien, a
native of Norfolk, who was born July 9, 1856. He is a son of T. H.
O'Brien and Sallie (Adams) O'Brien, of Norfolk. John C. O'Brien
was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. Mr.

308 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
O'Brien is a farmer and produce dealer. Mr. O'Brien is an ardent
politician, and has always been a Democrat. He is a member of the
Norfolk Grange. Mr. O'Brien and wife have had two children : Harold
T. and Howard A. In 1855 Dr. Thompson and wife came to Norwood
where he remained about six months and then came to Norfolk, where
he had a very extensive and successful practice until his death. He
was elected a member of the New York State Medical Society in 1873,
and also a member of the American Medical Association. In politics
he was a Democrat. Mrs. Thompson is a member of the Episcopal
Church, which her husband always attended and supported. Dr.
Thompson died November 18, 1882, and Mrs. Thompson still resides in
Norfolk. Edwin C. Walch, M.D., CM., was born in Lowe, Canada, October
20, 1842, a son of Capt. Robert Thomas Walch, a native of Ireland,
who came to this country in 18 17. Our subject was educated in the
common schools, and at fifteen years of age he entered Huntington
Academy, and at twenty years of age entered McGill University at
Montreal, where for three years he was in the art faculty. In 1863 he
began the study of medicine in the above university and graduated
May 6, 1867. He remained in Montreal about six months, and Sep
tember 12 of the same year located in the town of Madrid, where within
five years he had built up a lucrative practice. Dr. Walch is a member
of the St. Lawrence County Medical Association, and is a director of
the Madrid Woolen Mills, in which he has been interested since 1882,
having been for ten years the manager. He is a member of the Con
gregational Church, of which he is one of the trustees. Dr. Walch
married, January 7, 1874, Maggie, daughter of William Wears, of
Massena, and they have one daughter, Bessie Verena.
E. W. Setree, M. D., was born in England, April 7, 1847. He was
liberally educated in the institutions of the old country, and graduated
in medicine from McGill University, Montreal, in the class of 1878. He
immediately thereafter commenced the practice of his profession in
Heuvelton, where he has since been located, enjoying the leading pat
ronage of the locality. He married, in 1879, Lucy Maclaren, and they
have three children. Dr. Setree is a skillful, learned and honorable

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 309
practitioner, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of the medical
fraternity as well also of the general public.
Jesse Reynolds, M.D., was born in Chazy, Clinton county, December
IO, 1823, a son of Guy Reynolds, a prominent farmer of that town.
The tradition ancestry is that sometime in the eighteenth century seven
brothers of this name came to this country from Ireland and located in
Rhode Island. The first of the family in Vermont was Grindle Rey
nolds, father of Guy. The latter married Elizabeth Hyde, a native of
Vermont. The boyhood of Jesse was spent at Grand Island, Vt. He
was educated in the common schools, and at twenty-one years of age he
went into the office of Hardy H. Reynolds, M.D., in Alburgh, Vt., where
he spent three years, attending lectures at old Vermont Medical College
at Woodstock, and graduating June 14, 1847. His first practice was at
South Canton, St. Lawrence county, where he spent twelve years. In
February, i860, he located in Potsdam, where he has ever since prac
ticed. Dr. Reynolds was the chairman of the Board of Health in 1890-
91, was a member of the first Local Board of the Potsdam State Nornal
School, and the only one of that first board now living in Potsdam, that
is still a trustee. Dr. Reynolds married, in September, 1852, Lorena
Montgomery, of Canton, who died in March, 1871. His second wife
was Lucy A. Leonard, of Canton, who died in November, 1882. The
present Mrs. Reynolds was Elizabeth Hargrave, of Madrid. Dr. Rey
nold has seven children.
Freeman A. Pease, M. D., was born in the town of Brasher, Novem
ber 27, 1842. The earliest ancestor we find of this family in the coun
try is Captain John Pease, who was a native of England and immigrated
to this country about 1620, and settled in Massachusetts. Ebenezer
Pease, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a native of Massachu
setts and was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. The grandfather,
Abel Pease, was born in Vermont and was the first of the family to
come to St. Lawrence county, and located in the town of Lawrence
about 1828. He built the first farm house in the village of North Law
rence, and it was there he reared his family and spent the balance of his
days. He died in 1868, aged eighty- seven years. He was the father
of twelve children, of which Abel, father of our subject, is the fourth
son. He was born in Vermont, April 5, 1818. He has always followed

310 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
mechanical pursuits and the last fifteen or twenty years has been a resi
dent of Norwood. The mother of our subject, Sally Clark, was a native
of Grand Isle county, Vt, a daughter of Freeman Clark, a prominent
figure in the Legislature of the State a number of years. Dr. Pease
was one of a family of six children, three of whom are now living :
Lucius L., of Norwood ; William H., a farmer of Canton ; and Freeman
A. The early life of our subject was spent in the town of Lawrence,
where he received his education in Lawrenceville Academy. He com
menced the study of medicine while teaching in Lawrenceville
Academy in the office of Dr. Joseph A. Jackson. In 1846, after one
year's study of medicine he enlisted in Company K, 193d regiment, N.
Y. Volunteer Infantry, and was appointed hospital steward, which
position he filled at the Post Hospital, Cumberland City, Md., until the
close of the war. Returning at, the close of the war he entered the
University of Vermont at Burlington, graduating with the degree of M.
D., June 15, 1867. He commenced practice in Norwood July 13, 1867,
and has ever since been here. He is a member of St. Lawrence Coun
ty Medical Society and also of the Northern N. Y. Medical Association.
He has been a member of Norwood lodge I. O. O. F. and is now a
member of Luther Priest Post G. A. R., No. 167, and has held the office
of surgeon. He is a member of the Congregational church of Norwood,
and has filled the office of health officer of Norwood village. Dr. Pease
married, June 10, 1868, Helen M. Lester, of Parishville, and they had
two sons, one died at seven years of age ; and Leslie Allan is practicing
law at Dunkirk, N. Y. Mrs. Pease died August 30, 1884, and he mar
ried second, October 6, 1886, Ella A., daughter of John Walker, of
Sherbrook, Quebec.
James Garvin, M. D.,was born in Kings county, Ireland, in 1828, and
came to America in 1848. He studied medicine with Dr. William
Robinson of Antwerp, and was graduated in 1853. In that year he
came to Black Lake and has resided forty years in Morristown, twenty-
five of which has been spent in this place. He was postmaster under
Cleveland's first administration. In 1858 Dr. Garvin married Mary,
daughter of John Brewer, and they have a family of two sons and five
daughters : John B., James W., Mary, Carrie, Ellen, Laura and Grace.
Dr. Garvin takes a lively interest in educational matters, and has been a

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 311
member of the Morristown Board of Education from its formation to
the present time. He has also held other local offices.
James M. Marsh, M. D., was born in Stockholm, June 27, 1862, a son
of Morgan Marsh, a farmer of that town. Dr. Marsh was educated at
the common schools and graduated from the Potsdam State Normal
School in February, 1887. He studied medicine first in the office of
Dr. J. E. Britton of Potsdam, and in October, 1887, entered New York
Homoeopathic College of Medicine, from which he graduated April 17,
1890. He was for a year in the Williamsburg Dispensary, and then
spent eighteen months in Colton, St. Lawrence county. December 1,
1892, he bought out the practice of Dr. J. E. Britton in Potsdam,
where he has since been engaged in practice, which acquired consider
able proportion, holding the best part Dr. Britton had and acquiring
considerable new. He married in 1887, Nora Crossman of Antwerp,
and they have one daughter, Emma L.
Dr. Hiram D. Brown was born in Canada, September 21, 1833, the
son of Amos Brown, a mechanic and speculator, born in Vermont. The
mother of our subject was Olive Bartlett, also a native of Vermont. The
early life of our subject was spent in Canada. He was educated in
Derby and Brownington Academies in Vermont. He was sixteen
years of age when he took up the study of medicine ; the first year
in the office of Dr. S. A. Skinner and afterwards in the office of Dr.
H. H. Carpenter. In 1856 he entered Berkshire Medical College, at
Pittsfield, graduating two years later, the winter of 1858. He began
practice in Rochester, Vt., in company with Dr. C. B. Currier, now
dean of San Francisco, Cal., Medical College. He practiced in Roches
ter for a year and then in Moretown three years. December 12, 1862,
he moved to Potsdam where he has ever since practiced. While with
Dr. Currier he took up the study of homoeopathy and February ii,
1878, he was made a member of the Homoeopathic Medical Society of
the State of New York. He was a member of old St. Lawrence Coun
ty Medical Society, and its first secretary.
P. Monackey, M. D., was born in Canada, April 18, 1857. He re
ceived his elementary education in St. Mary's College, Montreal, and
studied medicine in Victoria College in that town, graduating in 1885.

312 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
In December of that year he came to Gouverneur and established him
self in the practice of medicine. In 1883 he married Aldegronde
Jodoin, and they have two children. Dr. Monackey is a member of
the St. Lawrence County Medical Society, and is an active Democrat.
He is an able speaker and took the stump successfully for his party in
the presidential campaign of 1892.
Aaron M. Larkin, M.D., was born in Beekmantown, Clinton county,
N. Y., April 5, 1842, a son of Lorenzo D. Larkin, also a native of Clin
ton county, a farmer and speculator. The mother of our subject, Agnes
Mason, was also from Clinton county. They were married in 1 841, and
had three children. A daughter, Adeliza M., died in Winona, Minn.,
in 1866, at twenty-three years of age. Another sister, Martha C, is the
wife of Edwin D. McBanker, of Beekmantown. Mrs. Larkin died
December 10, 1848. The early life of our subject was spent on the
homestead farm, and in attending the common schools. His education
was finished at the old Plattsburg Academy, and he began the study of
medicine with Dr. L. F. Bidwell, and after his death studied with Dr.
T. B. Nichols, of Plattsburg. In 1866 he entered Vermont University
at Burlington, and completed his course in medical sludy June 18,
1868. Being of poor health he did not commence the practice of medi
cine until 1870. His first location was at West Chazy, Clinton county,
where he practiced eight years, and in 1878 moved to Norwood and
took the place of Dr. John A. Wilbur, and has ever since been located
here. He has built up an extensive and lucrative practice, and enjoys
the distinction of being one of the foremost physicians in this town.
He has been a member of the Board of Education of Norwood Academy
for the last six years, a Mason ten years, pastm aster of What Cheer
Lodge No. 689, a member of St. Lawrence Chapter No. 24, and St.
Lawrence Commandery No. 28. He has been a member of Norwood
Lodge No. 486, I. O. O. F., twelve years, Ogdensburg Encampment
No. 32, and Canton Amaranth No. 12. Dr. Larkin married, May 26,
1869, Gertrude E. Atwood, of West Chazy, NY., and they have two
children: Lorenzo D., a student in pharmacy with M. W. Collins &
Son, Norwood, and William A., a student of the academy.
Alfred Drury, M.D., was born in Canton, May 15, 1849, and was
educated at Potsdam Normal School. He taught school, while study-

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 313
ing medicine, for about five years, and studied with Dr. A. G. Goss, of
South Canton, also in the University of Vermont, graduating in 1876.
Then, after practicing five years, he took a course in the University of
New York, from which he graduated in 1882, and the next year came
to Canton. Dr. Drury is a member of the St. Lawrence County Medi
cal Society, of which he has also been president. He took a post graduate
course at Harvard College, and is considered a medical authority. In
1878 Dr. Drury married Frances A. Parmelee, and they have two chil
dren, Grace and Charles.
B. C. Cheesman, M.D., was born in Jefferson county, December 19,
1856. He studied at Adams Collegiate Institute, and at the Baltimore
College of Physicians and Surgeons, and graduated in 1880. In that
year he began practice in Jefferson county. He has been in Gouverneur
two years. Dr. Cheesman is a member of the Jefferson County Medi
cal Society, is a Master Mason, and was formerly a Forester. His
father was Clifford Cheesman, a native of the Mohawk Valley, and his
mother Angeline Wheeler.
John N. Bassett, jr., M.D., was born in Canton, August 11, 1850.
He was educated at the Canton Union School and the St. Lawrence
University, and studied medicine with Dr. Seymour at Hermon, and in
the Unfversity of New York, graduating in March, 1882; he then
opened his present office in Canton, where he has ever since been
actively engaged in practice. In 1882 Dr. Bassett married Lillian A.
Wright, and they have one son living, Harry Wright Bassett. Dr.
Bassett has been a member of the Board of Education for eleven years,
and was president of the board for two years. He also served as coroner
for three years. He is a member of the St. Lawrence County Medical
Society. Dr. Silas J. Bower, was born in Kalptville, Canada, March 17, 1843.
His father, Joseph Bower, was a son of William Bower, a native of
Scotland. The latter was a graduate of Oxford University. He studied
medicine and about 1800 came to America, where he was a surgeon in the
British Army, but resigned his commission, took up land in Canada, and
for some time was engaged in teaching. He died at South Gore, at the
age of fifty-four. Joseph Bower was born in Williamsburg, Canada, in
40

314 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
1 813, and in early life was engaged in building canals. He finally
entered the general mercantile business, which he followed for some
time. He was coroner of Williamsburg, and was a member of Jthe
militia during the Patriot War, having been at the Battle of the Wind
mill. He married, in Kalptville, Canada, Mary A. Huntington,
daughter of Silas Huntington, of Kalptville, and they had seven sons
and four daughters, of whom ten grew to maturity. Mr. Bower died in
Kalptville, September 7, 1870, where his wife now resides at the age of
seventy- five years. Our subject, while receiving his education, assisted
his father in the mercantile business. He took a medical course in the
McGill University, graduating in May, 1865. He then came to
Waddington and engaged in the practice of his profession, and after a
year returned to Kalptville, where he remained one year and a half.
Later he came again to Waddington, where he has since had a very
successful practice. June 8, 1869, Dr. Bower married Frances M.
Clark, daughter of William Clark, a native of New Hampshire, who
came to Waddington when a young man. He was a carriage maker,
and for over fifty years he was proprietor of the Clark House in Wad
dington. He died some years ago. . Dr. Bower and wife have had four
children : William J., a graduate of St. Lawrence University, is in
an abstract office in Youngstown, Ohio ; Edith C. resides at home ;
Charles P. is deceased ; and Henry H. resides at home. In politics Dr.
Bower is a Republican. He has been a member of the School Board,
and is a member of the Waddington Lodge No. 393, F. & A. M., in
which he has served as master. He attends and supports the Episcopal
Church. Ira J. Fuller, M.D., was born in West Parishville, November 13, 1857.
He was the son of J. Chauncey and Chloe Fuller. He took a course
of study in the Potsdam Normal School, but did not wait to graduate
before entering college. He received his diploma from the University
of Vermont, and in 1888 he took the degree of M.D. from the same
institution. Dr. Fuller taught school six years. He was principal of
the Heuvelton Union Free School two years, and also of the Rensselaer-
ville Academy. Shortly after receiving his degree he commenced
practice in Spragueville. In the same year he married Mary, daughter
of P. H. Wheater, of Heuvelton. In politics Dr. Fuller is an active Re-

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 315
publican, and at present is a member of the Republican County Com
mittee, and also one of its executive committee.
De Witt Clinton Douglass was born in Chateaugay, Franklin county,
November 8, 1826. His father, George W., was a native of this State,
and served at the battle of Plattsburg in the War of 18 12. He con
ducted the mills of Chazy and Chateaugay. The mother of our subject,
Patty M. Manning, was a native of Canada. De Witt C. was next to
the youngest of eight children. He was educated at Malone Academy,
and in 1847 entered Castleton (Vt.) Medical College, from which he
graduated with the degree of M.D. in 1849. He followed the practice
of his profession a short time in Northern Vermont, then returning to
his home to assist his father in his increasing business. He remained
in Chateaugay until 1857, an^ then moved to Brasher, where he owned
and conducted a grist mill until 1863. During the time he and his
brother, George M. Douglas, bought the Norfolk mill, and in 1863,
they together bought the Horton mills and property in this village.
They conducted the flour and saw-mill until 1872, when he sold the
former to his brother and invested in real estate in Florida. He trans
ferred a wilderness into an orange grove, which he has divided, and,
after selling two groves, now owns about thirty acres. He devotes his
time to orange culture in winter and the manufacture of lumber in
Madrid in summer. In politics Mr. Douglass has always been a
staunch Republican, but has never been an aspirant to public office,
devoting his whole time to business. He is a member of the Metho
dist Church, and has twice barely escaped with his life from the edifice,
once when he fell with a staging, and again at the time of the fire.
Mr Douglass married, in 1853, Alma J., daughter of John B. Jackson,
a native of New' Hampshire, and many years a resident of Chateaugay,
Malone and Canton. He was for fourteen years wood and lumber
agent for the O. & L. C. Railroad.
C. B. Hawley, M.D., was born in Millroche, Canada, while the family
were temporarily living there, they being St. Lawrence county people.
Jesse B., the father, was born in Kings county, but spent most of his life
in the town of Madrid, St. Lawrence county. He died in Richville,
aged eighty-nine years. His wife, Rebecca L. (Hitchcock) Hawley,
was born in Franklin county. The grandfather, John Hawley, also

316 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
spent nearly all his life in Madrid. Subject was educated at the St
Lawrence University, medical department Michigan State University,
and the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, where he grad
uated in 1 87 1, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of
his profession in the towns of Russell, Richville and Gouverneur, com
ing to the latter place in 1888. In the fall of 1 890 he was elected
coroner He was appointed one of the Board of United States Exam
ining Surgeons at Ogdensburg, May, 1891, and resigned March 4,
1893. He married, December 27, 1871, Lucy, daughter of Darius and
Almira (Hoard) Chapin, of Russell. They have two sons, Henry Bart-
lett, student at St. Lawrence University, and Jesse B. They have also
an adopted daughter, Louise Chapin Hawley.
H. K. Kerr, M.D., was born in Dundas county, Ontario, January 27,
1857. He received his literary education at the Kemptville High
School and the Kingston Collegiate Institute. He studied medicine at
Trinity Medical College, Toronto, and graduated in 1891 in that insti
tution, also in the University of Trinity College and the University of
Toronto. He then came to Hammond and began the practice of medi
cine, in which he has been very successful. In 1886 Mr. Kerr married
Miss Anna Eugenia Franklin. He is a member of the Independent
Order of Foresters.
Daniel W. Finnimore, M.D., was born in Morley, December 24, 1854,
a son of Joshua W. Finnimore, a native of England, born in Bristol,
April 8, 1823, who came with his parents to this country. In 1832 they
located at Lisbon, where William P., father of Joshua, worked at black-
smithing. The family moved to Morley in 1835, where William P.
built a shop and established a trade. In 1845 he made a venture in real
estate, and kept increasing his possessions until at his death, December
24, 1 891, he owned over 1,000 acres in this county. He married, in
1847, Margaret S. Glass, of Lisbon, and they had six children, four now
living. Daniel W., the only son, has always made his home in this
county. He was educated at Canton Academy and taught for two
years, then entered the office of Drs. J. H. & C. C. Benton, at Ogdens
burg, where he read medicine for two years. During this time he
attended a course of lectures at the University of Michigan in 1880-81,
and his diploma and degree were received from the Fort Wayne (Ind.)

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 317
College of Medicine, March i, 1883. In 1884 he was elected professor
of materia medica and therapeutics in the college from which he grad
uated, and at the end of the year he resigned and commenced the prac
tice of medicine and surgery in this village. After practicing some time
he took a post-graduate course at the New York Post- Graduate School,
and then began practice in Potsdam, where he has ever since remained.
Dr. Finnimore, in addition to his professional duties, conducts a large
farm of over 200 acres, in which is also located a plant for the manu
facture of brick, tile and flower pots, where he employs about thirty
hands. He has also there a large fruit and vegetable supply garden.
He is also a partner in the clothing firm of C. E. Solle & Co. He
married, in 1891, Ella C, daughter of Luther Everett, of Lawrence.
R. G. Feek was born in England, September 28, 1856. He received
his preliminary education in the public and high schools of Kingston,
Ontario, after which he attended Queen's College, Kingston, and
graduated with the degree B.A. from Trinity Medical College, Toronto,
Ont, in 1891. Prior to graduating in medicine he was a member of
the Methodist Conference, and preached for a time, but preferring medi
cine, soon continued his studies until he graduated, since which time he
has actively followed his profession. Dr. Feek married, in 1891, Naomi
Plows, of Toronto. He is an active member of the Masonic fraternity,
Good Templars, and Foresters, and is one of the most popular young
physicians in St. Lawrence county.
Patrick Henry Shea, M.D., was born in Kenmare, ten miles from the
beautiful lakes of Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland, October 10, 1847.
Being deprived in childhood, by death, of a mother's care, he, with his
father and younger brother, came to this country when only nine years
of age.
His father soon married again, and his stepmother not entertaining
the most ardent affection, he at the tender age of ten years, determined
to make his own way in life. He labored on the farm summers, attended
the common schools winters, and thus continued until January 4, 1864,
when he enlisted at Watertown, N. Y., at the age of sixteen years, in
the 14th Regiment New York Volunteer Heavy Artillery, being soon
transferred with the rest of his company to the 13th New York Volun
teer Heavy Artillery.

318 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
He served in that regiment, in Company H, until the close of the
war, after which he was attached to Company M, 6th New York Vol
unteer Heavy Artillery, and honorably discharged from the service at
Washington, D. C, August 24. 1865.
Returning immediately to Watertown, he then, at the age of eighteen
years, determined to obtain a good education, and for that purpose,
entered at once the Ogdensburg Educational Institute, subsequently
Canton Academy and finally Falley Seminary, at Fulton, N. Y., receiv
ing at these then noted schools a most excellent academic education.
His worth and ability as a student may be appreciated when President
Richmond Fiske, D.D., offered him a complimentary free scholarship in
St. Lawrence University. John P. Griffin, A.M., principal of Falley
Seminary, said of him, when a student in that far famed institution of
learning, " I am more than pleased with him. He is one of the most
faithful, diligent and well behaved students I ever knew."
He taught in the public schools for five years under a first grade cer
tificate. He began the study of medicine in 1873 with Dr. J. C.
Preston, of Canton, and graduated from the medical department of the
University of Vermont in 1876. He attended a post-graduate course
in the following year and began the practice of medicine in Morley, in
this town in 1878, and removed to Canton village in i88r, where he has
been in practice ever since. He has been the county physician all
the time of his practice in Canton village, except one year, and he
now holds that appointment. He is one of the chartered members
of the Grand Army Post at Canton, and is surgeon of the same. He
married Miss Alice A. Graham, and they have one son, John Augus
tine Shea.
Dr. James S. McKay was born July 12, 1859, in Ottawa, Canada, of
Scotch Irish descent. His father was in the lumber business over forty
years in Canada. Dr. McKay was educated in the common and high
schools of Ottawa. His medical education was obtained at McGill
College, Montreal, and Rush College, Chicago. In 1885 he settled in
Potsdam, where he has built up a very lucrative practice and made
many friends. He has been connected with the Health Board work
of this village and has made a special study of sanitary science.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 319
John B. Brooker, M. D., was born in England, June 26, 1848. He
was early apprenticed to a chemist, druggist and dentist, and subse
quently took up the study of medicine at Winchester College, from
which he graduated in 1869. In the fall of the same year he came to
America, and after practicing eleven years in Jefferson county, came
to Hammond in 1 88 1 . In 1 870 he married Sarah Mitchell, who died July
26, 1878. Of her children only one is living, Mary Maggie Louise. In
1879 Dr. Brooker married his present wife, Mary (Harvey) Brooker.
His father was John Btooker and his mother Annie Brooker, who died
while he was yet an infant.
Don Melville Hooks, physician and surgeon, was born in Constantia,
Oswego county, March 29, 1868. His parents moved to Central
Square when he was two years old, and there he received his education
in Central Square Academy. He taught school two years and followed
various other employments until the fall of 1890, when he entered the
medical department of the University of the City of New York, gradu
ating April 4, 1893. May 22, 1893, he took the place of Dr. Brower in
Madrid, where he is rapidly building up a practice that promises to be
one of the best of the local profession. He is a member of the Masonic
Fraternity, connected with Central Square Lodge, No. 622.
W. B Finnegan, M. D., was born in Louisville, and received his early
education at Massena Academy. He studied medicine at Ann Harbor,
Mich., and graduated in 1882. He began practice in Michigan but re
turned to his native county in 1884, locating in Edwardsville, where he
has built up a large practice. His parents were Irish by birth, and
settled in Canada, subsequently moving to Edwardsville, St. Lawrence
county. Morris Beckstead, M. D., was born in Dundee county, Ontario, May
27, 1854. He received his preliminary education in the schools of that
vicinity and Morrisburg, after which he attended the Kingston Medical
School, and graduated from McGill University, Montreal, in 1878,
immediately thereafter commencing the practice of his profession at
Crysler, Ontario, and one year later moved to Lisbon Centre, where he
has since continued in active and successful practice. Dr. Beckstead is
of German and English descent. His parents were New England

320 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
loyalists, who settled in Ontario about 1812. In 1882 the doctor mar
ried Alma Lytle, of this county, and they have two children. He is
identified with the Masonic brotherhood, County Medical Association,
etc., and is a very popular physician.
Cornelius A. Barnett, M. D., was born in Waddington, May 1, 1862,
a son of Jeremiah, a farmer of that town, who soon after moved into
the town of Potsdam with his family. Dr. Barnett was educated in
the common schools and in 1883 graduated from the Potsdam State
Normal School. From 1883 to 1885 he taught in the city schools of
Ogdensburg, and the following two years was principal of the public
schools of Tuckahoe, Westchester county. During these last two years
he studied medicine with Dr. Nordquist of that place, and in 1887 he
entered the University of Michigan at Ann Harbor. After two years
there he went to Bellevue Hospital Medical College, graduating March
10, 1890. He opened practice in Potsdam the same year, where he
has built up a very lucrative practice and made many friends. He
married in 1887 Blanche, daughter of Robert Lowry, esq., of Ogdens
burg. She died two years later, leaving a daughter, Blanche. Dr.
Barnett married again in 1892 Maud, daughter of Jacob P. Lobdell, a
farmer of this town, formerly a merchant of Madrid. During his
student days and since, the doctor has given a great deal of attention to
the causation of disease and has done much original work along these
lines. July 1, 1893, he was appointed chief divisional inspector for the
State Board of Health, by Gov. Flower, which position he now fills.

THE TOWN OF LISBON. 321

CHAPTER XXI.
THE TOWN OF LISBON— ORGANIZED IN 1801.
THE town of Lisbon lies on the St. Lawrence River, northwest of
the center of the county. Its soil is fertile and well adapted to
the growth of the various grains and fruits raised in this latitude, but
more especially for grass. The surface is usually level, slightly un
dulating in places, and is watered by the ten miles of river front, and
in the rear by numerous brooks, springs and creeks. The Grass River
crosses the southeast corner and has numerous tributaries rising in the
town. The islands in the St. Lawrence opposite the town near the
American shore, such as Isle aux Galloup, the historic Chimney Island,
Tick and Lalone's Islands, are parts of the town of Lisbon, which in
creases the acreage over several of the other towns of the county.
The organization of the town of Lisbon differs somewhat from that
of the other towns of the county. Previous to its organization the ten
townships were attached to the counties of Montgomery, Oneida and
Herkimer, to which places the settlers were obliged to go to transact
legal business. With a view of overcoming this difficulty and in ex
pectation of securing the county seat for the new county to be soon
erected, twenty- three of the settlers presented a petition to the Legisla
ture February 9, 1801, praying that the ten townships be erected into a
town named Lisbon, to be attached to Clinton county. An act con
forming to this petition was passed March 6, 180 1, and the new
town was attached to Clinton county. The first town meeting was
held at the house of Alexander J, Turner, and the following officers
elected : Alexander J. Turner, supervisor ; John Tibbets, town clerk ;
John Tibbets, jr., Benjamin Stewart, Joseph Edsall, Seth Raney, Will
iam Shaw, assessors; Calvin Hubbard, Jacob Redington, Benjamin
Stewart, Wesson Briggs, Jacob Pohlman, commissioners of highways ;
Peter Sharp, Joseph Furman, John Thurber, constables ; Peter Sharp,
41

322 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
collector ; Uri Barber, Benjamin Bartlett, John Lyon, poor masters ;
Samuel Allen, Benjamin Galloway, William Shaw, Benjamin A. Stew
art, Joseph Edsall, Reuben Fields, Adam Milyer, Joseph Thurber,
pathmasters ; Uri Barber, George Hilman, John Tibbets, jr., Asa Fur-
man, John Sharp, fence viewers ; John Tibbets, jr., Benjaman A. Stew
art, trustees of glebe.
It will be seen that there were not sufficient men in the ten town
ships qualified to hold office, as some held from one to three offices and
were scattered over the entire territory. The settlers in the various
townships had to go to Lisbon (Galloupville) to vote at the fall election,
and the poll list shows that the firm of Ogden & Ford was considered
freeholders of the value of one hundred pounds or upwards, and the re
maining settlers of the ten townships numbered just twenty- one and
were assessed as renting real estate worth at least forty shillings per
annum. John Tibbets, of Troy, had purchased of Alexander Macomb, Feb
ruary 22, 1789, a tract of 9,600 acres of land lying on the St. Lawrence
and near the western border above the Galloup Islands, in Lisbon, for
the sum of ,£860 New York currency. He mortgaged the same for
part payment, with the condition that no interest should be charged if
kept out of the peaceable possession thereof by Indians, or by reason of
any claims which the Indians might have. The records show that no
interest was paid from 1 791 to 1796 inclusive, for this reason.
Samuel Allen was the first to commence a settlement on the banks
of the St. Lawrence river in Lisbon. He with his family and others
came from Vermont. Allen settled just below the Galloup rapids, in
February, 1797, but sold out in 1802 and went to Madrid.
Andrew O'Neill came from Canada, but originally from Ireland ; he
crossed the St. Lawrence in October, 1799, and settled on a farm now
owned by his son Andrew, about two miles below the village of Galloup
ville. The following summer Mrs. O'Neill was about to be confined,
and as there were no neighbors near the place, she crossed over to
Canada and stopped with her friends until her troubles were over. The
town was then being surveyed for the proprietors by Reuben Sher
wood. Tibbets's tract was principally surveyed by Daniel Church.
Mr. O'Neill employed men from Canada to build him a log house near

THE TOWN OF LISBON. 323
the river side. He afterwards erected a large frame dwelling which
served him during his lifetime, and which his son in after years used as
a granary ; this he has carefully preserved in memory of his boyhood
days. The first birth of a white child was that of a daughter in the family
of John Tibbets, September 14, 1 800, and was named Dorcas. She
eventually became the wife of Amos Bacon, a business man for many
years in Ogdensburg. Mr. Tibbets was a descendant of the old Puri
tan stock, his ancestors having emigrated from England at a very early
period. Early in February, 1800, Alexander J. Turner, of Salem, Washing
ton county, came into the town by way of Lake Champlain and located
half a mile above the Galloup Falls, on the first three river lots joining
Tibbets's tract. Mr. Turner came here as agent for the land proprietors
and continued in that capacity until 1805, when Louis Hasbrouck suc
ceeded him. Mr. Turner died in the following year. He was a judge
of the Court of Common Pleas, and formed one of the bench at the
first organization of the court. Peter Sharp and Peter Hinton, from
Schoharie, came in 1800, took up farms and erected houses near the
Galloup Falls. John Tibbets, of Troy, the land owner, came in and
settled on his tract in the spring of 1 800. The following year Reuben
Turner, a Revolutionary soldier, William Shaw, Lemuel Hoskins, Will
iam Lyttle, James Aikins, and Matthew Steward, of Becket, Mass.,
Wesson Briggs and Hezekiah Pierce also came into the town and settled
on farms. The three latter were connected by marriage with the family
of Tibbets. John Tibbets and wife, John Tibbets, jr., and wife, and
Wesson Briggs and wife, started from Schenectady up the Mohawk in
an open boat, with their effects, for Tibbets's tract in Lisbon. After a
voyage of thirty-five days, by way of Indian creek, Oswego River,
Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence, they arrived safely about the ist
of June, 1800, at a point about five miles below Ogdensburg. The
party at once erected a rude log cabin on lands recently owned by
Deacon William Briggs, where the three families lived until better
accommodations could be provided. The entire country was then an
unbroken wilderness, inhabited with Indians and infested with wild
beasts. They, with other families, shared the hardships and privations

324 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
incident to the pioneer's life. Had it not been for the kind neighbors
they found in the Tory families, who settled on the opposite shore in
Canada during the Revolution, and who aided them in every possible
way, their sufferings would have been far greater. In 1802 the sons
of William Lyttle, John, Samuel, William and James ; also Richard and
John Flack, Mr. Crosset, Isaac and Elihu Grey, John McCrea and
sons, John, jr., Samuel and Alexander, and several others arrived in
town during the following two or three years. Among them was
Robert Livingston, who held the office of county judge from 1810 to
1829. He also held the office of justice of the peace for twenty years,
and was several times elected supervisor of the town. He was one of
the principal supporters of the Presbyterian Church in Lisbon. He was
grandfather of that famous orator and sceptic, Robert L. Ingersoll, who
passed his boyhood on the banks of the St. Lawrence.
John Lyttle, son of William Lyttle, was a captain of a rifle company
in the War of 1 8 1 2, and is mentioned in the chapter on that war and the
defence of Ogdensburg. He was also a justice of the peace more than
twenty years, and a resident of Lisbon nearly forty years. He died
June 28, 1843.
In 1803 Dr. J. W. Smith came from Chester, Mass., and located at
Galloupville, where he first practiced medicine, and soon extended his
business into surrounding towns. He removed to Ogdensburg in 1807.
Dr. W. Carpenter also settled in Lisbon at an early day, and was suc
ceeded by Dr. William A. Campfield, who came from Ogdensburg.
The latter had a long and successful practice,
During the War of 18 12 Mrs. James Flack felt unsafe so near the
scene of active hostilities, and mounted a horse, took her four months
old child and rode to Plattsburg, and thence to Hebron, Washington
county. Mr. Flack, father of Garret, became an extensive lumberman
in St. Lawrence county.
Mrs. Truman Reynolds, of Lisbon, with her two children, was in the
barracks at Ogdensburg, with her soldier husband, when the British
captured the fort in February, 18 14. She, with others, was allowed to
hastily pass out on the ice, whence she witnessed the burning of the
shelter she had so suddenly left. The following summer she rode on
horseback to Sackett's Harbor to visit her husband, who was stationed

THE TOWN OF LISBON. 325
there. William H. Reynolds, a deacon in the Congregational Church,
and a life resident of Lisbon, who died a few years ago, was one of the
children with the mother in the barracks just before it was burned ; the
other, a little girl, eventually became the wife of James North.
Stephen Van Rensselaer, having become the owner of a tract of land,
March 3, 1795, running from the Galloup Rapids back into the town of
Canton, began improvements in that fall by building mills thereon. D.
W. Church was employed to erect the mills, and in the summer of 1804
a wing dam was run out from the shore sufficient to form a head of
three or four feet. A frame building, fifty by seventy feet and three
stories high was put up, in which was a saw mill and two run of rock
stone ; this was the first mill in the town. The mill was driven by two
flutters, or undershot wheels, twenty odd feet long. The building was
painted red, and long bore the name of " The Red Mills," which name
soon superseded the name of " Galloupville." Shortly afterward the
son, Henry Van Rensselaer, came into possession of the property, and
in September, 1836, he rebuilt the mill in stone, with a view of erecting
a stone dam from the main shore to the island, a distance of 1,200 feet.
The estimated cost was $50,000, and a fall of six to eight feet would
thus give sufficient power to drive mills and factories of all kinds re
quired. He obtained an act, passed April 6, 1850, authorizing him, his
heirs and assigns, to erect the dam for hydraulic purposes. He also
obtained a permit from the Canadian authorities to dam the water to
flow around the island into the Canadian channel. The dam was not
built, as the mills were burned soon afterward, the ice destroyed the
wing dam a few years later, and the project was abandoned as it was
found impracticable to build a stone dam for the sum estimated by the
engineer. As the settlement increased the necessity for a mill to grind prov
ender was more apparent, and Samuel and Joseph Smithers obtained
a lease of a strip of land along the shore on Livingston's Point and
the Lalone Island, in the year 1874, for ninety- nine years. They built
a wing dam about half way to the island and secured about five feet
head, and erected a saw-mill and'grist mill, with a shingle mill. George
Sparrowhawk and Hugh Lalone had an interest in the saw- mill at one
time. After a few years the mills were destroyed by fire and were not
rebuilt.

326 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
At one time Galloupville, or " The Red Mills," was quite a business
place, and contained the only post office in the town ; besides a hotel,
stores, blacksmith and other shops, doctors, lawyers, mechanics and
laborers. After the mills went down the village was soon abandoned.
Flackville took its rise at the building of the turnpike from Ogdens
burg to Parishville in 1818. Thomas Craig built a small hotel there,
and John P. Flack built an ashery, a store and a carriage shop. James
Flack purchased the hotel and rebuilt it on a larger scale, greatly im
proving the place, and from him it took its name. A post-office was
established there, two churches were soon erected — Methodist and
Presbyterian — and the place soon became the business center for that
part of the town.
Lisbon Centre. — Previous to the laying out and working of the
Ogdensburg and Lake Champlain Railroad in 1848, which railroad
crosses the town of Lisbon diagonally, there was only a farm house on
the Flackville road near where the railroad crossed it. This house with
a small farm was owned by James Rowen, who permitted the building
of a blacksmith shop near the railroad for the repair of the laborers'
tools ; the shop was conducted by Robert Armstrong Samuel Wells
built a small boarding house or hotel for the accommodation of the work
ing men on the road and shortly afterward built a larger one of stone.
A Mr. Dix, of Ogdensburg, built a store. The railroad company built
the present depot, and Joseph E. Robinson was placed in charge of the
station. Mr. Robinson was born in New Hampshire, September 6,
18 14. At his majority he went to Cumberland, Md., and was con
nected with the B. & O. railroad several years, after which he became
a contractor on the public works at Cumberland. He married a Miss
Collins in the spring of 1846. A few years later he returned to his
eastern home and engaged in the construction department of railroad
building. A few years later he was employed on the O. & L. C. road
during its construction from 1848 to 1850, thereby acquiring the title
of " Boss Robinson:" He lived in one end of the depot, keeping gro
cery store with the assistance of his son for more than fifteen years.
During this time he purchased a farm near by on which he spent his
remaining days; he died February 15, 1888. The place being located
near the center of the town gave it the name of Lisbon Centre. As busi-

THE TOWN OF LISBON. 327
ness increased, more stores, shops and houses were built, and at the
present time (1893) there is a population of about two hundred, four
stores that keep a general stock, a millinery shop, a cabinet shop, a shoe
shop, a carriage shop, three blacksmith shops, a hotel, post-office, a
physician, a splendid town hall in place of the former one, and three
fine churches. A steam saw mill was built just south of the village and
operated a few years by G. W. Flack and his brother about 1865 ; they
also sawed shingles and ground provender. The mill was burned and
in 1873 John Kent built a saw and grist mill in the village, which was
driven by a thirty-five horse power engine The mill did a fair business
a few years when it was burned.
E. Dilling built a steam saw and grist mill at his place near the river
in 1878, which was sold a few years later to James North, who removed
the machinery to his place near the Centre, where it has since been
successfully operated.
During the epidemic which pervaded the country in 18 13, great
numbers died and Lisbon is said to have suffered more severely than
any other town in the county. The unusual cold summers of 18 16- 17
caused great suffering in consequence of short crops and want of pro
visions. Corn sold for $2.50 per bushel, potatoes, $1.00 and wheat in
the same proportion. The wild game about here and the fish caught
in the St. Lawrence constituted a large part of the food used.
The Indians located on Indian Point, previously mentioned, were very
lawless and troublesome, and the inhabitants of Lisbon gladly united
with those of Oswegatchie in a petition to the Legislature to have them
removed, which was accomplished in 1807. During the war of 1812-15
there was very little hostile demonstration in the town of Lisbon ; yet
threats and rumors of raids kept the people in constant fear. During
the fall of 18 13 a company of about sixty dragoons were established at
the house of Peter Wells, four or five miles back from the river on the
Canton road. About a dozen of these rode out to Galloupville, stopped
at Scott's hotel and placed several sentries around the house. During
the night a party of 200 men from Canada landed on Tibbets's Point,
came down and surprised the sentinels and surrounded the house. It is
said that the dragoons made a very gallant resistance, but were over
powered by the unequal numbers. During the melee several escaped

328 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
to the woods. One named Smith was shot and another named Mercer
was wounded and brutally stabbed with bayonets several times after
resistance ceased, and he was left for dead, but subsequently recovered ;
it was found impossible for the British to take Smith and Mercer alive.
Two dragoons, Scott, the landlord, and his son, and all the horses that
that could be found were taken to Canada.
During the cholera epidemic in 1832 a board of health was formed,
with Dr. Wooster Carpenter as health officer. The river opposite the
house of Obadiah Piatt, and not less than three hundred yards from the
shore, was assigned as quarantine ground for craft from Canada.
On the nth of March, 1828, a circulating library was incorporated in
Lisbon, with Wm. Marshal, Andrew O'Neil, Albert Tyler, John Glass,
Joshua G. Pike, James Douglass and James Moncrief, trustees.
In the early days the usual bounty of $5.00 for destroying wolves,
bear and panthers, was offered by the town authorities. In the war
times of 1812-15 no special town meetings were called to offer bounties
to induce the people to enlist, yet this town nobly responded to the
calls of the nation. During the war of the Rebellion several meetings
were called as follows : At a special town meeting held August 30,
1862, a bounty of $50.00 was voted to each volunteer from the
town, who should enlist on or after the 22d day of the same month.
On the 24th of December, 1863, a bounty of $400.00 was voted to
each volunteer from the town, and certificates of indebtedness were
issued to those who enlisted on or after the date of the meeting to fill
the quota of the town on the call of the president, dated October 1 7,
1863. At a special meeting August 13, 1864, subsequent to the presi
dent's of July 18, 1864, for 500,000 men, bounties of $300 each were
voted to volunteers from Lisbon who had enlisted or re-enlisted between
July 13, 1863 and January 1, 1864. At a special meeting held Febru
ary 28, 1865, a bounty of $100 each was voted to " volunteers, recruits
and substitutes," to fill the quota of the town of Lisbon on the call of
December 19, 1864. All meetings and their proceedings in regard to
bounties, other than the above mentioned, were rendered by these acts
null and void.1
'It may be said here in this first town history of the volume that the action of Lisbon
regarding the payment of bounties to volunteers was substantially repeated in the other towns of
the county and at approximate dates.

THE TOWN OF LISBON. 329
A town hall was erected in Lisbon Centre a number of years ago,
which in course of time became inadequate for its purposes, and hence
in 1889 a new one of more modern style and commodious size was
erected at a cost of $4000.
The New York State Hospital, which is in process of building in the
northwest corner of the town, is described in an earlier chapter of this
work. Following is a list of the supervisors of the town so far as can be
ascertained, a portion of the early records of the town having been lost.
Alexander J. Turner, the first supervisor elected in 1801, was re-elected
several years thereafter, when Rohert Livingston is supposed to have
been elected and served a few terms; then followed: 1814-15, George
C. Conant; 1816- 17, James Thompson ; 18 18, Bishop Perkins; 1819-20,
Robert Livingston; 1821-28, Wesson Briggs; 1829, John Thompson;
I830-35, George C. Conant; 1836, Joseph Chambers; 1837, G. C.
Conant; 1838-39, David C. Gray; 1840-41, Charles Norway; 1842,
William H. Reynolds; 1843, D. C. Gray; 1844, G. C, Conant; 1845-
49, Wm. Brigggs ; 1850-51, Aaron Rolf ; 1582-53, David G. Lyttle ;
1854-56, Wm. Briggs; 1857-61, Ira Wallace; 1862-69, Alexander A.
Martin; 1870, Samuel Wells; i87i,Alex. A.Martin; 1872-76, Andrew
Tuck; 1877, Samuel Wells; 1878-83, James W. Bailie; 1884-93, My
ron T. Stocking.
Religious Belief and Organizations. — In all ages and from the rec
ords of whatever country we may seek information, among the numer
ous tribes and nations of the earth, and even among the relics of ex
tinct races, we shall find some external evidence of their belief and
adoration of a Supreme Being. Priests, sacrificial altars, religious cere
monies, and temples or palaces consecrated to religious worship, all bear
conclusive testimony that men are naturally religious beings. Long
before Jehovah had made special manifestations to his chosen people,
the Jews, and while the minds of men were more or less obscured by
dense moral ignorance, unable to penetrate the future, we find them
consulting divinity by oracles and seeking to propitiate his anger or
merit his protection by prayers, vows and offerings. Neither the
prejudice of passions, the false reasoning of philosophy, nor the ex
ample of men in power have been able to destroy or weaken this tend-
42

330 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ency of the human mind to reverence and worship an omnipotent, om
niscient deity.
Such inclination can proceed only from first principles, which form a
part of the nature of man ; from tendencies implanted in the heart of
man, and had he persisted in the purity and simplicity of these first
principles, his moral progress would most certainly have hastened the
dawn of the millenium. But the errors of his mind and the vices of his
heart — sad effects of the corruption of humanity — have strangely dis
figured the original beauty of his primitive nature. After men had re
lapsed into idolatry and wickedness, as evidenced by the impious at
tempt to build a tower of Babel, God called Abram, a man of faith, out
of the land of the Chaldees, to be the ancestor of a race chosen for an
exalted destiny, the father of a multitude in whom '"' all families of the
earth should be blessed." The last words involve the crowning bless
ings of the Old Covenant, the Promise of the Messiah. Agreeably to
this call, Abram accompanied by his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot and
their servants, crossed the Rivers Euphrates and Jordan and reached the
valley of Shechem, where he built the first altar to the Lord. Here he
received the second promise : that his seed should possess the land.
These promises in the course of time were fulfilled, and through that
faith and obedience to the Lord which were so exemplified by Abram,
the Jewish people established a church which, in its spiritual and exter
nal splendor, wielded an influence among the nations worthy of imi
tation. But through the influence of the usurpers, the Herodian families, and
the introduction of foreign customs, the temporal dominion of the
Herods opened the way to the destruction of the Jewish nationality.
Following close on this state of affairs came the cry from the wilderness,
"Prepare ye the way, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," and God,
through his son Jesus Christ, was made manifest in the flesh.
After Christ's public ministry in teaching the covenant, his death and
ascension, the Christian church became established by his disciples,
which church has been continued by the followers of the Master, under
the names of the various denominations, down to the present time.
It always has been and no doubt will be true for all time to come,
that man will worship a Supreme Being in some way (expressed in

THE TOWN OF LISBON. 331
creeds) peculiar to their understanding ; therefore it is proper for them
to enter into covenant relations with each other for mutual benefit and
protection. In presenting the following sketches of church history in Lisbon, and
in those of other towns in later pages, especial care has been taken to
represent the facts without color or prejudice, as gleaned from the rec
ords and from such other sources as were deemed reliable. Each
society seems to have been organized at a time when most needed to
assist and direct those of a certain class to a higher and better standard
of religious truth. Contemplating the good that has been done by the
various denominations, we may truly say that the guiding hand of
Providence has led his people through these many years (since the
reign of the red man of the forest), and has thus raised the standard of
his kingdom among us, which we trust will be continued with the same
liberality and unity of spirit to the end of time.
The foregoing may be applied to each church organization, brief
sketches of which will be given in the history of the several towns in
the order of their organization.
Presbyterian, or what may be termed close communion, psalm sing
ing united Presbyterians, was the character of the first religious organi
zation in this county, and it was effected through the efforts of Rev.
Alexander Proudfit, who was up from Salem, N. Y., visiting old neigh
bors at Galloupville. They having no religious meetings in the place,
he conducted services for them several Sabbaths, and succeeded in or
ganizing a church November 15, 1802. The following named persons
were some of the congregation, and also trustees of the society : A. J.
Turner, John Tibbits, jr., John Farewell, William Shaw, Benjamin
Stewart, and Reuben Turner. Rev. Mr. Sheriff, a Scotchman, became
their first pastor in 1 804. A frame church was built by Mr. Thomp
son, where the society continued to meet for a number of years. After
most of the people had moved away or back into the interior of the
town the church members became scattered and were soon disorga
nized. A place called Wells's Hill, about half a mile north of what is
now Lisbon Centre, was quite a point for business, and the few mem
bers living there made an effort to revive the church and succeeded in

332 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
reorganizing it on February 28, 1827, with George C. Conant, John
Thompson and Joseph Martin as trustees.
This was in the days of cheap whisky, fifteen to twenty cents per
gallon, and it was considered necessary for even a poor man not having
a farrow cow, to keep the " extract " on hand to assist in welcoming
his friends. It was said to Dr. Hough by one of the church members,
that the church edifice, including all the work of raising funds and the
labor of building, cost a barrel of whisky.' The second church, like the
first one, was a good structure, but much larger and more substantially
built. A gallery was constructed on both sides and across the end of
the church, where seats were rented by the year. A portion of the
pews below were sold out and were transferable. The pulpit was raised
about eight feet from the floor, so the speaker could have an eye on all
the congregation, both above and below. The style of the pews, like
those in all churches of that day in the country, was box-shape and so
high that youngsters could not look over the sides, and which came up
to the ears of the older ones.
The pews had solid doors which were opened only to allow passing
in or out, and some had locks to prevent lawless persons from using
them. It was a rule of the church that dogs, which persisted in going
to meeting, were to be shut in the pews during service.
The society continued its work in this place with good results until a
majority of the members found it necessary to build a new edifice and
change its location. The society built their present frame church at
Lisbon Centre in a more modern style in 1856; it will seat 250 per
sons. The Rev. Andrew Henry is their present pastor and the mem
bership is 175.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church. — The Methodists held meet
ings occasionally in private houses as early as 1805, but a church
proper was not organized until April 25, 1822, with Daniel Akin, Asa
Baldwin, David Wells, Robert Briggs, and Luke McCracken, trustees.
It was reorganized April 3, 1847, with George Fulton, Joseph Lang-
tree, David Akin, Stephen Mackley, and Isaac Stocking, trustees.
1 It is not to be understood that this particular church was an exception to the general rule in
those early days. The free use of whisky was considered essential to good health, or to ward off
the prevailing disease, fct fever and ague," caused no doubt by the decaying wood stumps and
vegetable matter then so abundant in the settlements.

THE TOWN OF LISBON. 333
Meetings were held principally on the river road in school houses down
to 1862, when a church was built at Galloupville. It is a wooden
structure capable of seating 200 persons and cost about $650. Rev.
Aaron Thompson is the present pastor and the membership is forty-
four. The Second M. E. Church was organized at Flackville January 9,
1850, with Dwight Spencer, Joseph H. Langtree, Isaac Stocking, Ly
man N. Sackett, and Henry Soper, trustees. A frame church was
erected in 185 1, which has since been repaired and furnished. The
present membership is ninety- five, and Rev. Aaron Thompson is pastor
of this church also.
St. Luke's Church {Episcopal). — Episcopal missionaries labored in
Lisbon as early as 18 16, but a church was not organized until October
I3> 1837. The first rector is said to have been Rev. Mr. Bryton ; the
first wardens were Obadiah Plact and Samuel Patterson. The first
vestrymen were Hugh Leach, Robert Leach, Henry Hunt, Simeon Dil
lingham, John Clark, William Spears, and Wooster Carpenter. The
present neat stone church at Galloupville, on the lot formerly occupied
by the First Presbyterian church, was built in 1856, at a cost of $3,000,
a part of the money having been raised in New York by Mrs. Gen.
Thomas Davies. Rev. J. D. Morrison, of Ogdensburg, officiated
nearly every Sabbath afternoon for a number of years. At present
Rev. A. McDonald, of Waddington, is officiating there ; the present
membership is about twenty.
First Reform, or Covenanter, Presbyterian Church. — This church
was first started by a few people who met in private houses for prayer
and conference about 1825, in the Craig neighborhood. William Craig
is said to have been the originator of the movement. In 1830 Rev. J.
W. Stewart, of Argyle, N. Y., visited Lisbon and remained six months.
During his stay he organized a church with fifty members. William
Glass and John Smith were ordained ruling elders. In 1831 William
Craig and Robert Gray were added to the session, and in the mean
time a frame house of worship was erected at Craig's Corners. In
1833 a division occurred in the General Synod to which they belonged,
over the right of franchise. The question was taken up by the mem
bers of this church, a portion contending that it was not right to vote

334 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
for officers of the government, if God was not acknowledged in the con
stitution. The other portion held that it was not only right, but was
the duty of an American citizen to vote. On this question the church
divided, when the former portion, designated the " old light covenant
ers," withdrew and built a frame church at Glass's Corners, about
three-quarters of a mile west of the old church. Here they have con
tinued to labor to the present day, prospering fairly under the leader
ship of Rev. W. J. McFarland. Their peculiar views have had a tend
ency to weaken their membership, as those who desire to exercise the
right of franchise, stimulated by the heated political discussions of a
political campaign, withdraw from the church from time to time, while
others for similar reasons are slow to join them.
The New Light, or Reformed, Covenanter Presbyterians, comprising
the remaining members, reorganized, elected officers and continued to
worship in the old house at Craig's Corners, though greatly weakened
by the division and feud, which was not readily healed. In 1841 their
church was mysteriously burned, ending in a law suit which nearly dis
organized the society. In 185 1 a few of the members who had kept the
society from disbanding, extended a call to Rev. Henry Gordon, at a
salary of $350 a year. The new pastor so stimulated the members that
during the following year they built the present frame church at Flack
ville, at a cost of $1,200, and greatly increased in membership. Rev.
H. J. McClave is the present pastor.
Second New Light, or Reformed Covenanter Church. — The success
of the New Lights, under Rev. H. Gordon's preaching, extended to
other neighborhoods, where a society was formed shortly after that of
Flackville, and a small frame house of worship was built in the extreme
eastern part of the town, near the line of Waddington, about 1855.
Their present membership is about forty, and they are supplied by Rev.
Archibald Thompson, of Madrid.
The First Congregational Church. — This church was the outgrowth
of a revival, conducted by Rev. Lewis A. Weeks, in the summer of 1842.
On November 26 following, a church was organized with fifty two
members. The society was incorporated March 3, 1843, William
Briggs, John Dings, James Martin, Thomas McCarter, James Norway
and William H. Reynolds, trustees. In 1844-5 they built a neat

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THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 335
wooden church at a cost of $1,200, on Lot No. 5, situated about a mile
southwest of the Centre. The society has a parsonage on a lot contain
ing eleven acres of land. The church has been enlarged and is now
undergoing extensive repairs, including circular seats and other modern
improvements. The Rev. Morgan L. Eastman served this church more
than twenty- one years. Rev. R. C. Day is the present pastor.
The First Wesleyan Methodist Church was formed February 14,
1843, with a membership of 100. The first trustees were Joseph Piatt,
David Akin, Isaac Storms, Thomas Martin and John Martin. Its first
pastor was Rev. Lyndon King. They erected a frame church in 1843
at a cost of $800, located on lot 3, range 2, of mile square lots, or about
two miles east from Lisbon Centre. In 1890 the society decided to
change the location of the church to Lisbon Centre. A lot was secured
and during the following year a beautiful frame house of worship was
erected at a cost of $3,000. On the completion of this church the
members in the vicinity of the old one decided to continue services
there. Rev. J. R. Wylie is the pastor, and preaches in the old church
Sabbath mornings and in the new one in the evenings. The member
ship of the body is fifty- five.

CHAPTER XXII.
THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE— ORGANIZED IN 1802.
THIS town was one of three, incorporated with the county March
3, 1802, and was taken from Lisbon's jurisdiction. It comprises
the original township No. 8, fronting ten miles on the St. Lawrence
River, and covering the mouth of the Oswegatchie, from which river its
name was taken. The town included the military station, Fort Oswe
gatchie, so named by the British, which place was used by N. Ford for
the first few years as a base of operations in the settlement of the
county. The first settlement made at this point has been given in the
county portion of this work, wherein it is fully described. The first
settlers, apart from the Ford party, was Captain Joseph Thurber and

336 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
' his two sons, Kelsey and John R., and Mrs. Thurber. The family
moved from New Hampshire to Plattsburg, and shortly after removed
to Augusta, Canada. From here they moved to the American side
and settled on the west side of Black Lake, some four miles above
Ogdensburg, in the summer of 1797, where some of his descendants
now reside.1
Mr. Jacob Pohlman, formerly from Germany, a millwright, whom Mr.
Ford met at Albany, and employed in 1797, to work on his grist mill
at Oswegatchie, shortly after settled on lands near the Narrows, where
he spent the remainder of his life. A few years later David Rose,
David Judson, Thomas J. Davis, and several other families moved into
the neighborhood and settled on farms.
The Settlement, on the river road towards Morristown, began about
the same time, Mr. Thomas Lee being the pioneer settler. Capt.
David Griffin, Adam Mills and Elijah Carley also located on this road,
and several other families moved into the neighborhood soon after.
Settlements were made on the central road or midway between the lake
and river.
Francis Bromaghim, in 1798, settled on a tract of land a mile square,
about five miles above Ogdensburg, and one and a half miles back from
the St. Lawrence. Within a few years, Harvey Lyon, Uriah Van
Waters, James Roberts, and several other families moved into the
neighborhood, which has since been known as the Bromaghim Settle
ment. It was several years before roads were laid out and worked to
this place. In the mean time, the people were guided through the
woods, to and from, by blazed trees. Wolves were very plentiful at
this time, which is shown by the following incident. In the spring of
1799, two of Bromaghim's boys, Peter and William, the oldest about
seventeen years of age, went to Ogdensburg to fish for suckers below
the dam. Each, having caught a fine string of fish, started for home,
but darkness overtook them before they got a quarter of the way back.
While groping their way along the foot-path, they heard, the snarl of
wolves, and could just discern their gaunt forms moving about in the fad
ing twilight. As they hastened on, a howl now and again went up from
1 Mr. Clark F. Nichols and wife came to the settlement from Vermont in the summer of 1798,
with a yoke of oxen. Mrs. Nichols rode most of the way on the back of one of the oxen, with a
few goods carried on the back of the other ox, saddles having been fitted for the occasion.

THE TOWN OF 08WEGATCHIE. 337
the wolves, apparently calling others to the place, as other howls were
heard in answer at different points in the distance. Shortly after their
number and boldness increased to such an extent that they were afraid
of being attacked, when one of the boys taking a fish from his string,
threw it as far as possible behind him. The wolves made a fierce
scramble for the fish, and while fighting over and devouring it, the boys
made good time on the home stretch. Yet it was not long before the
wolves renewed the eager chase, when the process of throwing fish
was repeated until the two strings were exhausted. Being still a mile
from home, it seemed only a matter of a few moments ere they would
fall a prey to the ravenous beasts, which fate was only prevented by the
timely arrival of their father, bearing a large torch and accompanied by
two fierce dogs. By this time a large pack of wolves had gathered
about them and were only held at bay by the torch and the dogs ; yet
they often ventured so near that their eyes could be seen glistening in
the dark. The wolves followed them home and kept up a continuous
howl about the place until daylight.
The Bromaghim home was always open to strangers. At the siege
of Ogdensburg in 1 8 12- 14, about thirty of the soldiers stopped there a
few days on their retreat. Several of the wounded soldiers remained
until they recovered, which was in the spring following. The father of
Henry Lovejoy, who came over from Canada when a boy twelve years
of age, was working for Mr. Bromaghim at the time, and helped to
dress the wounds of the soldiers. He subsequently married one of the
Bromaghim daughters and settled on a farm near by, where he lived
until his death. The place is now occupied by his son Henry.
The first death among the American settlers was that of Mrs. John
Lyon, who came in with the Ford party. The first marriage among
the settlers was that of James Chambers to Elizabeth Thurber, of Black
Lake, in the fall of 1797. As there was no clergyman or magistrate on
the American side, nearer than Fort Stanwix, the party crossed over to
Canada in a canoe, where they were legally married.
When Mr. Ford took possession of the property at Fort Oswegatchie
there were several French families living there, who tilled small patches
of the land cleared by Father Piquet But the English made no use
of the clearings, which had become mostly grown over with bushes,
43

338 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
making a lurking place for wild animals. The following incident is said
to have happened shortly after Ford's arrival, and was some time
after described in the Palladium, the first paper printed in the place.
The occupants of the settlement procured water for domestic purposes
at the " Cold Spring," about a quarter of a mile above the barracks, near
the west bank of the Oswegatchie River, or just above the site of the
present upper iron bridge. On a summer afternoon two Frenchwomen,
one having a babe wrapped up in Indian style, started out for water
and to pick berries for supper. On arriving at the spring, the child was
carefully laid in a comfortable place in the shade of the bush, where it
soon fell asleep, while the women entered upon their task. They dili
gently moved about from one cluster of bushes to another, and had
nearly filled their baskets, when a sudden screech from the child alarmed
the women. They hastened to the spot, and when the mother caught
a glimpse of her babe in the mouth of a panther that was trotting
leisurely along an Indian path leading to Black Lake, she gave such a
scream as only a mother can when seeing her child in peril, threw up
her " capine," and cried out "A mon dieu, mon enfant." The two
women followed in hot pursuit of the animal, screaming at the top
of their voices; yet the panther held on to the child, and hastened on
toward the swamp. A man from the barracks, with dog and gun, was
on the hill above them in search of a deer for his evening meal. Hear
ing the cries of the women, he at once hastened to their relief. The
dog being in advance, overtook the panther on the brow of the hill
overlooking the swamp below. The panther, now hard pressed by the
dog and women, leaped upon the leaning trunk of a low- branched elm,
and walked out on a projecting limb about fifteen feet from the ground.
When the man came up the panther was holding the child by its clothes,
with its head downward, watching the dog. The mother was standing
by, wringing her hands in agony of mind, as she listened to the pitiful
moaning of her babe. The man, taking in the situation at a glance,
brought his rifle to bear on the panther and fired. At the crack of the
gun the child dropped on the limb and rolled from one branch to another
to the ground, when the panther leaped to the earth and started for the
swamp. The mother, seeing her babe drop and the panther leap from
the tree and run away, cried out " Mon enfant tue," and fell insensible on

THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 339
the ground. Her companion hastened to the babe and found that,
except a few scratches made by the panther's teeth, and dust in its eyes,
it was all right. She then turned to assist the mother, who was soon
restored to consciousness, and was overjoyed to find her child once
more safe in her arms.
The panther made a few leaps down the bank and was overhauled
by the dog, but the unerring bullet of the hunter had done its work.
The rapid increase of the settlements on either side of Ogdensburg
soon cut off" the runways of wild beasts, and drove them further back
into the larger body of woods.
The settlement at Heuvelton was commenced several years later than
the Black Lake and River road settlements, principally on account of
the impassable roads leading to the place. In the fall of 1802 Mr.
Ford wrote Mr. Ogden, informing him that he had got all the worst
places cross-wayed from Ogdensburg by the way of Heuvelton to the
Mohawk River, and he had finished the bridge over the east branch
(now Heuvelton) and had three settlers out upon the road fifteen miles
from Ogdensburg, and several more were intending to go soon. Mr.
Ford was very anxious to have the place, then called " East Branch,"
(where the State road crossed the Oswegatchie River), settled. He
had a village plat surveyed by Judge Edsall, of Madrid, before it had
an inhabitant, and he named the place Fordsburgh. He succeeded in
getting Truman Bristol, with other families named Havens, Jones
and Osburne to move in and they made some improvements in 1805.
In the fall of 1806 Jairus Remington, formerly a Presbyterian minis
ter, a native of Massachusetts, but then from Putney, Vt., moved in by
way of the Black River country, with his family, and began keeping a
public house on the site where the Pickens dwelling house now stands.
The first bridge crossed the river at that point. Mr. Remington had
been on several times before, and had made an arrangement with Judge
Ford to establish an inn at this place, where it was very much needed
for the accommodation of the travelers who were coming into the
country by the State road, then lately opened.
In 1808 Judge Pinney and family and a Mr. Redfield and family
came in and settled. In 181 1 David Burroughs, from Shaftsbury, Vt,
arrived. Later on several families, mostly from Vermont, took up

340 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
their residence there as follows: William Thurston, George Seemon,
Grove T. Howard, Alpheus Wright, Amos H. Hulett, Robert Fifield,
Dexter B. Edgel,1 and others. Jacob A. Vanden Heuvel (whose name
was subequently changed to Van Heuvel) settled in the place in 1820.
He purchased the unsold village plat and an extension tract of land ad
joining, erected a grist mill, built a church and made numerous other
improvements. A dam and saw mill had previously been erected by
Mr. Remington, which he purchased. The name of the village was
changed in 1832 to Heuvel in compliment to the new proprietor, and
later it was again changed to Heuvelton.
The first bridge built in this place in 1802, was carried away by the
spring flood, and a second one was built in 1805, and a third one in
1832. This one was built on the present site; the other two were
located several rods above. The fourth, a covered bridge, was built in
1847, and was carried away by a flood in the spring of 1862, and a
fifth bridge (covered) was built that summer, which was also carried off
by a freshet in the spring of 1 874, when the present iron arch bridge
was built that summer.
A wooden bridge was built across the Oswegatchie at the eel-weir
about 1840. A covered bridge was built on its site about 1858. In
1887 $1000 was laid out in repairs on the bridge. The bridge was
condemned in 1889, and November 2d following a vote of the town
naming and authorizing a committee of five (approved by the board of
Supervisors), to issue town bonds, not to exceed $10,000, and to build
an iron bridge at the eel- weir. In the meantime the town commissioner
of Highways, J. E.Wagoner, bargained with the Berlin Bridge Company
for an iron bridge to cost $9,200, without the knowledge or consent of
the town committee, who commenced to carry out the contract. The
town committee served an injunction on them, and purchased a King
bridge for $6,000, and commenced its erection, when the Berlin Com
pany served an injunction on them. A series of law suits followed,
which ended in establishing the right of the town committee to build the
bridge, which was completed in the spring of 1892.
In the winter of 1878 several owners of lands located in the town of
Depeyster, united and built a bridge, supported on piles driven into the
'Mr. Edgel was killed by lightning while sitting in McNally's grocery store in Ogdensburg in
the summer of 1853.

THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 341
mud, across Black Lake, near the Wall farm. In 1879 the town of
Oswegatchie voted to pay the parties $350, in consideration that the
public may use it
The first school taught in this settlement was a small one by Mr.
Dyer Badger in the winter of 1808. After the State road was made
passable it became the principal highway for strangers or emigrants
from the east to reach this part of the country. Heuvelton was for a
number of years at first one of the noted stopping places on the route.
The so-called taverns of that day were provided with large bar- rooms,
where the noted characters of the settlements (who claimed to have
their eye teeth cut) passed most of their evenings and stormy days,
especially in the winter season. Here, before the strangers and a few
back-woodsmen, the " smart " Alecs had an opportunity to display "
their knowledge of the country, as well as to get free drinks with
friends. They also amused them still further by badgering each other
in billingsgate style, which vocabulary of blackguardism emanating
from the Erie Canal scum was frequently indulged in by the graduates
of that school. Heuvelton was not the only place where such ribaldry
was practiced. This custom in the earlier days of the settlements was
general and largely indulged in by many who passed for good people.
Even opposing lawyers would indulge in abusive language to each other
before commencing to try a case, in order to sharpen their wits. They
thought it was smart and witty, and was looked upon as such by the
masses of the people who considered it only an innocent pastime. But
the custom passed away with that generation.
The place, soon after Van Heuvel came, increased quite rapidly, as
he freely spent the large fortune he brought with him. Being brought
up in the city of New York, his business experience there did not fit
him to compete successfully with the affairs of a new country. He was
a man of considerable literary ability, but was ignorant' or stupid in the
common things of every- day life. For example, it was said that when
visiting one of his tenants in the sugar making season, and seeing the
sap freely flowing from some of the maple trees, he asked the man why
he did not tap all the trees, pointing to a clump of basswood, beech
and hemlocks. After receiving a satisfactory reply, and learning that
the man had earned over two dollars per day making sugar, but was

342 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
about to stop making, he said to him : " At that rate you could soon
pay for your land. Why don't you keep on making sugar the year
round ?" At another time while on a visit to a field where the man
was plowing among the stumps, Mr. Van Heuvel for amusement kicked
over some of the small rotten ones and said to the man, "This is only
fun to clear land." He then came to a good sized pine stump and made
two or three ineffectual kicks, when he stepped back a few paces and
rushed forward with a determination to level the stump; but instead of
it giving away as he expected, he went over backward to the ground.
Picking himself up he rubbed his leg and with a disappointed look left
the field. After Mr. Van Heuvel had spent his fortune in trying to
build up the place he passed the remainder of his declining years with a
friend near New York.
John Pickens, a successful merchant and general trader, built a fine
brick dwelling and a stone block of stores about 1858. N. Giffin car
ried on a tannery for a number of years, and about i860 he erected a
stone grist mill at the southerly end of the bridge, which was driven by
steam. He abandoned the enterpise after a few years and the building
has since been used for a cheese factory. Just below this building, on
the river bank, J. Palmer built a steam saw mill which has since been
abandoned. A steam grist or provender mill is now operated in the
Giffin tannery at the northerly end of the bridge by Anderson & Mc-
Fadden. The water saw mill and sash shop is now run by Thomas
Clarkson. The old grist mill, equipped with rollers, is now owned and
run by J. C. Colon. There are at present four blacksmith shops, seven
grocers, two dry goods stores, two hardware stores, two shoe shops, one
harness shop, one jeweler shop, one meat market, one drug store, one
millener and dressmaker, one justice of the peace and two lawyers. The
population of the village is about 500.
The details of the settlement at Fort Oswegatchie by Nathan Ford,
down to the completion of the grist mill and saw mills, has been given
in another part of this work. Mr. Ford would not sell farms very near
the barracks, as he wished to keep it for his dominion, and those seek
ing farming land were directed to the settlements outside already
begun ; yet, a few desired to remain in the place. Therefore in the
third year from his arrival, in 1799, he had a village plat surveyed on

THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 343
the east side of the Oswegatchie, as shown in the cut on page 145, ex
tending from the river northerly to Paterson street, and easterly from
the St. Lawrence to Jersey avenue. He named the village Ogdensburg,
in honor of the land proprietor, Samuel Ogden, of New York. That
portion of the road laid out from the bridge site down the St. Lawrence
was named " Ford " street and the one crossing it running from the St.
Lawrence towards Heuvelton was called " Euphemia " street ; this name
was changed in 1824 to " State " street, as it was the starting point of
the " State road." For the names of the other streets and avenues, the
reader is referred to the present city map, as many of them were then
named after the daughters or friends of the Ford families. A burial
place was selected on the elevated ground about half a mile north of the
Oswegatchie, now called Hamilton Park, the bodies some years since
having been removed to the present cemetery. In 1800 the village was
fairly commenced, a few lots having been taken up and small buildings
erected. A fulling mill was put in operation and an ashery erected ; and
in the following summer a road was surveyed through to Black River,
and one from Heuvelton to Louisville.
One of the happy events that took place in the fall of 1801, during a
salt famine, was the arrival of a vessel from Oswego with 1 20 barrels of
of salt, which proved a great boon to the settlers. In the following year
(1802) Mr. Ford erected a tannery and commenced to tan hides, both
of cattle and of wild animals, for the settlers. He also built a -still of
150 gallons capacity and rectifier of 50 gallons, which size he thought
would be sufficient to supply the demands of the people for a few
years. In the summer of 1803 several of Mr. Ogden's friends from New
York visited the new settlement, and stopped with Mr. Ford. Among
them was the noted American author, Washington Irving, then a young
man. While here he signed several deeds, as a witness, given by Mr.
Ford to the settlers. Mr. Irving was ever on the alert for a fit subject
to write about, and he considered it a good opportunity, while in the
Northern wilderness, to study the character and habits of the Indian.
Taking a guide one day they rowed up the St. Lawrence, about a mile
above the barracks, to an Indian camp on the shore of the river. He
noticed in front of one of the wigwams, a comely young squaw cooking

344 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
a leg of venison in a kettle, which was suspended on a tram over a fire,
supported by branches stuck in the ground. Her Indian was lounging
in front of the door of the wigwam smoking his pipe. Mr. Irving
approached the squaw and endeavored to enter into conversation with
her, but she was silent, and gave her whole attention to recruiting the
fire. He then turned and spoke to the Indian, who excitedly answered
in a gruff and incoherent manner. At this moment the squaw, through
her nervousness in turning the venison, loosened the prop that sup
ported the tram, which tipped the contents of the kettle into the fire.
Mr. Irving, in true politeness, hastened to assist her in readjusting the
tram. This act enraged the Indian, who stepped behind Mr Irving
and dealt him a blow on the head with a club, felling him to the ground.
The Indian then grabbed his squaw, threw her into the wigwam, and
started off on a lope into the woods. The guide assisted Mr. Irvingffo
his feet, conducted him to the boat and rowed back to the barracks.
Mr. Irving concluded that he had studied Indian character sufficiently
for one day.
Indian stories were very common with the early settlers. One of a
romantic kind, which terminated near the mouth of the Oswegatchie,
soon after the close of the Revolutionary war, was given from memory
by one who read the story some years ago, in a printed pamphlet. A
party from Albany, early in summer held a picnic on an island in the
Hudson river, above the town. On leaving for home, about dark, a girl
of sixteen, named Isabella Wilton, having left her shawl on the opposite
side of the island, returned alone for it. An Indian had taken the shawl,
and when the girl came up he threw it over her head, thrust her in his
canoe and paddled away. Her not returning in due time created a sus
picion that she had been captured. Her brother and a friend, well
armed and provisioned, started out to search for her. It was many
weeks before they struck the trail, which lead them by way of Cran
berry and Black Lakes to the mouth of the Oswegatchie River. Just as
they came up to the shore of the Oswegatchie, above the barracks,
they discovered an Indian with the girl in a canoe landing on the oppo
site side about where the Morgan store now stands. As the girl
stepped ashore they made a motion which was recognized for her to
stand one side. The Indian not observing the move, attempted to draw

THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 345
his canoe on the land, when he was shot dead by the friend of the girl
across the river. They crossed over, buried the Indian on the bank
near by, and from the girl learned the circumstances of her capture.
She had been kept a number of weeks at his wigwam near a spring by
a pine tree, up a creek that emptied into the St. Lawrence, about where
the elevator now stands, or at a point between Knox and Green streets.
The girl was taken home and eventually became the wife of the friend
who assisted in rescuing her. In the summer of 1845 or 1846, this girl,
now a gray-haired matron, came with a party of excursionists, on the
steamer Lady of the Lake from Lewistown to Ogdensburg, and to them
she related the story of her capture. The place having changed from a
wilderness to a thriving village, she found it difficult to locate the spot
where the Indian was buried ; but after taking observations from Light
house Point and the ruined walls of the old French barracks, she stated
that the place could not be far from where a man was at work digging
a hole for a hitching post. Some of the party stepped forward to the
spot just as the man threw out some human bones, which were said to be
those of the Indian in question, proving to the satisfaction of those
present the truthfulness of the lady's statements. Many will no doubt
remember the article appearing at the time in the Frontier Sentinel,
which gave the substance of this story, and the finding of the Indian's
bones. The reckless manner in which the Indians sometimes conducted
themselves, when camping near the settlements, caused the early set
tlers to be prepared for any emergency that might suddenly arise.
Therefore every family kept fire-arms and plenty of ammunition on
hand, and never ventured far from home without having an axe and
their trusty gun along to protect themselves, and more especially to
procure game, which was so plentiful near the settlements.
The following incident is one of many that came to light in after
years, when the Indians had been far removed so that their revenge
could not be inflicted upon the settlers or their friends. The pioneers
did not claim to be professional hunters, and never boasted of their ex
ploits, as do the hunters and fishermen of the present day. The facts
were sufficient, but through the necessity of procuring food, which con
sisted largely of fresh and dried venison, the men, as well as the women,
a

346 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
became experts in that line. Two men were out one summer day
about 1806, prospecting in the vicinity of Plover Hill. They
had shot a fine deer and taken the hide from the fore quarters, which
part was seldom used, hanging it, with the saddles, or hind quarters,
on a limb of a tree beyond the reach of wild beasts, after which they
amused themselves picking berries. One of them, who had recently
come from the Eastern States, and was not fully conversant with pio
neer life, leaned his rifle against a tree and began to feast himself with
the tempting fruit, and before he was aware of the fact he had wan
dered quite a distance from his gun towards the site of what has since
been called Camp Wheeler.
The settlers had frequently been warned by the Indians not to in
trude on what they claimed as their hunting grounds, and threatened
with vengeance if they continued to do so. The report of the gun in
shooting the deer had attracted an Indian to the spot, who stealthily-
watched the movements of the two settlers. When a favorable oppor
tunity arrived, the Indian with a war whoop started, with tomahawk
in one hand and long knife in the other, in hot pursuit of the man who
had left his gun leaning against a tree. The surprised man ran in the
direction of his comrade, who, taking in the situation, cocked his gun
and drew a bead on his companion. The Indian was fast gaining on
the latter, keeping in range directly behind him, and it seemed only a
matter of a few moments when he would be able to strike his victim
down. Thus was the chase becoming more and more exciting, when
the fleeing man suddenly jumped one side, bringing the range of the
rifle to bear on the Indian. Quick as thought the rifle cracked and
down dropped the big brave at the feet of his would-be victim. Now
came the dilemma. Life had been taken, and though in self-defense,
that plea would not be acceptable to the Indian's friends, and the only
way to escape retaliation was to keep the knowledge of the act within
their own breasts. They then made a detour and satisfied themselves
that there was no one in sight. The next move was to conceal the
body from the searching eye of the Indians. Near by they discovered
a large tree that had recently blown down, the roots having taken up a
large quantity of earth and left a deep hole. Into this cavity they de
posited the dead Indian with his tomahawk and knife ; then chopped

THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 347
the trunk off near the roots, when the stump fell back into its original
bed, covering the body from sight. After strewing leaves around ihe
stump, they returned to the settlement, taking their venison with them.
A few days later, the friends of the dead Indian made diligent search
through the woods and along the river banks, watched the movements
and asked the inhabitants as to their knowledge of their missing friend,
but no tidings were obtained and the matter was soon forgotten.
The Ford mansion was begun in the summer of 1805, and com
pleted the next year. Mr. Ford had been too busy the preceding
eight years, in laying out new roads and opening up new settlements, to
look after his own comforts. As he stated, the county seat had been
settled, the village was growing, the settlements were increasing and
every thing looked prosperous and was moving with far less friction
than before. He did not wish to locate his house in the village, where
it would soon be surrounded by strangers, but rather sought seclusion,
so that he could entertain his friends from New York and Montreal in
quietness. He therefore located his mansion on the elevated grounds
just back and a little west of the old barracks, in which he had previ
ously lived At this point he could have a fine view of the village,
the mills and the beautiful St. Lawrence. The mansion property con
tained what now comprises the Second Ward of the city. The house
was built of stone, one and a half stories high, with two wings facing
the St. Lawrence, and was considered the best house of its day in this
part of the country. This mansion served himself and his brother
David for a residence about thirty years. It was afterwards used
as a hotel, during which*time the late ex- President U. S. Grant was its
guest for a short time when stationed at Sackett's Harbor. The house
with the block on which it stands was sold to the French Catholic So
ciety in 1858.
The acts of Nathan Ford were prominent in the town and county
affairs, as indicated in these pages up to the time of his last illness. He
had spent the best part of his life in planting a little colony on the
shore of the St Lawrence, which had grown to a populous town, thus
transforming a howling wilderness, traversed only by savages and wild
beasts into cultivated farms with comfortable dwellings, the homes of an
intelligent, happy and prosperous people. For several years before

348

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

his death his constitution had been yielding to the insidious approaches
of consumption ; yet the vigor of his mind remained unimpaired. From
the first he had taken a deep interest in the first Christian (non secta
rian) organization, in 1805. He enjoined upon all of his friends to culti
vate peace among themselves, and not allow jealousies or dissensions to
creep in among them ; that each should try to surpass in giving up his
own individual or sectarian wishes for the good of the whole. A
short time before his death he said: "I am drawing near the close of
life; I look forward to the salvation purchased by Christ, as abundant
ly sufficient to save all who will put their trust in him."

THE FORD VAULT.

Mr. Ford was born in Morristown, N. J., December 8, 1763. He
died March 29, 1829. Thus passed away .the founder of Ogdensburg.
His whole life was spent for the good of others. He was odd, or
quaint, in some of his expressions, yet honest, benevolent and generous
to a fault, and firm in his convictions of what he deemed to be right and
just. Mr. Ford had a provision in his will, that within two years after his
demise, a vault should be built on the brow of the west bank of the

THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 349
Oswegatchie River, above the mill dam, near the private burial plot
where several of the Ford family were by that time interred ; also that
the bodies be taken up, including his own, and be deposited therein.
The provisions of the will were carried out in the fall of 1829. Several
members of the Ford families, who have died since, have been placed in
the vault. The plot contains about a quarter of an acre of land, in shape
an irregular triangle, and is inclosed with a substantial stone wall with
an iron gate. The place is suitably ornamented with trees and
shrubbery. The vault now contains nineteen caskets, four of which are
small ones. The one containing the remains of Nathan Ford rests on a
stone slab in the center at the rear end of the vault, and beside this
rest those of his brother David, and an uncle. The remaining caskets
rest on stone shelves two tiers high on each side. The caskets are of
wood, and under the corroding influence of time, are crumbling in
pieces. Up to a certain date, as before stated, the communication between
the east and the west side of the Oswegatchie was either by boat or on
the ice. In the summer of 1808 Mr. Aldrich was engaged to build a
wooden bridge across the river on the site first laid out, for the sum of
$1,500, part of which was paid by subscription, under a warrantee that
the structure would stand good for five years. The abutments were
built of logs, filled in with stones and earth ; three piers were sunk at
equidistance between, built of logs notched together and filled in with
stone. On these supports the timber structure was built. These piers
below the water served for the second bridge, which was built in the
summer of 1829, and also for a third one, built in 1847 by legislative
provisions. In the fall of 1866 the present iron bridge was built.
The contract price of this iron bridge, apart from the pier and abut
ments, was $22,000. The expense of planking and repairs has averaged
about $500 per year. The old piers were removed and a new one built
in the center of the river, the bottom being built of a log crib, with
stone center, and solid masonry laid on the crib.
The bridge above the dam was first build of wood, principally of
hemlock, in 1867, which lasted a short time only, and was replaced by
the present iron bridge in the fall of 1874.

350 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
In the fall of 1808 David Parish purchased the unsold portion of the
village plat, and immediately took measures to create, at this point, a
commercial interest that should compete with any other port on the
river or lakes. The same fall the firm of Rosseel & Co. was formed,
sustained by the capital of Mr. Parish. The company brought on
$40,000 worth of goods for mercantile operations, which were displayed
in a temporary store until a permanent building could be built. That
same fall Mr. Parish sent men on from New York, and began to build
two schooners, one of which was launched on the 4th of July, 1809;
the ceremony formed a part of the exercises of the celebration of the
day. A Mr. Ogden, a lawyer from New Jersey, delivered the oration
at the court house, and a dinner was prepared in the beautiful walnut
grove, which was standing directly opposite the site of the present
Allen hardware block.
Early in the spring of 1809 Mr. Rosseel proceeded to Montreal,
where he engaged forty Canadians to work by the month, and brought
them up to Ogdensburg in two bateaux, with blankets, and peas for
soup. The stone building, which has been known as the Parish Stone
Store, was commenced, May 7, 1809, under the direction of D. W.
Church, and the Parish brick house, on the corner of State and Wash
ington streets, was commenced in June following. The bricks for this
house were made on the northeast corner lot of Washington and Isabella
streets. This house was the northern home of the Parishes for a num
ber of years It was surrounded by a high stone wall in part, and an
equally high board fence. At the corner of State and Washington
streets, above the wall, was an arbor which commanded an unobstructed
view of the St. Lawrence. A small door or gate in the high stone wall
on State street, opened into the grounds, which were studded with trees,
giving it the appearance of a small park. The paved court and kitchen
garden were on Washington street, while the gardener's house and the
fine stables were on Caroline street. All had an old baronial air, and
one could easily imagine the entire place brought bodily from some
foreign country and set down in the midst of this quiet town. George
Parish occupied the house for a number of years, while attending to his
business affairs in several of the towns of the county. Mr. Parish
occasionally made excursions into the interior of the State, and on one

THE TOyVN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 351
of them he brought back to his mansion Madam Vespucci, where, in
retreat from the world, she lived several years. She came to this country
in 1839 on a mission which caused a great sensation at the time. She
was called " the beautiful Italiano," " the Tuscan beauty " and " the
fair Florentine." She figured largely among the elite of Washington
society, where she was courted, feted and honored by all for a time.
She was a direct descendant of Amerigo Vespucci, after whom this
country was named. After Mr. Parish received his title, Baron Von
Seftonberg, of Germany, he removed to that country, and died some
years later. Madam Vespucci retained possession of the mansion a
few years, when she returned to Europe, and died in Paris. The
grounds of the old red villa, as it was some times called, were cut up
into lots and sold, with other property belonging to Parish, soon after
she left.
Joseph York was one of the early settlers, who came here from Clar-
enden, Mass., in 1805. He was deputy sheriff three years, and for four
more years was sheriff of the county. He resided at the old court
house when the British took Ogdensburg. (See chapter on War of
1812-15). Hon. Henry Van Rensselaer was also one of the active men in the
town and county. He was the fourth son of Stephen Van Rensselaer,
who purchased a large tract of land in Lisbon and Canton in 1795.
After returning from a campaign in the Black Hawk war, Henry came
to Ogdensburg in 1832, to look after his father's land estate. He suc
ceeded to the ownership and opened an office in the old county clerk's
building for the sale of lands. He purchased the Washington Ford's
property, and built additional wings, stables, gardens, etc., which were
burned in 1846; his house, in 1854, was struck by lightning and con
sumed. He sold his property and returned to New York shortly after.
In 1 86 1 he entered the United States service, was attached to General
Scott's staff, and died at Cincinnati in 1864.
The village of Ogdensburg was incorporated April 5, 1817, and was
divided October 27, 1837, into four wards, as follows : First Wardcon-
stituted that part of the village lying north of State street and northerly
of Ford street. Second Ward— that part lying easterly of Ford and
westerly of State streets, on the bank of the Oswegatchie. Third Ward

352 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
— that part lying easterly of State street and southerly of Ford street.
Fourth Ward — that part lying easterly of State street and northerly of
Ford street — all being on the east side of the Oswegatchie. The village
charter was amended April 29, 1839, and again June 2, 185 1. By this
act the boundary of the the village plat was extended easterly to the
Tibbets tract in Lisbon, and westerly across the Oswegatchie to the
lands of Henry Van Rensselaer, and about one mile back from the St.
Lawrence. It was divided into three wards, as follows : First Ward
included all the territory between the Oswegatchie River and Gertrude
street (which name was changed to Franklin, May 27, 1824). Second
Ward included all west of the Oswegatchie. Third Ward included all
the territory below Franklin street. The officers of the village consisted
of a president, one trustee and an assessor from each ward, a police
justice, a collector, and one or more constables ; a chief engineer and
two assistants, and one or more street commissioners ; all to be elected
annually on the first Tuesday in April. A fire department was organ
ized in 1820, and a company formed in July, 1827. In 1853 the village
owned three hand fire engines ; a fourth was owned by private indi
viduals and a fifth later on by the O and L C. Railroad Company.
In the summer of 1838 a market house was built on leased grounds,
known as Diamond Square, on Catharine street, size 24 by 80 feet.
The stalls were sold from $9.00 to $15.50 each per year. The year
previous to the erection of the market the board fixed the price of bread
as follows : One pound loaf, 6^ cents; two pound loaf, 12^ cents;
and a four pound loaf, 25 cents.
A town clock was placed in the steeple of the Presbyterian church,
December 3, 1841, at a cost of $375, exclusive of freight and putting up.
The village charter was amended December 27, 1843, ar,d at the
following annual meeting ( April 12 ) the village was reported to be out
of debt, with a surplus of $41.93.
In the summer of 1847 an engine house was built on a lot near the
academy, 22 by 40 feet, at a cost of $220, and a new fire engine was
purchased at $300. At the first election under the new charter, held
June 20, 1 85 1, three trustees were elected in place of only one pre
viously, and a police justice at a salary of $200 per year, which was
subsequently raised to $300, and later to $400. The street commis-

THE TOWN OF 08WEGATCHIE. 353
sioners' pay was to be $1.25 per day for actual services rendered.
January 25, 1853, a by-law was passed, making it unlawful to erect
wooden buildings in certain places, and two ferries to Prescott were es
tablished. July 10, 1854, permission was given to the gas company to
erect gas works and lay pipes in the streets ; also $200 were raised to
light the streets one year, and thirty- eight places were designated for
lamp posts. Ther. were at the charter election of that year, 841 votes
cast in the First Ward, 868 in the Second, and 855 in the Third.
September 1: , 1854, Robert Willson, the notorious firebug, presented
a bill for damages done his property at a fire set by himself, for $4.50,
which was allowed.
April 13, 1855, the present cemetery lot on State road was pur
chased of John Goodrich at $1,300. At the same time the old bury
ing ground was transferred to the village, and in 1861 it was trans
formed into a park. The Mansion Square park was established in
August, 185 I. In May, 1857, Ford street was ordered to be macad
amized and $4, 000 were raised for the purpose. Also $3,000 raised to
purchase a steam fire engine.
April 19, 1859, the hay and wood market was established on Isabella
street Previous to the opening of the Oswego canal the communication be
tween Ogdensburg, Montreal and Quebec by boats and rafts was large,
which in 1832 spread the Asiatic cholera in the summer rapidly. The
first case of cholera occurred in Quebec June 8 ; at Montreal on the
14th, and in Ogdensburg on the 17th. The first fatal case occurred on
the 2 1 st of June, a Frenchman of dissipated habits. Cases followed in
quick succession ; first here, to-morrow at a point half a mile distant,
and next day in a new quarter equally remote. Quarantine grounds
were established, at first at the mouth of the Oswegatchie, and after
wards at Mile Point, the site of the present O. & L. C. depot, where
craft from Canada were to be detained fifteen days. The precise data
of the mortality of the cholera at Ogdensburg were not preserved by the
physicians and the records of the board of health were lost. The num
ber of cases reported was about 160, and of deaths forty-nine. In
1834 the cholera reappeared, but only about a dozen cases were re
ported, of whom seven died. The only visitation of Asiatic cholera
45

354 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
since then was in 1854, when it was very severe. It was introduced in
Ogdensburg by emigrants from Europe on board of vessels passing up
the St. Lawrence River. The report of the health officers was 105
deaths in the village, mostly among the railroad laborers and others of
a similar class. The mortality was fully fifty per cent of those at
tacked. A most destructive fire occurred at Ogdensburg on the night of the
16th of April, 1839, by which a large portion of the business places in
the village was burned. The loss was nearly $100,000. The irritation
caused by the Patriot war along the frontier led to the suspicion that
the fire was the work of an incendiary. On the morning of the ist of
September, 1852, another fire occurred, consuming a large amount of
property on Ford and Isabella streets, extending from the store of G.
N. Seymour nearly to Washington street. Shortly after this two other
fires occurred which burned a large amount of property on Ford street,
including the St. Lawrence Herald and the Republican printing offices,
and the entire premises belonging to the Hasbrouck estate with the his
toric house and barn shown on page 134. The people became satisfied
that a fire bug was at work, and a watch was instituted which soon re
sulted in E. W. Benedict detecting a man setting fire to a building
about 2 o'clock in the morning. The criminal proved to be Robert
Willson, whose wife was also engaged with him in stealing and secreting
goods. The two were convicted of arson and sent to State prison,
where both of them died. Mrs. Willson was sent for five years, and
died in the fourth year ; Mr. Willson was sent to prison for life. Mr.
Benedict was rewarded by the grateful citizens of Ogdensburg with a
gold watch and various sums of money for his persistent efforts in
searching out and detecting the culprit.
Capital Crimes or Executions. — The people of Ogdensburg and vicin
ity, unlike some frontier towns having a mixed population, have always
been noted as law-abiding citizens. This may be accounted for from
the fact that the pioneers were men of culture, and had a healthy in
fluence on the community ; therefore the place was never disgraced by
a resort to lynch law for gross outrages. The first and only death pen
alty inflicted in Ogdensburg was upon the person of Louis Conard,
otherwise called Jean Baptist Gerteau. His crime was the killing of
Mrs. Scarborough, her infant child and a French lad, named Macue,

THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 355
his own brother-in-law. The deed was committed in the town of Louis
ville, about a mile from Massena village, early on the morning of Feb
ruary 22, 1816. Mr. Michael Scarborough had incautiously displayed
a large sum of money in the presence of Gerteau (who was living in the
neighborhood) and had gone away from home on business. Gerteau
slept in a barn that night and at day dawn arose and entered the house
cautiously, exchanging a scythe for an axe which he found by the door,
passed through the room where Macue was sleeping in a bed on the
floor, and entered the room where Mrs. Scarborough with her two chil
dren were sleeping. He took the money from its place in the corner
of a drawer and might have made his escape unobserved, but fearing
detection, he slew his victims with the axe, and, after feasting himself
on cakes and sweetmeats, took the money, amounting to some $22,
fastened the door of the house and fled by a circuitous route towards St.
Regis. About sunrise some neighbors, on going to the house, were sur
prised to find the door fastened and a track in the new-fallen snow
leading from the house. Looking into the window they observed the
corpse of one of the victims, and the door was forced open and the alarm
given. A party started on the murdurer's track, and occasional traces of blood
mixed with snow were discovered, as though it had been washed from
the hands and clothing. The ruffian was overtaken about two miles
from St. Regis, and on being brought back to the scene of slaughter,
he acknowledged the crime and related the details of the shocking bar
barity. He was taken to jail at Ogdensburg and tried at the Circuit
Court of Oyer and Terminer, July 3, 1816, William Van Ness, one of
the justices of the Supreme Court, presiding. Nathan Ford was the
first judge ; Russell Atwater and Robert Livingston, judges ; Caleb
Hough and Jason Fenton, justices. The grand jury presented three
separate indictments on the first day of their session, and upon being
arraigned the prisoner pleaded not guilty to each. He was found
guilty and sentenced to be hanged in public on Friday, the 12th, fol
lowing, between the hours of 1 and 3 P. M., and his body delivered
to the Medical Society of this county to be made use of as they
saw fit*
* This inhuman wretch had procured, in anticipation of his horrible crime, a bottle of whisky. He
said in his confession : " I raise dat axe up to strike der woman, but I could not do it. I say to

356 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The punishment of such a shocking and heartless crime called to
gether an immense crowd to witness it.
The following incidents were related to the writer by an eye witness
( Henry Plumb ). The gallows was erected some twelve feet high, un
der an oak tree on the southwest corner of block No. II, facing Wash
ington and Elizabeth streets, it being at that time a common. The
platform of the gallows was hinged at one end to the upright post, and
the other end was held in position by a cord. Joseph York was the
sheriff and D. C. Judson, the deputy. W. Lytle was sergeant of the
guard, which was composed of twelve men detailed for the purpose from
a military company. Everything being ready, Mr. York rode up to
cut the cord with a sword, but through nervousness and shying of his
horse, he made several ineffectual attempts to do so and finally had to
dismount and finish the work with a hatchet. The haggled cord slowly
gave way and the prisoner slided gradually down to the length of his
rope, without a sudden jerk, and while writhing under strangulation, Mr.
York nervously called out : " For God's sake, cannot some one put this
man out of his misery ? " A young doctor from Lisbon standing near
by, caught the culprit by his feet and gave him a jerk which tightened
the rope about his neck and thus shortened his sufferings. This act so
incensed the people against the doctor that he was obliged to seek an
other field to practice in. The body was hurriedly cut down and taken
in a cart to a dry-house near the sawmill on the west side, and laid on
a table, and while the flesh was yet quivering one of the doctors made
an incision with his knife in the vital part of the body before commenc
ing to dissect it. Our informant further stated that a few days after he
was fishing in the river near the dry- house, when his hook caught hold
of something, which upon drawing it out of the water, proved to be a
piece of the flesh of Gerteau which the doctors had thrown into the
river. The skeleton of this man passed into the possession of Dr. S. N.
Sherman and remained with him during his practice, and is now in the
possession of Dr. B. F. Sherman of this city.
myself, ' Ah, mon Dieu, no r I pull out de bottle from my pocket, and take one big, big drink  nut
bottle back in pocket, and pick up axe. Den I strike— strike— and kill him woman and baby and
boy, easy."

THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 357
William Kirby was indicted for throwing John Hughes off the bridge
over the Oswegatchie River, at Ogdensburg, on December 26, 1822,
when he was drowned. Kirby was tried at Ogdensburg August 23,
1833, and sentenced to be hanged on Thursday, November 6, following.
He, for some reason, was never hanged. Van Van Dyke was
hanged at Canton, December 21, 1877, for shooting Mary Bartholo
mew, whom he had recently married. She was one of the several
orphans, placed out to earn her living. She first was placed at Mr.
Dailie's, afterward with Mrs. Claffey, on the ridge about four miles
south of Ogdensburg. Several persons were said to have been impli
cated in her ruin, and got Van Dyke to marry her. He had tried
several times to get rid of her, before committing the rash act, in the
month of August previous.
Public Buildings. — The town of Oswegatchie, having no suitable
place of its own to assemble for business purposes agreeable to the
wishes of its citizens, the Legislature, on April 20, 1858, empowered
the Board of Supervisors of St. Lawrence county, to allow the town of
Oswegatchie to borrow money on its bonds, not to exceed the sum
of $10,000, to be used in the erection of a suitable building for the use
of the town and the village of Ogdensburg. The commissioners named
to issue the bonds and superintend the work, were Smith Stilwell,
John Pickens, and Alden Vilas, who were only to issue bonds to the
amount of $5,000 the first year, the balance to be issued whenever
they required the money. The building was to contain a room for the
public meetings of the inhabitants of the town or village, a room for the
trustees of the village, and one for the board of education; a police
court room, a -number of lockups, together with rooms for a keeper and
his family, with other rooms and appurtenant buildings necessary or
proper for said purposes. The corner lot on Franklin and Washing
ton streets was purchased of George Parish in exchange for engine lot,
No. 3. The edifice was a plain, large brick building, two stories and
a basement in height, and cost, exclusive of furnishing, painting, etc.,
$8,778. The furniture and other expenses aggregated about $1,000.
This building was sold to the school board in 1878, and an opera
house and town hall combined erected, for the use of the town and city
of Ogdensburg, on the corner of Ford and Caroline streets. The

358 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
foundation of the new structure was laid in the fall of 1879, and the
walls built up and the roof put on in 1880. At the right of the door
a gray limestone slab is set in the wall with this inscription on its sur
face: "Oswegatchie Town Hall, 1880." On the left side of the front
entrance is placed in the wall, the stone slab which Louis Hasbrouck
secured from the ruins of the chapel that was erected by Father
Piquet, near the old French fort. The inscription cut on its face is in
Latin as follows : In nomine X Dm omnuhitentis
HuiO UAII1TATIONI 1NITIA DED1T
Khans. Pioqukt, 1740.
Translated into English, reads as follows : Francis Picquet laid the
foundation of this habitation, in the name of the Almighty God, in
1749. The walls are laid in broken ashlar, of blue limestone, trimmed with
Potsdam red sandstone. The divisions of the building are as follows:
The front doors open into a wide hall, which leads back into the opera
house. The first room on the right is the mayor's office, the second
the council rooms, and the third the commissioners' and clerk's office.
On the left; first, the police office, a small cross hall, and the recorder's
office. At the rear end of the entrance hall, on either side, are stairs
leading to a hallway above and from it is an entrance into the town
hall ; also to the first balcony of the opera house, and stairs from
the hall leading up to the third balcony.
The stage of the opera house is on the opposite end from the en
trance. The seats are on a circle in amphitheatre form descending to
the stage, with two boxed seats on either side. In the basement be
neath the opera seats, are placed apparatus for steam heating. The
lock-up is beneath the recorder's room and composed of several cells
of solid brick walls and iron doors.
On the opposite side beneath the council rooms are apartments fitted
up for the janitor and his family. A fine bell, the gift of Mr. L. Hoard,
was placed in the tower in 1890, which is only rung on certain occa
sions, but gives forth its sweet music every passing hour, in obedience
to the new town clock which the citizens of Ogdensburg placed there
to mark the progress of time.

Sr-/^'A^Zc4,

THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 359
The cost of this structure was $110,000, which was raised by bond
ing the town, with the exception of $10,000, paid by the city alone.
Custom House and Post-office. — Up to about the year 1870, the
Ogdensburg office of the collector of customs, and the post-office, were
kept in private buildings leased for the purpose. About the year 1850
the United States government purchased from D. C. Judson the block
on State street where then stood the old building formerly used as the
county court house, but had for a number of years been used as a public
hall and theatre. The building was removed, but no steps were taken
by the government to erect a custom house, owing, in a measure, to
the trouble then brewing in regard to the slavery question, and the
civil war that followed. Soon after the close of the war an appropria
tion was made by Congress for the erection of a custom house and
post-office on the lot purchased. In the summer of 1866 the founda
tion of the present building was commenced. It is three stories high
and 121 by 57 feet in dimensions. The basement is of blue cut lime
stone, resting upon a concrete foundation, four feet wide and six feet
deep, with about three feet deep laid of the same material, over the
entire foundation or basement floor. The outside walls are cut Berea
sandstone from Ohio. The roof is hip shape, and is covered with
slate, supported by iron rafters, and surmounted by an iron framed
dome thirty feet in diameter and fifty feet in height, finished with an
observatory above which commands a fine view of the surrounding
country. The lower floor is occupied by the post-office, custom de
partment, pension office, or revenue department. In the second story
are the United States court rooms and necessary offices. The rooms
in the third story are used mostly for storage purposes. The base
ment is principally used as a bonded warehouse ; also containing the
steam apparatus for heating the building. The interior is finished with
ash, and the furniture of black walnut. The hall floors are laid with
sandstone tiling, and the office floors are of white spruce. The stair-
frames are of iron, and the steps of Ohio stone. The park in front,
facing the Oswegatchie river, is enclosed by an iron fence, and the
wide space around the building is flagged with Potsdam sandstone.
The entire cost of the structure, including grounds and furniture, etc.,
has been about $265,000.

360 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Supervisors of the Town— Nathan Ford, from 1802 to 1814 ; Louis Hasbrouck, from
1814 to 1823 ; Sylvester Gilbert, from 1823 to 1828 ; Washington Ford, from 1828 to
1829; Jacob Arnold, from 1829 to 1830; Baron S. Doty, from 1830 to 1832 ; Preston
King, from 1832 to 1834; Joseph W. Smith, from 1834 to 1835; Royal Vilas, from
1835 to 1836; Baron S. Doty, from 1836 to 1838; George W. Shepard, from 1838 to
1845 ; George M. Foster, from 1845 to 1856 ; N. Sackrider, from 1856 to 1857 ; George
M. Foster, from 1857 to 1860 ; Ela N. Merriam, from 1860 to 1862 ; William J. Averill,
from 1862 to 1864; Seth G. Pope, from 1864 to 1867; William J. Averill, from 1867
to 1869; Samuel H. Palmer, from 1869 to 1874; H. Rodee, from 1874 to 1875; C. B.
Herriman, from 1875 to 1877; Harvey J. Jones, from 1877 to 1880; J. Chandler Hough
ton, from 1880 to 1881; Daniel Magone, from 1881 to 1882; Charles L. Lum, from
1882 to 1883; S. H. Palmer, from 1883 to 1889; James C. Birge, from 1889 to 1890;
George W. Hurlburt, from 1890 to 1894.
Presidents and Trustees of the Village of Ogdensburg.— 1817 ', Louis Hasbrouck, pres't ; Jos
eph W. Smith, Charles Hill, John Scott. 1818, Louis Hasbrouck, pres.; Palmer Cleveland,
Charles D. Raymond, John Tibbits. 1819, Palmer Cleveland, pres't; Charles D. Ray
mond, Erastus Vilas, Joseph York. 1820, James Averell, 3d, pres't; Levi Gilbert, Wol
cott Hubbell, Amos Bacon. 1821, Wolcott Hubbell, pres't ; David C. Judson, Amos
Bacon, Bishop Perkins. 1822, Brinsley Hunton, pres't; Abel Heminway, Harvey
CHurch, John Eaton. 1823, Louis Hasbrouck, pres't; Joseph Rosseel, Charles D. Ray
mond, Ira Shed. 1824, Louis Hasbrouck, pres't ; Joseph Rosseel, Charles D. Raymond,
Ira Shed. 1825, Joseph Rosseel, pres't; William Bacon, Anthony C. Brown, David C.
Judson. 1826, George Guest, pres't ; Richard Freeman, David C. Judson, Baron S.
Doty, Charles D. Raymond. 1827, Anthony C. Brown, pres't; Henry Lum, William
Bacon, William A. Campfield, James G. Hopkins. 1828, Charles Hill, pres't; Joseph
Rosseel, Erastus Vilas, Charles D. Raymond, Joseph W. Smith. 1829, Charles Hill,
pres't; Baron S. Doty, Elijah B. Allen, Peter C. Oakley, John Elliott. 1830, Charles
Hill, pres't, David C. Judson, Preston King, John Elliott, Harvey Thomas. 1831,
Charles Hill, pres't; David C. Judson, Preston King, John Elliott, Harvey Thomas.
1832, James G. Hopkins, pres't; Charles Hill, Lincoln Morris, Jacob Arnold, William
B. Spelman. 1883, James G. Hopkins, pres't; Royal Vilas, Lincoln Morris, Egbert N.
Fairchild, Preston King. 1834, James G. Hopkins, pres't ; Joseph Rosseel, Egbert N.
Fairchild, John Clark. Preston King. 1835, Sylvester Gilbert, pres't ; David C. Jud
son, George W. Shepard, Moses S. Piatt, Michael S. Daniels. 1836, Sylvester Gilbert,
pres't ; Moses S. Piatt, Michael S. Daniels, William H. Marshall, James W. Lytle.
1837, Erastus Vilas, pres't; John G. Gilbert, Amos Bacon, Henry D. Laughlin, William
Melhinch. 1838, Charles Hill, pres't; John Clark, Henry D. Laughlin, Amos Bacon,
Socrates N. Sherman. 1839 (votes, 255), Amos Bacon, pres't ; Collins A. Burnham,
Edwin Clark, William E. Guest, Allen Chaney. 1840, George W. Shepard, pres't;
Allen Chaney, Joshua L. Warner, William H. Marshall, John Barber. 1841, David
Crichton, pres't ; William H. Marshall, William Bacon, Thomas Bacon, David Burdett.
1842, David Crichton, pres't; James G.Wilson, Charles Shepard, Thomas Birkby,
Nathan S. Pitkin. Map of the village, by W. J. Gillett, adopted and placed on file in
the county clerk's office. 1843, Amos Bacon, pres't ; Elijah White, Joseph Hutchin-

1'y by J K.Ca'n.pfr

^LS t&^y?

THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 361
son, jr., George M. Foster, Edwin Clark. 1844, James G. Hopkins, pres't ; Henry T.
Bacon, Alden Vilas, William Jones, Amaziah B. James. 1845, James G. Hopkins,
pres't; Amaziah B. James, Alden Vilas, William Jones, Henry T. Bacon. 1846,
Amaziah B. James, pres't ; Harvey Thomas, Jeremiah Baldwin, Amasa W. Woolley,
George D V. Seymour. 1847, Cornelius Stillman, pres't; David C. Judson, James G.
Averell, George N. Seymour, Royal Vilas. 1848, Egbert N. Fairchild, pres't; James
G. Hopkins, Charles Shepard, William E. Guest, William Jones. 1849, Stillman Foote,
pres't ; David Crichton, Albert Chismore, Benjamin Whitney, Elijah White. 1850, William
Bacon, pres't ; David Crichton, Amasa W. Woolley, Nehemiah Whitney, Silvester Gilbert.
1851 (four months), Wm. Jones, pres't ; Egbert N. Fairchild, Jeremiah Baldwin,
Amaziah B. James, Collins A. Burnham ; 1851 (new charter), William C. Brown, pres't;
Edwin Clark, Elijah B. Allen, Henry S. Humphry, for 1st ward ; Allen Chaney,
Henry Rockwell, William Furness, for 2d ward ; Nathan S. Pitkin, Albert Tyler, Luke
Baldwin, for 3d ward. 1852 (votes, 571), Wm. C. Brown, pres't; John Austin, David
Field, John F. Rosseel, Ralzaman Haskell, William C. Alden, Daniel D. T. Carr, Nathaniel
Taggert, Nathaniel Lewis, Luke Baldwin. 1853 (votes, 400), John F. Rosseel, pres't;
George D. V. Seymour, Jacob H. Guest, David M. Chapin, Wm. Furness, Alonzo E.
Alden, Allen Chaney, Philander Robbins, Wm. Jones, Ira Wheelock. 1854 (votes, 441 ),
John F. Rosseel, pres't; John Barber, Smith Stillwell, jr., George M. Foster, Ozro S.
Cummings, F. N. Burt, William Farness, Norman Sackrider, Wm. Jones, George P.
Ryon. 1855 (votes, 446), Thomas Bacon, pres't; Egbert N. Fairchild, Silvester Gilbert,
Wm. C. Brown, Elisha Sanderson, Franklin N. Burt, Patrick V. Lankton, Cyrus Vilas,
Wm. H. Young, J. A. Stevens. 1856 (votes, 606), Silvester Gilbert, pres't ; Walter B.
Allen, Heman F. Millard. Royal Vilas, Franklin N. Burt, James D. Raymond, Erastus
Vilas, 2d, Patrick V. Lankton, John Allendorph, Roswell S. Ryon. 1857 (votes, 631),
Silvester Gilbert, pres't; Walter B. Allen, Heman F. Millard, Ela N. Merriam, Franklin
N. Burt, James D. Raymond, Allen Chaney, Patrick V. Lankton, Jno. Allendorph,
Albert Chismore. 1858, Seth G. Pope, pres't; George Morris, Charles P. Egert, Geo.
Parker, John G. McDonald, Ozro S. Cummings, Jas. M. Ives, Alric M. Herriman, Luke
Baldwin, Joseph Thompson. 1859, Seth G. Pope, pres't; George Morris, Charles P.
Egert, Jacob Henry Guest, Benjamin L. Jones, William C. Alden, Daniel D. T. Carr,
Alric M. Herriman, Louis D. Hoard, Joseph Thompson. 1860, Alric M. Herriman, pres't ;
William C. Brown, Jacob H. Guest, George Witherhead, Benjamin L. Jones, Wm. C.
Alden, Charles S. Burt, Carlos Slocum, George New Meyer, Joseph Thompson. 1861,
Alric M. Herriman, pres't ; Wm. C. Brown, George Witherhead, Jacob H. Guest, Benja
min L. Jones, Wm. C. Alden, Patrick Golden, Carlos Slocum, Joseph Thompson, Geo.
New Meyer. 1862, David C. Judson, pres't ; George Parker, Thomas Bacon, Ela N.
Merriam, Amos S. Partridge, Patrick Golden, Hiram Chatterton, Joseph Thompson,
Henry W. Ferguson, Alric M. Herriman. 1863, David C. Judson, pres't ; Edwin M.
Holbrook, John W. Hastings, James M. Chamberlain, James L. Ives, Thos. Mullin,
Harvey L. Jones, James H. Morgan, Joseph Thompson, William Armstrong. 1864, Chas.
G.Myers, pres't; Calvin W. Gibbs, Nathaniel H. Lytle, Chas. I.Baldwin, Harrison C.
Pearson, Harvey L. Jones, Walter B. Allen, Henry F. Church, Carlos Slocum, Reuben M.
Barnes. 1865, Calvin W. Gibbs, pres't ; J. Henry Guest, Nathaniel H. Lytle/George D.
46

362 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Seymour, Erastus Vilas, 2d, Patrick H. Delaney, Francis N. Burt, DeWitt C. Brown,
George R. Bell, James H. Morgan. 1866, DeWitt C. Brown, pres't ; Jacob Henry Guest,
Nathaniel H. Lytle, Henry T. Bacon, Patrick H. Delaney, Erastus Vilas, 2d, Patrick
Golden. George R. Bell, William L. Proctor, Allen B. Phillips. 1867, DeWitt C. Brown,
pres't; Nathaniel H. Lytle, Arthur Callaghan, Charles I. Baldwin, James A. Mack, Galen
W. Pearson, Merchant J. Ives, William L. Proctor, Wm. Armstrong, William H. Young.
City Officers. — 1868, William C. Brown, mayor; Charles I. Baldwin, Walter B. Allen,
Henry Rodee, aldermen 1st ward ; Benjamin L. Jones, 0a'en W. Pearsons, Patrick
Hackett, aldermen 2d ward ; Carlisle B. Herriman, Urias Pearson, Chester Waterman
(until July), Wm. L. Proctor (after July), aldermen 3d ward ; Calvin W. Gibbs, supervisor
1st ward; William C. Alden, supervisor 2d ward ; Zina B. Bridges, supervisor 3d ward.
1869, William C. Brown, mayor; Charles G. Myers, William H. Daniels, William J.
Averell, aldermen 1st ward ; Patrick Hackett, Gates Curtis, John G. McDonald, aldermen
2d ward ; Carlisle B. Herriman, William L. Proctor, George W. Smith, aldermen 3d ward ;
Calvin W. Gibbs, supervisor 1st ward ; Wm. C. Alden, supervisor 2d ward ; Zina B.
Bridges, supervisor 3d ward. 1870, Z. B. Bridges, mayor ; W. H. Daniels, J. Baker, W.
B. Allen, aldermen 1st ward ; George W. Mack, Charles M. Adams, Patrick Hackett,
aldermen 2d ward ; William L. Proctor, William A. Newell, Timothy Larkin, aldermen 3d
ward ; Delos McCurdy, recorder; C. W. Gibbs, W. C.Allen, James Armstrong, supervi
sors. 1871, W. L. Proctor, mayor ; John Barber, C. P. Goodno, 0. S. Phillips, aldermen
1st ward ; George W. Mack, John C. McVean, Thos. Whalen, aldermen 2d ward ; W. A.
Newell, M. C. Loomis, Benj. Tilley, aldermen 3d ward ; E. White, recorder; C. W. Gibbs,
W. C. Allen, James Armstrong, supervisors. 1872, William L. Proctor, mayor ; Ela N.
Merriam, Stephen H. Higbee, L. Hasbrouck, jr., aldermen 1st ward ; William C. Alden,
John Glass, Lyman D. Burt, aldermen 2d ward ; Wm. A. Newell, Benjamin Tilley, Thomas
N. Derby, aldermen 3d ward ; Calvin W. Gibbs, George W. Mack, James Armstrong,
supervisors. 1873, under enactment of the Legislature the council of 1872 held over. 1874
W. L. Proctor, mayor; Ela N. Merriam, Charles G. Egert, Wm. Wheeler, W. C. Alden,
James Hall, Patrick Hackett, John Austin, S. G. Pope, George B. Oswell, Francis R.
Houlihan, Henry W.Ferguson, Michael T.Power, aldermen; Elijah White, recorder; John
W. Stone, Harvey L. Jones, C. H. Butrick, Francis Kiah, supervisor.-". 1875, John F.
Rosseel, mayor ; E. White, recorder; W. H. Daniels, C. G. Egert, J. W. Hastings, James
Hall, Henry Lovejoy, Patrick Hackett, John Austin, C. H. Butrick, A. B. Chapin, F. R.
Houlihan, H. W. Ferguson, M. T. Power, aldermen; J. W. Stone, Charles Lyon, James
Armstrong, W. D. Britton, supervisors. 1876, James Armstrong, mayor; E.White re
corder ; Luke D. Ralph, Arnold E. Smith, John W. Hastings, Henry Lovejoy, John W.
Piercy, Patrick Hackett, Charles H. Butrick, S. W. Day, C. P. Geer, H. W. Ferguson, F.
R. Houlihan, Adolphus Daily, aldermen ; J. Y. Chapin, H. L. Jones, S. F. Palmer, jr. J. T.
Cunningham, supervisors. 1877, James Armstrong, mayor; Elijah White, recorder- L.
D. Ralph, Joseph Gilbert, J. W. Hastings, John W. Piercy, Duncan C. Turner Alex. A.
Valley, George Foster, S. W. Day, George R. Bell, John Pray, Ed. P. McElligott, Michael
T. Power, aldermen ; (Mr. Gilbert resigned and Wm. Wheeler was elected in his place).
J. Y. Chapin, C. Marceau, S. E. Palmer, jr., H. S. Lighthall, supervisors. 1878, Geo. A.
Eddy, mayor ; E. White, recorder ; Amos Wells, E. N. Merriam, J. W. Hastings, Chas.

? &y S.JfCampt*

THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 363
M. Adams, Edward Merry, Sanford S. Sturtevant, Stillman Foote, M. S. Lee, S. W. Day,
Francis R. Houlihan, W. D. Britton, Robert Wright, aldermen ; Chas. G. Egert, Christo
pher Marceau, John Austin, William Quillinan, supervisors. 1879, J. W. Parker, mayor;
D. E. Southwick, J. W. Hastings, G. A. Schellenger, C. Marceau, Ed. Merry, James Mc-
Guire, S. Foote, George Hall, John Hannan, Joseph Sackett, Isaac Fadden, Robert
Wright, aldermen. 1880. J. W. Parker, mayor; H. T. Bacon, John Donnelly, L. D. Ralph,
L. Hasbrouck, jr., J. Jillson, R. Pickup, George Hall, A. M. Herriman, W. M. Baird,
Adolphus Daily, D. Henderson, Isaac Fadden, aldermen. 1881, E. J. Chapin, mayor ; L.
D. Ralph, J. H. Brownlow, John Glass, John Q. Adams, John F. Seely, A. N. Partridge,
Wm. Appleyard, John Gourley, aldermen. 1882, E. J. Chapin, mayor; L. D.
Ralph, H. B. Howard, John Glass, John Adams, John F. Seely, J. P. Johnston,
William Appleyard, John Gourley, aldermen. 1883, W. J. Averell, mayor ; H. B.
Howard, J. W. Hastings, John Glass, Nathaniel Wells, J. P. Johnson, David H. Bowen,
John Gourley, and "D. B. Wilcox, aldermen. Supervisors, first ward, William Peters ;
second ward, Alfred D. Bowen; third ward, Arnold E. Smith; fourth ward, Peter
Kiah. R. B. Lowry, recorder. 1884, W. L. Proctor, mayor ; H. B. Howard, J. W.
Hastings (died in office), James Chatterton, Nathaniel Wells, J. H. Johnston, David H.
Bowen, Albert H. Hancock, D. B. Wilcox, aldermen. 1885, Charles Lyon, mayor ;
H. B. Howard, D. E. Southwick, Nathaniel Wells, James Chatterton, D. H. Bowen, J.
P. Johnston, A. H. Hancock, James P. Cunningham, aldermen. 1886, Wm. L. Proctor,
mayor; James A. Mack, recorder ; E. D. Southwick, Geo. Hall, N. Wells, D. H. Bowen,
Frank Owen, James Cunningham, aldermen; Levi Gadbaw, Enos McBane, F. R.
Houlihan, Chas. G. Idler, supervisors. 1887, George Hall, mayor; Geo. E. Van Kennan,
recorder ; Geo. D. Seymour, John Donnelly, Jas. A. Patterson, John B. Tyo, Frank
Owen, James G. Westbrook, Dennis Lynch, Joseph Bergeron, aldermen; Levi Gadbaw,
Enos McBane, B. 0. Hathway Chas. G. Idler, supervisors. 1888, Geo. Hall, mayor;
Geo. E. Van Kennan, recorder ; John Donnelly, R. H. Houston, John B. Tyo, Jas. A.
Patterson, James G. Westbrook, Frank Owen. Joseph Bergeron, Dennis Lynch, alder
men ; Levi Gadbaw, Alza Richards, E. H. Atwater, Geo. Ashwood, supervisors.
1889, Edgar A. Newell, mayor; G. S. Dorwin, recorder; Geo. Hall, L. D. Ralph, J. T.
Patterson, Edward Merry, Frank Owen, Geo. Brash, Dennis Lynch, Albert Hancock
aldermen ; Geo. E. Morris, H. G. Chandler, 0. F. Partridge, F. R. Houlihan, N. W.
Howard, supervisors. 1890, Edgar A. Newell, mayor ; G. S. Dorwin, recorder ; L. D.
Ralph, James H. Lytle, Edward Merry, W. G. Moore, Geo. Brash, S. H. Miller, Albert H.
Hancock, John J. Kelly, aldermen ; C. A. Merriman, H. G. Ghandler, S. H. Palmer, Chas.
Frasier, supervisors, 1891, John Hannan, mayor ; Geo. E.Van Kennan, recorder ; James H.
Lytle, H. F. James, W. G. Moore, James A. Maguire, H. S. Miller, Thos. Spratt, John
J. Kelly, Joseph Bergeron, aldermen ; Geo. F. Darrow, G. C. Idler, James Ives, D.
Lynch, supervisors. 1892, Chas. H. McClair, mayor; Geo. E. Van Kennan, recorder;
H. F. James, Geo. Hall, James A Maguire, E. N. Burt, Thomas Spratt, D. 0. Mc-
Rostie, Joseph Bergeron, John Kelly, aldermen ; Geo. F. Darrow, Chas. G. Idler, 0. F.
Partridge, John Frasier, supervisors. 1893, Edgar A. Newell, mayor; Jas. A. Martin,
recorder; H. F. James, Fred A. Davis, E. N. Burt, Thos. Whalen, D. 0. McRostie.
Joseph Donahue, John J. Kelly, James Hunter, aldermen ; Levi Gadbaw, Chas. G.
Idler, O. F. Partridge, John Earl, supervisors ; H. L. Jones, city clerk.

364 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The city of Ogdensburg was incorporated by an act of the Legislature
passed April 27, 1868. The boundary was not changed, but each ward
elected its three aldermen independent of each other. The mayor and
recorder were elected at large by the citizens.
The charter was amended on May 2, 1873, and the council held over.
Thereafter the aldermen, three from each ward, were elected by the
entire city, doing away with ward rites or distinction. Another ward
was erected from the third, making all the territory below, or northerly
portion of Patterson street the fourth ward.
In 1 88 1 the charter was again amended, allowing only two aldermen
to each ward and to hold office two years, one to be elected each year
thereafter. In the spring of 1893 the charter was again amended and a por
tion of the officers were held over. The term of the offices of mayor
and recorder were lengthened to two years. The election to take
place only every alternate year, when the mayor, recorder and one
alderman from each ward will be elected. A Board of Public Works was
established by the act, consisting of four, who are to hold office four
years each ; one to be appointed each year by the Common Council and
to serve without compensation. The board have full control of the
streets and sewers, doing away with the office of street commissioner.
City Water Works on the Holly system were erected at the south
end of the dam in the summer of 1869, at an expense of $135,000.
Water mains were laid mostly of cement pipe, through the principal
streets of Ogdensburg the first year, and several fire hydrants set The
pumps are driven by a turbine for domestic purposes, and two extra
ones are held in reserve for fire purposes, together with a large steam
engine that can readily be coupled in case of drought or accident. In
1893 there were nearly twenty miles of mains, 106 fire hydrants and
118 gates.
The Water Power on the Oswegatchie at this point was first utilized
by Father Piquet, he having obtained a perpetual lease from the French
authorities at Quebec and built a dam and saw mill in 175 1.
One writer claimed the mill and dam was erected by Capt Vernuil
Lorimier, he having obtained a lease or deed from the Indians. The
English made no claim to the property, but only utilized the power to

THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 365
manufacture lumber. Samuel Ogden obtained a right to the water
power by the purchase of the land from the State of New York,
and also by a quit claim deed from Mrs. Lorimier. David Parish be
came the owner of the water power on the southerly end of the dam, by
purchase of the village plat in 1808. Nathan Ford became seized in fee
simple of the balance of the power, and conveyed a portion of the same
to Thomas Dinney in 1828. In the fall of 1835, the balance of the
power owned by the Ford estate was sold to Smith Stilwell, H. Thomas,
B. S. Doty, E. N. Fairchilds and I. G. Hopkins. Two lots, with power,
were then sold ; one for a distillery and one for a tannery, and each re
stricted with certain conditions. A company was then formed under
the name of "The Ogdensburg Water- Power Company." The power,
exclusive of the two runs mentioned, was then divided into 100 runs in
two classes — twenty- five in the first and seventy- five in the second. The
water-power plant was also divided into four sections, as follows : Sec
tion A included all the lots lying north of Lake street, between Main
street and the river, up to E. B. Allen's lot No. 3. Section B included
all the lots lying south of Main street to Rensselaer avenue, and between
Lake and Canal streets. Section C lies between Lake street and the
Oswegatchie River, and includes all the lots between Canal street on a
straight line to the river, and the Cold Spring. Section D comprises
all the lots lying between the Oswegatchie River from the bridge up to
a line with Canal street, and to Lake street, and thence to the bridge.
The company sold thirty- two runs of water, only binding the parties to
keep the wall or dam opposite their premises in repair. No provision
having been made for the rebuilding or repair of the dam and walls
when required, therefore, on February 1, 1842, an agreement was
made dividing the balance of the runs (sixty-eight) between them
selves, by a partition deed, and binding each other and their successors
to bear an equal proportion of the expense to rebuild and keep the same
in repair. As a compensation for this burden, each power had the right
of a surplus run, to be used only when the water flowed one foot deep
or more over the dam.
A suit in equity was brought by Henry Rodee, et al., plaintiffs, vs.
The City of Ogdensburg, et al., defendants, and a judgment rendered in
the form of a decree, July 29, 1872, defining the rights. Under the de-

366 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
cree a run of water was defined to be equal to a flow of twenty-five
cubic feet per second, under a head of nine feet, which is equal on a
good wheel to twenty-five horse power. Weirs were ordered to be
constructed at the bulkhead of each run using water, as follows : A
copper bolt was sunk in the rock at the northwest end of the dam, to
designate the height or crest of the dam. The frame of the bulkhead
to each run was to extend up about four feet above the level of the
bolt and downward five feet below the level of the bolt to a girt or the
breast of the weir, which is to extend to the rock or about five feet below
and planked tight, causing the water to flow over the breast and between
the posts of the bulkhead. The gate is operated by means of a worm
gear or screw, set in front of the bulkhead and moves in grooves cut
in the posts on either side. The gate when lowered even with the breast
of the weir, allows a free flow of water through the opening. In closing
the weir or shutting off the water, the gate is raised by means of the
screws to any height required, thus making every run uniform in the
use of water. By the rules of the decree, both classes may run until
the water in the river drops one foot below the crest of the dam, when
the second class are to stop running until the water raises in the pond
six inches. The first class may run until the water in the pond drops
two feet below the crest of the dam, where they are to stop running
until the water rises six inches. Both classes may run on Saturday
afternoon until the water falls one foot below the respective limit, of
each class.
The Press. — The first newspaper printed in this place or in the county
of St. Lawrence was the Palladium, a two-page weekly li by 17 J>£
inches. It was started in December, 18 10, by J. C. Kipp and T. C.
Strong ; David Parish furnished the capital and D. W. Church the
office building. The paper was distributed through the county by foot-
post acting as carriers. On account of the difficulty in getting suitable
paper it was occasionally printed on foolscap. It was Federal in poli
tics and denounced the War of 181 2. Mr. Louis Hasbrouck, of this city,
has a copy of this paper, in which an account is given of General Wil
kinson's army passing down the St. Lawrence River in November,
1813. The paper was discontinued in 18 14.

J^/2t

THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 367
The St. Lawrence Republican was commenced in Potsdam in the fall
of 1826 by William H. Wyman. It was 20 by 29 inches, published
weekly and distributed by post. It was the first Democratic paper in
the county and published in opposition to the St. Lawrence Gazette.
In the summer of 1827 it was removed to Canton. In January, 1 830,
Mr. Preston King purchased the paper and commenced its publication
in Ogdensburg and continued it until 1833, when it was sold to Samuel
Hoard. In 1834 F. D. Flanders became a partner. In the fall of that
year the paper passed into the hands of M. W. and J. M. Tillotson.
In April, 1839, the establishment was consumed by fire. Early in the
summer the publishing was resumed and the paper enlarged. In the
fall of 1 841 it passed into the hands of F. B. Hitchcock and H. M.
Smith, who published it until July 16, 1848, when Mr. W. N, Oswell
purchased Mr. Hitchcock's interest. In December, 1857, Mr. Hitch
cock repurchased Mr. Oswell's interest and continued its publication
until March 17, 1852, when M. W. Tillotson, a former proprietor, took
Mr. Smith's interest. In October the office was again consumed by fire,
but the paper was continued on a small half sheet for a short time, and
in January, 1853, it was enlarged and its publication continued to May,
1855, when John A. Haddock purchased a one-third interest in the
establishment. In April, 1856, he sold his interest to I. G. Stilwell.
In November, 1858, Henry R. James and James W. Hopkins pur
chased the entire establishment, and in December, i860, Mr. H. R.
James became the sole proprietor. In January, 1874, S. P. Reming
ton and S. H. Palmer purchased a one-third interest.
The paper, being Democratic from the beginning, soon became the
leading organ of the county and remained as such until the formation
of the Republican party in 1855, when it became the organ of the new
party in the county and has so remained since.
At the death of H. R. James in 1882, the establishment was sold to
a stock company, and S. H. Palmer became its business manager.
The Northern Light.— This was an anti-Masonic paper commenced
July 7, 1831, by W. B. Rodgers, and soon passed into the hands of A.
B. James and A. Tyler, who published jt about a year, when Mr. James
became its editor. In April, 1834, its name was changed to The
Times, and at the end of the fourth volume it was enlarged to six

368 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
columns, and its title changed to the Ogdensburg Times, in July, 1837,
Dr. A. Tyler again became associated with Mr. James and the name
was again changed to the Times and Advertiser. In July, 1838, Dr.
Tyler became its sole publisher and continued until March, 1844, when
it was transferred to Foot & Seely, and the name changed to the
Frontier Sentinel, and sold at $1.00 per year. Mr. Seely died August
17, 1844, and the paper was continued by Henry G. Foot until June,
1847, when the name was changed to the Ogdensburg Sentinel, price
$1.75 per year. In November, 184.9, Stillman Foot became its pro
prietor, the price being reduced to $1.00, and he continued its publica
tion for some three years thereafter. Mr. Foot also, in connection with
the weekly, published a daily paper called The Daily Sentinel,
which was commenced April 14, 1848, at one cent per number, but was
given up in September of that year ; it being the first effort made to
print a daily paper in the village. Both papers were discontinued shortly
after. The Meteorological Register. — This paper was published monthly and
commenced January 1, 1839, by J. H. Coffin, the principal of the
academy. It was devoted to scientific inquiries, but for the want of
patronage was discontinued at the end of four months.
The Ogdensburg Forum. — This paper was a small tri-weekly, com
menced April 24, 1848, by A. Tyler, in support of the Whig party
and in the interest of General Taylor. At the end of six months the
tri-weekly was discontinued and the weekly continued until February,
185 1, when the office was used for job work only until 1852, when the
press was removed to Gouverneur.
The Daily Morning News. — This paper was commenced in March,
1852, by William N. Oswell, a former editor of the St. Lawrence Re
publican, and Fayette Robinson. It was neutral in politics, and con
ducted with an ability and enterprise which entitled it to a liberal sup
port. In September of that year, Mr. Oswell issued from this office a
weekly paper, also neutral, by the name of The Weekly News, which
soon after was temporarily suspended, but was again issued in a smaller
form, but both papers were suspended soon after.
The Ogdensburg Daily Times. — This was a second trial of a daily
paper, commenced in October, 1852, by William Yeaton and Warren

<eth

THE TOWN OF 08WEGATCHIE. 369
Dow. It was printed at the Republican office, and was independent in
politics. The paper was edited with ability, but the publication was
arrested by a disastrous fire after one or two issues.
The American. — This was a weekly paper edited by E. M. Holbrook,
and was started under the excitement of the " Know Nothing " move
ment, about the year 1855-6. The political sentiments advocated
were that " Americans must rule America," and that no one should be
elected to office that in any way held allegiance to a foreign power,
king or potentate. After a few years the excitement passed away and
the paper was discontinued.
The Boys' Journal. — This paper was commenced in 1856 by H. R.
James, James W. Hopkins and Charles R. Foster, who consolidated
two amateur boys' printing establishments and published a daily paper.
A short time after they purchased a Guernsey press and started the
Weekly Journal. In 1857 Mr Foster sold his interest to James and
Hopkins, who continued the publication of both papers till they pur
chased the St. Lawrence Republican. The weekly was merged into
the St. Lawrence Republican, and the " Boys" dropped and " Daily "
substituted in the title of the daily paper. This was the first successful
daily newspaper published in Ogdensburg, The Ogdensburg Journal,
which has from the beginning of the daily been connected with the
weekly St. Lawrence Republican.
The Advance. — This paper was started in March, 1 861, by James W.
Hopkins, who ran a daily in connection with the weekly paper for a
short time only. The Weekly Advance passed into the hands of the
Democracy, when Mr. O'Brien and A. S. Partridge took the papers
and continued their publication, changing the weekly to The St.
Lawrence Weekly Democrat. In May, 1863, Mr. O'Brien was suc
ceeded by E. M. Holbrook, and the paper continued until October,
1864, when it was purchased by Ransom Skeels, who discontinued the
daily and reduced the size of the weekly. In April, 1867, Mr.
J. Hynes purchased the paper, refurnished it with new presses and
type, enlarged and otherwise improved it and increased its circulation.
In May, 1877, Mr. G. F. Darrow, the present owner, purchased the
establishment and soon changed it to an eight-page paper, which is
now one of the most complete county papers in the State. Recently a
47

370 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
commodious press room has been added to the establishment, furnished
with steam power, several large presses and all necessary machines for
turning out job work on a large scale, such as shearing, folding, etc. It
is one of the largest and most complete printing houses in Northern
New York.
The Monitor. — This was a weekly paper, started by Gardiner B.
Chapin in 1869, Republican in sentiment, but representing a faction of
that party only. It was said that Roscoe Conklin furnished the capi
tal to start with. The paper had a small circulation and after some two
years it was discontinued.
The Critic. — This paper was started in 1878 by J. H. Nicholson, be
ing independent in politics, and issued semi-weekly. He also issued a
daily for a short time. His office was burned twice within two years,
and through financial embarrassment it was discontinued, and the stock
sold out.
The Signal. — This was started in the spring of 1883, by Rev. N.
Klock. It was commenced as an independent paper, published weekly
at $1.00 per year. In the presidential campaign of 1884, the paper ad
vocated the temperance movement, but shortly after favored the
Republican side of politics. In the fourth year the subscription list was
sold to a Gouverneur paper, when the Signal was discontinued.
The News. — This paper was commenced in the fall of 1883, by Z. B.
and H. C. Buckman, issued twice a week, and started out as an inde
pendent, and has so continued up to the last presidential election, when
its influence was given in favor of Harrison. In the winter of 1890,
the two issues were separated in name, the one retaining the original
name (The News) and the other The Star. The two papers and presses
were sold July 1, 1890, to Capt. Henry Holland, who changed one to a
daily paper on February 2, 189 1, and the other to the Saturday News
once a week. On September 7, 1893, the papers were sold to the Og
densburg News Company, Mr. Holland as mannager.
The Courier. — A Catholic weekly paper was commenced to be pub
lished April 13, 1889; Father Conroy, editor, and Henry Holland,
mannager. The paper was sold to a stock company on September 1,
1892. On December 1, 1893, the concern was leased to John McCor-
mic, who now continues its publication.

«_JJ2£Ce**z-^.iS^ ^_-2*£-e2"^«s5"*2"«^.

THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 371
Schools. — The first school taught in Ogdensburg, apart from private
instructions, was held in the old French barracks about 1 807, or after Mr.
Ford vacated the place ; Henry Plumb, being one of the six or eight
scholars who attended the school. On account of the impending trouble,
the barracks was required for the use of the soldiers, and the school was
therefore opened on the east side of the Oswegatchie in 1809, in what
was known as " Capt. Cherry's bivouac." The number of pupils soon
increased beyond the capacity of the place and a private house was
used up to the first year of the war only. On the return of peace (in
18 1 5) a school was again opened in a private building. In about 1817
a plain two story school house was built on the east corner lot of Green
and Water streets (now Crescent), which served the whole village for a
number of years. In 1825 the population had so increased that a stone
school house was erected on the Corner of Knox and Caroline streets.
In 1837 a house was rented on Main street, and three school districts
were erected, two on the east side and on the west side of the Oswe
gatchie. As the population further increased school houses were built
as follows : No. 1, built of brick, on Franklin street, in 1850; No. 2,
of brick, on Washington street, in 1854; No. 3, of brick, on Park street,
in 1853 ; No. 4, of stone, on Ford avenue, second ward, 1856; No. 5,
of brick, in the east part of the village ; No. 6, of stone, on Lafayette
street, in 1864; No. 7, of brick, on Barre street, in 1870; also No. 8,
on the corner of Ford avenue and Pine street, the same year. The last
two are two stories high, and two school rooms in each story. No. 9,
of wood on Knox street, on the engine house lot, that was purchased
in 1847; the house was erected in 1865 and remodeled in about 1889.
The Grammar school building was erected of brick on Washington
street about 1877 ; the Free Academy, of brick, originally the town hall,
was remodeled in 1879.
The old academy was erected of stone on State street in 1834, built
at an expense of $4,000, half of which was subscribed by the citizens
of the village, and the balance raised by tax on the town under certain
conditions, allowing credit on the tuition of any scholar from the districts
of the town to the amount of the interest, on tax of said district. A
portion of the building was used for town purposes. The building was
burned a number of years later.

372 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
An act in relation to schools and academies in the village of Ogdens
burg, passed April 13, 1857, consolidated in a school district a'l the terri
tory comprised within the corporate limits of the village of Ogdensburg ;
also those parts of school districts Nos. 1 and 21, of the town of Oswe
gatchie, lying without the said corporate limits. The schools so organ
ized into one school district were made subject to the control of a Board
of Education, to consist of nine members, to be elected at the annual
election of the village, for a term of three years each, three to be elected
each year thereafter, and to serve without compensation. According
to subsequent laws, the Board of Education " shall before the first day
of May, in each year thereafter, determine and certify to the said village
trustees, the amount of money required, over and above all other funds
on hand applicable to that purpose, required for teacher's wages, and
other necessary expenses for the year to come, for the maintenance of
such schools ; and the trustees shall cause to be assessed the said sums
so certified to on the taxable property and corporations within the said
district, etc. The common schools hereafter to be kept and maintained in
the district, shall be free to all the inhabitants of the same over four
years of age. This act shall also apply to the city corporation the same
as it did to the village."
The quarter ending November 23, 1893, there were forty teachers
employed, exclusive of the superintendent, and the salaries paid were
$37,150. The ordinary running expenses, exclusive of fuel, was
$515. The number of children of school age on August 20, 1892, was 4,225.
The number of children of school age who attended school part of the
year was 1,752. The average daily attendance of children of school age
was 1,185. The number attending parochial schools was 800. The
number of students holding the Regents' preliminary certificates was
135; of students in the academy, by courses, was: Classical diplomas
16, English diplomas 17, academic diplomas 42. The number of post
graduate students, taking classical diplomas 42, academic diplomas 10.
RECEIPTS FOR THE ACADEMY.
Tuitions paid by those residing outside of corporation  $ 905.47
From Literature Fund  432.23
From U. S. Deposit Fund  451.00
From Public School Fund  776.00

THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 373
The Ogdensburg Club was organized and incorporated March 5, 1889.
It is under the management of nine directors, one-third being elected at
each annual meeting, which occurs on the first Wednesday of April. A
president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer are elected from the
board of managers. All business men within the city are eligible to
membership. The entrance fee is $25, dues$i per month. Honorary
members within a radius of twelve miles, may become such (if elected) by
paying an entrance fee, without dues. In the spring of 1892 the consti
tution was revised, limiting the membership to 100, and the dues were
raised to $20 per year. A lot on State street was purchased and a two-
story club house erected at a cost, including lot, building, furniture, etc.,
of $15,000. The basement is fitted up for the use of a janitor and his
family. The first story has a large hall, a reading room, a drawing
room and a billiard room. The second story contains a banquet hall,
a gymnasium room and several smaller rooms for cards or games. A
portion of the money to erect the building was raised on bonds secured
by the property. The income from the billiard room and cigar stand,
together with the dues, is expected to pay the running expenses, the
interest on the bonds, and to liquidate the indebtedness within ten years.
Gas and Electric Light. — The Ogdensburg Gas Company was organ
ized in August, 1854, with a capital of $75,000, in shares of $50. The
works were erected in the Second ward near Lake street, between King
street and St. Lawrence avenue, in the summer of 1855. In 1875 the
capital stock was increased to $100,000, the works enlarged and a sec
ond gasometer built on Market triangular square in the First ward. This
branch of the works was abandoned a few years later, owing to kerosene
oil coming into general use.
The Electric Light Company was formed in connection with the gas
company in the summer of 1887. A thirty- five horse power engine
was set up in the gas house, to drive the dynamo, on March 24, 1888,
when a few street lights and grocery stores and hotels were lighted.
The plant was enlarged by a stone building, 37 by 75 feet, a 150 horse
power steam engine and boiler set up, and two full- arc dynamos added,
which were started up March 5, 1889. Arrangements were made to
add incandescent light, but as yet it has not been put in operation. On
the early morning of December 16, 1893, the escaping gas in the puri-

374 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
fying room took fire and blowed up. About half of the stone building,
together with a brick annex, were thrown down level with the ground,
a mass of ruins, fatally injuring two men.
Banking — Previous to 1825 the circulating medium in St. Law
rence county consisted largely of Canadian issues, from which losses
were constantly ensuing. This state of affairs led the supervisors of the
county to pass a resolution setting forth the claims of Northern New
York to the corporate privileges and benefits of bank issue.
On April 30, 1829, the Ogdensburg Bank was incorporated, for thirty
years; capital $100,000, in 2,000 shares. It went into operation soon
after upon the safety fund principle, being the only one of that descrip
tion ever organized in the county. On December 31, 1858, it discon
tinued business ; the Oswegatchie Bank assumed its obligations.
On October 9, 1838, the St. Lawrence Bank was organized under the
laws of the State, to continue 100 years; capital $100,000 in 1,000
shares, to be managed by twenty- one directors. It began to issue bills
January 1, 1839. In the third year it became insolvent and its affairs
were closed up.
Several banks were in operation in Ogdensburg at different periods
from 1838 to 1850, mostly under the management of New York parties.
Among them were the Drovers' Bank and the Farmers' and Mechanics'
Bank. They were banks of issue and their obligations were usually
paid. On June 13, 1853, the Judson Bank was organized under the general
banking laws of the State. About June 1, 1866, a copartnership was
formed under the name and style of " Judson Bank," when the business
was changed to that of a private institution. Under this change John
D. Judson was made president, Daniel Judson cashier. At the death of
the latter in 1873, James C. Armstrong was made cashier, and in 1875
William Armstrong was made vice-president. That year David C.
Judson, sr., died. He having been a guiding star of the institution, his
death proved a great loss. E. N. Merriam was soon afterward made
cashier of the bank, but could not keep the credit up to its former
standing. January 1, 1878, its doors were closed and the institution
declared insolvent, by which many of the depositors lost theif money.

¦"ViiH, Sc. jV.y

t^i^Z^^x^^-

THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 375
On November 19, 1854, the Oswegatchie Bank was chartered and
went into operation. The first officers were A. Chapman, president ;
J. G. Averell, vice-president; and E. N. Merriam, cashier. On June
II, 1866, it was changed to a private banking firm, under the name of
Averell & Chapman. On December 1, 1875, James S. Bean became
associated with the firm, and the name was changed to Averell, Chap
man & Bean. On January 15, 1879, the institution was chartered under
the name of " Ogdensburg Bank," with a capital of $100,000. The
officers were James G. Averell, president; James S. Bean, vice-presi
dent; W. H. Averell, cashier, in place of E. N. Merriam resigned. At
the death of Mr. Bean, in 1883, Wm. J. Averell was made vice-presi
dent On January 15, 1888, H. A. Egert was made cashier, and at his
death, January 15, 1887, Samuel W. Leonard acted as assistant cashier,
and was chosen cashier January 1, 1889, which place he has since con
tinued to fill. The bank, for the past forty years, has been one of the
solid institutions of the place, having a good working capital, and carries
a line of deposits of about $400,000.
In 1874 C G. Egert & Co. opened a banking house on Ford street,
in Ogdensburg, with a capital of $50,000. After doing business for
about three years it closed up its affairs.
On June 1, 1880, the First National Bank of Ogdensburg
was organized, under the banking laws, with a capital of $100,000,
and commenced to issue its currency. The officers were James
R. Bill, president; Sidney Brown, vice-president; E. N. Merriam,
cashier. The directors were J. R. Bill, S. Brown, A. B. James, E. N.
Merriam, Chas. Ashley, Chas. G. Egert, John Hannan, Chas. G.
Myers, D. N. Crouse, John Thorn, H. A. Chapman, L. G. Proctor and
E. S. Crapser. The officers of 1893 are J. R. Bill, president ; J. M.
Kellogg, vice-president ; and R. J. Donahue, cashier, who was appointed
shortly after E. N. Merriam's death, which occurred in April, 1893.
The present directors, including the president, are Wm. L. Proctor, J.
H. Brownlow, John Hannan, Geo. F. Darrow, E. A. Newell, H. B.
Howard and H. D. Northrup. This bank has a good working capital,
has the confidence of the people, and carries a line of deposits of nearly
$300,000. Manufactures. — For a number of years after the settlement began at
this place, the water power was principally used to manufacture lumber

376 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
for a foreign market. After the Oswego Canal was opened the industry
was greatly stimulated, and the best of the timber in the surrounding
country was cut off. Since that time two saw mills have been kept in
use in cutting the leavings and second growth for home consumption.
After the opening of the Northern Railroad, a large share of the timber
handled in the New England States passed through Ogdensburg,
besides considerable quantities exported south over the two railway
lines, the Rome.*Watertown & Ogdensburg, and the Utica & Black
River. This point, situated at the foot of lake navigation, and at the
terminus of several important lines of railway, affords extraordinary
facilities for handling this important product, obtained from Canada and
Michigan. Companies, with large amounts of capital, have been
organized for that purpose, of one of which Wm. L. Proctor is now
manager, which is doing a large business in both rough and dressed
lumber, having erected steam planing mills for the latter purpose. J,
Hannan & Co. are also doing an extensive business at present in that
same line.
Flouring Mills. — Grinding grain was the next largest business
industry carried on by the use of the water power. The Ford mill,
built in 1797, was sold to Harvey Thomas in 1840, who sold it to Wm.
Furness in 1850; it then passed to Doty & Pnillips in 1864, then to C.
Lyon & Phillips. S. Day purchased the mill in the spring of 1877.
The mill v/as burned in the spring of 1878, and rebuilt the same year of
stone. A set of Curtis Turbines was put in, and a new class of
machinery with burr stones ; also a new set of rollers. In May, 1883,
N. M. Curtis took possession of the mill and ran it to January, when it
was sold to J. W. Colnan, who operated the mill up to the time of his
death, 1893. This mill has the exclusive right of custom grinding.
The Oswegatchie mill was built in 1836, and was destroyed by fire
in April, 1863. Mr. Foot purchased the power and commenced to
rebuild in 1864, and after his death, in 1865, the property was purchased
by Messrs. Rodee, Lynde and Nichols. The mill was burned in June,
1882, and has not been rebuilt.
The Iroquois mills and an elevator were built by Geo. Parker in 1863.
At his death the mill was leased to Brown, Bill & Co. in the sprint of
1873. In 1883 the mill was sold to Rodee, Bill & Co., who overhauled

¦:xy

THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 377
the same and fitted it up with the new roller process and all the modern
improvements necessary for a first-class mill. They attached a steam
engine capable of driving the mill independent of water, but use steam
only to help out in time of a drouth. The capacity of the mill is 500
barrels per day. This and the custom mill are the only ones that have
been in use since 1885. At one time, between 1850 and '60, there were
several flour mills in the place. A conical mill situated at the Jones saw
mill; one in the boiler shop of John Glass; The Empire, built by W.
C. Brown ; one in the Babcock pump factory ; one in a wood building
back of Burt's tannery, and one built by H. Thomas, since burned and
rebuilt in stone by W. E. Furness. This mill was sold to S. Brown in
1882, and was fitted up with all modern improvements, also with a
steam engine to help in low water. The capacity was 250 barrels per
day. Mr. Brown failed in 1886, since which time the mill has been
idle. Foundries and Machine Shops. — The G. Curtis Foundry and Machine
shop, situated on Lake street, was built and run as a foundry by J. C.
Lewis in 1835 ; afterwards by Chapin Bros.; later by W. C. Alden, who
attached a machine shop, when it came into possession of the present
owner in the spring of 1867.
John Glass established a machine shop on the west side of the canal
about i860, where he did general steamboat repairing. In 1872 he
moved his shop to the stone building on Lake street.
Chaney & Allen established a foundry and machine shop near the
Rome depot, about the year 1830, where they built and repaired
engines, and made a general line of castings. The works were driven by
steam. In 1 880 the building was burned, when Mr. Allen, being then
the sole proprietor, purchased a lot on the west side of the canal and
erected a stone foundry. At his death Patrick Hackett leased the plant,
and has since operated the foundry. Shortly after the Allen foundry
burned the plant was purchased by a company, and an iron ore paint
mill erected, driven by steam.
Nash Brothers started a machine shop in John Hannan's planing mill
in 1888, where they do a general line of. machine work, but make a
specialty of steamboat engine repairing and building, and the erection
of steam heating apparatus.
48

378 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
There are two tanneries in the city, one of which was built in 1828
by Erastus Vilas and is now run and owned by a nephew, Erastus
Vilas. The other was established by F. N. Burt some year's later.
Their principal work is morocco tanning. It is now run by two of his
sons, Lyman and Frederick Burt.
H. D. Northrup and his brother established a stave and barrel fac
tory in 1861. After his brother's death in 1867, H. D. has carried on
the business alone. The shops were burned in the summer of 1890,
and rebuilt on a more modern plan.
A steam dye works was established in the fall of 1877 by Fred S.
McGuire. He added a woolen mill in 1880. In 1886 the mill was
burned. About two years later a company was organized and started
a woolen mill, which continued for a short time, when Mr. McGuire and
David Lyon came into possession of the property and have since con
tinued to operate it, miking a fine quality of yarn and coarse cloths.
A carpet cleaning machine and dye works was established by Benja
min Musgrave in 1885 on Crescent street.
A sash, door and blind factory was established by S. G. Pope on
Lake street in 185 1. It is driven by both water and steam.
H. I. Proctor added to his saw mill establishment a sash, door and
blind factory on Mill street in 1889. Hannan & Co. added a sash, door
and blind factory to their steam planing mill in 1890 on Water street.
A pump factory was put in operation by A. A. Babcock in 1873 in
the old stone flouring mill on King street, which has been operated ever
since. A portion of the building was converted in the summer of
1893 into a silverware factory, operated by a company of which Bell
Brothers are the principal managers. They manufacture a full line of
silverware. The O. E. Martin hub factory was erected about 1887 on the basin
and is driven by both water and steam and turned out a large quantity
of wagon hubs yearly. It is now run by a company.
There are now in the city two architects, ten contractors, one hun
dred and fifty carpenters, forty- five stone and brick masons, ten dry
goods merchants, forty two .groceries, ten small dealers, ten barber
shops, eight shoe dealers, ten cobblers, three boiler makers, one book
bindery, one brass foundry and plating works, six carriage and repair

&2fb/ SK Campb*11

THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 379
shops, seven cigar manufacturers, six men's clothing stores, six coal
dealers, two cold storage, seven dentists, two farmer's sheds, three
florists, three furniture dealers, four hardware dealers, eight stove and
hardware dealers, two harness shops, ten hotels, six jewelers, eight
ladies' fancy and furnishing goods, two laundries, six livery, sale and
boarding stables, two locksmiths, one marble and granite works, fifteen
meat markets, six music teachers, six merchant tailors, six paint shops
and paper hangers, four plumbing, steam and gas fitters, three sewing
machine dealers, four undertakers, seven wood yards, and four toys and
fancy goods. CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATIONS.
The account of the French missionary post at La Galette from 1749
to 1760, connected with the military affairs of that time, has been given
in another part of this work. The English possession of the place from
1760 to 1796 had no religious organization further than what comes
under a chaplain's duty at a military station. After Nathan Ford took
possession of the old barracks religious services were occasionally held
there by missionaries or traveling preachers of various denominations.
As the neighborhood increased, there was a desire on the part of those
who were religiously inclined, to form an organization for worship. On
October 5, 1805, a society was formed under the name of the First
Church and Congregation of Christ. Nathan Ford, John Lyon, Aaron
Welton, Louis Hasbrouck, and Thomas J. Davies were elected trustees.
The next important move was to select and settle a clergyman, and
as the Lisbon people had settled a Presbyterian clergyman, some of the
people of Ogdensburg were anxious to have one also. As the court
house was a suitable place to meet in, Mr. Ogden proposed to send
them an Episcopal clergyman, having already sent on prayer books for
their use. He proposed to have two lots laid out, one near the court
house to be held for a parsonage ; the other to be conveyed in fee
simple to " the first clergyman who shall reside in town, and perforiri
Episcopal duties therein, for the term of ten years." A farm to be laid
out in the vicinity of the town as a parsonage, to be conveyed for the
use of the church ; also a convenient lot in town whereon to build a
church, and for a burying ground. This was rather an unwelcome duty

380 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
to impose upon Mr. Ford, who was inclined to the Presbyterian side,
while some of the trustees were well pleased with Mr. Ogden's offer.
The story is related as authentic, that Mr. Ford was so annoyed at this
turn of affairs, having previously decided to establish a Presbyterian
clergyman, that he declared he would go to h — for one rather than be
disappointed. Mr. Ford, however, considered the matter and wrote
Mr. Ogden a long and plausible letter, setting forth in substance, that
he feared their interest in increasing the settlement would be materially
effected if they endeavored to carry out his wishes at present, because
the immigration to this country had been largely Presbyterian. He
stated that the moment a measure should be pursued which had the
shadow of appearance of directing the religious opinions of the people
(no matter how pure the motive might be) jealousies would be excited
and uneasiness created. " The question arises whether it will not be
better to let our people follow their own prejudices and please them
selves in their religious pursuits. I have tried to compromise my ideas
upon this subject in as concise a manner as possible, and shall conclude
them by observing that, circumstanced as we are, to let the organization
(as we intended it should be) remain undenominational, and have the
people to act for themselves in selecting a clergyman."
Heretofore the people had been supplied occasionally by mis
sionaries. The Rev. Mr. Younglove, a Presbyterian, who had been a
tutor in Schenectady College, was up on a visit that fall and preached
to them about six weeks. His manner so pleased the people that Mr.
Ford united with others in extending to him a call, with a view of re
ceiving in the future the benefit of Mr. Younglove's assistance in found
ing an academy. He came on the next year in February, 1806, and
preached very acceptably, but remained a few months only.
During the following year (1807) there were no meetings in the
village, excepting one day by two young men, sent out by the Mis
sionary Society of Massachusetts, who were up to assist in the cere
monies of constituting the Congregational Church at Madrid. The
Rev. E. S. Bordey, Congregational missionary from the east, oc
casionally held services in the court-house for the society, but during
the War of 18 12-15 no meetings were held in the place.

THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 381
Denominational feelings and regrets would occasionally crop out,
which was evident that a break in the society would sooner or later
come. Baptist Organization. — At length a few believers of the Baptist de
nomination in Ogdensburg and up Black Lake, organized under the
name of " The Oswegatchie Baptist Church," on June 30, 1809, with
six male and three female members. Having no clergyman of their
denomination, the Rev E. S. Bordey, Congregational missionary, as
sisted them, and acted as moderator. He also preached for them oc
casionally, holding meetings in school houses in the village and up
Black Lake. During a period of nearly seven years, including the
war period, or from December 10, 1810, to July 12, 1817, no services
were held by the Baptists, after which Rev. Jonathan Payne labored
with them a number of years. In 1827 Rev. Nathan Colver was called
as pastor, and held services in the court-house, when they reorganized
and changed their name to the " First Baptist Church of Ogdensburg."
They erected a stone church on a lot donated by Mr. Parish, and laid
the corner stone July 5, 1830, and dedicated the building the second
Tuesday of August, 1833. Elder Kingsford preached the dedicatory
sermon. Within a few years the church building was enlarged. In
1 87 1 the church was rebuilt, a fine steeple added, the inside decorated
and refurnished. A few years later a portion of the wood work was
burned, which was rebuilt without a steeple. To-day the society is in
a prosperous condition. The Rev. Albert M. Prentice is pastor.
Presbyterian Organization — In the fall of 18 17 Rev. Royal Phelps
and Judge Fine called a meeting of the members of the "First Society
and Congregation of Christ," with a view of organizing them into a
Presbyterian church, as no regular pastor had presided over that body
for some time. The society then numbered about thirty professing
Christians of various denominational proclivities. After duly consider
ing the proposition, they decided to remain as they were. About two
years after, the Presbyterian element in the old society, with those who
lately came to the village, erected a plain wooden chapel, which Mr.
Ford called a " gospel born," on the north corner of the block opposite
the town hall. On the 8th of December, 1819, they met in their
house and organized the " First Presbyterian Church of Oswegatchie,"

382 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
with nine male and nine female members. Rev. Barnabus Bruin of
ficiated in the organization and became their first pastor. In the spring
of 1824, the society commenced to build a stone church on the present
site. The corner stone was laid by St. Lawrence Lodge, F. & A. M.,
June 11 following, and the building was completed the next year. In
1847 the church was enlarged. Rev. L. M. Miller was called in Feb
ruary, 1837, but on account of a drunken driver upsetting his carriage
and breaking his leg, he did not enter upon his labors until the 12th of
May following. The young preacher drew the people to such an ex
tent that more room was required to accommodate the growing con
gregation. The question of building a second church, or enlarging the
present one, was a long while under consideration. A plan, however,
was started in 1856, to build a church in the second ward. A lot was
secured by donation and $3,600 pledged, but through the influence of
a few who preferred a strong central organization, the project failed.
The enlargement of the old church was decided upon, and in 1866 it
was virtually rebuilt and made considerably larger at great expense.
In 1887 the inside was thoroughly repaired, rearranged and decorated.
On January 13, 1890, the steeple was damaged, the tower walls cracked,
and a chimney fell through the parsonage roof, caused by a wind
storm. In the spring the damage was repaired, the organ moved, new
windows cut in the wall back of the pulpit, and all the windows reset
with cathedral stained glass, and the doors made to swing outward.
Dr. Miller is still pastor of the church, hale and hearty, and will have
completed his forty third year of pastorate in February, 1894. The
society is large and prosperous.
The Second Presbyterian Church of Oswegatchie was organized in
1823, in the "Alger" school house, District No. 9, with twenty-
three members, by Rev. James McAuley. In 1826 the following
named persons were elected trustees : John I. Doren, William Ander
son, Alexander Jamieson, Jacob Eyseman and John Lammond. The
first settled pastor was Rev. James Rodger, who came that same year.
In 1836 a frame church was built at a cost of $1,100. In 1854 the
church was enlarged. In 1881 the present stone church was built with
a tower, basement and Sunday school room, at a cost of $9,000. Rev.
Alfred Logan is the present pastor.

THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 383
The Third Presbyterian Church, situated at Heuvelton, was organized
out of the Congregational body of that place, after being supplied a few
years by the St. Lawrence Presbytery, on April 5, 1859. They wor
shiped in the old Congregational Church until the present edifice was
erected in 1879, which was dedicated on December 30 of the same year.
Rev. Mr. Robertson was their pastor at the time, and was also very
active in building the church. The mixed manner in which the
accounts were kept of the expenditures in the erection of the edifice,
caused dissatisfaction and turmoil that destroyed the usefulness of the
society for several years thereafter. Its membership is only about forty
at the present time.
Episcopal Organization. — After the Baptists and Presbyterians with
drew from the old society in 1805 the remaining members began to look
for religious homes of their choice. The Rev. Daniel Nash came into
the county in 1816, and held services in Ogdensburg. His report states
that he was the first Episcopal missionary that came into the county.
The next was the Rev. Amos G. Baldwin, in June, 18 18, who held
services in the old court house occasionally; and on the 23d day of
May, 1820, a society was formed with fifteen members, who called the
Rev. Lawson Carter as their first rector. A lot was donated by Mr.
Parish, and the corner stone laid by the rector on the ioth of August,
1821. The following spring, May 23, 1822, the society was incorpo
rated, with Thos. J. Davies and Isaac Plumb as wardens ; Geo. Parish,
Louis Hasbrouck, David Ford, D. C. Judson, Andrew McCollum,
Junius Walton, Richard W. Colfax and Sylvester Gilbert, vestrymen.
Ths corporate name is " The Rector, Church Wardens and Vestrymen
of St. John's Church of Ogdensburg." The church was completed and
opehed for worship in October, 1823. A stone rectory was commenced
adjoining the church in 1825. The church was enlarged, the tower
carried up, and all thoroughly repaired in 1843, making the seating
capacity about six hundred. In the spring of 1870 the old church and
rectory were removed and the present church edifice commenced. The
church was completed and dedicated by the Bishop of Albany on the
27th of July, 1 87 1, at a cost of $75,000. A stone chapel, in the same
style of architecture, was built in the rear of the church in 1875, at a
cost of $12,000. The seating capacity of the church is 1,000, and that

384 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
of the chapel 300. The society purchased the present brick rectory,
No. 54 Caroline street, and furnished it at a cost of $12,000. The
society at first was largely composed of influential business men, and
has since greatly increased, both in wealth and influence, and is noted
for its charitable acts in looking after the poor. Rev. J. D. Morrison
has been rector of the church since 1875,
The First Methodist Episcopal Organization was commenced at
Ogdensburg in the summer of 1822 by Joseph Brooks, a shoemaker and
an exhorter. He gathered a little flock of zealous people in private
houses and formed a class, whose spiritual wants were soon after cared
for by an itinerant preacher, who made the circuit of St. Lawrence and
part of Jefferson county, on horseback, in from four to six weeks. The
community was as prejudiced in those days against this new method of
worship as are the people of to-day against the Salvation Army. The
following incidents are given as a reminder of the sentiment expressed
in rowdyism of that day. At an evening meeting, held in a private
house by Mr. Brooks, a Mrs. Connor was present and took part. Her
husband, a Roman Catholic (and being in liquor), rushed into the room
with a club, and crying out. with vulgar oaths, threatened to drive them
out. Mrs. Connor made her escape by the back door. Mr. Connor
was disarmed, and finally prevailed upon to leave the house He went
home, locked his wife and children out, and went to bed in a stupefied
condition, smoking his pipe. Before morning the house took fire and
he perished in the flames At another time, when a prayer meeting
was being held in the school house (on the lot where Mrs. H. R.
James's house now stands), and while on their knees during a season of
prayer, Miss Margaret McDowell (sister of the late Mrs. Henry Plumb),
being one of the number, her betrothed, Samuel Brady, with Levi Gil
bert and two others, rushed into the meeting and by force undertook to
carry her away. The men present rushed to Miss McDowell's assistance,
and forced the ruffians to leave without the girl. In the melee Gilbert
lost the skirt of his swallow-tail coat On February 21, 1825, the
church was duly organized, with eighteen male and several female mem
bers, by the assistance and under the care of Rev. Gardiner Baker.
The following brethren were elected trustees : Ichabod Arnold, Joseph
Arnold, Joseph Cole, David Chapin and Joseph Brooks. Mr. Parish

THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 385
donated a lot, and the society built a small wooden chapel that year
thereon, situated on the corner of Montgomery and Caroline streets,
which served them twenty-five years. In the winter of 1 841-2 the
pastor, Rev. J. Sawyer, assisted by the Congregational evangelist, Rev.
Mr. Wicks, held a protracted meeting, which resulted in one of the
largest revivals that ever came to Ogdensburg. Again, in 1847—8, under
the pastor, P. D. Gorrie, assisted by Rev. Gorham Cross, a Congrega
tional minister, held a protracted meeting, where a large number were.
added to the church. In 1850 the present brick veneered church was
erected; in 1866 it was thorougly overhauled and refurnished. In 1880
the basement was enlarged and fitted up for conference meetings and
Sabbath school. In 1887 a commodious parsonage was built adjoining
the church. In the great wind-storm of January 13, 1890, a portion of
the church roof was carried away, and the west gable end fell inward,
passed through the ceiling and the floor, carrying the pulpit and chancel
to the basement. The accident virtually caused a reconstruction and
refurnishing of the church at a large expense. It is now one of the
most pleasant churches in the city. Rev. M. W. Chase is now pastor
over the large and thriving church.
A second M. E. Church was organized at Heuvelton in 1820, with
twenty members, in a school-house, by Rev. Wm. W. Rundall, who
was their first pastor. The society was incorporated September 14,
1843, with Nathan Giffin, Isaac Gray and Amos Hulett, trustees, and
erected a small wooden church in the same year. In 1870 the present
church was built at a cost of $ 10,000. The first Sabbath school was
organized in 1832.
A third M. E. Church of Oswegatchie was organized in the stone
school-house, about five miles above Ogdensburg, on the Black River
road, in 1832, by Rev. Joel Emms, its first pastor. In 1841 the fol
lowing named were elected trustees : Benjamin Nichols, Uriah Van
Waters, Ransom Lovejoy, Hiram Young, Amasa Pierce and James
Russell. In 1842 a church was built at a cost of $1,000. In 1878 the
church was rebuilt with a tower and furnished with a bell. The church
and parsonage cost $3,500. Rev. Mr. Williams is now pastor.
A fourth M. E. Church was organized in the summer of 1869 by Rev.
W. C. Lent, in the second ward of Ogdensburg, in the old Presbyterian
49

386 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
mission house, with fifteen members, mostly women. An attempt was
made to build a church, but for lack of funds it was delayed, and at a
meeting of the conference the following year, no appropriations being
made to sustain the mission, the society disbanded.
Irish Catholic Organization. — In the summer of 1828, Bishop Du-
boice sent Father James Salmon to Ogdensburg to look after and guard
the faith of the Catholic settlers. He found some twenty-five families
with whom he labored for a few years, occasionally saying mass in
private families. With the assistance of the Magones, McCarthys and
others, he cleared the trees from the lot where the cathedral now stands,
and commenced a small stone church before he left. Father Folio
succeeded him about the year 1835, and completed the church
soon after. Father James Mackey came to the parish in 1841. His
popularity soon drew a congregation which was too large for the
church to accommodate, and he commenced the foundation for the
present edifice, the corner-stone of which was laid by Bishop Mc
Closkey ( since Cardinal) in 1852. Bishop Wadhams was appointed
to preside over the See in February, 1872, was consecrated at Albany
May 5, and came to Ogdensburg on the 16th following. His presence
gave dignity and influence to the church, and greatly stimulated its
growth and prosperity. The name of the church was changed to the
" Cathedral," and the building was remodeled on the inside in 1887,
by carrying an arched ceiling well up into the roof, by new sittings
and the chancel rearranged with a " Baldachin " over the bishop's
seat. The walls, windows and ceilings are decorated with scriptural
scenes, making it one of the most pleasant church edifices in the dio
cese. The church lot has been enlarged and a substantial stone rectory
was erected in 1890 on the lot, which is surrounded by a fine lawn.
The valuation of the church and school property is $150,000. The
congregation averages from 12,000 to 15,000. Rev. Joseph H. Con-
roy is their present pastor.
The Catholic church at Heuvelton was purchased from the Universal-
ists in 1 88 1 for $1,000. The repairs and changes cost $500. The
trustees are John Corcoran, Lawrence Berry and Arthur Kelley. Their
first supply was Rev. J. Murphey. Supplies are sent from Ogdensburg
every three weeks. Their congregation, including children, is about
eighty.

TriE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 387
The Congregational Organization — The first church organized in
town of this denomination was in the old historic court house, in Septem
ber, 1834, by Rev. James B. Taylor of Madrid. Deacon Salmon Smith,
Morgan L. Eastman (since minister) and three others were the male mem
bers. Rev. Joab Seeley supplied the pulpit for some time. The Rev. H.
Foot held a protracted meeting which greatly strengthened and increased
their membership. In 1836 T. L. Conklin, D. D., served them as
pastor about six months, and many united with the church. After he
left, no regular Sunday services were held, but the Sabbath school was
continued and mid-week prayer meetings. In the spring of 1837, Mr.
S C. Fields, one of the church workers and Sunday school superin
tendent, went west ; Mr. Seeley went to Vermont, and several others
left town, and the Sabbath school was turned over to the Presbyterians
and the church went down.
A second Congregational church was organized at Heuvelton, Sep
tember 26, 1842, by Rev. L. A. Weeks, assisted by B. B. Parsons, their
first pastor. G. T. Howard and four others were elected trustees. A
frame church was built in 1844, at a cost of $1,200. The church flour
ished during the time Rev. Mr. Parson's stayed with them, but after he
left it soon declined and finally changed to Presbyterian in April, 1859,
after being supplied a few years by that body.
The third Congregational organization was effected in the Second
ward of Ogdensburg May 2, 1882, by Rev. James S. Ainsley. The
society was incorporated under the name of " The First Congregational
Society of Ogdensburg," with Gates Curtis, Charles G. Idler and Charles
Adams, trustees. The church proper was formed on May 22, with eight
males and thirty- five females. A lot was purchased and the corner stone
of the structure laid by the F. and A. Masons on August 24, 1882. The
building was erected, the chapel finished and the first services held in
new quarters on December 3 1 following. Previous to this date services
were held in the Presbyterian mission rooms. The structure was com
pleted the following year and dedicated August 28, 1884. The cost
of the church, furnishing and lot was $14,000. The membership now
is about 175. A. G. Roger is pastor.
Notre Dame des Victoires Church, or the French Catholic Organiza
tion. — Previous to the Lenten season of 1858, the French people had no

388 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
regular services held in their language in this place. During the rebel
lion in Canada in 1837-38, a large number of the "habitans" (about
200 families) came over to Ogdensburg. Being unacquainted with the
English language and finding no congenial place to worship on the
Lord's day, they wandered about " like lost sheep." In 1848 Mr. E.
B. Allen donated them a lot near the lime kiln. A quantity of stone
and lumber was delivered and work commenced on a frame church,
when Bishop McCloskey came here and forbade them to build, which
command they meekly obeyed. In 185 1 the Bishop of Quebec sent a
priest to Ogdensburg to do missionary work among the French people.
Father Mackey threatened him and drove him back to Canada.
The French people would not go to the Irish Catholic Church and
therefore pleaded with the bishop of Montreal to send them a French
priest. In the spring of 1858 Father La Mercier, an elderly man just
over from France, came to Ogdensburg and applied to Father Mackey
for the use of his church, when not occupied, but failed to secure it.
Eagle Hall was engaged and mass was said there about five Sabbaths.
A society was formed and the trustees were elected as follows : Chas.
Marceau, Louis Cardinal, Moise Paquett, and Adolphus Cardinal. The
Mansion property was purchased, and the house was used to celebrate
mass in. The church edifice was commenced that summer and inclosed
in the following year, when rough seats were made to use for the time
being; they having exhausted their means, the work of completion
rested for several years. Father La Mercier died in December, 1863,
and was buried under the church. In 1890 the church was completed,
with arched ceilings, new seats, stained glass windows, and the whole
interior beautifully decorated in the latest style, at a cost, including an
organ, of about $20,000. The parochial school building recently erect
ed, cost $9,000, making the total value of the church property $29,-
000. Father La Rose is their rector, and has some 500 families under
his care.
Israelite Organization. — This remarkable people, sojourning in Og
densburg, formed a religious society in the year of "A. W. Eleel 5625,"
or in August, 1865. They were incorporated September following,
under the name of "Anshe Zophon." They have three trustees, Nathan
Frank having been one from the first. Their object, apart from religious

THE TOWN OF OSWEGATCHIE. 389
worship, is to perpetuate and cherish the religious faith of their fore
fathers, by keeping sacred the seventh day of the week, and the stated
feasts. They have a " Sacred Scroll," obtained in New York, at an ex
pense of $150, which is a continuous sheet of parchment written in
Hebrew characters, from right to left, and contains the book of the law,
or the five books of Moses. They do not employ a "Rabbi," but have
a person, termed in the Hebrew, " Chason," who is competent to read
and explain the Scroll. He also kills and dresses for their people,
certain animals in their peculiar manner, for food, and inspects meat be
fore it is used as such, when purchased from Gentiles. They are not
allowed to transact business or read the " Scroll " unless there be a
a quorum present, which is ten males not less than thirteen years of
age. Women and children are not numbered on certain occasions, but
may hold prayer meetings, and all may take part. They meet on
Saturday in their synagogue in the Averell block, about forty to fifty,
who are strict observers of the Mosaic law,
Universalist Organization. — Meetings of this denomination have
been held occasionally in Ogdensburg for the past fifty years, either in
the old Court House, the old academy or Lyceum Hall. Dr. D. K.
Lee preached here in 1862, and Rev. Mr. Fisk and others in 1868-69,
held regular services and had a fine Sunday school organized, which
was kept up for some time. In January, 1868, a society was formed
under the name of the " Church of the Messiah." The trustees were
Henry Rodee, W. C. Alden, and three others. They selected a lot on
State street, and had $6,050.00 pledged as a building fund. The con
ditions were, to engage either a Universalist or a Unitarian preacher.
The house, when not occupied, was to be open to any denomination, or for
scientific lectures. After a couple of years, no action having been tak
en, the society went down, and has not since been revived.
A Universalist society was formed at Heuvelton, April 16, 1842,
with forty members, by the assistance of Mr. Josephus Briggs, their
pastor. The society purchased the Van Heuvel church, put it in good
repair and built a row of sheds on the lot. The society survived only a
few years, when it ceased to meet, and finally sold the house to the
Catholics in 1881.

390 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Seventh Day Adventists, represented by Elder C. B. Reynolds and
Elder Buel Whitney. They held meetings at Ogdensburg in a large
tent in the summer of 1879. A Sunday school was formed, with James
Hardie superintendent. A number of conversions followed, who were
baptized by immersion in the St. Lawrence River. On the approach
of cold weather the meetings were given up and the society went
down. Salvation Army. — A corps of this body of believers came to Og
densburg and commenced to bombard satan's kingdom on the evening
of July 2, 1 89 1. Ensign S. A. Farver and Captain George Elliot and
wife and several officers and cadets from Prescott, made their first
" sortie " from their barracks in the second ward, as far out as the town
hall, drawing an immense crowd, which returned to their quarters, fill
ing them to overflowing. They do not claim to be a new sect or
church, but simply an army of missionary workers, who are endeavor
ing to rescue their fellow beings from drunkenness and vice. They
rent rooms, take up collections in their meetings and at the door of
their barracks, and live and pay rent on what they get in this way.
Their officers are changed about every three months. Their influence
for good is gaining daily.
The Young Men s Christian Association was organized in Ogdens
burg, December 6, 1869, with J. W. Holbrook, president. It was re
organized and incorporated January 19, 1877, with six trustees. It
also had fifteen directors, a president, vice-president, a general secre
tary, and an advisory board. The membership in 1886 was about two
hundred. A branch of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union was organ
ized in Ogdensburg February 5, 1884, with Mrs. E. H. Bridges presi
dent and Mrs. J. S Ainslie secretary. They meet in the council room
every Friday at 3 o'clock P. M. Their meetings have been continued
ever since with considerable interest, and have proved profitable to the
cause of temperance.

THE TOWN OF MADRID. 391

CHAPTER XXIII.
THE TOWN OF MADRID— ORGANIZED IN 1802.
THIS was the third town erected by an act of the Legislature passed
March 3, 1802. It embraced the original township No. 4, lying
on the St. Lawrence; also was to hold jurisdiction over the territory
(Potsdam) lying in the rear.
The first town meeting, according to tradition, was held in the open
air, about the 1st of April, near the village of Madrid, the presiding
officer seated on a pine stump, when the following persons were elected :
Joseph Edsall, supervisor; Jacob Redington, clerk; Cyrus Abernethy,
Reuben Field, Alex. Brush, Henry Erwin, assessors; Henry Erwin,
constable and collector ; Jonathan Tuttle, Solomon Linsley, overseers
of the poor ; John Sharp, Isaac Bartholomew, Ephraim S. Raymond,
commissioners of highways ; Asa Freeman, Jonathan Allen, Cyrus
Abernethy, fence viewers ; Edward Lawrence, pound-keeper ; Jona
than Allen, Alexander Brush, Thomas Rutherford, Oliver Linsley,
Solomon Linsley, overseers of highways. The town was formerly
bounded, northerly by the River St. Lawrence, westerly by the town
of Lisbon, southerly by the township of Potsdam, and easterly by the
township of Louisville. The surface of the town is comparatively level,
or sufficiently rolling to ensure drainage. The town is watered by the
St. Lawrence, numerous brooks, springs, and Grass River, which flows
diagonally across the southerly part of the town, on which are falls at
the village of Madrid sufficient to afford a fair power for manufacturing
purposes. The soil on the low lands is loam, with more or less gravel
or sand on the higher parts. The forest growth of timber was good,
such as pine, hemlock, maple, beech and birch on the high lands, white
oak on the marl slopes, and black ash, cedar and pine on the low
grounds. The only valuable mineral thus far discovered is bog iron
ore, which was found in small quantities on Grass River, about two
miles below Madrid village. It was used in the forge or furnace at

392 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Waddington in 1835, for a few years only, which produced good cast
iron. The first permanent settlement within the boundaries of the pres
ent town of Madrid (it having been divided in 1859, see history of
Waddington) was made in 1801 by Silas Abernethy, who took up
his home on the west side of the Grass River, about two miles below
the site of Madrid village. His brother, Ezekiel, came with him and
made his home on the site of the present village. The descendants of
these pioneers subsequently became prominent citizens. Solomon
Lindsley also settled on the site of the village in 1801 and Ephraim S.
Raymond in the Abernethy neighborhood. Jesse Goss located at the
site of the village at about the same time.
Judge Joseph Edsall was the agent for the sale of lands of David A.
and Thomas L. Ogden in this town, and the land was sold at the first
from two to three dollars an acre.
The effect of Mr. Ford's advertising the advantages to be obtained by
settlers coming to St. Lawrence county raised the cry in the Green
Mountain State: "Westward Ho!" when many of Vermont's bravest
sons and loveliest daughters were induced to break away from the ties
of old associates that they might make for themselves homes in a far
less rugged land. St. Lawrence county, but more especially Madrid,
was largely settled at first by Vermonters. Among the' first to emigrate
was Samuel Allen, who, with his wife and little son, George R., also
his father Joseph, cousin to Ethan Allen of Revolutionary fame, in
company with Joseph Newton, Daniel Akin, William Powers, William
Lockwood, John Speers, Daniel Myres, Samuel Lytle, John Akin,
William Sprowles, John Farewell, Joseph Powers, and with their fam
ilies, started out with ox teams and sleds. Their route lay down Lake
Champlain, thence to the St. Lawrence, where they crossed to the
north side, thence up along the river and recrossed the St. Lawrence
near the site of the Red Mills in Lisbon, arriving in the last days of Feb
ruary, 1797. Here the families soon became scattered through the
northern parts of the townships. Samuel Allen, however, located below
the Red Mills, and in 1801 sold out his improvements and moved to
Madrid, where he settled on a piece of land between Buck's Bridge and
Columbia village. The place at the time was occupied by Asa Lord

THE TOWN OF MADRID. 393
and Mr. Hepburn. In 1810 Mr. Allen sold out and took up a piece of
wood land six miles east of Columbia village, where he lived and died
at the ripe age of ninety years. His son, George B. Allen, when a lad
of eighteen years, enlisted in the war of 1812, under a call for troops
to protect the frontier. He was enrolled at Madrid by John Blanchard
on July 15, 18 1 2, into a company under the command of Captain
Castle, with headquarters at Waddington. He was in the brush with
the British at the Red Mills, the details of which will be found in the
history of Lisbon. The company was known as the " Floodwood,"
that is, a company of men each dressed in his own homespun suit or
according to his own fancy, with no regular arms. He was in the bat
tle at Ogdensburg, and when the American troops retreated he, with
others, being in citizen's clothes, was ordered to remain and look after
the wounded and scattered arms. He was taken prisoner three times
that day and taken before the commanding officer, who, finding that he
was not taken under arms, and having no evidence that he was a United
States soldier, was discharged. The last time he was taken to the bar
racks he found them all drunk, when he managed to escape to Lisbon,
and on the way collected several guns, when he took them to Heuvelton
and turned them over to the quartermaster, who was there with a
squad of soldiers. The next day they broke camp and started for
Sackett's Harbor, and while there he enlisted in the cavalry service and
was sent to Fort George. One day while out on picket duty he saw a
small dog cross in front of him. He knew that meant Indians and
Indians meant business, and that he or the Indian would get a sudden
call to visit the happy hunting-ground. That instant he caught sight
of a feather, then a head moving slowly out from behind a tree. A
quick motion on his part decided the question as to who should be
called, when Mr. Allen remained to tell the tale, but the Indian has
been a good Indian ever since. Mr. Allen was in the battle of Lundy's
Lane, Fort George, Queenstown Heights, Fort Erie, Oswego, and
many skirmishes leading up to these battles. On return of peace his
company was sent down from Lewiston to Fort Covington, where they
were discharged.
In the fall of 1 8 1 5 Mr. Allen married Mary Sullivan, who died in June,
1829. In 1 83 1 he married Susan Pamelton, who also died a number
50

394 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
of years later, when finally he made his home with his nephew, E. J.
Cady. He drew a pension of eight dollars per month, which was insuf
ficient to keep him, when General N. M. Curtis, M.C., secured the pass
age of a bill to grant him a special pension of twenty-five dollars per
month. He was one hundred years old this 12th of January, 1894,
now awaiting the roll call and orders to report to " headquarters
above." Among the settlers who came in 1802 were Samuel Chipman and
Joseph Freeman. In the following year Seth Roberts and a Mr. Clark
built a saw mill on the river at the site of Madrid village. This fact is
established by a record of December 3, 1803, which described the lay
ing out of a road, beginning in the highway northerly of " La Grasse "
River, about fifteen chains from " Roberts & Clark Mill," and thence
southerly to the Potsdam line. Two other roads were laid out in the
same year, one running northeasterly to the Louisville line and the
other beginning at E. S. Raymond's place and running thence northerly
" to the center of the Big Road."
Other early settlers who deserve mention are Dan Simonds, grand
father of the late George E. Simonds. He came in on horseback in
the fall of 1803, with his son, from New England to St. Regis, crossed
the St. Lawrence, rode up the Canada side, recrossed to what is now
Waddington, and then lined his track through the woods till he found
a site that pleased him about two miles northwest of Madrid village.
In a bark hut which they immediately put up the son suffered through
an attack of measles; but during the four weeks while they remained
there they cut down about two acres of timber and built a log house.
In the following March they brought in the remainder of the family.
Seth Cogswell, father of the venerable Enos L. Cogswell, came in
1805 and built a house near where his son afterward resided, and then
returned to Vermont. In March, 1806, he came again with his hired
man, accompanied by his daughter Laura, only twelve years old, who
rode on horse-back, crossing the rivers on the ice, and kept house for
her father during the summer. In the spring of 1807 the remainder of
the family came in.
As early as 1803 Seth Roberts built a grist mill, and the settlement
took the name of " Roberts's Mill." It was also called by some " Grass

THE TOWN OF MADRID. 395
River Falls," but previous to the War of 1812 was changed to "Colum
bia Village." The first tavern there was kept by Gould Fancher ; this
was undoubtedly the first public house in the town. Nathan Smith
afterwards kept the house, which stood on the site of the present
McCall's Hotel. A little store was opened there in the early days by
Jarah Meach. The first school in the town was probably taught at the
little village by Dollie Fields. The first couple married in the town
were Ezekiel Abernethy and Wealthy, daughter of Solomon Lindsley,
who were united in 1803. Their son, Jared, was born in 1804, and
was probably the first child born in that part of the town.
In 1808-9 a distillery was built by Ely and Nathaniel Hamblin on
the river below the mill; it was used until about 1830.
By April, 1807, there were 116 voters in the town, if not more, and
by 1812, 208 votes were cast for assemblymen. Down to that year the
following were among the settlers in what is now Madrid : Joseph
Erwin, Nathan Smith, Seth Gates, Daniel Green, John Montgomery,
Daniel Wright, John, Ira and Alanson Hawley, Samuel Robertson,
Daniel C. Haskell, William Wright, Caleb Butterfield, Capt. John
Doran, M. C. Murray, David Brooks, Jeremiah Boynton, Levi Lock-
wood, Stephen Smith, William Lockwood, Roderick E. Hepburn,.
Sirene Woodbridge, Solomon Stone, Daniel Whitney, Richard Blood,
Solomon Grey, Windsor Goulding, Asahel Stone, Levi Bristol, Asa
Low, Valentine Lovely, Canfield Averill, and Joseph Orcutt. Henry
Richardson came in 1810, and was justice of the peace about forty-five
years. Dr. Robert McChesney began practice at the village in 18 10.
The inhabitants of this town suffered much anxiety on account of
their unprotected frontier. A company called the South Madrid Militia
was frequently summoned, and took part in several skirmishes along the
St. Lawrence, and also guarded public stores kept in the mill at the
village. The officers were : captain, Jesse Goss ; lieutenant, Richard
Blood; ensign, Daniel Richards. In the summer of 1813 a lot of
goods, public and private, were captured on a British ship and stored
at the village. In the following winter a squad of British soldiers came
out and retook a part of the goods and carried them away.
In the summer of 18 14 a lot of cattle which had been purchased in
the town by secret agents of the British, were captured by the Ameri-

396 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
cans as they were about to cross at Massena Point. The cattle were
scattered among the farmers to be kept until needed. Later in the
season a detachment of British soldiers, accompanied by one of the
spies, made a raid through one of the river towns, gathering up these
government cattle. There is, however, evidence in existence that feel
ings of friendliness were maintained between the British soldiers and
the private citizens of the town, whose property was generally re
spected. A Mr. Thomas came into Madrid and settled in the southerly part of
the town, in the spring of 1813, with his wife and young son, John.
He remained there a few years, then engaged to Mr. Isaac Ogden to
go to his island as gardener. While there a daughter was born, the
first white child born on the island. She eventually became the wife of
Alfred Goss, of Madrid woolen mill fame, who afterwards went West
and became a millionaire. The son, John Thomas, was in the Windmill
battle in 1838; sent to Van Dieman's Land, and after nine years of
menial service was pardoned, and returned to Madrid. He enlisted in
the One Hundred and Sixth New York Volunteer Infantry ; went
through the campaign safely, and was honorably discharged at the close
of his enlistment. He applied for a pension after he became too feeble
to labor, and received one year's pension in arrears, $72.00, which, he
said, was the largest sum of money he ever had at one time. He died
May 12, 1892, at the age of eighty years.
After the war, immigration, which had been somewhat checked, re
sumed its activity. Among the incomers were many of the industrious
Scotchmen who made their permanent homes in the town.
The celebrated cold season of 18 16 caused the usual amount of dis
tress among the people of the town. Scarcity of money and high price
of provisions caused the people to largely use venison, which was easily
obtained. One of the chief sources of raising money was the sale of potash,
which was made in considerable quantities. A little cash was also ob
tained by drawing cedar logs on to the ice of Grass River in the winter
and floating them to Montreal in the spring floods. This kind of work
led in the winter of 18 17-18 to one of the saddest calamities that ever
happened in this vicinity. When the ice went out of the river in April,

THE TOWN OF MADRID. 397
1818, many logs that had been drawn upon it lodged against the island,
just above the bridge at the village. The bridge stood on its present
site, but the dam was farther up, one section crossing the main branch
at the head of the island and the other crossing a smaller branch farther
down. On the 9th of April two canoe-loads of men went out to loosen
these obstructed logs. After loosening most of the logs at the head of
the island, Mr. Lord and the men with him attempted to run their boat
broadside to the current across to the southeastern shore. But the
rapid torrent was too much for them, and the frail craft was swept over
the dam. Striking one of the piers of the bridge, the canoe split nearly
in twain, when Daggett, Read and Seavey were thrown out, the other
four still clinging to the canoe. The other boat was promptly unloaded
of all its crew excepting Mr. Hawley and Mr. Rickerson, who steered
their canoe to shoot over the dam, in the hope of saving their com
panions. Of the three first thrown out, Read and Daggett were over
come by the icy flood and drowned ; Mr. Seavey reached shallower
water and escaped. Meantime the second boat with its two oarsmen
dashed on after the other four, Asa Lord, Abraham and Joseph Loomis,
and Ezra Bigelow, who had clung to the boat. Strange as it may
seem, and in spite of all efforts, the whole four were overcome by the
cold flood and drowned. Within a few days all the bodies were re
covered. Within the next twelve or fifteen years great improvements were
made throughout the town. IVJany of the farmers had paid, or partly
paid, for their homesteads; frame barns and later frame or stone houses
took the place of the earlier rude buildings, and prosperity reigned.
The Ogdensburg and Lake Champlain Road, which runs for about
five and a half miles through the southern part of the town, crossing
Grass River nearly a mile above the village, has proved a great benefit
to the people. A depot was established west of the village and near
the Madrid Springs, where settlement became active and gradually ex
tended until the locality has become substantially a part of the village
proper. The springs alluded to were not discovered and made known.
to the public until just after the War of the Rebellion. Their waters
are strongly impregnated with iron and other ingredients, and are said
to be beneficial in many human ailments. A hotel is kept at the

398 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
springs by James Reed, and a post-office named " Madrid Springs" is
established there with C. A. Chandler as postmaster. The latter also
has a store and a feed mill.
The time at length arrived when the people at Waddington village,
which had become a considerable center of trade and population, were
reluctant to travel to " Columbia," or Madrid village, to transact town
business, and the proposition for a division was agitated. The people in
the southern part of the town were not averse to the project, and ac
cordingly on the 22d of November, 1859, an act passed the Legislature
erecting the northerly half of Madrid into a new town called Wadding
ton. This left Madrid a rectangle, ten miles by five, except that in the
northeast corner the Waddington line diverges and runs for about two
miles along the center of Grass River.
The breaking out of the War of the Rebellion found the inhabitants
of this town unanimously responsive to the calls of patriotism. Not
only did the citizens volunteer with enthusiasm to fill the quotas under
the various calls, but the authorities also made liberal provision for the
payment of bounties. In 1862 a town bounty of about $50 was voted
to every volunteer. In December, 1863, a bounty of $300 was voted
to each volunteer, without a dissenting voice ; and in several town
meetings held in 1864 and 1865, other bounties of from $300 to $1,000
were voted, and usually without dissent.
Since the close of the war the town has steadily advanced. Its
agricultural interests have been conserved by her progressive farmers,
particularly in dairying. The production of butter in factories is
largely followed, and the character of the product ranks high in the
markets. A creamery was built at the village in 1877 by Thomas
Coats, who sold it in 1880 to W. R. Boynton & Co. (the company is
J. E. Boynton), and the firm makes a ton of butter per day, which is
shipped to Boston. They are now enlarging their facilities. There
have never been extensive manufactures in the town, and those now in
activity are described in the village history. A fine town hall in Madrid
village was erected in 187 1 at a cost of $6,000. It is of brick, seventy
by forty feet, with one lofty story and a basement.
Following is a list of the supervisors of the town from its formation
to the present time, with the years of their service : Joseph Edsall,

THE TOWN OF MADRID. 399
1802-5; Asa Freeman, 1806-7; Alexander Richards, 1808; Asa
Freeman, 1809; Joseph Freeman, 1810-12; William Meach, 1813;
Joseph Freeman, 1814-15; Jason Fenton, 1816-22; Joseph Freeman,
1823-28; J. S. Chipman, 1829-32; George Redington, 1833-37;
Richard Blood, 1838; Walter Wilson, 1839; George Redington, 1840;
Alfred Goss, 1841-42; A. T. Montgomery, 1843-44; T. Sears, 1845-
46; A. T. Montgomery, 1847-48 ; Jesse Cogswell, 1849-50; Richard
Edsall, 1851; Francis Fenton, 1852; Austin J. Goss, 1853; John S.
Chipman, 1854; Jesse Cogswell, 1855; Cyprian Powell, 1856; Charles
C. Montgomery, 1857-59; (division of the town) ; Charles R. McClel
land, i860; Cyprian Powell, 1861 ; William S. Reed, 1862-64; Henry
N. Sweet, 1865-73; John H. Robinson, 1874-80; Ira L. C. Lockwood,
1881-90; John A. Haig, 1891-93.
The first bridge built in Madrid was of logs across the Grass River,
on its present site, a few rods below the saw mill of Roberts & Clark
in the winter of 1803-4. This bridge has been renewed twice since
and at various times repaired. In the years of 1880 and 1881 the
people of Madrid discussed the bridge question very thoroughly as to
the propriety of building a new bridge in place of the old one, either of
wood, iron or of stone. At a special town meeting held in April, 1882,
the question was settled to build of stone, when a committee consisting
of H. C. West, W. O. Sweet and Ralph Aitchison was appointed to act
with the highway commissioners, M. A. Gilbert and John A. Meeker.
The plan and specifications were procured of Hinds & Hodgkins of
Watertown, N. Y., and the contract to build of stone work given to M.
L. & M. A. Cleveland of the same place. The contract for the iron
railing was awarded to Gates Curtis of Ogdensburg. The stone was
raised in a quarry at the end of the dam. The piers rest on the solid
rock in the bed of the stream, six feet wide and twenty-six feet long.
There are nine arches, one thirty-two, one thirty-six, and seven thirty-
eight feet span, making the length of the bridge about 400 feet. The
arches are about one-third of a circle, which leaves a space under the
center of about fifteen feet. The west end is a trifle over twenty feet
high and the east eighteen feet.
The bridge was commenced on Monday, August 23, 1882, and the
work continued without delay or any serious accident, and was com-

400 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
pleted in the short space of three months. The cost of the structure,
including grading, etc , was nearly $17,000. The event of its comple
tion was celebrated by the tax payers and their families with music,
speeches, and an elegant dinner served in the town hall.
Madrid Village. — The early mills that have been mentioned as estab
lished at the village site were destroyed by fire in 1814, when they were
owned by Jarah Meach, to whom the property had been sold by the
firm of Lord & Price, who purchased of the builder. After the fire
the site and water-power were purchased by Timothy Reed, who
erected a grist and saw mill under one roof. An old resident a few
years ago gave her memory of the village at that time as comprising a
tavern kept by a Mr. Bigelow, four or five frame houses and eight or
ten log ones. Captain Goss probably had a store at the time. Again
in 1823 Dr. Caleb Price, who settled in that year, described the village
as not much, if any, larger; but there was then the cloth-dressing mill
of Captain Goss, with two stores kept by Samuel Greeno.ugh and
Charles McFarland ; and there were two small taverns. In 1826 Jesse
Cogswell settled in the village and opened a grocery, but the village at
that time had very little additions since 1823, except the distillery and
a number of dwellings. Still, nearly all of the business of the southern
part of the town was centered at " Columbia village." Anson Cham
berlain kept a tavern and sold some goods at what was then known as
"Chamberlain's Corners," but that passed away long ago. In 1852,
judging by Mr. Hough's statement, the village had grown considerably
and was probably more active in, its business interests than it is at the
present time. He reported two taverns, six stores, one drugstore, four
groceries, one book store, two shoe stores, a tannery, besides the mills
and various kinds of shops. The present building used for cloth-
making was erected by Alfred Goss in 1833. This property passed on
the 20th of March, 1893, to possession of the Madrid Woolen Mills, a
stock company organized for the manufacture of cloth and pants. The
capital of the company is $27,000, and the officers as follows : Pres
ident and treasurer, A. D. Whitney ; F. J. Merriman, secretary ; Dr.
E. C. Walsh, vice-president ; D. D. Bryson, manager. The old store
formerly occupied by Mr. Goss is used for the manufacture of pants, of
which it is expected 100 pairs a day will soon be turned out. Thirty

-ZJ' • Ss ¦ ^_^ST*&jy.'?i--c>--£6C<i-j ^^rC-. <=*^// .

THE TOWN OF MADRID. 401
hands are employed. The old tannery property has been purchased,
new machinery put in, and electric lights and other modern machinery
are contemplated to be put in next season. The directors of the com
pany, besides the officers before mentioned, are M. A. Whitney and R.
N. Walsh.
One-half of the mills built by Timothy Reed, as before stated, was
sold by him to Safford & Horton. The property was finally sold on
execution and Hiram Horton bid it in. The mill burned about 1856,
and Horton built the stone grist mill standing opposite the saw mill,
and subsequently sold to G. M. Douglass and his brother. The latter
failed, and after one or two other changes the property passed to Smith
& Hall (B. B. Smith, W. H. Hall) in May, 1893, who now operate it.
Mr. Douglass now runs the saw mill under a lease. The tannery once
operated here was long ago discontinued, as was also a flax-mill. J.
N. Pike carries on a furniture factory.
The Columbia House, which has been mentioned as once standing on
the site of McCall's Hotel, was burned in the destructive fire of 1878.
The house built on the site was called the Madrid House, which, was
taken and given its present name in 1893 by H. W. McCall.
The mercantile interests of the village at the present time are drugs
and groceries by J. M. K. Horsford, A. T. Hepburn and John Haig ;
dry goods and groceries by I. L. C. Lockwood, A. W. Abernethy, J.
C. Gage & Son, and J. H. Robinson ; hardware by John Sullivan &
Son, Bullard & Keenan ; shoe store by F. H. McCormick ; furniture
store by John Aitchison ; besides which there are the usual blacksmiths,
tailors, wagon makers, harness makers, etc. The present postmaster is
F. W. Robinson.
Madrid has long been noted for its schools and their excellence.
There are ten districts, besides several others, parts of which are in this
town and parts in others. Madrid Union Free School, District No. 1,
was organized April 24, 1867, by the union of old districts Nos. 10 and
20. For several years schools were kept in the two houses, one being
on each side of the river. In the summer of 1873 a handsome two
story brick school -house was erected on the north side of the river and
a graded school established. The cost of the building, site and furnish
ing was $8,000. The twenty-sixth annual announcement of this school
51

402 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
gives the faculty as follows : Erwin L. Hockridge, A.M., principal ;
Lilian Hadley, principal's assistant; Lilian McBrien, intermediate de
partment ; Mary Hadley, primary department. The present Board of
Education are A. T. Hepburn, Dr. E. C. Walsh, and A. D. Whitney.
Religious Societies. — The first christian organization in town was a
Congregational Church, which was formed February 17, 1807, with ten
members, by the assistance of the missionary, Rev. Amos Pettengill.
The church was supplied for a number of years by missionaries, when,
in 181 1, Rev. John Winchester was engaged for three years at a yearly
salary of ninety-one dollars cash and $274 to be paid in wheat at mar
ket price.
In 1824 the members pledged themselves to set apart certain patches
of ground and to cultivate the same in raising corn, potatoes and onions
to be disposed of for the support of the church. This plan proved so
profitable to the society that in 1825-26 they built a stone church forty-
six by fifty feet, at a cost of $4,000. Many of the members furnished
labor or materials for its construction. The society was incorporated
May 8, 1820, with Salmon Grey and five others as trustees. The free
use of intoxicants were increasing among the members to such an ex
tent that in 1829 an attempt was made to pass a total abstinence vote,
which failed to carry, when ten members signed a total abstinence
pledge, which was the first temperance movement in town, and which
proved a blessing to the chureh. In 1850 a bell costing $300 was pur
chased for the church by a general subscription. The following named
ministers have served this church: Rev. Joseph Hurlbut, in 1829; Rev.
James Taylor, in 1833 ; Rev. S. M. Wood, in 1840; Rev. J. Burchard
and Rev. A. Wicks, evangelists, between 1841 and 1848; Rev. B B.
Parson, in 1849; R-ev- Mr. Williams, in 1882, and several .others. In
the summer of 1889 the church was thoroughly overhauled, furnished
with new circular seats, the walls and ceilings decorated and stained
glass windows. On September 26, just before it was occupied, it took
fire from other burning buildings and was consumed. The people nobly
rallied at the call of their pastor, Rev. F. A. Hatch, and built the fol
lowing year the present beautiful wood church at a cost of about $7,000.
The membership is now about 150, under the care of the Rev. George
H. Hancock, pastor. This was the first Congregational Church organ
ized in the county.

THE TOWN OF MADRID. 403
Baptist Church. — The first Baptist church was organized September
7, 1808, with ten members, by the assistance of Rev. Samuel Rowley.
He preached for them several years, and was succeeded by various
elders and missionaries. The first regular pastor was Rev. Solomon
Johnson, who began in 1818. In 1829 the hand of fellowship was
withheld from Free Masons. A small frame church was built at the
village in 1836, which was used until 1869, when Capt. Hugh Smith
negotiated with the trustees for the property and it was sold to the
Catholic society for $2,000. Shortly after A. R. Peck and J. E. Murphy,
two of the trustees of the Baptist society, purchased a frame building
which had been erected for a union church at Madrid Springs, with the
expectation that a village would be built there and the society accept
of the house. But the other trustees and the larger portion of the
society preferred to remain in the village of Madrid, when in 1872-3 a
handsome brick church was erected at the village at a cost of $1 1,000.
This church was burned in the fire on the 26th of September, 1889.
A new brick church was built on the old site the following year, at an
expense of $14,000.
The Universalist believers in this town effected an organization in
1 8 14, and employed Rev. John Foster, who preached to them until
some time in 18 16. The little society struggled for nearly ten years,
but afterwards experienced a revival of interest, and in 1838 a reorgan
ization was effected, with William Richard, Ansel Pain, Charles Bar
tholomew and Thomas Hesselgrave as trustees. In 1842 the society
built a frame church at a cost of $3,000, and a parsonage was built in
185 1. For many years there has been only desultory preaching. The
church is not used at present.
The First Methodist Church. — Prior to 1847 tne services in this faith
had been supplied only by itinerant preachers. On the 3d day of June
in that year a society was organized at Buck's Bridge called " The
Society of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Columbia Village,"
with Solomon S. Martin, Stephen F. Palmer and William S. Reed,
trustees. Measures were at once adopted to have regular services at
the village, and Rev. Mr. Blackburn supplied the pulpit two years. In
1852 the society bought the store building of Alfred Goss, which was
fitted up and used as a house of worship. In 1868 a beautiful brick

404 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
church was built, at a cost of $14,000, and afterwards a parsonage was
built costing $1,200. The church was always prosperous, but it met a
disaster in the great fire of 1878, when it was burned to the ground.
But the members did nobly respond to a call to rebuild, and promptly
erected the present handsome wood edifice. The present pastor is
Rev. A. J. Felshaw.
The Church of St. John the Baptist (Catholic). — A mission church
with the above name was established at Madrid village in 1869. Capt.
Hugh Smith, one of the trustees of the society, purchased the old
church property of the Baptist society for the sum of $2,000. The
building was remodeled and otherwise greatly improved at an additional
expense of $3,000, which accommodates the congregation of fifty- five
families of that parish. The Rev. Father John Varriety is the present
officiating priest.

CHAPTER XXIV
THE TOWN OF MASSENA— ORGANIZED IN 1802.
J\A ASSENA, the fourth town organized, lies in the extreme north-
/ \ east part of the county, and received its name in honor of
Marshal Massena of the army of the first Napoleon. The town was
incorporated in the same act that formed the county, March 3, 1802,
and included in its area the original townships of Louisville, Stockholm
and the whole of Great Tract No. 2. By the formation of Hopkinton,
Brasher, Lawrence and other towns on the southwest, Massena was
reduced to its present area, 30,671 acres. A large portion of this tract
was not a part of the Macomb purchase. The St. Lawrence River
forms the northern boundary of the town, and the Long Saut and
Barnhart's Islands are a part of the town. The surface of the town is
nearly level ; the soil a fertile loam, mixed in parts with sand and clay.
During the early settlement Massena was overspread with a heavy
growth of woods that afforded superior lumber and a good quality of
timber for spars, many of them measuring from 80 to 1 10 feet long.

THE TOWN OF MASSENA. 405
Business of lumbering was one of much prominence for many years.
It is said that in 1810 one man rafted to Quebec $60,000 worth of
timber. This enormous draft of lumber soon denuded the forest of its
best timber in that part of the county, when the settlers turned their
attention to grain raising.
The early records previous to 1808 having been destroyed by fire,
also again in 1853, which included all the documents which had accu
mulated up to that period, the history in a measure concerning the town
affairs up to this last date is gleaned from the memory of the settlers of
that time. It is said that the first town meeting to organize and elect
officers was held the second week in April, after the passage of the act
to erect the town, and that the first supervisor elected was Amos Lay.
In the spring of 1 808 the town officers were : John Willson, supervisor;
John E. Perkins, clerk ; Elisha W. Barber, Thomas Steadman, Enoch
French, assessors ; Aaron Wright, collector ; Benjamin Willard, Jarvis
Kimball, Enoch French, commissioners of highways; John Reeve,
Aaron Wright, constables; Griffin Place, John Garvin, fence- viewers ;
John Bullard, Griffin Place, pound- masters.
The town is well watered by both the Raquette and the Grass Rivers,
which flow nearly parallel across the town from west to easterly, and
about one mile apart, near the village. There is a fair water power on
both streams in the western part, but they are subject farther east to the
backwater of the St. Lawrence. This backwater sometimes performs
remarkable freaks. While the great river seldom freezes in its rapid
current from St. Regis so as to permit crossing on the ice, it does freeze
into a sort of anchor ice, which obstructs the current, allowing further
freezing above, thus creating a temporary dam. Mr. Hough says :
" This has occurred during severe snow storms and intensely cold
weather so rapidly as to raise the waters of the St. Lawrence, at certain
points, fifteen feet in as many minutes , and the Long Saut rapids,
where the waters usually shoot downwards with the swiftness of an
arrow, have been known to be as placid as the surface of a mill-pond
from obstructions below. The descent of the water is of course the
same, but the rapids are carried farther down stream, and still water
occurs at points where it is rapid at ordinary seasons. The extreme
difference of level hitherto observed from these obstructions is about

406 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
twenty-five feet in Robinson's bay; in Massena, about nine miles above
St. Regis, and in Grasse River, it has been known to rise to an equal
height. No winter passes without more or less of these ice- dams and
reflex currents, which usually happen towards the latter part of winter,
after the waters have become chilled, and ice has formed below. Above
the head of the Long Saut they are seldom or never noticed. Similar
occurrences happen at Montreal and other places along the rapids at
certain seasons, and have often caused serious accidents. The apparent
solidity of the obstructions thus temporarily formed is seldom trusted
by those acquainted with the river, although there have been those
foolhardy enough to venture across the channel upon them. They will
sometimes form and break away with astonishing rapidity, for such is
the irresistible force of the mighty current that no obstruction can long
withstand its power. In 1833 a bridge at Massena Centre, supposed
to be placed sufficiently high to be above the reach of all floods, was
swept away from this cause, the waters having arisen nearly five feet
higher than had before been observed, and it has been found quite im
practicable to maintain bridges below Massena village across Grass
River. The water has been seen to pour over the dam at Haskell's mill
up stream for a short time, and the dam at Massena village has been
preserved against the backwater with extreme difficulty."
Settlement had begun in this town previous to its formation. In the
fall of 1798 Amos Lay, a native of Lyme, Conn., and a surveyor, began
laying out the lands of Massena for the proprietors. In 1799 a road
from Oswegatchie to St. Regis was surveyed and partly opened. Henry
Child was probably the first agent, and was succeeded by Mr. Lay, and
he by Matthew Perkins. Previous to the dates just named, and prob
ably as early as 1792, a saw mill was built on the site of the Haskell
mills by a Frenchman, name unknown, who was succeeded in their
ownership by Amable Foucher, from old Chateaugay, who continued
in possession until 1808. These lands were claimed by the St. Regis
Indians, arid a mile square at what was then called Haskell's Falls was
reserved to them by the treaty of 1796. It is said that the first dam
here was swept away up stream by the action of the backwater before
described.

THE TOWN OF MASSENA. 407
The early settlers in this and adjoining towns suffered much from the
depredations of the Indians, and they finally sent, under date of June
24, 1800, the following petition to the governor:
To His Excellency, John Jay, Esq.. Governor of the State of New York, in council:
The petition of the several persons whose names are hereunto subscribed, settlers in
the townships of Massena and Louisville, on the banks of the river St. Lawrence, in the
State of New York, Humbly representeth : That the Indian chiefs and warriors of St.
Regis are possessed of a tract of land, -chiefly wild meadow, extending from the mouth
of Grasse river, in the township of Massena, up to the falls, which is about seven miles.
That your petitioners, having settled in the said townships of Massena and Louisville,
are greatly annoyed by the said Indians, who threaten to kill and destroy their cattle
unavoidably trespassing upon these meadows, they being exposed chiefly without fence,
and several of their cattle are missing. Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray 3'our
excellency, in council, to take such measures of accommodation with the said Indians
as shall seem meet, in order to secure to your petitioners the peaceable enjoyment of
their lands and property against the depredations of the said Indians. And your peti
tioners will ever pray, etc.
Signed, Amos Lay, Mamri Victory, Calvin Plumley, Kinner Newcomb, Samuel New-
comb, G. S. Descoteaux, William Polley, Anthony Lamping, 'Aaron Allen, and two
illegible signatures.
In consequence of this action the State purchased the Indian Reser
vation, paying more for the land than was afterwards realized from it.
The signatures to the petition are of interest, as indicating who were
interested in the matter at that early date.
Among the settlers who came in, mostly from Vermont, as early as
1803, were Mamri Victory, Calvin Plumley, Bliss" Hoisington, David
Lytle, Seth Reed, Leonard Herrick, John Bullard, Jacob and David
Hutchins, Nathaniel Kezar, and Elijah Bailey. The latter kept a
pioneer tavern on the St. Lawrence, and a two- story house erected for
this purpose is still standing. In 1803, also, Daniel Robinson brought
in his family, having purchased his land the previous year, and lived
here until his death. He had five sons, two of whom, Horatio N. and
Luther H., are still living. The father built a saw-mill on a small creek
near his place in 181 5, which was in operation many years. In 1803
Royal Polley settled at Massena Point, and in 1807 Thomas Steadman.
In that year there were ninety-eight voters in the town. Massena Point
is formed at the mouth of the Grass River, with the waters of that
stream on its southern side and those of the St. Lawrence to the
northward.

408 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The first school was taught at the site of Massena village in 1803 by
Gilbert Reed, and in the same year the first bridge was built across
the Grass River at that point, and shortly after one across the Raquette
River at the Springs.
Among the prominent settlers who followed soon after those before
named were N. Denison, E. M. Denison, E. Howard, L. A. Robinson,
D. Tracy, all of whom have descendants still living in town ; Enos
Beach, who is still living ; Elijah Flagg, J. C. Stone, John E. Perkins,
John Garvin, Lemuel Haskell, Calvin Hubbard, W. S. Paddock, John
B. Andrews, Benjamin Phillips, all of whom have descendants in the
town ; U. H. Orvis and L. E. Waterbury.
The town records after 1809 bear the usual proceedings for the
proper government of the district, but nothing of paramount importance.
In 1849, however, the people voted to raise $100 to built a float and
furnish wires for a ferry across the Grass River near the center of the
town. The War of 18 12 interested the inhabitants of Massena deeply on ac
count of operations that occurred near its bounds. Early in the sum
mer of 1 812 an American Durham boat on its way up from Montreal
was stopped at Mille Roche, a guard placed on board and ordered to
proceed to Cornwall. The British officer being unfamiliar with the
river channel gave the pilotage of the boat to its former commander
and crew, who steered it across the foot of Barnhart's Island, and before
the guard realized the situation the boat was moored to the American
shore. A militia training was just then in progress at Massena village
and a messenger was dispatched thither for help. The result was that
the guards were marched as prisoners to the village, and afterwards
paroled. It was considered a smart Yankee trick. It was in the same
summer also, that the inhabitants of the village thought to protect
themselves from possible assault by surrounding a tract of the land with
a stockade. This consisted of timbers more than twelve feet long set
in the ground close together. Strife about where the line of pickets
should run caused abandonment of the work, after a good deal of effort
had been expended. During the months of July and August of that
year a barrack was built near the center of the town, north of the Grass
River, at the expense of the government. It was a frame building

THE TOWN OF MASSENA. 409
about ioo feet long and was occupied by the militia of the county
under command of Colonel Fancher, of Madrid, for about three months.
Part of the force of 250 or 300 men returned home at the close of that
period, and the remainder went to Ogdensburg. In September, 1813,
a company of about 300 militia of the county of Stormont, Canada,
under Major Anderson, crossed the river in the night, burned this bar
rack and took several prisoners, who were subsequently released. They
also destroyed several Durham boats which had been sunk in the
river and were partly exposed by low water. Other events of the war
occurring in this vicinity are chronicled in other pages.
One of the most important roads in the town was the old Plattsburg
highway ; others were those from Ogdensburg to Massena, and from
the latter place to Russell, via Potsdam. These latter were located by
a commission appointed for the purpose in April, 1816. In 1832 the
second bridge was built across the Grass River at the Center, which was
soon afterwards swept away. In 1862 $4,000 were appropriated and a
covered bridge was built. This was destroyed, and in 1872—73 the
present handsome iron bridge was erected at a cost of nearly $io,O0O.
In 1863 $4,000 were raised by tax for a bridge across the Raquette
River, and on October 27, 1877, $8,000 were voted to bridge that
stream at Massena Springs.
Plank Roads. — See page 168.
Steps were taken in 1856 to build a town hall, and $800 were appro
priated for the purpose. A commodious brick structure was erected
in the village, which is still in use after having been several times im
proved. In 1875 the town also built a house of detention in the
village. In the War of the Rebellion (See Chapter XV, page 196) this town
acted a patriotic part, and sent its several quotas to the support of the
Union, as detailed in an earlier chapter.
The island belonging to this town, called by the French Isle au Long
Saut, is about five miles long and of irregular width and shape. It
contains about 2,000 acres, and all subject to cultivation, a portion
being timbered. The island was not sold with others to the Ogdens in
1823, but was reserved by the State for its possible military importance.
Under a statute which took effect May 5, 1832, the lands were sold by
52

410 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY,
the surveyor-general. Among the early settlers on the island were
John, Michael and William Cline, John and Thomas' Delaney, the latter
living there now, and also Stephen Miller, John Hutchins, and Dennis
McCarthy. Philip Kaiser and E. Atwater now have farms there.
Massena has always provided excellent facilities for educating her
children. The town is divided into thirteen districts, in each of which
is a good school house, besides those on the islands. The Massena
Union Free school will be described further on.
Following is a list of the supervisors of the town from the beginning,
with the dates of their service :
1802, Amos Lay ; 1808-9, John Wilson; 1810-11, Thomas Stead-
man; 1812, Calvin Hubbard; 1813-17, Willard Seaton ; 1818-19,
John E. Perkins; 1820-21, John Stone, jr.; 1822-24, John B. An
drews; 1825-26, Chester Gurney ; 1827-28, Lemuel Haskell; 1829-
30, Ira Goodridge ; 1831, John B. Andrews; 1832-33, L. Haskell;
1834-37, Ira Goodridge ; 1838-39, John B. Judd ; 1840-41, Benjamin
Phillips; 1842-44, John B. Andrews; 1845, E. D. Ransom; 1846,
Allen B. Phillips; 1847, E- D. Ransom; 1848-49, Allen B. Phillips;
1850, Willson Bridges; 1851-52, J. B. Andrews; 1855-60, Guy B.
Andrews; 1861-62, Luke Carlton ; 1863-64, Guy B. Andrews ; 1865-
66, H. S. Ransom; 1867-68, Joseph E. Clary; 1869-72, Henry B.
White; 1873-75, John O. Bridges ; 1876-79, Henry B. White ; 1880-
81, Daniel Tracy; 1882-87, Michael H. Flaherty; 1888-90, Fred P.
Kirkbridge ; 1891-93, Michael H. Flaherty.
Massena Center. — After Hopkinton was taken from the territory, but
more especially after the town being reduced to its present size, the
tendency was to make a settlement near the center of the town, which
led a few of the inhabitants of Massena to gather and build at what
became Massena Center. Its location is on the north side of Grass
River, at the head of its still waters, where Durham boats brought in
goods and carried away the products of the soil. There is no water
power at that point. Among those who early located there were
Nathaniel Kezar, Arad Smith, P. Smith, Ephraim Hyde, Samuel Dana,
Thomas Dodge, Israel Rickard, Ira Goodrich ; and in that vicinity
were Peabody Kinney, Willard Seaton, Hiram Anderson ; and later
came in Hiram Fish, Moses Russell, and others who became prominent

THE TOWN OF MASSENA. 411
in the town. Many of these have descendants living in this section.
Ephraim Hyde opened a public house on his farm at an early day, as
did Samson Wheeler in the hamlet about 1835 ; the latter had also a
*wagon shop, and Israel Rickard was a wheelwright. The post-office
was established in 1 851, with Augustus Wheeler as postmaster. The
present official is Chloe Atwood. The present handsome school house
was erected in 1 871, and the school has always been a prosperous one.
Union Hall, a convenient building for public meetings, was in 1872
converted to its purpose from the Baptist parsonage. There has been
very little mercantile business at this place.
Raquette River. — This is a post-office and hamlet on that river about
six miles below Massena Springs. The first settlement was made at
this point by Willard Seaton, who built a saw mill about 1804, which
was carried away in a freshet before it was finished. About 1830 A.
Ransom made another attempt to build a mill, but it was abandoned.
Settlers who came in after Seaton were the Chase, Earle, Payne, Tucker,
Young, Hitchcock and Smith families. In 1827 Capt. Wilson Brydges
opened a public house, which he continued for about twenty-five years.
The present postmaster is A. L. Freego. Aside from one small store
there is no business now carried on. Other settlers along up the river
towards the Springs were Herman Reed, R. Messenger, and the families
named Judd, Colburn, Wells, and David Kellogg, Thomas Flaherty,
Jacob Gould, Stephen Reed, Jewett Bowers, Wm. Nightingale, John
Polley and others.
Massena Springs — Is situated on the north shore of the Raquette
River, about one mile southeast of Massena village. The St Regis
Indians discovered these springs to the government party sent out to
survey the ten townships in the summer of 1785. They described
them as water coming out of the ground that smelled bad, where the
moose, the deer, and the sick Indian came to lick the water. Game of
all kinds at an early day were very plentiful in the vicinity of these
springs at all seasons of the year, being attracted to the spot, no doubt,
on account of the saline qualities of the water. The analysis of the
water, showing its constituents, together with other waters, will be
found on page 124. The white people began to use the waters of these
springs at an early day, and Spafford, in 18 13, mentions them as pos-

412 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
sessing a reputation for the cure of cutaneous complaints, and that
invalids came hither from long distances to partake of these waters.
In 1822 Capt. John Polley built the first structures for public accom
modation. Six years later the old and well known Harrowgate House
was erected by Ruel Taylor for Parsons Taylor. Numerous private
dwellings soon followed, and the springs were improved by curbing and
a pavilion, also hot and cold shower baths erected. In 1848 Benjamin
Phillips became proprietor of the springs, and erected what was long
known as the United States Hotel, and which was very popular. This
was burned in 1 871, and on its site was erected the splendid Hatfield
House, at a cost of $75,000. Besides this the Harrowgate House is
now kept by W. R. Stearns, who also has charge of the waters of the
springs. In addition to these houses the Wheeler is kept by Alonzo
Riley, a well conducted and popular house. There are two stores at
the Springs, and through the growth of the place and of Massena vil
lage the two have become substantially one. While the popularity and
reputation of these waters has not, perhaps, declined, there has in very
recent years been a less number of visitors to the place than formerly ;
a fact which is creditable almost wholly to the strong opposition at
various summer resorts, such as the Thousand Islands, in the Adiron-
dacks, and elsewhere.
Massena Village.-<r-This is now one of the most beautiful and active
of the smaller villages of the county. It is situated on both banks of
the Grass River, principally on the south side, and now extends nearly
to the Springs, with which it is connected by a fine drive. About the
first settlement made at this point was by Calvin Hubbard and Stephen
Reed, who built a dam and a saw mill in 1803. Some of the other
pioneers were Benjamin Phillips, U. H. Orvis, J. B. Andrews, J. Clark,
L. E. Waterbury, W. "S. Paddock, H. A. Campbell, M. P. Crowley,
John Stone, Royal Polley, and E. F. Taylor. The mill privilege here
is far superior to the one below, which gave the place early importance ;
this, together with the growing popularity of the medicinal springs, laid
the foundations for a village that soon sapped the interest and destroyed
the growth of the one at the center. In the year 1831 about thirty-
five acres on the village site was surveyed and laid out into seventy-one
lots, bordering on the streets, and a period of active building began.

THE TOWN OF MASSENA. 413
Since that time the growth of the place has been quite regular. A
custom-house was established here in early years and is still maintained,
but the business is not large. In 1808 Hubbard & Reed built the first
grist mill, a small one with a single run of rock stone. This was pur
chased in 1 8 10 by James McDowell, who was the owner of the lower
mills. He transferred the property to U. H. Orvis in 1828, and two
years later he built a stone mill with three run of stones ; this was sub
sequently changed into a woolen mill, and in 1848 Mr Orvis built the
present grist mill, owned by A. Babcock, and placed in it four run of
stones. The old woolen mill has been demolished. The lower mill
property passed to L. Haskell, who greatly improved it, and under his
management, and others of his family, became widely known. A large
stone structure was built many years ago for a starch factory, which
has been fitted up with wood-working machinery and is now operated
by H. W. Clark. There was formerly a tannery carried on here, but
it long since was abandoned. There is a butter tub factory and the
usual number of shops of various kinds. A saw mill is operated by the
Massena Mill Company.
The mercantile business of Massena was first represented by Benja
min Phillips, U. H. Orvis, J. Clark, and J. B. Andrews, who were in
prosperous trade here many years, and many of them succeeded by
their sons or friends. J. O. Bridges is now one of the oldest successful
merchants in the place. There are now about a dozen stores, covering
nearly all ordinary lines of business, and the village has an air of de
cided prosperity. The recent extension of the R. W. & O. railroad to
connect with others leading to Montreal, passing on the easterly side of
Raquette River, has been of great benefit to the merchants and others
of Massena.
As early as 18 10 a large three story house was erected here for a hotel,
which was kept by John Stone and others. H. A. Campbell built another
house, which was long and popularly known as "The Eagle Hotel."
It was destroyed by fire in 1864, and H. B. White erected the present
one, which is called " White's Hotel," an imposing brick structure,
which has enjoyed extended popularity both as a boarding-house and
for the accommodation of travelers. In 1876 the Allen House, an
other brick hotel, was built by A. A. Allen.

414 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The post-office was established here September 19 181 1, with Cal
vin Hubbard as postmaster. The present official is John S. McFadden.
In 1870 the office was made a money order office. A private banking-
house has been carried on here a number of years by Geo. E. Britton.
The Northern Observer, a bright weekly newspaper, was established
in December, 1891, by L. C. Sutton and G. W. Church ; it was then a
four- column quarto. In May, 1892, Mr. Sutton purchased the interest
of Mr. Church and continued the business alone until December r of
the same year, when he took in George A. Miller as partner. New
presses and material were purchased and the paper enlarged to an
eight-column folio, its present size. The circulation is now 1,000, and
has a steady growth.
Under the General School Laws, districts Nos. 2, 11 and 16 were
united April 11, 1866, into a Union Free School, and the following
were chosen as a Board of Education : H. F. Crooks, J. O. Bridges,
W. H. Paddock, E. Whitney, J. L. Hyde, F. P. Balch, Cephas Night
ingale, H. S. Ransom, and L. E. Waterbury. A tract of three acres of
land, beautifully situated, was secured for a school building, and a
commodious and handsome three story brick structure erected in 1868,
at a cost of $14,000. The school opened in 1869, with Thomas Kin
ney as principal. Within the past five years two other brick school
buildings have been added, and the town now takes the front rank for
its educational facilities. Following are the names of the present Board
of Education : Allen Babcock, Dr. M. J. Stearns, Dr. S. W. Dodge,
James Rankin, Samuel S. Danforth, Henry H. Warring, James Kirk-
bridge, Frank E. Bailey and Louis S. De Rosia.
Massena was one of the first towns visited by missionaries. In the
spring of 1 806 the Rev. Amos Pettengill and Boyd Phelps held religious
meetings at the Center and other places ; also made arrangements to
have services held occasionally thereafter.
The First Congregational Society of Massena Center, and the oldest
religious organization in the town, was organized February 15, 18 19,
•by Rev. Ambrose Porter, of Dartmouth College. Among the twelve
members were Peabody Kinney, Rufus Goodale, James G. Steadman,
Jacob Chase, Abigail Barber, Sally Kinney and Dorothy Smith. A
church was erected in 1836 by joint contributions of several denomi-

THE TOWN OF MASSENA. 415
nations, at a cost of $2,000, principally by the Congregationalists,
Baptists and Adventists. The Congregational society was incorporated
August 6, 1825, with John E. Perkins, Benjamin Phillips, Charles
Gurney, James G. Steadman and U. H. Orvis, trustees. The church
Continued with varied success until 1883, when it voted to disband, and
the members united with the second church at the village. They still
retain their interest in the old church edifice, where services are occa
sionally held. The Baptists held meetings for a time in this church,
but their interest finally centered at the village, which see. The Ad -
ventists discontinued their meetings long ago.
The Second Congregational Church was formed at the village Sep
tember 4, 1833, with thirty-three members. The early meetings were
held in the school house, but in 1843-4 the commodious brick church
was built, at a cost of $3,000. In 1868 it was thoroughly repaired, at
a cost of $2,000. A parsonage costing $3,000 was erected in 1878.
The church is in a flourishing condition, the membership being about
100, and Rev. S. A. Worden is pastor.
While the Baptist church in Massena was not regularly organized
until September 20, 1843, meetings had been held since 1825 or earlier.
About the year 1827 U. H. Orvis built a frame house in the village for
religious meetings, which was used by the Baptists for many years.
At the date of formal organization there were twenty-one members.
Within a few years thereafter several Baptist congregations had been
gathered in other parts of the town, with similar faith, and a union was
effected February 22, 1850, to which agreement thirty-six names were
affixed. On the 8th of March of that year Earle Stone and Peter
Ormsby were chosen deacons. Services were then held for a time
alternately at the village and at the Center, being essentially one church
with two places of worship. The present village church was erected in
1859. In 1875 a parsonage was built, and the property is now worth
more than $10,000. Rev. Arthur Holmes is the pastor, and the mem
bership is about 150.
Methodist Society. — In Massena the Methodists were as early on the
ground as 1830, and held services in school houses and private homes.
Classes were formed at the village and at Raquette River. In 1843
these formed a part of the Louisville and Massena circuit. Five years

416 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
later Massena became a separate circuit, the class at the village having
thirty-four members, and the one at Raquette twenty-three. These
still constitute the circuit, the Raquette River church being served most
of the time from the village. A brick chapel was begun in the village
in 1848, which was used twenty years and then sold to the Episcopal
society. In 1869 the present commodious brick edifice was built, and
the property with the parsonage is now worth about $15,000. The
membership at the two points is about 200, and Rev. Matthew D. Sill
is pastor. St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church. — This church was formed in
1838, by Father John McNulty, and consisted of twenty families. In
the same year a frame church was built, which was subsequently en
larged. In 1873 steps were taken for the erection of a new church.
An acre of ground was purchased near Massena Springs and the found
ation laid in that year. The beautiful structure was finished and dedi
cated July 27, 1875, as "The Church of the Sacred Heart." There
are now about 500 communicants, under Father Nolan.
The Christian Advent Church. — A church of this faith was estab
lished in the town, under the preaching of missionaries, but it was not
until 1868 that much interest was created. At that time Elder S. J.
Mathewson came to town and held a protracted meeting, during which
time thirty persons were converted. A church was organized with
Royal Polley and James Danforth, deacons. Services were held peri
odically here and at the Center by evangelists. It was finally decided
to erect a church at the village, which was accomplished in 1874, at a
cost of $3,600. A year later the parsonage was built, at a cost of
$1,400. The present pastor is Rev. George Stearns; the membership,
however, is small.
St. John's Episcopal Church. — Services were occasionally held in
town by visiting clergymen several years ago, but it was not until
June 21, 1868, that an effort was made to establish the work of the
church, when Rev. J. F. Winkley, of Norfolk, began holding services
in the town hall, where the first communion was held and the members
organized into a parish September 13, 1869, as " The Church of the
Great Shepherd," with Harvey H. Chittenden and Henry T. Clark,
wardens ; George A. Snaith, H. F. Crook, J. E. Clary, J. O. Bridges,

THE TOWN OF HOPKINTON. 417
Joseph Harrison and William N. Gibson, vestrymen. The certificate
of incorporation was dated September 15, 1868. Rev. J. F. Winkley
was selected as their first rector, and about a year later the parish was
admitted to the Albany Diocese. September 28, 1871, the name was
changed to " The Wardens and Vestrymen of St. John's Church of
Massena." The handsome church was erected in 1878-9, at a cost of
over $5,000. The present rector is Rev. C. E. Mackenzie.

CHAPTER XXV.
THE TOWN OF HOPKINTON— ORGANIZED IN 1805.
J— I OPKINTON, the fifth town erected by an Act of the Legislature
1 j passed March 2, 1805. It comprised a very large territory bor
dering on Franklin county, and was taken from the southerly portion of
Massena and included Islington, Catharineville, and so much of Chester
field as had been annexed to Massena. Parishville, Lawrence and Colton
were taken from it later on. At the first town meeting, held at the house
of Eliakim Seeley, March 4, 1806, the following officers were elected :
Supervisor, Roswell Hopkins ; clerk, Henry McLaughlin ; assessors,
Amasa Blanchard, Joseph Armstrong, Reuben Post ; overseers of poor,
A. Blanchard, Seth Abbott ; constable and collector, Abraham Sheldon ;
commissioners of highways, A. Sheldon, R. Post, H. McLaughlin ; fence
viewers, Eli Squire, Oliver Sheldon ; pound keeper, Oliver Sheldon.
The town was settled by Roswell Hopkins (from whom it was named),
who came in May, 1802, from Vermont. He had bought a part of
Islington, and was accompanied by Samuel Goodale, B. W. Hopkins
(son of Roswell), Jared Dewey, Eliphalet Branch, and Joel Goodale.
They were guided most of the way by blazed trees (see Chapter IX).
In March, 1803, Judge Hopkins, Abraham Sheldon, Eli and Ashbel
Squire moved their families to the town, who came on foot and on
horses' backs part of the way. In that year Mr. Hopkins built the first
grist mill on Lyd Brook, near the site of Hopkinton village. Other
53

418 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
settlers, who came in during 1804 and 1805, were Thomas Remington,
Gaius Sheldon, Reuben Post, Eliakim Seeley, Henry McLaughlin,
Thaddeus McLaughlin, Horace Train, Jasper Armstrong and Seth
Abbott. In 1807 the town contained forty- eight voters, according to
the qualifications required. Dr. Stephen Langworthy was the first
physician, and Dr. Gideon^Sprague, who came in 18 1 1, the second. In
1824 Isaac R. Hopkins built a saw mill on the St. Regis River, about
one mill north of Hopkinton village, and when the mill was raised it
was christened " Fort Jackson," a name which the settlement still bears.
The early settlers at this point were Noah Post, F. Kellogg, John
Witherill, F. Davis, R. Lawrence, C. Sheldon, Samuel Crook, and
others. A woolen factory was established here and operated by vari
ous persons, and replaced by a grist mill, built about 1855, by Francis
Davis. This was burned and the present mill erected by F. W. Davis,
and now operated by him. The saw mill is operated by M. L. Clifford.
A starch factory has been in operation about twenty years. A shingle
mill was built by George Wells in 1870 and a butter tub factory by
Samuel Cook in 1873, both of which are in operation. Kellogg &
Wright, the first merchants of account, opened a store in 1847. 1°
1872 Mr. Kellogg built a block and there the post-office was established
in 1873, with Frank Kellogg postmaster. Miller & Ober and M. L.
Clifford have stores at present. A. E. Ober is postmaster.
The little village of Hopkinton is on Lyd Brook, a little south of the
St. Regis River. There Roswell Hopkins built the first grist mill in
1803 ; the mill near this site is now run by Benjamin Collins. A tan
nery was established here early, and in recent years changed to a but
ter factory, now operated by R. J. Sanford. There were at one time
three starch factories in the town besides the one before mentioned. A
carding mill was formerly operated by Truman H. Lyman. Shingles
were largely manufactured at one time, but most of this has been given
up. B. W. Hopkins was the first merchant. V. A. Chittenden was in
trade in 1857, and is now postmaster. J. H. Chittenden is now the only
merchant. Cornelius Murphy is the landlord and was preceded for many
years by Thomas L. Howe.
A large section of St. Lawrence county, embracing parts of the towns
of Pitcairn, Russell, Fine, Clifton, Clare, Colton, and Hopkinton, is still

THE TOWN OF HOPKINTON. 419
a wilderness, large tracts of which are now almost in their primeval
state. This section of country, approximating thirty miles in either
direction in extent, is locally known as the " South Woods," and is a
part of the great wilderness of Nothern New York, which has for many
years been the ideal resort for the lover of the beautiful and grand
solitudes of nature, as well as for the sportsman and the artist. It
has also been, and still is, in far too great a measure, the field of spoils
for the lumberman. Its fame has been spread from one end of this
country to another by the written and spoken eloquence of hundreds
of enthusiasts, and its wilderness depths are annually invaded by sports
men, artists, lovers of nature, and invalids in quest of health, from all
quarters of the country. This section of the wilderness embraced in
St. Lawrence county, while not so grand and majestic in its mountain
ous aspects as other parts of the great region, still includes some of the
most beautiful and picturesque scenery in the Eastern States. Here
in the untrodden solitudes are numberless of the purest lakes and
ponds ; innumerable streams that wind and tumble among the rugged
fastnesses or peacefully flow along level woodlands ; quiet forest depths
haunted by the wild deer and birds of curious and melodious voice ;
and battlements of rock and mountain — all contributing to complete
some of nature's most entrancing handiwork.
In the extreme southeast corner of the county in the town of Hop
kinton is found about half of Tupper Lake (see page in), which ex
tends into Franklin county. In the southern part of Clifton is Cran
berry Lake (now used as a reservoir), a splendid sheet of water, whose
vicinity has been made a popular resort, where several hostelries have
been established for the accommodation of summer guests. Massawiepe
Lake, in the southern part of Hopkinton, is the source of the south
branch of Grass River, while the Oswegatchie River flows through
Cranberry Lake. Farther north in Hopkinton is a lake whose waters
flow into the romantic Raquette River. This latter stream, having its
sources far down in Hamilton county, flows in a northwesterly direction
across the region in question, receiving on its way the waters of scores
of beautiful ponds and woodland streams ; and the Oswegatchie takes
a similar course across the more western part of the region in the towns
of Clifton, Colton, Fine and Pitcairn. To the northward of the Os-

420 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
wegatchie are the three branches of the Grass River, also flowing in a
northwest direction, in the towns of Colton, Clifton, Pierrepont and Rus
sell. The rivers, lakes and ponds are more minutely described in
Chapter X of this work. The principal mountainous elevations are
Moosehead, Matumbla, Graves and Silver Lake mountains in Hopkin
ton ; Bear, Cat and Wolf mountains in Colton. Further details of this
remarkable section are shown on the map or plan accompanying this
work and given in the sketches of the towns embraced within its
boundaries in succeeding pages.
The pioneers of Hopkinton suffered the usual hardships and privations
incident to all the venturesome of that period (see Chapter IX). Pre
vious to the erection of the first grist mill the settlers were obliged to
go through the woods, either on foot or horseback, to the Long Saut,
a mill on the Canada shore. The first birth of a white child in town
was in December, 1803, in the family of Mr. Shelden. In 1807 there
had been twenty- six births in the town up to May of that year. The
first death which occurred was that of an infant, in 1807. For the first
twenty years the town records show that wild beasts of prey were quite
troublesome to the settlers, and bounties of from $1 to $15 were offered
for wolves, panthers, bears and foxes, also $1 per hundred for mice.
The various bounties offered made it an object for hunters to lay in
wait for such game. Mr. Thomas Meacham kept a record of the game
he captured, as follows: wolves, 214; panthers, yj ; bears, 210; deer,
2,550. His traps were always out, and one day the game caught in his
traps, and with what he shot, the bounties amounted to $185. In
the War of 1812-15 the government had stored about three hundred
barrels of flour in the barn of Judge Hopkins, on the passage of a de
tachment of the army through Hopkinton, on their way from French
Mills to Sackett's Harbor ; also had distributed several dozen muskets
among the villagers for safe keeping. Judge Hopkins and others ad
vised the commander of the detachment to carry the stores farther west
to a place of greater safety, and offered their services to remove them,
and take their pay in flour, but no one appeared to feel themselves
authorized to order the removal. A party of British soldiers com
manded by Major De Hering and Lieut. Carlton made an incursion to
Malone, and had arrived at French Mills on the last day of February,

THE TOWN OF HOPKINTON. 421
1814, and there learned from their guide, a citizen spy, of the govern
ment stores left at Hopkinton. The officer and about thirty British
soldiers left French Mills in sleighs that evening, proceeded by the way
of Moira, and arrived at Hopkinton, a distance of twenty- seven miles,
before the inhabitants were up the next morning. They placed a
sentinel at the door of every house and proceeded to search for arms,
and succeeded in obtaining about twenty. It is said that several
muskets were saved by being hastily laid in beds which were occupied
by them but a few moments previous, and thus eluded the search of
the enemy. The British took about half of the flour, or all they had
conveyance for, and began to destroy what remained, but being dis
suaded by the inhabitants, they distributed the same among the citizens.
During their short stay they conducted themselves with strict propriety,
and respected private property of every kind.
At an early day a commendable interest was manifested in the loca
tion and improvement of roads and bridges. In 18 10 an appropriation
of $500 was voted to be given to the St. Lawrence Turnpike Company
on condition that the road be located on a certain route. In 181 1 the
Legislature was petitioned to tax the town to aid the Northwest Bay
road ; also to authorize a lottery whereby the sum of $10,000 might be
raised to repair roads. In 1827 the Port Kent road was located at
Hopkinton. The road districts have been increased to thirty, and the
principal highways of the town are now in a fair condition. The prin
cipal cemetery in town is located a little way out and north from the
village of Hopkinton. In May, 181 1, the town voted a sum of $200 to
improve the lot, which is now kept in good condition.
The pioneer settlers showed their interest in their country by enlist
ing as soldiers in the War of 18 12. That same interest was shown in
the prosecution of the Civil War. At a special town meeting held
December 15, 1863, a vote to levy a tax of $65,000 was passed, and
the town clerk was authorized to issue certificates of $300 for each vol
unteer required from the town.
Hopkinton has made a good record in the matter of schools. In
1 8 14 a committee, consisting of B. A. Hopkins, A. Blanchard and S.
Eastman, was appointed to form school districts and make recom
mendations. In 18 19 three times the amount of school money granted

422 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
by the State was raised by a direct tax. There are fifteen school houses
in town, one of brick, at Fort Jackson, cost $2,500. It has a mansard
roof, surmounted by a cupola containing a 300 lb. bell; a stone house,
which was the old church abandoned by the Congregation alists and
Baptists. It was refitted in 1841 by a tax levied on the town for $250,
and now used for school purposes. There are about thirty teachers
employed during the school year, at an expense of upwards of $2,000,
and about 600 scholars attend the schools.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
A Congregational Church was formed at Hopkinton by the assistance
of the missionary, Rev. John W. Church, with eleven members, July 6,
1808. They were incorporated September 3, 18 14, with Amos
Blanchard, Reuben Post and Isaac R. Hopkins, trustees. Rev. H. S.
Johnson was their first pastor. In 181 5 the society united with the
Baptists and outsiders in building a stone church, which was also used
for town purposes. In 1827 the society abandoned the stone church,
and erected a wooden edifice at a cost of $2,800. It was repaired and
refitted in 1873.
Baptist Society. — A few people of this faith were gathered for religious
services occasionally by Elder Rowley at an early date, but the organ
ization of a church was not effected until February i7, 18 18, when
Abijah Chandler, Jonah Sanford, Sylvanus C. Kersey and Samuel
Eastman were elected trustees. In July, 1830, the name of the church
was changed to Hopkinton and Lawrence church, at which time they
held their meetings alternately at Hopkinton and Nicholville. On
August 5, 1843, tne word Hopkinton was dropped, and they have been
since permanently located at Nicholville.
A Catholic Church, " The Holy Cross," built of wood, 36 x 60 feet,
in 1877, was begun July 4 of that year, which has been finished and
occupied ever since.
A Methodist Society was formed in Hopkinton December 30, 1839,
but became a separate charge and located at Fort Jackson in May, 1845,
having built a fine stone church the year previous, costing $3,000.
Rev. Josiah Arnold was their first pastor.

THE TOWN OF CANTON. 423
Free-will Baptist. — A church of this denomination was organized at
Fort Jackson in 1844, with sixteen members. In 1847 tney erected a
commodious church and dedicated the same January 2, 1848. Elder
John Sweat was their first pastor, who remained with them fourteen
years. The house has been kept in good repair, and a parsonage has
been built, which, together with the church, is valued at $4,000.
Following is a list of supervisors, with years of their service :
1806, R. Hopkins; 1807, B. W. Hopkins; 1808, Henry McLaughlin ; 1809, R. Hop
kins; 1810, B. W. Hopkins ; 1811-19, Isaac R. Hopkins; 1820-22, Thaddeus Laughlin ;
1823-26, Jonah Sanford: 1827-29, Isaac R. Hopkins; 1830-32, Joseph Durfey ; 1833,
I. R. Hopkins; 1834-35, T. Laughlin; 1836, Phineas Durfey; 1837, Eliakim Seeley;
1838, T. Laughlin ; 1839, I. R. Hopkins; 1840-41, Clark S. Chittenden; 1842-44, Elias
Post; 1845, Gideon Sprague; 1846-47, Clark S. Chittenden; 1848-49, E. Post; 1850-
51, C. ?. Chittenden; '1852-53, Joseph B. Durfey; 1854, Clark S. Chittenden; 1855,
Roswell Hopkins; 1856-57, F. P. Sprague; 1858-59, Caleb Wright; 1860-61, David
F. Henderson; 1862-63, George S. Wright; 1864, E. R. Sheldon; 1865-66, David F.
Henderson; 1867-68, Frank Kellogg; 1869-73, Jonah Sanford; 1874-75, David F.
Henderson ; 1876-85, Jonah Sanford ; 1886-87, J. S. Kellogg ; 1888-93, K. S. Chit
tenden.

CHAPTER XXVI.
THE TOWN OF CANTON— ORGANIZED IN 1805.
CANTON, the sixth town organized, formerly under the jurisdiction
of Lisbon, was created by an Act of the Legislature passed March
28, 1805, and the first town meeting was held at the house of Stillman
Foote on the 4th of March, 1806. Stillman Foote was chosen moder
ator at that meeting, and the following officers were elected : Supervisor,
Stillman Foote ; town clerk, James Parkill ; assessors, William Perry,
Thomas D. Olin, George Foote; constable and collector, Mason Foote;
overseers of the poor, Daniel Walker and John Farwell ; commissioners
of highways, Medad Moody, Amos Smith and Moses Leonard ; over
seers of highways, Hubbard Clark, Walter Clark, Festus Tracy, Solomon
Walker, James Parkill, Uri Barber, John Hopkins, Zadock Clark, Titus
Sikes and George Foote ; fence viewers, Peter Brown, William Lemon,

424 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
and Jonathan Day; pound masters, Stillman Foote and Peter R.
Leonard. Stillman Foote, magistrate.
Canton was one of the original ten townships, is about ten miles square
and lies directly in rear of Lisbon. Macomb was the original purchaser
of the territory from the State, who transferred it to Edgar ; Edgar to
A. Vonfeister ; he to Stephen Van Rensselaer, J. O. Hoffman, Richard
Harrison, etc.
The town was surveyed by Amos Lay, assisted by Reuben Sher
wood and Joseph Edsall, in the summer of 1799. Others also aided in
the work, bringing the supplies by boat up the Oswegatchie, through the
natural canal and up the Grass River to the falls or site of Canton
village. The surveying party's frequent visit to Canada during the summer,
and their conversation with the people there as to the valuable farming
lands in Canton, led to the formation of a company of about thirty per
sons with a view to settle there. The company started out with an
ample supply of provisions to traverse the tract in various directions,
and all went well for a time ; but when the different squads, finding a
beautiful and fertile section, and each resolved to secure it for their set
tlement without the knowledge of the others, then it was that trouble
arose that broke up the original association.
The first land taken up in the township was by Festus Tracey,
formerly of Vermont, in 1799. The farm is now owned by a descend
ant. In 1800 Daniel Harrington, a native of Connecticut, took up a
tract of land on the east side of Grass River, built a shanty and cleared
a small piece of land, sowed it to fall wheat and raked it in with a hand
rake. The patch was on or near where the Agricultural Society's
grounds are now located. Stillman Foote, from Middlebury, Vt, came
to town in the summer of 1800 and purchased a mile square, on which
the village of Canton now stands. He purchased the title and wheat
crop of Mr. Harrington for a horse, saddle and bridle. Mr. Foote
harvested sixty bushels of wheat, notwithstanding the immense number
of squirrels of that year, after which he returned to his home. In
March, 1801, Mr. Foote left his home in Vermont for his new settle
ment with two teams laden with furniture and provisions. Warm weather
approaching he was forced to leave part of his supplies at Willsborough,

THE TOWN OF CANTON. 425
on Lake Champlain, which were subsequently brought with irons for a
mill, by Lake Champlain, the St. Lawrence, and through the town of
Lisbon. Daniel W. Church, who had been engaged as a millwright,
followed by water, accompanied by Lebbeus Johnson and his sons,
John Flannegan, Thomas Marvin, and one or two others. Mr. Church
kept a diary of his journey, which was one of many perplexities and
hardships, and concludes thus: " Reach Canton with seventeen blisters
on my hand, occasioned by rowing and pulling the bateau along." He
found Mr. Foote and his father, with others to the number of twelve,
all occupying one shanty, for they had been compelled to leave every
article of convenience not absolutely required at Cornwall, and come
through on horseback, there being no road that would admit the pass
age of a team. The entire week following was consumed in getting the
teams in. The first clearing was made on the west side of the river,
near the stream and just below the site of the bridge. Work was be
gun on the frame of a saw mill, which was sadly interrupted by sick
ness. On the 2d of May Mr. Church was attacked by intermittent
fever, and about the same time the elder Mr. Foote was taken with
what proved to be small-pox. Five of the party had previously been
inoculated, and the other six were at once operated upon. Mr. Foote
bore the terrible disease with fortitude, but with the appearance of the
secondary fever he died on the ioth of May, doubtless the first death in
the town. He was buried wrapped in the hammock on which he died,
the bark of an elm tree serving as a coffin. Stillman Foote had fallen
a few days previous and broken a rib, which prevented him from
rendering any assistance, and about this time the symptoms of the
disease began to appear on those who had been inoculated. There was
no medical aid nearer than Johnstown in Canada, and even this could
not be reached on account of the swollen streams. Hard times for
poor Stillman, who had to lay his own father in his winding-sheet !
13th. Rode out to Lisbon with extreme difficulty. I cannot sit on a
horse. Ride barebacked. Got wet with rain through and through.
From Canton to Lisbon settlement is fifteen miles without the least
opening ; very little road, and very many swamps and mireholes. 14th.
Go to Dr. Adams' and back on foot, fourteen miles. Half an hour
51

426 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
before I set out, while the fever was on, I could not walk across the
house. 25th. So far recovered as to ride to Canton."
The mill being partly finished that season, the party returned to Ver
mont to spend the winter. In the spring of 1802 Mr. Foote returned
with his family, consisting of his wife, two sons and a daughter, and
they began their wilderness life in a corner of the saw mill. During
the summer a single run of rock stones, driven by a tub wheel, were
put into operation in a part of the mill, Mr. Church having returned to
do the work. This was the only grist mill in the town until after the
War of 1 8 12.
During the year 1802 a number of settlers came into the town, among
whom were Peter R. and Moses Leonard, the former of whom kept a
public- house several years near the site of the new cemetery; Thomas
D. Olin, who located on the road through what became known as Olin
Settlement ; Chester Dewey, Lebbeus Johnson and his five sons, James
Parkill, the first clerk of the town ; Daniel and Nathan Walker, the
latter settling on what is now the county poor farm ; Thomas Kings
bury, who settled on what has been known as the Judd farm. Most or
all of these were from Vermont. Jacob Conkey also came in 1802,
and Asa Conkey, who came with his father in April of the same year;
he lived in the town seventy-one years, and served in the War of 1812.
Other early settlers were Joseph and William Ames, Walter Clark,
Dan Judd, the first miller in the Foote mill ; Thomas H. Conkey,
Joshua Conkey, Festus Tracy, who was one of the original surveying
party; Peter Brown, John Farwell (came in 1805), Jeduthun Farwell,
Harvey Knox, Ebenezer Sanderson, father of Nelson, Salmon Ward
Squires, father of William O. ; Abdiel H. Tracy, Anson Parker, Henry
Mead, who lived to the age of ninety- two ; Peter Langdon, who came
1807 and opened the first store in Canton, and died in 1867, at the age
of ninety-one years ; Benjamin and John Rose, Jesse Barnes, who came
in 1810; Amos Smith, Hubbard Clark, William Perry, who came in
1805 and passed a useful life in the town ; John Hopkins, who came in
1803 and settled on the river opposite the poor farm; S. G. May,
Eaton Ray, Thomas Fenton, and Reuben Wilson, who located in the
Morley section ; William Hollenbeck, William Foster, Nathan Clark,
David Olin, Luther L. Page, and the Hill, Hutchinson, Paine and

THE TOWN OF CANTON. 427
Robinson families. On the river road between Morley and Canton
settled the families of James Lankton, J. Wiley, Ira Butler, E. Corey,
Jeremiah Day ; and Amos Jones, who settled on the Potsdam road.
Others were Heber Sykes, Moses Sanderson, Lemuel Jenison, Jon
athan Day, Solomon Walker, who came in 1808, and Lyman Tupper
in 181 1. Aaron Barrows came in 18 16, and was father of Parlin,
Prosper and Aaron Barrows. Ebenezer Sanderson came about 18 14
and settled about three miles from the village of Canton. Matthew
Wallace came in 1821. Very many of them came from Vermont, a
State which has sent out from her borders almost innumerable sons
who have attained to worthy station in professional or industrial life.
Others who have figured prominently in the history of Canton will be
mentioned further on in the account of the various industries and in
the personal sketches in another department of this work. The first
birth in this town was that of a daughter of L. Johnson in 1803.
The early town records contain the usual account of proceedings for
the primitive government, which need not be detailed here, except as
they are in some instances worthy of preservation for their quaintness.
In 1 8 10 it was "voted that a fine of $12 be imposed on all jugglers,
mountebanks, and wire-dancers." It would be interesting to know
what it was that led to the adoption of that vote. In the same year
fifty dollars were raised for securing the rights and privileges of fish,
and S. Foote, D. Campbell and N. Walker were appointed a committee
for the purpose. This action related to the Grasse River, and in 1815
C. Wilson, F. Tracy and William Richardson were appointed a com
mittee to make the river navigable for fish. The measure was carried
out under legislative action, and was followed by further action for a
similar end in April, 1824, when the river was made a public highway
from its mouth to the high falls in Canton, the construction of dams
being allowed on condition that sluices be provided for the passage of
fish. Neglect of this condition, or the setting of nets or weirs, was
punishable by a fine of twenty-five dollars. In the following year
(1825) the town appointed Minot Jenison and Thomas D. Olin to in
vestigate the condition of dams on the river and prosecute all violators
of the law.

428 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
At the first town meeting the town was divided into ten road districts
with an overseer in each district, as before named. These districts
were subsequently subdivided, and the work of improving the high
ways, as is always the case in a newly-settled country, demanded much
attention from the authorities and the people. Several State roads
were early surveyed, and the Parishville Turnpike Company located
its route through this town about the year 1815 ; this company sur
rendered its charter in 1827.
In the year 1835 steps were taken which resulted in the founding of
the Canton Academy, an institution which flourished for many years,
of which a full account is given a little further on. In 1845 the project
of erecting a town hall was agitated, and on the 2 1st of April, 1846, the
supervisors of the county were directed by Act of Legislature to levy a
tax on the town of $333.35 annually for three years, to be paid to Ben
jamin Squire and Cyrus Abernethy, as commissioners in trust, with
power to erect the building. A plain frame structure was built nearly
opposite the courthouse. This building was used until 1877, after hav
ing been frequently repaired. On the 2d of May, 1877, a special meet
ing was held to act upon the project of erecting a new town hall. W.
H. Sawyer, M. D. Packard and C. N. Conkey, as a committee from the
annual meeting, reported in favor of a new structure costing $20,000,
to be paid in four annual installments, and that the bonds of the town
be issued for that amount. The report was approved by the electors
and L. W. Russell, W. H. Kimball and Worth Chamberlain were ap
pointed to carry out the undertaking.
Plank roads, see page 167. Railroads, see page 174.
In aid of the great struggle for the maintenance of the Union in
1861-66, the town of Canton performed her part nobly. Through the
liberality and energy of those who were charged with the task of filling
the various quotas of volunteers, and the patriotism of the people, the
several calls were promptly responded to and the required enlistments
secured without resort to a draft, with one exception. At a special
meeting August 23, 1862, a tax of $4,200 was voted for bounty pur
poses, $50 to be paid to each volunteer, on condition that sufficient
enlistments were made to fill the quota ; otherwise the tax should be
for only sufficient to make the payment of $50 to each actual volunteer.

THE TOWN OF CANTON. 429
The Legislature was petitioned to legalize this action. Ebenezer Miner,
M. D. Packard, L. E. B. Winslow, Albert Langdon, William Perry, jr.,
Cornelius Van Waters, T. L. Harrison, Algernon Robinson and Bing
ham A. Sykes were appointed a committee to procure these funds and
disburse them. On the 1 2th of December of the same year a special
meeting of electors was held, at which the supervisor and town clerk
were authorized to issue interest- bearing certificates of $300 each, to
be granted by an auditing committee, to an amount not exceeding
$18,000, to be given to such volunteers as should be necessary to fill
the quota. William H. Sawyer, Joseph Barnes and A. S. Robinson
were appointed a committee to audit accounts, and served in that
capacity during the war The last special meeting held was on Feb
ruary 23, 1864, when a bounty of $400 per volunteer was authorized,
subject to the foregoing conditions. These liberal bounties, with the
sums paid by the general government and the State, sufficed to inspire
enlistments. At the annual meeting in 1865 the sum of $6,000 was
voted to be paid to such volunteers of the town who had been in service
and had not received the $300 bounty.
The history of the town from the date of the incorporation of the
village of Canton in 1845 to the present time is largely embraced in
that of the several villages, as hereafter detailed. Outside of those
villages it may be said that the town is one of the most productive in
the county, especially in butter and cheese. In this direction the
farming community has been quick to adopt advanced practices, and
with the best of results. With the beginning of the introduction of
cheese and butter making in factories, these establishments sprang up
in various parts of the town, and were successfully and profitably
operated. In the year 1877 there were eleven factories in the town,
while some others that were situated over the line in other towns drew
a portion of their supplies from Canton. While the agricultural com
munity may be said to have suffered to some extent, in common with
other localities, from the general decline in land values, the Canton
farmers are among the more progressive and prosperous of the county.
The population of this town since 1810 will be found on page 223 ;
of the village, on page 224.
The supervisors of Canton since the formation of the town have been
as follows :

430 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
1806, Stillman Foote; 1807-08, Daniel Walker ; 1809-12, Daniel Campbell ; 1813-22,
Daniel Walker; 1823-24, Thomas D. Olin; 1825-27, Jeduthun Farwell[; 1828-30,
James Parkill ; 1831-33, Silas Baldwir, jr.; 1834-35, John Heaton; 1836-40, Lemuel
Buck; 1841-42, Henry Barber; 1843-44, Richard N. Harrison; 1845-46, Henry Barber;
1847-48, Cyrus Abernathy ; 1849, William F. Cahoon ; 1850-52, Hiram F. Johnson ;
1853-54, Thomas V Russell ; 1855-56, Charles H.Allen; 1857-58, George Robinson ;
1859-61, Jeremiah Traver; 1862-66, Milton D. Packard; 1867-70, Horace W. Hale;
1871, Charles N. Conkey; 1872-75, M. D. Packard ; 1876-77. Leslie W. Russell; 1878-
86, William H. Kimball; 1887, Charles N. Conkey; 1888, A. B. Hepburn; 1889, Wiil-
iam H. Kimball; 1890-93, Ledyard P. Hale.
THE VILLAGE OF CANTON.
The village of Canton had reached considerable importance in pop
ulation, as the county seat, and as a center of manufactures and mer
cantile business, before its incorporation. The act of incorporation was
passed May 14, 1845, with boundaries then embracing the jail limits,
excepting the bridge across the Grasse River. These boundaries were
changed and greatly enlarged, but in 1871 were reduced to the original
dimensions. The first board of five trustees, provided for by the act of
incorporation, were as follows : Nathaniel Hodskin, Prosper Barrows,
Benjamin Squire, Nathan Pratt and Barzillai Hodskin.
The settlements on the village site of Daniel Harrington and the
Foote family have already been described. Other prominent early
settlers here were Dr. William Noble, the first physician, who owned a
tract which embraced the present university grounds ; he came in
1804-5. Dr. Daniel Campbell came in 1807, and Dr. Elijah Baker in
the next year. Edwin Jones, father of D. M. Jones, who is still en
gaged in business, came in 1803 or 1804; Amos Jones, sr., Medad
Moody, father of Captain Lucius Moody, 1804; Silas Wright, of
whom a sketch will be found in the chapter devoted to the bar, came
in 1819, and also his brother Pliny Wright; Silas Baldwin and Dr.
Darius Clark in 1824, and Nathaniel and Barzillai Hodskin in 1827.
Harry Smith, the venerable citizen who is still engaged in trade, came
in 1830, and Walter Brown about the same time. In 1828 Ebenezer
Miner came temporarily, and in 1829 settled here permanently. He
married a daughter of Dr. Daniel Campbell, and purchased the interest
of the heirs in the doctor's estate. He was prominent in all public
affairs ; built the Miner block and many other buildings, and was in

THE TOWN OF CANTON. 431
many ways a useful citizen ; he died September 16, 1871. Other early
comers to the village were Benjamin and Solomon Walker, Joseph and
John Barnes, Alvin C. Low, S. Prentice, and others that will be men
tioned, Stillman Foote, the pioneer, built a house on the brow of the
hill in 1802, which, after several enlargements and many improvements,
still stands and overlooks the village. Dr. Campbell built his house
where R. B. Ellsworth now lives, next to the town hall. These two
were about all of the dwellings of any pretensions in the place before
the War of 181 2. Dr. Campbell brought the first stock of goods to the
place in 1807, and sold them from a room in his dwelling. During the
war he closed out his stock and opened a tavern in the same house,
using the room where he kept his store as a bar room. This was
prompted by the considerable travel through the place of troops and
others going through to Ogdensburg. On one occasion a sloop load
of confiscated goods was sent to Dr. Campbell's house, where they
were secreted. A force of the British started out in search of the
property, but were delayed long enough by a snow storm to permit of
the goods being sold at auction. The sale was long known as the
Great Vendue.
Captain Lucius Moody, who was born in the village in 1806, was a
son of Medad Moody, who bought two acres of ground including the
site of the present Haven House, and there built a dwelling, for which
a larger one was substituted in later years and kept as a hotel.
The original mill of Stillman Foote has been mentioned. It stood
about on the site of the present Eagle Mills. There was no other mill
at Canton until after the war. In 18 10 Mr. Foote built a dam and a
saw mill on the site of Morley (formerly known as Long Rapids). The
mill and the site were soon sold out to Christopher Wilson and Pitts
Bailey, who in 181 5 put into the mill two runs of rock stones, for
grinding, and a bolt. These were displaced two years later for burr
stones. This was the beginning of the settlement of that point as a
hamlet. Dr. Darius Clark came to Canton in 1822, after studying his profes
sion at Malone, and John Leslie Russell came here in 1829. These men
are properly noticed under the bench and bar. Hon. Silas Baldwin
came here in 1824 and began his long and honorable career. Na-

432 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
thaniel Hodskin came to the village in 1827, and soon afterward
erected a small furnace which he finished in four weeks and began the
manufacture of plows. In 1833 he, with his son Barzillai, built the
stone structure now used by Mr. Deshaw as a machine shop. In 1850
the son, Barzillai, engaged in the hardware trade, and later in various
other enterprises of a public and private character. He built the
Hodskin House (now the Haven House) in 1864, and conducted it for
a time. In the year 1820 the second mill was put up by Henry Foote, son
of Stillman ; the frame work of this mill was afterwards used in the con
struction of what became widely known as the Jackson mill. This was
built in 1 860 by E. E. Jackson, and it subsequently passed to the
ownership of B. Hodskin. Stillman Foote built the first distillery at
the village about the year 1815, and in 1827 he established a marble
factory, where most of that kind of material used in this section previous
to 1835 was prepared from the stone found at Crary's Mills. The rock
not proving very durable, the manufacture was abandoned. About the
year 1840 Silas Wright built a custom saw mill on the site of the L. A.
Taylor mill ; it was burned in 1852. L. A. Taylor built his present
planing and general wood- working mill in 1889-90; he began busi
ness in the place in 1874. Silas Parker built a saw mill in 1850, a
short distance above the island, on the site of the present Grange mill.
Its capacity was between 5,000 and 10,000 feet per day. It passed into
other hands and was burned in 1885, while in possession of H. P.
Grange, who had owned it since 1881. Mr. Grange rebuilt the mill,
which now has two circular saws, a trimmer, an edger, a lath mill, a
shingle mill, a planer, etc. The first good grist mill was erected of
stone by Stillman Foote about the year 18 17; it stood about on the
site of the present electric light building, where it was burned, leaving
a part of the wall standing. The Eagle mills were erected in 1842 by
Henry Van Rensselaer. The structure is of stone and four stories in
height. In 1871 this mill passed to Lasell & Jewett The former
bought his partner's interest and sold out to W. B. Allen. From Mr.
Allen's estate the present owners, Henry and Fonda Bullis, purchased
the property. In 1889 they put in three sets of rollers, which are now
operated with three run of stones. Opposite this mill, on the island, was

THE TOWN OF CANTON. 433
erected by Lucius Moody, in 1859-60, a fine three-story brick mill,
which took the name of the St. Lawrence Mills. It contained four run
of stones. It subsequently passed to possession of Hodskin & Sherwin,
and then to D. W. Sherwin, who is the present proprietor. Four
double sets of rollers were placed in the mill in 1888. A. E. Smith
has carried on the manufacture of sash and doors since 1888, on a site
which was occupied formerly by George Gilmore for making furniture.
D. M. Jones, before mentioned, took the Hodskin furnace property in
1852, and in i860 greatly enlarged the plant by adding a large brick
furnace. On the site of L. B. Storrs's machine shop was formerly an
oil mill built by Stillman Foote in 1871 ; this was purchased by Harry
Smith in 1830, who operated it for ten years, making about 1,000 gal
lons of oil per year. Mr. Storrs carries on the manufacture of a patent
machine for the use of tailors in pressing. The first tannery at Canton
was on the west side and carried on by Elias C. Page. A larger tan
nery was started by him near the same place in 1830, which was burned,
and he then laid the foundation of another, which was purchased by
Jerry Traver in 1853 and greatly extended. A large business was
maintained until a few years ago, when the scarcity of bark caused the
abandonment of the enterprise. David Sears also carried on tanning
from 1846 for a number of years. In 1827 Amos Bird, one of the early
business men of the place, began operating a carding machine in a
building attached to the saw mill on the west side, and continued it
for many years About 1852 Albert Fowler began the manufacture
of axes and other edged tools in a small shop on the east side of the
river. Later he established himself on the island, where he continued
to 1875, when the business passed to M. A. Fowler. The works were
closed soon afterward. The building, of which he occupied a part, was
erected by Barrows & Blanchard about 1846 for a butter tub and cheese
box factory. Several years later Henry Stickles put in machinery for
the manufacture of sash and blinds, and is still in the business. W. B.
Barlow began the manufacture of threshers, wheels, etc., in 1873. He
erected the buildings which he now occupies, and added a carding mill.
His business is now largely repairing and the sale of agricultural im
plements. O.G.Baxter, manufacturer of plows and castings, since 1884,
in the Rushton boat shop. J. H. Rushton began boat and canoe build-
55

434 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ing in a small way in 1874. He erected in 1883 a large factory and
now employs many hands. Wagon-making has been carried on in
Canton in past years to a considerable extent ; Champlin & Jeffrey were
conspicuous in it at one period, and Mr. Champlin at a later date, but
the business is now confined chiefly to repairing. Numbered in the
past were several large asheries near the village, among the proprietors
being L. E. Clark, B. Hodskin, E. Miner and others. The Canton
Lumber Company, with Harmon Rice, has operated a large steam mill
near the village, turning out a large product of lumber, etc., for several
years past.
Down to the year 1827 three stores sufficed for the community, and
they were then kept by Ephraim Bridge, on Main street, above the
Union block, in a brick building, which was burned in 1862. Barnes
& Sackrider were opposite, on the site of the Hodskin House, in a
frame building, which is in use now as a blacksmith shop ; and A. C.
Low and Amos Bacon were where Harry Smith's drug store is now
situated. Mr. Smith came here in 183 1 and has been continuously in
trade ever since. Medad Moody and Nathan Walker were merchants
together as early as 18 16, and handled potash, etc. Daniel Mack kept
a drug store, where the Mather block now stands. The former lead
ing merchants were Solomon Boynton, Ebenezer Miner, Christopher
Cook & Co., and Simeon D. Moody, who built a part of the Union
block which was burned ; also M. D. Packard and Moses Whitcomb.
Lorenzo Lawrence dealt in furniture. Joseph Ellsworth has been con
nected with the shoe trade, and is now associated with his son. D.
M. Jones and H. L. Sackrider were early associated in the hardware
trade, are now separate in the business. Conkey & Sherman carried
on a drug trade for a number of years ; the business is now conducted
by George S. Conkey and G. W. Gulley.
Medad Moody built a square frame hotel on the site of the Haven
House in 1820, which was destroyed by fire several times and rebuilt,
the last destruction being in the fire of 1862, after which he did not
rebuild. Mr. Hodskin bought the site and erected the present house
in 1864, at a cost of about $25,000. Since that time it has been kept
by several different persons, and is now conducted as a first class tem
perance house by J. M. Haven, who purchased it in 1889. The Amer-

THE. TOWN OF CANTON. 435
ican Hotel was originally built in 1825 by Sartwell Prentice, and was
known as the Prentice Hotel until about 1840, when it passed to the
ownership of Henry Foote, and from him to the Bridge brothers, who
gave it its present name. It is now kept by S. D. Bridge. The Com
mercial Hotel was built by Dr. Darius Baker for a private house for
his son-in-law, Robert Clark. It has been kept as hotel many years,
and at various times enlarged.
The first bank in Canton was established in 1858 by R. M. Godard
& Co. It was closed up in i860. In 1862 H. J. Messenger, who had
long carried on banking in Cortland, N. Y., opened a branch in Canton,
and two years later organized the Bank of Canton under the State laws.
Messenger met with disastrous failure in 1868, M. D. Packard acting as
receiver. During the life of the Bank of Canton, the Commercial Bank
was organized, but after receiving deposits for a few weeks its manager
disappeared with most of the funds, and the doors were closed. In
January, 1870, S. D. Hungerford & Co. organized and opened a bank
ing house in the building formerly occupied by the Bank of Canton,
and its management was placed in the hands of W. H. Kimball as
president, and S. D. Kimball as cashier. A bank building was built in
1870. The capital of the bank is $50,000. The institution has always
been prudently and carefully conducted. Its deposits now average
about $200,000, and it has a surplus of about $19,000. The bank is
incorporated under the State laws, under the name of the St. Lawrence
County Bank, and the present officers are W. H. Kimball, president ;
M. D. Packard, vice-president; S. D. Kimball, cashier,
The First National Bank of Canton was organized in 1887, with a
capital of $65,000. Its officers were: D. S. Lynde, president; B.
Hodskin, vice-president; John Pickens, cashier. Commodious offices
were prepared for the bank in the Sherman block, and a substantial
vault built. R. B. Ellsworth has succeeded Mr. Hodskin as vice-presi
dent, and W. H. Beard is the present cashier. The directors are Leslie
W. Russell, Adolphus S. Lynde, R. B. Ellsworth, John C. Keeler, D.
S. Rice, James S. Gale, James P. Howe, Henry Bullis, George W.
Seymour. All of these excepting Mr. Seymour are residents of Can
ton.

436 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The Press. — The beginning of newspaper publication in the town of
Canton dates back to about the year 1827, at which time Jonathan
Wallace was connected with the publication of the St. Lawrence Repub
lican in Ogdensburg. He also at about that time issued the Day Star,
a Universalist publication, which he continued about six months, when
it was united with the Gospel Advocate in Utica. While that paper was
being published the establishment was removed to Canton.
In July, 1832, C. C. Bill started a Whig paper in Canton, which he
called the Northern Telegraph. He sold out to Orlando Squires, who
began the publication from the same office of a Democratic sheet called
the Canton Democrat. It was short lived. A paper called The Lumi
nary of the North was issued here in July, 1834. Its light was soon
extinguished forever. The St. Lawrence Democrat was a Whig paper,
owned by several persons and published by Edgar A. Barber; was
started in September, 1840, and lived until April, 1842. The press
and materials of Mr. Barber were next used by Charles Boynton for
the publication of the Northern Cabinet and Literary Repository , which
first saw the light January 2, 1843. How long the paper supported its
burdensome name is not known.
A paper called The True Democrat was started May 28, 1850, at
Madrid, by a Mr. Wilson. In less than a year it passed to O. L. Ray,
who changed its name a year later to the Columbian Independent, and
at the end of another year again changed its title to the Canton Inde
pendent, and removed it to Canton village. It did not survive long
afterward. The Canton Weekly Citizen was a small folio which made
a weekly appearance for one month beginning January 1, 1852, and
then joined those which had gone before.
The St. Lawrence Plaindealer was started as a Republican campaign
paper in July, 1856, by William B. Goodrich, and S. P. Remington as
junior partner. The material of the St. Lawrence Democrat was used,
and the paper printed on an exceedingly ancient hand press. After
the close of the campaign an entire new outfit was purchased, and the
paper was established as a permanent enterprise. A few months later
Mr. Goodrich sold out his interest to his partner. When the War of
the Rebellion broke out, Mr. Goodrich entered the Union army as a
volunteer. See chapter on the Rebellion.

THE TOWN OF CANTON. 437
The Plaindealer continued until 1862 under the editorship and man
agement of Mr. Remington. At that time he entered the army, and
sold the office to J. Van Slyke, who owned and controlled it until 1867,
when it was repurchased by Mr. Remington. On the 14th of August,
1869, and again on the 4th of August, 1 870, the material of the office
was entirely destroyed by fire. Col. Remington, after each of these
fires, continued to issue the paper regularly, on small sheets at first, but
in a few weeks restored to its usual size, and the office equipped with
new presses and material.
In 1873 he sold the Plaindealer and establishment to Gilbert B.
Manley, the present proprietor. It has been twice enlarged, and is now
issued as a seven column quarto. Williston Manley, a son of the pro
prietor, is now associate editor.
The Commercial Advertiser, a weekly Democratic newspaper, was
started at Norwood, in this county, by Hall & Tracey, on the 3d of
November, 1873. In May, 1877, it was removed to Canton, the first
number in the new location being issued on the 31st of that month.
Subsequently Mr. Tracey bought his partner's interest in the establish
ment, and has since conducted the paper alone. Under his able edi
torial and business management the Advertiser has prospered financially
and is recognized as one of the leading exponents of Democratic doc
trine in Northern New York.
The post-office in Canton village was established April 1, 1804, under
the name of New Cairo, with Daniel Sayre as postmaster. The name
was changed to Canton July 1, 1807. The incumbents of the office
have been as follows: Daniel Campbell, 181 1 to 1821 ; Silas Wright,
1821 to 1827; Silas Baldwin, 1827 to 1833 ; John L. Russell, 1833 to
1841 ; Jeremiah Bailey, 1841 to 1843; Darius Clark, 1843; Ephraim
Goff was the next incumbent and was succeeded in 1853 by Amasa O.
Brown ; Seth P. Remington came next, and was succeeded by William
R. Remington; he was followed by A. T. Martyn, who was succeeded
for four years by John H. Mills. The present postmaster, Edwin
Aldrich, assumed the position April I, 1891.
The presidents of the village from its incorporation to the present
time have been as follows : From 1846 to 1852 they were Nathaniel
Hodskin, Prosper Barrows, Benjamin Squire, Nathan Pratt and Bar-

43S HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
zillai Hodskin ; from 1846 to 1852 (elected by the people), Nathaniel
Hodskin, Elias C. Page, Prosper Barrows, Paul Boynton, A. R. Kipp,
Paul Boynton and Luman Moody; from 1853 to 1858 the records are
lost; from 1859 to the present the presidents and clerks have been as
follows : 1859, E. Miner and S. J. Day; 1860-61, 1862, L. E. B. Win-
slow and M. B. Chamberlain; 1863, D. M. Jones and J. Barnes; 1864,
J. Traver and J. F. Havens; 1865-66, E. Miner and Joseph Barnes;
1867, E Miner and W. J Ferrey ; 1868, B. Hodskin and W. J. Fer-
rey; 1869, C. Bailey and J. W. Bugbee; 1870, Jeremiah Traver and
Joseph Barnes; 1871, Joseph Barnes and W. J. Ferrey; 1872, J. S.
Conkey and H. D. Ellsworth; 1873, B. Hodskin and H. D. Ellsworth;
1874, H. H. Judd and H. D. Ellsworth; 1875, L. B. Storrs and H. D.
Ellsworth; 1876-78, L. B Storrs and C. A. Chamberlain; 1879, M.
D. Packard and C. E. Chamberlain; 1880, John C. Preston and C. E.
Chamberlain; 1881-82, John C. Preston and H. D.Ellsworth; 1883,
L. B. Storrs and H. D. Ellsworth; 1884, L. B. Storrs and L. C. Saw
yer; 1885, Worth Chamberlain and L. C. Sawyer; 1886, Ledyard P.
Hale and L. C. Sawyer; 1887-88, D. H. Rice and Charles J. Preston;
1S89-90, D. H. Rice and C. E. Chamberlain ; 1891, J. N. Bassett, jr.,
and C. E. Chamberlain for one half of term ; 1892-93, James E. John
son and H. M. Barber. The present trustees are Thomas Peggs, G. E.
Sims, George E. Jamieson, and W. A. Brown.
Fire Department and Water Works. — The first fire company in Can
ton village was organized about 1849, when the apparatus consisted of
a small rotary engine. The venerable Harry Smith was foreman of
company, which was in existence ten or twelve years, when the engine
became disabled, and the village was substantially without protection
from fire until 1870. On the 28th of August, 1869, a meeting was
held to discuss and adopt measures for the establishment and mainte
nance of a fire department. For these purposes $700 were appropriated.
On the 9th of the same month a meeting was held and a company or
ganized, and a second-hand brake engine purchased in Ogdensburg.
On the 14th of August, 1869, a fire broke out on the north side of
Main street and swept away everything between Water and Hodskin
streets, involving a loss of $65,000. One year later, within a few days,
another fire broke out at the point where it was stopped the previous

THE TOWN OF CANTON. 439
year and burned away the buildings on the same side of the street for
a long distance and causing a loss of $150,000.
In March, 1870, "The Fire Department of the Village of Canton "
was incorporated by Act of the Legislature and the following board of
directors named to hold office until the next annual meeting of the de
partment under the act of incorporation : S. D. Bridge, chief engineer ;
S. P. Remington and M. D. Packard, assistant engineers. In January,
1 87 1, a hook and ladder apparatus was provided for the department.
A frame engine house was erected on Water street in 1870, which was
occupied until 1874, when the present brick structure on Court street
was built. A hook and ladder company was formed in December,
1875, with twenty members, but it was disbanded after a few years. In
1882 a steam fire engine of the Silsby make was purchased and the
hand engine was sold. The steamer company now has seventeen
members, one hose company eleven and the other ten members. The
following have held the office of chief engineer: S D. Bridge, 1870-
71; John J. Stacks, 1872-73; M. D. Packard, 1874-76; Ezra D.
Jackson, 1877; J. H. Mills, 1878; M. D. Packard, 1879; C. J. Perkins,
1880; Worth Chamberlain, 1881-82; S. D. Bridge, 1883-86; G. W.
Seymour, 1886-88; T. G. Kirkland, 1889-90; Homer Bailey, 1891.
Water Works. — The present water works and sewer system were es
tablished in the year 1889, but as separate undertakings and under
separate issues of the village bonds, the sewer system being introduced
first. For the latter purpose bonds were issued for $35,000, payable
in thirty years, and for the water works the amount of bonds were
$40,000, payable in twenty years. They were negotiatied at four per
cent, and were sold at a small premium. The works comprise a build
ing for the pumps, which are modern and efficient in character, and a
stand-pipe of sufficient height to give ample pressure excepting in the
highest parts of the vil'age. The sewer system comprises between four
and five miles of conduit. The works are under control of a board of
officers, consisting for the year 1893 of the following: J. Henry Rush-
ton, president ; Winfield S. Leonard and Isaac Cornell.
Electric Lighting. — In the year 1 887 a stock company was formed
in which the Thompson- Houston Company was represented with citi
zens of Canton, the capital being $1 8,000. The necessary plant was

440 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
installed in a wooden building which was destroyed by fire in 1890 and
was replaced by a brick structure, the power being derived from the
river. The village authorities pay the company for the public lights.
The officers of the company are L. P. Hale, president ; A. T. Martin,
secretary and treasurer ; Luman Bailey, superintendent.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
First Congregational Church. — Early in the summer of 1807 the
missionaries Amos Pettengill and Ebenezer Hibbard, of Vermont, or
ganized a Congregational Church with seven members, as follows :
George Foot, John Richardson, Weltha Foot, Betsy Donegly, M. Con
key, Jane Ross and P. Richardson. The society was incorporated Janu-
uary 16, 18 1 5, with George Foot and two others as trustees. They
were supplied with missionaries most of the time until 1823, when Rev.
Hiram S. Johnson became their pastor. In 1825, it is said, through
spiritual weakness or indifference, they were induced to change to Pres
byterian. A second Congregational church was organized at Crary's Mills (as
mentioned in the history of Potsdam), on the Canton side of the river,
in September, 1823, with twelve members. Jeduthun Farwell and
three others were elected trustees. A church building, 32x44 feet, was
erected and dedicated in 1844. It was repaired and rededicated Feb
ruary 12, 1874. The society is now in a prosperous condition.
The First Baptist Church of Canton. — Meetings of Baptists were
held in the northern part of this town as early as 18 14 and for several
years thereafter before an attempt was made to organize a church. On
the 22d of June, 1817, a council was called at the school-house in North
Canton by Rev. Samuel Churchill, a missionary from Boston. Four
teen persons presented themselves for membership, not all of them,
however, from this town. Justin Olin was appointed deacon and Joseph
Olin, clerk. Rev. Rupe Batchelor was called to the* pastorate and the
membership increased. The records of 1832 show a membership of
sixty eight, and services were being held in the village and a branch
which had existed in the south part united with it. On the ioth of
December, 1823, the First Baptist Evangelical Society of Canton was
incorporated, with R. Batchelor, T. D. Olin and Jonathan Paul as trus-

THE TOWN OF CANTON. 441
tees. In 1829 this society united with the Universalists in the erection
of a church building, which was used by the Baptists until 1849, when
they erected a church of their own, which was dedicated February 8,
1849. This building was occupied until 1871, when the present one
was built ; but it has been considerably remodeled since that date. At
the present time (1893) there are about 125 members, and the pastor
is Rev. S. Thomas Williams. The trustees are Charles Churchill, John
Fields, Harvey Barber, Gilbert Bouck.
Methodist Episcopal Church. — As early as 1808 a class was formed
in the western part of the town, where prayer meetings were held, and
their numbers increased yearl)'. On the 3d of November, 18 19, the
Methodist Church Society of Canton was incorporated, with the fol
lowing trustees : Jesse Barnes, Hugh Montgomery, Isaac Buel], Jedu
thun Farwell, William Perry and William Richardson. The early
meetings were held in school houses and in a building which had been
used in connection with a distillery by Mr. Farwell. In 1823 measures
were adopted to erect a church edifice, which resulted in the building
of the brick church at South Canton, which is still in use. The lot was
donated to the society by William Richardson for church and cemetery
purposes. Rev. L. T. Cole is the present pastor in that church.
In the mean time the northern part of the town had become thickly
settled, and to meet the necessity of a more convenient place of worship
the Second Methodist Church and Society was formed on the 28th of
August, 1827, with Solomon Boynton, Samuel Fish, Daniel M. Foot,
Gershom Conger and Joseph Ames as trustees. A lot on Chapel and
Court streets was purchased of David C. Judson, on the ist of January,
1828, and there a frame church was erected, which was the home of the
society for nearly forty years. It was displaced by the present brick
edifice in 1856, which was dedicated February 25, 1857. A parsonage
was erected in 1846, and the present one about 1884. The membership
of the church is 209, and Rev. C. E. Dorr is the pastor for 1893. The
trustees are : James Kingston, Nathan Barber, Dr. A. C. Drury, A.
Watson, L. Barber, E. F. Tripp, D. W. Sherwin, W. D. Church and R.
A. Barber.
Presbyterian Church. — The first Presbyterian society of Canton was
organized from the Congregational body under the pastorate of Rev.
56

442 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Hiram S. Johnson, a Presbyterian, and placed themselves under the St.
Lawrence Presbytery. In 1816 the Presbytery of Oneida was divided,
and the Presbytery of St. Lawrence created, comprising this county,
Lewis and Jefferson counties. The northern and eastern parts of the
county belonged in the Presbytery of Champlain. In 1821 the Albany
Synod set off Ogdensburg, De Kalb, Canton, Potsdam, Hopkinton,
Rossie and Gouverneur to constitute the Presbytery of Ogdensburg.
In 1829 a change was made by which all of this county was placed in
the Presbytery of St. Lawrence. In 1839, at the division of the church
into the Old School and the New School, the Old School Presbytery
was formed, and in 1870, upon the reunion of the two bodies, the last
named Presbytery and that of Watertown were united in the St. Law
rence Presbytery, of which this Canton church became a part. The
first pastor after the church became Presbyterian was Rev. Hiram S.
Johnson. The church was incorporated July 22, 1825, its first trustees
being Elias C. Page, Silas Wright, jr., Joseph Barnes, Henry Foote,
William Richardson and Eden Ray. In 1826 a site for a church was
deeded to the society by Silas Wright and Joseph Barnes, and the
building was begun in 1828 and not completed until 1831. Mr. John
son's pastorate continued until 1838. The erection of the present
beautiful stone edifice was begun in 1876, and dedicated January 4,
1880; its cost was about $25,000. The succession of pastors in the
church has been as follows : Revs. Roswell Pettibone, John Waugh,
James Gardner, who came in November, 1869, and remained until
1884. Rev. Rolla G. Bugbee was acting pastor one year and was in
stalled pastor in November, 1885. He served until February 6, 1888.
The present pastor, Rev. Avery S. Walker, D.D., was installed July 11,
1888. The present officers of the church are as follows : Ruling elders,
Henry L. Sackrider, Charles N. Conkey, Heman P. Matthews, Gilbert
B. Manley; deacon, Hiram Sanderson; trustees, Gilbert B. Manley
(president), Charles Nickelson, Solon D. Kimball, Wm. H. Tallman,
Thomas Fields and James W. Bailie. The membership of the church
is 208.
¦ Universalist Church. — This society was organized in November,
1829, at a meeting held in the school house in the village, with the

THE TOWN OF CANTON. 443
following officers : Minot Jenison, Joseph Ames 2d, and Thomas H.
Conkey, trustees ; Alvin C. Low, clerk ; Daniel Mack, collector. In
1828-9 a church edifice was erected by this society and the Baptists,
each being entitled to the use of it according to the amount paid towards
its construction. A few years later the interest of the Baptists in the
church was transferred to the Universalists. The church was remod
eled in 1865, and again in 1887. The pastors who have served the
church have been Revs. Mr. Briggs, W. H. Waggoner, L. M. Hawes,
J. F. Goodrich, S. W. Remington, Richard Eddy, L. C. Browne, Simon
Goodenough, A. G. Gaines, Joseph Crehore, George W. Weaver, Mr.
Stowe, and the present pastor, Rev. J. W. Payson.
Grace Episcopal Church. — This church was organized in 1836 by the
Rev. Richard Bury, who was also the first rector. The original mem
bership was nineteen. On the 22d of August of the same year a society
was formed, of which Richard N. Harrison and Roswell Green were
wardens, and John D. Burns, Darius Clarke, Elam Russ, Harry Foote,
Lyman Ellsworth, Thomas Viner, Chauncey Foote and Henry Van
Rensselaer, vestrymen. A small chapel was erected in 1 841-2, and
consecrated September 3, 1842, by Bishop Benjamin H. Onderdonk.
With subsequent repairs and extensions this building has been used
until the present time. In 1855 a rectory was built, which was dis
placed by the present one in 1887 at a cost of $3,700. The rectors of
this parish have been as follows: 1836, Richard Bury; 1838, William
Latham; 1840-41, Thomas P. Tyler ; 1843-4, F. J. Hawley ; 1845-6,
William G.French; 1848, Minot M.Wells; 1851-53, Abel Ogden;
1854-59, John Wells Moore; 1859-64, W. A. Rich ; 1864-5, Thomas
H. Siel; 1866-68, William Binet; 1868-71, John F. Potter ; 1872-73,
George T. Kaye ; 1873-74, R. B. Van Kleek ; 1875-76, R. D. Irwin;
1877-82, John T. Pearce; 1883-85, E. R. Armstrong; 1886-90, R. G.
Hamilton ; the present pastor is Rev. R. W. Brown. The wardens are
L. W. Russell and Sheldon Brewer ; vestry, R. B, Ellsworth, Cleland
Austin, J. D. Tracy, H. D. Ellsworth, H. B. Safford, J. C. Keeler, H.
Liotard and C. J. Perkins.
St. Mary's (Roman Catholic) Church. — This church was incorpo
rated August 17, 1874, by Rt. Rev. Edgar P. Wadhams, bishop of the
diocese of Ogdensburg, Very Rev. James Mackey, vicar-general of that

444 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
diocese, Rev. James O'Driscoll, and laymen Dennis Woods and James
O'Brien, as trustees Many years ago there was a large settlement of
Irish emigrants in the western part of the town of Canton, on what be
came known as the Irish Settlement Road, who attended church at
Potsdam. The pioneer priest was Rev. James Mackey, who at inter
vals visited this settlement and was the founder of this church. When
the society was finally formed they purchased the lot on which their
church now stands and erected a small frame edifice previous to 1868.
There they worshiped until 1873, when it was burned by an incendiary
December 12th. In 1862 the parsonage was purchased. After the
burning of the old church, and while the present one was in process of
construction, the court-house was used for services. In 1874, through
the efforts of the present pastor, Rev. James O'Driscoll, the building of
the present brick edifice was commenced, and the corner-stone laid by
Bishop Wadhams, July 4, It was dedicated on the 15th of August,
1876, by the same person. It is a large and handsome edifice and cost
with its furnishings about $55,000. The families in this parish number
nearly two hundred, principally farmers.
Educational Institutions. — Since the first district school was taught
in this town, said to have been in 1804, the development of its educa
tional institutions has been commensurate with the growth of the town
in all other respects. As population increased, new districts were
created, until at one time there were thirty, which number has since
been reduced to twenty -eight. The first school taught in the village of
Canton was on the site of the Miner block.
It is evidence of the deep interest of the inhabitants that steps were
taken as early as 1831 to establish an academy. At that time twenty-
five citizens of the town pledged themselves to pay $1,250 towards the
erection of a building suitable for academic purposes. The subscribers
met on the 16th of May, in the year named, and adopted articles of
association, in which it was provided, among other things, that a build
ing should be erected two stories high, with cupola, and not less than
thirty by fifty feet in size. The sum of money pledged was to be di
vided into shares of fifty dollars each and each share entitled to one
vote. To become a partner in the enterprise a person was required to
sign his name to the articles and give his note to the building commit-

THE TOWN OF CANTON. 445
tee to be appointed, promising to pay five dollars in the following Au
gust, and the remainder in two annual installments, payable in cattle,
on or before the first of October ; or grain on or before the first day of
February following. The articles were to continue in force until the
school was incorporated, for which application was to be made imme
diately. No subscription was binding until the sum of $1,200 was
signed and the site selected for the building. Joseph Ames 2d, Isaac
C. Paige, and William Noble were appointed a building committee, and
the site opposite the county buildings was presented to the subscribers
by David C. Judson. A committee was appointed to secure incor
poration from the Board of Regents, but the amount of property neces
sary for this purpose was increased about that time, rendering it impos
sible to accomplish the object until later. On the 8th of May, 1835, a
legislative act authorized a tax upon the town of Canton of $500 for
a classical school, provided an equal sum should be raised by subscrip
tion, the fund to be turned over to the trustees of the gospel and school
lot for investment, the income to be paid annually to the support of the
academy. These provisions were carried out, and on the 9th of April,
1837, an act was passed authorizing a tax of $500 annually for three
years on the taxable property of the town, to be invested in a manner
similar to the foregoing, provided an equal sum was raised by subscrip
tion. This was also accomplished. An act of incorporation was passed
April 24, 1837, appointing Silas Wright, jr., Minot Jenison, Thomas
N. Conkey, Chauncey Foote, Thomas D. Olin, Richard N. Harrison,
Daniel Mack, Joseph Ames 2d, Simeon D. Moody, Darius Clark, Henry
Barber, and Amos G. Smith, trustees. Previous to this time, and since
1831, a good classical school had been maintained. In 1839 the trus
tees purchased a lot of Mr. Judson adjoining the one they already
owned, and erected thereon a building, a part of which was for the
female department of the academy, and part as a boarding-house. It
was burned in November, 1844, and in the following year the first
building was repaired and an addition erected for the female depart
ment. The academy was successful from the beginning, when it had
ninety-nine students, and reached its highest number in 1846, when it
had 182. It was maintained as an academy until August 20, 1868,
when it was merged in the Union Free School, established in that year.

446 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
In 1883 the present handsome and commodious school building was
erected at a cost of $28,000.
SAINT LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY.1
BY NELSON LEMUEL ROBINSON, B.A., (ST. LAWRENCE AND HARVARD), SECRETARY OF THE
CORPORATION.

SEAL OF THE UNIVERSITY.
Arms, Gules, cross bottony Argent ; quartered with Sanguine, open book Argent ; edges,
covers, and clasps Or.
The seal contains a shield with the arms on a circular field Or, on which is the motto fides
et Veritas Gules, and on the rim the words vniversitas sancti lavrentii in nov. ebor.
mdccclvi. The college colors are scarlet and brown.
The St. Lawrence University was chartered April 3, 1856, for the purpose, as
stated in the act of incorporation, " of establishing, maintaining, and conducting a
college in the' town of Canton, St. Lawrence County, for the promotion of general
education, and to cultivate and advance literature, science, and the arts ; and also to
establish and maintain a theological school and department, in Canton aforesaid."
As at present organized, it consists of two schools, the College of Letters and Science
and the Theological School, independent of each other in their faculties and funds,
and in the instruction and government of their students. A law school was estab
lished in 1869 and graduated two classes, but was discontinued in the fall of 1871.
A field of twenty-six acres, on which a four-story brick building had been erected
by the Universalist Educational Society as the foundation for a Universalist theolog
ical school, was transferred by the representatives of that society to the university
in 1857 ; and during the same year the State appropriated for the new college $25,000,
of which $10,000 were to be expended for "books and apparatus,'' and $15,000 were
to be kept as a permanent fund, on condition that an additional sum of $25,000 should
1 The 'writer is indebted to Rev. Dr. T. J. Sawyer, of Tufts College, to Dr. F. S. Lee, of
Columbia College, and to Prof. C. K. Gaines, of St. Lawrence, for valued assistance in the
preparation of this sketch.

THE TOWN OF CANTON. 447
be raised for the endowment of the school by its friends. With this modest equip
ment the college began. It has struggled with poverty throughout its career, but has
grown slowly and sturdily to a respectable rank among the colleges of the State.
Designing to furnish an educated ministry to the Universalist Church, its founders
cherished the true spirit of education by providing in its by-laws that the College Qf
Letters and Science should remain unsectarian in its teachings and influence. This
provision has been faithfully observed.
The charter trustees were Rev. Thomas J. Sawyer, D. D., Jacob Harsen, M. D., Rev.
William Stevens Balch, Frederick C. Havemeyer, and Thomas Wallace, of New York
United States Senator Preston King, of Ogdensburg; Sidney Lawrence, of Moira
George C. Sherman and Rev. Pitt Morse, of Watertown ; Francis Seger, of Utica
James Sterling, of Sterlingville ; Caleb Barstow and Norman Van Nostrand, of Brook
lyn ; Josiah Barber, H. W. Barton, and Rev. John M. Austin, of Auburn ; Rev. Lewis
C. Browne, of Honeoye Falls; George E. Baker, of Albany; Peter H. Bitley, of
Branchport; Rev. George W. Montgomery, of Rochester; and Hon. John L. Russell,
Martin Thatcher, Barzillai Hodskin, Levi B. Storrs, and Theodore Caldwell, of Canton.
Though not trustees, Rev. Dr. Edwin H. Chapin and Horace Greeley were among the
founders of the university. A by-law of the corporation, enacted pursuant to Mr.
Greeley's request, requiring that " the principal, professors and students in the Theo
logical School shall each be engaged in manual labor at least two hours in each day,"
fell speedily into innocuous desuetude ; but his liberal gift for the purchase of spades and
hoes may still be seen on the treasurer's books. The presidents of the corporation have
been: Thomas Jefferson Sawyer, D. D  1856-67
Martin Thatcher, Esq  1867-68
Richmond Fisk, D. D  1868-71
Jonas Sheldon Conkey, M. D  1871-83
Arthur Guinness Rogers, D. D  1883-87
Edwin Atkins Merritt, LL.D  1887-
The corporation consists of twenty-four members.
The Theological School was opened in April, 1858, by Rev. Ebenezer Fisher, D.D.,
who remained at its head until he died in his lecture room February 21, 1879. Its first
class, of five members, was graduated in 1861. During Dr. Fisher's administration the
school was permanently endowed, and achieved a wide reputation as the first and lead-
iug Universalist theological school in America. More than 150 men passed from his
training into the Christian ministry. He was succeeded, as President and Dockstader
Professor of Theology and Ethics, by Rev. Isaac Morgan Atwood, D. D., its present
head, under whose care its endowment has been doubled, while its standard of educa
tion has steadily improved. Other professors have been Massena Goodrich, M.A.,
Biblical Languages and Literature, 1861--63 ; Orello Cone, D.D., now President of
Buchtel College, Craig Professor of Biblical Languages and Literature, 1865-80 ; John
Stebbins Lee, D.D., Ecclesiastical History and Archaeology, 1869- ; Henry Prentiss
Forbes, D.D., Craig Professor of Biblical Languages, 1881-.

448

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

Edwin Cortland Bolles, Ph. D., D.D., Alpheus Baker Hervey, Ph. D., William Augus
tine Poste, M.A., Oscar Fitzalan Safford, D.D., Adoniram Judson Patterson, DD.,
William Henry Ryder, D.D., George Landor Perin, D.D., John Coleman Adams, D.D.,
and Alonzo Ames Miner, D.D., LL.D., have been lecturers in the Theological School.
Rev. Dr. Ryder died in 1888, and made the school one of the five residuary legatees of
his estate. Thus far $32,808.40 have been received from his bequest. The corporation
has voted to establish a Ryder Professorship of Pastoral Theology on this foundation ;
and Rev. Lewis Beals Fisher, T. S. 1881, of Bridgeport, Conn., a nephew of President
Fisher, has been elected to the chair. The course of study leading to the degree of
Bachelor of Divinity requires four years, but most of the students pursue a three years'
course, for which a diploma is given.

FISHER HALL,

In April, 1859, an academic department was opened by Rev. John Stebbins Lee,
D.D., a graduate of Amherst College, as Principal and Professor of the Latin and Greek
Languages. Dr. Lee continued at its head until 1868, and in 1869, after a year
abroad, was called to the chair of Church History in the Theological School. He was
assisted in his work in the College by John White Clapp, M.A., an honorary graduate
of Amherst, who was Professor of Mathematics until 1865. Professor Clapp was suc
ceeded by Nehemiah White, Ph. D., D.D., now President of Lombard University. Dr.
White had charge of the mathematical department until 1871. At the beginning of
Dr. Lee's administration the work in the academic department was wholly preparatory,
but subsequently classical and scientific courses of study, similar to the ordinary courses
in the New England colleges of that period and leading to the degrees of B. A. and B.S.,
were laid out and were entered upon by a number of the students. In 1865 was grad
uated the first college class, consisting of Hon. Hiram Henry Ryel, now District At
torney of Lewis County, and Hon. Delos McCurdy, formerly District Attorney of St.

THE TOWN OF CANTON. 449
Lawrence County, now a leading lawyer in New York City. Hon. Pardon C. Will
iams, of Watertown, Justice of the Supreme Court, and Mr. Leffert L. Buck, of New
York, a civil engineer of distinction, left college before graduation, Mr. Buck to serve
the Union in the Civil War, and have since received their degrees nunc pro tunc as of
the year 1863.
Rev. Richmond Fisk, D.D., a graduate of Union, was elected President of the College
in 1868, and served for three years. On his accession the preparatory school was dis
continued, and only college work has since been done in this department.

HERRING LIBRARY.
Dr. Fisk was succeeded in 1872 by Rev. Absalom Graves Gaines, D.D., LL.D., a native of
Kentucky, educated at the University of Virginia. To him are largely due the char
acter and influence of St. Lawrence University. His strong intellect, profound scholar
ship, uprightness and purity of character, and persevering, unselfish devotion, have
built up the College. All but about thirty-five of its graduates has been educated
under him. A man of earnest convictions and marked individuality, his influence in
moulding, both intellectually and morally, the minds of his pupils has been notable.
Under his administration were fully developed the true college feeling, an esprit de
corps shown in many college songs and local usages,'and a hearty loyalty to St. Law
rence, which has been proved in many ways. No college can boast a more patriotic
body of alumni. Resigning on acount of illness in 1888, Dr. Gaines was succeeded as
President in 1889 by Rev. Alpheus Baker Hervey, Ph.D., the present head of the
College ; but retains his chair as Craig Professor of Psychology and Ethics, and Politi
cal Economy, and is now fully restored to health. President Hervey is a graduate of
the university, and holds the Cummings Professorship of Natural Science.
Among the professors and instructors in. the College of Letters and Science have been
Moses Marston, Ph. D., late Professor of English Literature in the University of Min-
57

450

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

nesota, Latin and Greek, 1868-73; William Alexander Rich, LL.B., D.D., Latin and
Greek ad interim 1871-72; James Henry Chapin, Ph.D., Geology and Mineralogy,
1871-92; John Stocker Miller, M.A , LL.B., Latin and Greek, 1871-74; Almeron
Zenas Squires, M.A., LL.B., Mathematics, 1872-80 ; Walter Balfour Gunnison, Ph.D.,
Latin Language and Literature, 1875-85 ; Bernhard Jaques Pink, M.A., LL.B., Modern
Languages, 1875-82 ; Charles Kelsey Gaines, Ph.D., Greek Language and Literature,
and English Literature, 1876- ; Henri Hermann Liotard, M.A;, Modern Languages,
1882- ; Henry Priest, M.A., Hayward Professor of Mathematics and Physics, 1883- ;
Clement Morelle Baker, M.A., Latin Language and Literature, 1885-92 ; Frederic
Schiller Lee, Ph.D., Physiology and Biology, 1886-87; Robert Dale Ford, M.S.,
Mathematics, 1887-90 ; George Robert Hardie, M. A., Latin Language and Literature,
1892- ; Ceylon Samuel Kingston, B.A., Mathematics, 1892-93. The professors in the
Law School were Leslie Wead Russell, LL.D., lately Attorney- General of New York,
Property, 1869-71; William Christopher Cooke, Practice, 1869-70; Stillman Foote,
M.A., Contracts, 1869-71.
The requirements for admission to the College and the courses of study leading to
the degrees of B.A., B.S. and Ph.B. are of essentially the same grade as in the best
colleges of the State. Instruction is offered at present in :
Greek (Language and Literature).
Latin " "
German "
French' " " "

Algebra. Geometry.
Trigonometry. Surveying. Analytical Geometry.
Differential Calculus.
Integral Calculus.
Ancient and Modern History,
with more detailed courses
in Greek, Roman, English,
and American History.
Civil Government,
Parliamentary Law.
International Law.
Political^ Science.
Political Economy.

Mechanics.Physics.
Electricity. Astronomy. General Chemisty.
Analytical
Analytical Physiology.Zoology.
Botany. Mineralogy.
Geology.
Microscopy.

Metaphysics.
Psychology. Rhetoric.Logic.
Ethics.
Evidences of Religion.

(Qualitative). (Quantitative).

THE TOWN OF CANTON.

451

No pains are spared to develop in the student right methods of study, power of
attention, close observation, and independent judgment. He is encouraged to original
thought and assisted by judicious criticism. Especially in the sociological and kindred
studies of the junior and senior years, propositions are not dictated but demonstrated,
and opportunity is given him to maintain his own opinions ; oral drill in the lecture
room is supplemented by a system of written reviews. Throughout his course he is
required to write themes and essays, subject to detailed criticism. Successful classes
for parliamentary practice and debate are conducted on a system which originated at
St. Lawrence. In the treatment of English literature, especial attention is given to the
study of literature itself by means of an extended course of critical reading ; thorough
ness is enforced by weekly examinations. In the languages, proper appreciation of
the classics as literature and the historical bearings of what is read, are particularly in
sisted on. Full courses are given in both pure and applied mathematics. The courses
in physics, chemistry and biology include a large amount of practical work in the labor
atories. Students designing to do advanced work in any department are encouraged
and assisted. A course of four years is required for the Bachelor's degree. The studies
of the freshman and sophomore years are prescribed, while in the junior and senior
years a considerable number of electives is offered. Since 1886 the Master's degree has
been conferred only on examination after the completion of regular courses of work.
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy for independent research has been given upon
thesis and examination in one instance. It is intended that this degree shall be con
ferred only when warranted by the standard of the best American universities.

TBrI^We,;-

mm

¦

COLLEGE HALL.

As yet the means of the College of Letters and Science are too limited to provide for
special scientific research. Its policy has been to furnish a thorough liberal education
as a sound basis for further development in lines of culture or professional study. The

452

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

beneficial effect of its discipline is seen in the earnestness with which large numbers
of the graduates continue their studies in professional schools, and at leading American
and foreign universities. It is, however, greatly to be desired that adequate provision
may be made for the erection and endowment of special chemical, physical and bio
logical laboratories and for instruction in the fine arts.

COLLEGE FIELD FROM THE WEST.

The library contains about 11,000 volumes, catalogued according to improved meth
ods, several thousand pamphlets, and a few valuable paintings and other works of art.
It is open daily and is used constantly by the students and the public. Although it
comprises many rare and costly books, including the Loveland collection and the library
of the late Prof. Dr. C. A. Credner of the University of Giessen, rich in theological
works, especially of the early decades of the sixteenth century, it has of late been de
pendent for accessions upon the gifts of friends, and its wants are manifold. Private
libraries containing from 15,000 to 20,000 volumes are open to the students. Since the
loss of the income formerly supplied by the generosity of Mr. S. C. Herring, the library
has had for the purchase of books only the income of a fund of one thousand dollars,
the gift of a friend who prefers to remain unknown. A fund of twenty- five thousand
dollars is greatly needed. There are also several class-room reference libraries.
The university is admirably situated in a region at once attractive and remarkable
for healthfulness, with spacious grounds on a hill overlooking the village of Canton
the shire town of St. Lawrence County. With abundant facilities for recreation, the
students are peculiarly free from undue distraction in their work, and are prompted to
industry by every legitimate incentive. The unavoidable temptations to vice and dis
sipation are here at a minimum, and are utterly discountenanced, not merely by the
discipline of the college, but also by the general sentiment of the students and the
neighborhood. The university buildings are University Hall, of brick, 45 x 100 feet,

THE TOWN OF CANTON. 453
four stories high, erected in 1856 ; Herring Library, a fireproof structure of Potsdam
sandstone, with a capacity for 60,000 volumes, built by the late Silas C. Herring, of
New York, in 1870 ; Fisher Hall, a substantial edifice of Canton marble, erected in
memory of President Fisher by the alumni in 1882, for the use of the Theological
School ; and a president's house, of brick, erected by President Atwood in 1887. They
stand in the middle of the college field, which is adorned with native trees and is
ample for the f jture growth of the university.
The students maintain two public debating societies, one in each school, holding
weekly meetings ; an athletic association which holds an annual field day, and various
boating, baseball, football and tennis clubs. There are three Greek letter societies
and two brotherhoods which occupy comfortable club housps. The Laurentian Pub
lishing Company issues The LaurenUan, a monthly undergraduate journal, devoted to the
interests of the university. About forty free scholarships in the College of Letters and
Science have been established in the various schools of St. Lawrence County and
Northern New York, in the Clinton Liberal Institute at Fort Plain, and by private
donors. The total necessary expenses of each student average from $175 to $300 per
year. Many without means work their way through college by teaching and in other
ways, and graduate free from debt. From the first, women have been admitted to all
the privileges of the university, and number about one-fifth of its graduates.
The university has received no aid from the State since the first grant of $25 000.
Its benefactors have been many. Among them may be mentioned Charles A. Ropes,
of Salem, Mass., whose gift of $5,000 in 1865 saved the Theological School from sus
pension : Augustus C. Moore, of Buffalo, a charter trustee, who gave $30,000 to the
Theological School ; John Craig, of Rochester, from whose bequest each school received
$25,000 in 1873 for the endowment of a Craig Professorship ; Alvinza Hayward, of
California, a native of Canton, who endowed the Hayward Professorship of Mathema
tics and Physics in the College with $30,000 in 1874 ; George A. Dockstader, of New
York, who gave $10,000 to endow the Dockstader Professorship in the Theological
School; Mrs. Lorena Bicknell, of Stockholm, who left $10,000 to the college in 1873 ;
Thomas A. Goddard, of Boston, who left $3,000 to the Theological School ; Miss Sarah
A. Gage, of Hudson, who left $37,456 to the Theological School ; Lester Taylor and
Wife, of Fly Creek, who left $4,000 to the Theological School; Rev. William H.
Ryder, D.D., of Chicago, whose bequest of $32,808.40, has already been mentioned ;
Mrs. Abby M. Simmons, of Victor, who bequeathed $5,000 to the College in memory
of her husband, the late Richmond Simmons, Esquire ; Dr. Joseph W. Clowes, of New
York, who gave $5,000 to the College in a time of serious need ; the Hoyt and Wat
son families of Sennett, from whom it has received four different legacies ; the late P.
T. Barnum, who gave it $5,000, besides a bequest not yet received ; George C. Thomas,
of Philadelphia, a generous friend, who gave the College $5,000 ; and the late David I.
Stagg, of New York, under whose will the Theological School is to receive one-sixth
of his residuary estate.
Previously to 1885 it was the practice of the trustees to pay the current expenses of
the College of Letters and Science out of the funds, as the school had never been ade
quately endowed. It was the opinion of the then lately elected treasurer, Mr. George

454

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

Robinson, that this policy was unsound, and that an endowment should be obtained.
Accordingly, in June, 1885, the corporation voted to expend no more of the funds for
any purpose, and thereafter to confine the expenditure of the university to its income.
At that time the funds of the College amounted to barely $50,000. The wisdom of this
action is shown by the fact that they now (December, 1893) amount to over $165,000.
A plan, suggested by the Treasurer, for raising a fund of $50,000 by means of interest-

INTERIOR OF LIBRARY.

bearing subscriptions, payable in five annual payments, was adopted. A vigorous can
vass was conducted by the officers and friends of the university, assisted by the county
press, with such success that the sum of $50,508 was raised before November 30, 1887,
without expense to the institution. About one-fourth of the whole sum was contrib
uted by alumni and considerably more than one-half by citizens of St. Lawrence
County. The undergraduate students, many of whom were working their own way
through college, gave upwards of $1,000. The names of the subscribers to this fund,
over four hundred in number, are engrossed upon parchment and hang in Herring
Library. Immediately thereafter the raising of another $50,000 was begun under the
supervision of President Hervey, and was completed in 1889 by the gift of $25,000 by
Columbus R. Cummings, Esquire, a native of Canton, now of Chicago, to establish the
Cummings Professorship of Natural Science.

THE TOWN OF CANTON. 455
The property of the university may be summarized as follows :
ENDOWMENT FUNDS.
College of Letters and Science :
Alvinza Hayward Professorship  $30,000 00
John Craig Professorship  25,000 00
Joseph W. Clowes  5,000 00
Lorena Bicknell  10,000 00
Alumni  50,000 00
Richmond Simmons  5,376 16
George C. Thomas  2,500 00
Columbus R. Cummings Professorship  25,000 00
Joseph Boaidman Noble  250 00
Harriet Watson  660 65
Phineas Taylor Barnum  1,000 00
Jeremiah Davis  1.000 00
Eliza M. Wight  1,000 00
Edward S. Hoyt  3,382 14
Rachel Hoyt  2,000 00
Other funds  3,030 05
 $165,198 00
Theological School:
Charles A. Ropes  $ 5,000 00
Augustus C. Moore  30,000 00
John Craig Professorship  25,000 00
George A. Dockstader Professorship  10,000 00
Thomas A. Goddard  3,000 00
Sarah A. Gage  37,456 00
Lester Taylor  4,000 00
William H. Ryder Professorship  32,808 40
David I. Stagg  5,018 61
Nancy Burton  1,000 00
Laura A. Davis  666 69
Other funds  91 91
 $154,041 61
The Library:
Rich  $900 00
Other funds  97 00
 $997 00
Total Endowment Fund  $320,236 61
Buildings and grounds  100,000 00
Collections etc  20,000 00
Total property of university  $440,236 61
The foregoing estimate does not include legacies and gifts announced but not yet
received.

456 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The funds are nearly all invested in bonds and mortgages on real estate. About
$31,000 are held in corporate bonds. The policy of the university is to keep entirely
free from debt, to incur no expense until the means are provided for paying it. The
endowment of the College of Letters and Science ought to be three or four times its
present amount in order to provide for the present needs of the college. St. Lawrence
is the only college in the State north of the line of the Erie Canal, and is situated at
about the middle of a fertile belt with a population of over 350,000, to whose youth
it offers the only means of obtaining a liberal education, without going a considerable
distance from home. Probably nine-tenths of its graduates would never have gone to
college had not St. Lawrence been at their doors. Upon the welfare and growth of
the university the interests of higher education in this part of the State are largely
dependent. GENERAL SUMMARY.
The present teaching force is as follows :
College  8
Theological School  6
14
Officers of administration  5
Trustees  23
The whole number of students in 1892-3 was :
COLLEGE. THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL.
Graduate students  17 Graduate students  2
Seniors  14 Seniors  8
Juniors  16 Middlers  16
Sophomores  29 Juniors  4
Freshmen  39

Special  19

Total  30

Total  135
Whole number of students in university  165
The whole number of graduates is 514, classified as follows :
Bachelors of Arts  73
Bachelors of Science  171
Bachelors of Philosophy  6
Bachelors of Laws  15
Bachelors of Divinity  10
Graduates in Theology  195
Civil Engineer  1
Masters of Arts on examination  4
Masters of Science on examination  4
Doctor of Philosophy on examination  1
Honorary Graduates  34
514 43 471

Dead. 2

Living1, 71

9

162

0

6

4

11

0

10

20

175

0

1

1

3

0

4

0

1

7

27

THE TOWN OF CANTON. 457
Among these, exclusive of honorary graduates, the learned professions are represented
as follows :
Clergymen  191 20 171
Teachers, including college presidents and professors. . . 85 7 78
Lawyers  57 7 50
Physicians  21 1 20
Civil Engineers. . . . :  3 0 3
Total  357 35 322
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Laws of New York, 8vo. Albany, 1857, chapter 91, Charter of St. Lawrence University ;
1857, chapter 350 Appropriation for College; 1868, chapter 133; 1869, chapter
288, special acts amending charter.
Mauuscript Records of the Corporation. Canton. Folio. 1856-94.
A Discourse occasioned by Locating a Universalist Seminary in Canton, N.Y., delivered
in the First Presbyterian Church, Sunday, April 6, 1856. By J. R. Hale. 8vo.
Pp. 47. Boston, 1856.
A curious sermon in which subscribers to the fund for securing the proposed
school, belonging to orthodox churches, are advised not to pay their subscrip
tions. By invitation of the First Presbyterian Church, President Hervey was
inaugurated and the commencement exercises of the university were held in
this church in 1889.
Act of Incorporation and By-laws of the St. Lawrence University, together with forms
of contribution by subscriptions, bequests and devises, for the use of the same.
New York. A. Taylor & Son, 1857. 16mo. Pp. 15.
The same. Canton. 1871. 16mo. Pp.10.
Statement of Facts and Reasons in behalf of the Universalist Theological School at
Canton, N.Y. Canton, 1860. 8vo. Pp. 13.
An interesting pamphlet prepared by Dr. Fisher, containing much informa
tion in regard to the early history of the school.
Laws and Regulations of Sf. Lawrence University. Canton. 12mo.
Circulars, with statement of Courses, etc. 1859, 1866, 1868, 1871. The earlier issued
in lieu of a catalogue.
Annual Catalogues of the St. Lawrence University. Canton. 8vo. 1864. 1866. 1867.
1869-94.
Triennial Catalogues. Canton. 8vo. 1876. 1879. Quinquennial Catalogues. 1885.
1890.
The St. Lawrence Plaindealer. Weekly. Canton. Folio. 1856-94. The thirty seven
volumes of this journal, issued since the founding of the university, contain almost
weekly references to the institution, and form an invaluable record of its history
and growth.

458 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Scrap-books kept by the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Canton. 4to. These contain news
paper clippings, programmes, and other printed matter of interest. At present in
four volumes.
Annual Reports of the Regents of the University of the State of New York. Albany.
8vo. 1857-94.
The St. Lawrence University. Harper's Weekly. New York, December 5, 1868,
With woodcut of University Hall, and portraits of Dr. Fisher and Dr. Fisk.
Old and New. Monthly. Boston. See Vol. IV, 1871, page 129 et seq.
History of St. Lawrence County, New York. Philadelphia, 1878. Contains historical
sketch of the University by W. A. Poste, M.A., and a lithograph of the college
buildings.
Circular of information of the College of Letters and Science of the St. Lawrence Uni
versity. Canton, 1880. 8vo. Pp. 8.
The Gridiron. Canton, 1880, 1882. Students' annual. Illustrated by Frederic Rem
ington and others.
Memoir of Ebenezer Fisher, D.D., by George H. Emerson, D.D. 12mo. Boston, 1880.
Portrait of Dr. Fisher.
The Public Service of the State of New York. 4to. Boston, 1882.
Shall St. Lawrence University be Saved ? 8vo. Canton, 1886. Pp. 8. A statement
of the condition of the college made during the canvass for the first $50,000 fund.
Universalism in America. A History. By Richard Eddy, D.D. 2 volumes. 8vo.
Boston. 1886. Contains a brief sketch of the university, and in the bibliography
attached much valuable information in regard to the university library.
The Laurentian. 4to. Monthly. Canton, 1888-94. An undergraduate journal de
voted to the interests of the university.
Much information is to be found in the files of the Christian Leader. Weekly. Boston,
1879-94, and in the predecessors of that journal : also in the Universalist Register.
Annual. Boston.
New York State World's Fair Educational Exhibit. Handbook No. 26. 32m. Albany,
1893.
James Henry Chapin, of Connecticut. By George Sumner Weaver, D.D. New York,
1894.
Morley Village. — This place was formerly known as " Long Rapids "
and is situated on both sides of the Grass River in the northeast corner
of the town. Stillman Foote began the settlement herein 1810 by
building a dam and a saw mill. Pitts Bailey and Christopher Wilson
from Vermont purchased the village site and the mill, and in 1815
placed in the mill two run of rock stones ; two years later they built a
new grist mill, having burr stones. In this mill Thomas Fenton had
a wool carding machine ; a few years later he built a factory farther
down the stream and carried on his business about twenty years,

THE TOVv"N OF CANTON. 459
Wilson built a frame house on the east side and Bailey on the west side
of the river ; the latter built the hotel which he kept for many years.
The first bridge was built about 1820. The first saw mill on the west
side was built by Charles Barrett, who built also a tavern on that side
which was burned The first store was kept by J. P. Cummings, and
he built the stone building which is still standing. Isaac Whitney was
his partner six years. The present stone mill was built in 1840 and is
now operated by Johnson Brothers. The hotel is now kept by Mrs.
Erwin. The saw mill is run by James Whitney, and the Whitney
Brothers have established a butter tub factory. Mercantile business
has been considerably extended, and is now in the hands of Healey
Fenton, Edwin T. Spaulding, William Scruton, and W. Z. Whitney.
The name of the place was changed to Morley when the post-office was
first established. William Scruton is now postmaster. The school
building was erected about i860 and now serves the purpose of a good
graded school.
Episcopal Church, Morley. — Trinity Chapel (a mission) was erected
in 1870-71, chiefly through efforts of T. L. Harrison, one of the most
liberal and energetic citizens. It is a handsome structure of stone, and
cost about $ 1 2,000. On the 26th of July, 1871, it was consecrated by
Bishop Doane. From that time to the present the mission has been
prosperous and has been served by the pastor at Canton. Services in
this faith had been held here, previous to the building of the chapel, in
the school-house. Rev. R. W. Brown, of Canton, has the church in
charge at the present time.
Wesleyan Methodist Church. — Previous to 1843 members of this faith
had worshiped in the village school- house. On the 23d of September
of the year named they met and organized the First Wesleyan Meth
odist Society, with David Clemens, Joel Seger, Zelotus Whitney, John
W. Allen, and Thomas Buffam, trustees. A plain frame church was
built the same year at a cost of $1,200 ; in 1845 a parsonage was built
costing $800. The present pastor is Rev. J. F. Wright.
Rensselaer Falls. — This village is situated near the northwest corner
of the town on the east bank of the Oswegatchie River, and is a sta
tion on the R. W. & O. railroad. It is thirteen miles from Ogdensburg
and ten miles from Canton. The river has a fall of about six feet at

460 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
this point, affording water power, which has been utilized for several
manufacturing establishments. Among the more prominent early set
tlers at this point and in its vicinity may be mentioned John Shull, sr ,
N. Hammond, Jacob Shull, Archibald Shull, Christian Ghering, A.
Johnson, W. Randall, J. Ghering, C. Goodell, Dea. Hanna, S. Walrotl^
Leonard Herring, A. Sunderlin, and A. Sharp. The village was
formerly known as " Tateville," from Robert Tate, formerly a surveyor
and a prominent citizen; it was also called "Canton Falls," previous
to the establishment of the post-office in 185 1, when it was given its
present name. The first important progress of the place was effected
through the starting of a forge by Tate, Chaffee & Co. ; this was on the
west bank of the river just below the dam. It was operated to about
1848, but was finalty abandoned ; the ore used was from Hermon and
Lisbon. John Shull, jr., as agent for Mr. Van Rensselaer, built a
saw mill in 1839, on the site of the present cheese box factory. The
first mill was carried off by a flood ; it was rebuilt and afterwards
burned. The site was later occupied by the Phcenix Bent Works ;
this was changed to a box factory about 1880 by B. F. Spooner. Otis
Brooks is the present operator, and turns out about 1,000 boxes per
day. The first grist mill here was built in 1842 by Henry Van
Rensselaer and was burned in the spring of 1875. The mill was rebuilt
the same year by Rose & Son, and has passed through various hands.
It is now operated by Maloney & Morrison. The saw mill, with plan
ing machinery attached, is now run by Solon Dexter. The first
tavern was built by John Shull, jr., and ihe first store was kept by
Thomas Leonard, where J. W. Browne carried on business for many
years. The post-office was first opened in 1851, with Archibald Shull,
postmaster. The present official is George J. Hinsdale. The village
now contains fourteen stores of all descriptions and two hotels, with the
necessary number of mechanic shops of various kinds. Succeeding
the district schools a graded school was established for the village, and
the present school building was erected in 1880. Three teachers are
employed and the number of pupils in attendance is about 1 50.
The Congregational Church was organized June 6, 1842, with ten
members. Jeduthun Farwell and three other trustees were elected.
Rev. Goram Cross served them as their first pastor. The society

THE TOWN OF CANTON. 461
prospered, and it was resolved to erect a church. July 19, 1847, a
meeting was held, and John Shull, jr., William Hanna, and T. F. Rath-
bone chosen trustees. The church was completed in the last of the
year 1848, and dedicated January 11, 1849. Its cost was $800. In
1875 extensive repairs and improvements were made in the building,
and it was rededicated February 16, 1876; again in 1891 the house
was repaired and repainted inside and out; the whole cost was about
$5, 000. In 1870 a parsonage was erected, costing $1,500. The pres
ent membership is 115, and the pastor is Rev. J. O. Griffith.
Methodist Church. — The first class of Methodists here was formed in
the spring of 1853 by Rev. A. Blackman, from the Heuvelton Circuit.
This class prospered under the ministrations of Revs. H. Woodruff, S.
F. Kenyon, and W. C. Lent, until in 1857 it was apparent that a church
building was necessary. In 1858 the Kendrew neighborhood (in De
Kalb) was taken, and with the Rensselaer Falls class formed, a charge.
The society was incorporated November 11, 1858, with Joseph L. Gil
bert, Robert Wilstrop and Joseph Wheater, trustees. In that year a
church was built, costing, with the site, $1,000. A parsonage was
afterwards erected, costing $400, and a church was built in the Kendrew
neighborhood at a cost of $900. Cooper's Falls appointment was also
added to this charge. In 1866, during a period of unusual prosperity,
the church and parsonage were sold for $1,875, an^ a new church was
projected. A lot was bought and a brick building erected, finished and
dedicated September 16, 1868; it cost about $8,000. ' This sum was
raised by subscription. The present membership is about sixty, and
the pastor is Rev. Mr. Tisdale.

462 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXVII.
THE TOWN OF POTSDAM— ORGANIZED IN 1806.
POTSDAM was the seventh town erected by an Act of the Legis
lature passed February 21, 1806, formerly attached to Madrid.
It was one of the original ten townships, No. 3, and is said to have been
named thus by the commissioners on the discovery by the surveyors of
a bed of redish sandstone resembling the Potsdam sandstone in the
town of that name in Germany. The original land titles will be found
on pages 82 to 85, patented to Macomb, etc.
The first town meeting in Potsdam was held at the house of Benja
min Raymond, April 4, 1806, where the following officers were chosen :
Supervisor, Benjamin Raymond ; town clerk, Gurdon Smith ; commis
sioners of highways, Bester Pierce, David French, and Gurdon Smith ;
assessors, Giles Parmelee, Horace Garfield and Benjamin Bailey ; over
seers of the poor, Jabez Healey and David French ; pound masters,
William Smith and Oliver Boyden ; overseers of highways, Benjamin
Raymond, Benjamin Stewart, Levi Swift, Abner Royce, jr., Archibald
Royce and Isaac Buck ; fence viewers, Levi West, Bester Pierce and
Benjamin Stewart.
On November 18, 1802, a large portion of this township was con
veyed to Levinus, and John C. Clarkson (see Clarkson family, Part II), '
Hermon Le Roy, Nicholas Fisk, Garret Vanhorn, and William Bayard,
who took steps to open the way for settlers. They employed as their
land agent, Benjamin Raymond, who had assisted the original commis
sioners in subdividing the townships. Mr. Raymond, with six men, a
set of mill-irons, provisions, and all necessary implements required to
commence a settlement in the wilderness, left Fort Stanwix (Rome) in
May, 1803, in a bateau, and proceeded by the old route of Wood
Creek, Oneida Lake, Oswego River, and down Lake Ontario, the
River St. Lawrence, and to Point Iroquois above Waddington. Here
they left part of their load and proceeded on foot with packs on their

THE TOWN OF POTSDAM. 463
backs through the woods, reaching Raquette River about half a mile
below the present village of Potsdam, thus becoming the first settlers
in the town. They built a raft and ascended to the falls, where they
erected a hut on the west bank of the river. In the mean time they
had the remainder of their goods hauled over with ox team on " travois."
They commenced the erection of a dam and saw mill, which was put
into operation that fall. Mr. Raymond was satisfied that the river and
falls were sufficient to afford abundant power, and that was the proper
place to commence a village ; therefore, during the summer he surveyed
roads in different directions leading to Hopkinton, Canton and Madrid.
He had them bushed out and worked sufficiently for teams to pass,
and in the mean time he opened a land office in a log shanty. During
the summer several persons came to town and purchased lands. Eb
enezer Patterson and wife were said to have been the first white family
that moved into town The following are the names of those who
took contracts of land that year : Christopher Wilson, Jabez Healey,
John Fobes, Moses Patterson, Elihu Knights, Asa Knapp, Elias Cham
pion, Gurdon Smith, Joshua Conkey, Francis Whitney, John Delance,
Benjamin Stewart, Giles Parmele, Sylvanus Eaton, Archibald Royce,
William Smith, Chester Dewey Nathaniel Bailey, David French, Esau
Rich, Reuben Ames, Barnabas Ames, Benjamin Bailey, Howard J.
Pierce, Newell B. Smith, Ansel Bailey, Ebenezer Hubbard, and Eb
enezer Patterson. Two of these took deeds during that year — Benja
min Stewart and William Smith. Mr. Stewart's was the first deed
given to a settler of this town and was dated July g, 1803 ; it covered
the northwest part of lot 42. Mr. Smith's deed bore date September
19, 1803, and covered 320 acres, the north half of lot 26, the purchase
price being $800.
Jabez Healey and John Fobes came in from Vermont, making the
journey from Lake Champlain on horseback. After a few weeks, dur
ing which they made contracts for land, they returned. In the fall of
the same year Healey and his eighteen year old son came back to
Potsdam with small packs of supplies to prepare for the advent of the
families. They built a log house and cut the timber from a few acres
of land. They then again returned to Vermont, and in the spring of
1804 Mr, Healey came on to his settlement with his wife and eight or

464 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ten children, three horses and some cattle. Mr. Smith and Mr. Fobes
also brought their families in the spring of 1804, and others who are
known to have arrived in that year were Christopher Wilson, Benja
min Bailey, Howard J. Pierce, Benjamin Stewart, John Delance, Joseph
Bailey and his sons Nathaniel and Ansel. Mr. Raymond also brought
his family that spring.
Gurdon Smith located at "West Potsdam," which was long known
as "Smith's Corners." He had been chief of a corps of surveyors
under Benjamin Wright, and had surveyed a large part of Macomb's
purchase. During the year 1804 other settlers came, among whom were Eben
ezer Parkhurst, jr., William Ames, Barnabas Hogle, Thomas Bowker,
David Carey, Jehiel Slafter, Joseph Wright, Lebbeus Johnson, Bester
Pierce, Roswell Parkhurst, Alvin Mills, Reuben Field, John Bowker,
Spalding Waterman, Ezra Crary, William Bullard, and several asso
ciates. Mr. Bullard, while in New England, drew articles of an agree
ment and a constitution in which each member of the company to be
formed was to share according to the amount of property or labor in
vested. All things relating to the association were to be decided by a
majority vote, strictly democratic, although their religious or political
views were not to be criticized. An account was to be kept with each
member of the amount of stock invested and the days' work performed,
when a settlement was to be made at the annual meeting in January of
each year. About a dozen signed the agreement when William Bull
ard, the projector, was made agent and John Borroughs, secretary.
The party, with their families, came in as above stated, and on the 28th
of November, 1804, purchased a tract of 2,427 acres, about two miles
north of the present village, at a cost of $8,656, and commenced the
settlement. After a couple of years several of the members withdrew
and others were taken in, when, in the month of May, 1807, they
formed an association on the same basis, which was styled " The
Union." The names of the male members were William Bullard, John
Borroughs, Manassa Smith, Nathan Howe, Ammi, Thomas and Will
iam Currier, Isaac Ellis, Alba Durkee, and John McAllaster. The
" Union" prospered fairly, but in 1810 dissolved by mutual agreement,
the land was divided, and most of them continued to reside on their

THE TOWN OF POTSDAM. 465
farms. It is said that the energetic women objected to continue the
union, as their more indolent sisters were receiving the benefit of their
labor, although they continued to be friendly with each other.
Mr. Raymond, having gone south with his family to stay with their
friends during the winter of 1 804-5, and when returning in the spring,
accompanied by his family, his brother in law, Wright and his family,
and his cousin, Sewall Raymond, all in sleighs, they were completely
deserted by the snow at the Ox Bow, on the Oswegatchie River, in the
edge of Jefferson county. Mr. Raymond immediately directed the
construction of a raft out of about thirty pine logs, on which the sleighs,
goods and families were placed, and on which they proceeded down
the swollen stream to Cooper's Falls in De Kalb. The horses were
sent over land in charge of Sewall Raymond, and from Cooper's Falls
there was enough snow to serve the party to Potsdam. About thirty
settlers came in and took up land that season.
Mr. Raymond commenced work on a frame grist mill at the village
in 1804, which was put in operation the next year, and also erected a
frame building for dwelling, store and office.
The first child born in Potsdam was Orpha Maria Smith, daughter
of William Smith, on the 20th of April, 1804. The marriage of John
Delance and Nancy Healey was celebrated in the summer of 1804;
this was probably the first marriage in the town. The first death of a
settler was that of James Chadwick, from Massachusetts, who was killed
by a limb falling from a tree in July, 1805.
It is worthy of note that John Smith, an uncle of the famous Joseph
Smith, the Mormon leader, was a very early settler in this town. He
accompanied " Joe " to Utah and became a high priest in the Mormon
church. He was succeeded at his death by his son, George A. Smith,
who was also a native of Potsdam.
The first post office was established in town, April 21, 1807, with Dr.
Pierce Shepard as postmaster. He was also the first physician to settle
in the town.
The early settlers found Indians camping in the town, but they were,
as a rule, very friendly when sober. They assumed the right, however,
to enter the dwellings of settlers at any time and with very little warn
ing. The Indians obtained considerable money from the sale of furs,
59

466 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
and were almost the only source at first whence the settlers could get
cash, which they did by trading the Indians produce or rum.
David Barnum came to the town in 1807, and Simeon Dart in 1808,
the latter settling at Smith's Corners (West Potsdam). Timothy Shep
ard came about the same time and settled at the falls on the east side.
Josiah Fuller came in 1808, bringing, as one of his family, L. W. Fuller
when two years old. He was a tanner, and subsequently built a small
tannery, with vats on the outside of the building on ground afterwards
occupied by the Richards flouring mill. Mr. Fuller contracted for the
triangular tract of land between the river, Market and Raymond streets,
and cleared away the thicket on the east shore. He built a one and a
half story house on the Market street side of his lot, and there kept for
some years a good public house. It was afterwards kept by Samuel
Pease. Down to the year 1809 a ferry was maintained across the river for
those who came to the mills and others who wished to cross ; but in that
year a bridge was built on the present bridge site, which endured until
1830, The next one was in use to about the close of the last war,
Liberty Knowles came to the town in 1809 and was admitted to the
bar in the next year. A brief sketch of his life will be found in another
department of this volume.
Settlements continued to increase, and in 18 10 the town had a popu
lation of 928, and was the fourth town in the county in that respect. In
1 8 10 the village consisted of only seven buildings; these were small
frame structures, all those outside of the immediate settlement being of
logs. There was no church, but Judge Raymond habitually held relig
ious services in his house on Sundays, and they were soon attended by
many of his neighbors. When the attendance began to overcrowd his
rooms he built a house that will be described further on. The only
schools at that time were private ones, there being no school organiza
tion until 1813, when Benjamin Raymond, Gurdon Smith and Howard
J. Pierce were chosen commissioners of common schools. It is probable
that Mr. Pierce was the first teacher in the town. A fulling mill was
built in 181 1 on the island.
Calls for militia to serve along the St. Lawrence River were followed
by enlistments, with their attendant anxieties and foreboding in the

THE TOWN OF POTSDAM. 467
War of 1812. Ansel Paine served thus for eight'months in a company
enlisted in Potsdam, Madrid and Massena. The first captain was Bes
ter Pierce, of Potsdam, and the company served near Waddington, at
Ogdensburg, and finally at Sackett's Harbor. In a general way the
effect of the war was to stimulate business and growth in Potsdam and
other interior towns, as large quantities of army supplies passed through
the town and markets were unusually active. The old American Hotel
building, which became a land mark, was erected in 1813. Most of
the turnpike through Potsdam, Hopkinton and Parishville was con
structed during the war period. These roads cost from two to three
dollars per rod. The first distillery in town was built in 1813 by the
land proprietors. Previous to the war the one store kept by Judge
Raymond sufficed for the community, but in 1813 Sewall Raymond, a
cousin of the judge and father of George Raymond, who came into the
town with the judge in 1805, when he was nineteen years old, built and
opened a store on the east side of the river, where L. D. Andrews now
is located, corner of Main and Market streets. For many years Sewall
Raymond continued in business and was a prominent citizen. In early
years he was clerk in the land office for Judge Raymond, learning sur
veying, and did a great deal of that work in this section. He was one
of the original board of trustees of the academy and was clerk of the
board until his death on July 1, 1866. Dr. Robert McChesney, who
came to the town about the beginning of the war, continued a large
practice to about the time of his death in 1824. Horatio S. Munson,
long a prominent citizen, started a nail factory on the island as early as
1 8 18, cutting the nails from plates and heading them by hand.
There were many prominent men came into the town during the in
flux caused by the war and settled in business. At the close of the
conflict there were six stores in the village and twenty-five or thirty-
houses. But when the channel of trade was opened on the St. Lawrence
River, all the east side merchants failed except Mr. Raymond. There
was neither a hotel nor a store in the town outside of the village. John
Raymond, a brother of Sewall, employed as clerk (nineteen years old),
came to the village in 1815, and it is related of him, as indicating how
like a wilderness this whole section remained, that he thought he had
indeed reached a wild country when he ran across a panther on Sunday

468 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
evening just at dusk in the middle of Elm street, sitting on its haunches
like a dog, a short distance before him. As he advanced, the animal
leaped over a ditch to the side of the road, when he discovered it was
a panther, and probably was the mate to the one that had been killed
near by a few days before. The next moment he leaped back into the
road and watched the boy for a short time, who stood his ground con
sidering what it was best to do, when the panther again leaped over the
ditch and crept behind a stump, where Raymond could see his fierce
eyes peering out on one side and his tail swinging angrily to and fro on
the other. The lad hastened to the nearest house and informed the oc
cupant, who took his rifle, and the two returned to the spot, but the
panther had fled. Several sheep had recently been killed in the neigh
borhood, and it was determined to destroy the beast. The whole coun
try around was notified and promptly turned out, surrounded a large
tract of some twenty miles, and gradually closed in together. While
two bears, a large number of deer, and a quantity of smaller game was
secured, the panther escaped.
About the year 1821 the first building of much importance was
erected in the village, of the now extensively used sandstone. It was
the store still standing on the southeast corner of Market and Elm
streets, and was built by Liberty Knowles, Sewall Raymond and Charles
Partridge. It was an experiment on their part, to ascertain if the stone
was suitable for such a purpose ; the results are well known. About
1822-3 Mr. Knowles built a tannery, to be operated by Azel Lyman,
and Mr. Partridge a distillery, of the same stone. Aside from the mills
and shops, these were among the prominent early manufacturing in
dustries. In 1823-4 Mr. Partridge built also a three story stone
structure known as the " Aqueduct Buildings," in which water was
raised to supply the tannery and distillery. Pump logs were laid to
various parts of the village and the citizens were supplied with water at
five dollars each per year. The prevailing temperance agitation of a
few years later led Mr. Partridge to close his distillery, and it was not
reopened. David French, who purchased land in the town in 1803,
came a few years later and settled about midway between Potsdam vil
lage and Canton, where he was a successful farmer, and kept a public
house from 18 19 for more than thirty years. He died November 15,
1854.

THE TOWN OF POTSDAM. 469
In 1845 the town voted, by a small majority, to erect a town house
in the village, for which purpose, under a legislative act, a tax of $1,200
was imposed in two annual installments. The tax money was antici
pated by loans, and the building was erected the same year, on the
west side of the public square, by William Sweet, under direction of
Henry L. Knowles, Samuel Partridge, Flavel Smith and William W.
Goulding. Amos Blood settled at West Potsdam in 1835, and there were then
several houses and a blacksmith shop there. At about the same time
Barnabas Yale and his sons, John and Lloyd C, settled a mile west of
West Potsdam, where a saw mill was already in operation, to which a
run of stone was added by Alexander Bailey. Other settlers followed
the Yales and led to the founding of the hamlet known as Yaleville.
About the same time Edward Crary built a grist mill, which was the
first at the point known as Crary's Mills, in the extreme southwest cor
ner of the town. A small tannery was also built there and a few settlers
gathered about. Buck's Bridge had also become of some importance,
and on the 30th of March, 1836, a post-office was established there
with Owen Buck in charge.
In the financial crisis of 1837-8 the village of Potsdam felt the de
pressing influences to some extent, but the thriving agricultural district
near at hand prevented any general stagnation of business. In 1849
Dr. Henry Hewitt, of Potsdam, became convinced that by making cer
tain improvements in the channel of the river, logs in great quantities
could be floated down from the great wilderness at very little expense,
sawed into lumber at Potsdam, and made a source of profit to the com
munity. He convinced others of the feasibility of his project, and cir
culated a petition to the Legislature asking an appropriation of $10,000.
The work was accomplished, and, as expected, produced splendid results
in this town.
In 185 I the United States Mutual Insurance Company was organized
in West Potsdam, the directorship embracing many prominent men ;
but it was a little ahead of its time, and closed its business after a few
years. In 1857 the old town house was burned, and after considerable agi
tation a small majority voted to build the second one, which was done
in 1858, at a cost of $5,000.

470 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The principal features of the War of the Rebellion as they related to
St. Lawrence county, have been described in Chapter XV of this work ;
consequently a brief allusion to it here is all that is necessary. There
was only one draft held in the county, under which the quota of Pots
dam was one hundred and eighty- six men. On this the town was en
titled to a credit of ninety-three. The quotas under the other several
calls were all filled, the bounties ranging from the first one paid by the
general government and the State, up to $1,000, which was the gross
sum paid to those who enlisted, under the call of July 18, 1864. So
efficient was the work of the men having in charge the filling of the
two quotas of 1864, that at the close of the war this town could have
stood a call for sixty men and filled it without a draft. The town fur
nished between 900 and 1,000 men.
The history of the town during its last decade is largely embodied in
the account of the various industries and institutions of the villages.
During that period manufacturing operations, as will be seen, have at
least kept pace with the growth of the town in other directions.
In 1875 measures were inaugurated for building a new town house,
the old one having become inadequate for the public need. A resolu
tion providing for a new structure was adopted at the annual town
meeting in February, 1875, the appropriation being $20,000. The
movement met with fierce opposition, but the resolution was adopted
by ten majority. The passage of the necessary act by the Legislature
was also actively opposed, but it went through in April, and William
H. Barnum, William Mathews and Norman Swift were appointed a
committee to build the new structure. The tax was anticipated by a
loan of $20,000, payable in five equal annual installments, which the
supervisors were authorized to levy. The old building was demolished
in the same spring, additional land was purchased, and during the sum
mer the new building was erected, of Potsdam sandstone. It is ninety
by sixty-eight feet in size, with basement and mansard roof. 'The
upper part is devoted to a public hall or theatre, with balcony and com
modious stage. THE VILLAGE OF POTSDAM.
The act of incorporation for the village of Potsdam was passed March
3, 1 83 1. The act provided for the election of a board of five trustees,

THE TOWN OF POTSDAM. 471
to be elected annually on the first Monday in May, who were to elect
one of their number as president of the board, and appoint a clerk, a
treasurer, a collector, a constable and a pound master, who should
hold their offices for one year, unless sooner removed by the trustees.
The following officers were elected :
Trustees, Jabez Willes, Horatio G. Munson, Sewall Raymond, Samuel Partridge and
Frederick C. Powell ; president (elected by the board), H. G. Munson ; treasurer, Jesse
Davison ; clerk, Justus Smith.
Following is a list of the presidents of the village up to date (1893) :
1831, H. G. Munson; 1832, Jabez Willes; 1833, Justus Smith; 1834-5, Samuel
Partridge ; 1836, Theodore Clark ; 1837, Sewall Raymond ; 1838, H. G. Munson ; 1839,
Jabez Willes ; 1840, Samuel Partridge ; 1841, Benjamin G. Baldwin ; 1842, George
Wilkins; 1843-45, Sewall Raymond; 1846-7, Theodore Clark; 1848-50, Noah Per-
rine; 1851, Chas. T. Boswell; 1852, Joshua Blaisdell ; 1853, H. H. Peck; 1854, Theo
dore Clark ; 1855, J. H. Sanford ; 1856, Noble S. Elderkin ; 1857, Amos Brown ; 1858-
59, Seth Benson; 1860-62, Wm. H. Wallace; 1863-4, A. X. Parker; 1865-6, H. H.
Peck; 1867-9, A. X. Parker; 1870, Milton Heath ; 1871-3, B. Usher; 1874-5, Milton
Heath; 1876, H. L. Knowles; 1877, Milton Heath; 1878-80, A.X.Parker; 1881-87,
Hosea Bicknell ; 1888-89, Luther E. Wadleigh; 1890, A. X. Parker; 1891, John G.
Mclntyre ; 1892, O. G. Howe ; 1893, L. E Wadleigh.
At a meeting held May 3, 1832, a village seal was adopted, having
for its device a tree under the word Potsdam. On the 3d of July, 1832,
Zenas Clark. George Wilkinson and Justus Smith were appointed a
board of health, and John Parmelee, health officer. This action was
taken in anticipation of possible danger from cholera, which was then
prevalent in most parts of the country.
The village charter was amended April 10, 1841, by which the
boundaries of the village were enlarged, additional powers were con
ferred upon the trustees relating to the purchase and holding of real
estate, building of sidewalks, construction of sewers, reservoirs, etc.
Fire Department. — The means for extinguishing fires in Potsdam has
passed through the usual evolution from a few buckets and ladders to
the modern steam fire engine and water works. The burning of all the
early village records leaves us with very little data of early conditions
in this respect. A fire company was organized here soon after 1820,
but it became almost useless through disorganization. In 1853 the
village owned two hand engines, and the department was regularly

472 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
organized in 1857, with J. R. Jackson as chief engineer. The organ
ization included the Potsdam Engine Company No. 1, and Frontier
Hose Company No. 1. Among those who have since held the office of
chief engineer are J. B Lombard, A. X. Parker, J. L. Brown, C. E.
Haywood, and T. H. Swift, who occupied the position more than ten
years. The present chief is Julius Palmer.
Early in 1889 a steam fire engine was purchased at a cost of $4,000.
This, with three hose companies and a hook and ladder company, sup
plemented with hydrants connected with the water mains, constitute an
efficient equipment. In 1890 a lot on the west side of Market street
was purchased by the village, of Harvey M. Story, for $1,000. On
this a brick engine house was erected, with a lock-up in the rear and a
hall on the second floor. The building is twenty-seven by fifty-five
feet, and cost about $2,500. In this building are kept the steamer and
Hose Company No. 3. Hose Company No. 1 and the Hook and Lad
der Company are located in Firemen's Hall, and No. 2 is on the west
side of the river.
Potsdam Water Works. — The works consist principally of a stone
building thirty-four feet square and two stories high. The works were
constructed in 1871, the original cost being about $50,000, for which
the village authorities issued bonds. The water is pumped from a fil
tering pier on the Holly system, by water power, with the exception of
an auxiliary steam pump, which was added in 1890, at a cost of $2,500.
Improvements have also been made in the original pumps. The entire
cost of the works to the present time (1893) is nearly $60,000 ; but the
cost of the late improvements noted was paid from the village funds.
The bonds, in a sum of $40,000 issued in 1 87 1, and $10,000 issued in
1872, had twenty years to run at seven per cent, interest. Of this
amount $37,000 of the first issue became due April 1, 1891, and were
refunded at four per cent., payable $2,000 annually; and on April 1,
1892, the $10,000 were refunded in like manner, payable $500 annu
ally. The original commission chosen to procure plans, specifications, etc.,
were William H. Wallace, Samuel B. Gordon, E. A. Merritt, Bloomfield
Usher and E. W. Foster. About four miles of mains were originally
laid, which have been extended to nearly or quite six miles.

(£/>2^t <£~-»~~^r (y^

o^^^L

THE TOWN OF POTSDAM. 473
Sewerage. — It is an evidence of the enterprise of the people of Pots
dam that they appreciate the great importance of perfect drainage to the
health and growth of the village. On the 6th of May, 1886, the first
meeting of citizens was held for the consideration of this subject. A
law was procured from the Legislature giving authority to bond the
village for $25,000, and a commission composed of Thomas S. Clark
son, Hosea Bicknell, D. F. Ellis, William H. Walling and Charles L.
Brackett was appointed. Under this action about seven miles of sewers
have been laid, giving the village almost a perfect system of drainage.
For $20,000 of the cost notes were made which were taken by the Pots
dam National Bank, and these have been taken up by payments made
from taxes collected for the purpose.
Electric Lights — In the fall of 1886 a contract was entered into with
the Thompson- Houston Company, under which the village was lighted
for a time. Their interests were taken by a company called the Pots
dam Electric Light Company, which continued only a short time, when
a corporation under the name of the Potsdam Electric Light and Power
Company was formed in 1888, and since that time has given the village
efficient service in this respect. The streets are lighted with nearly
eighty arc lights, and incandescent lamps are extensively used by in
dividuals and firms. The officers of the company are as follows : Thomas
S. Clarkson, president; W. Y. Henry, vice-president; Hosea Bicknell,
treasurer. Hotels. — Some of the early public houses of Potsdam have been al
luded to in the history of the town. Probably the first of these was
the one built and kept by Josiah Fuller, father of L. W. Fuller, in the
first years of the century. The old American Hotel is now doing duty
in a small way as a public house. The St. Lawrence Hotel was a
noted public house for many years, and the building in which it orig
inated still stands on the corner of Market and Main streets. What is
now the Windsor House was built by Noble S. Elderkin, and has been
used since as a hotel and kept by various persons. It is now (1893)
kept by Sheridan & Cameron. Henry W. Knapp kept Knapp's Hotel
on Main street for some years. The original building, now occupied
by the Albion Hotel, was built by M. V B. Ives, to which A. J. & C.
R. Holmes have since made two additions, the first in 1884 and the
60

474 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
last in 1888. They have kept the house about twelve years and have
made it very popular with the traveling public.
Capital Crime. — John Donnovan was legally executed at Canton,
April 16, 1852, for murdering James Rowley in Potsdam village, Jan
uary 23, 1852. They had been drinking freely and quarreled over their
beer and exchanged blows, but had apparently become reconciled and
parted friends. Donnovan, however, followed Rowley and inflicted
several wounds with a jack knife which proved fatal.
Plank Roads is under the head of Internal Improvements, see page
167. Agricultural Societies. — See page 216.
Bay Side Cemetery. — For many years before the establishment of
the present burial ground in Potsdam it was felt that a more desirable
place should be selected for the remains of those called away by death
than the former one. A meeting was held on the 14th of October,
1865, over which Rev. H. C. Riggs presided, H. N. Redway acting as
secretary, at which the Bay Side Cemetery Association was organized.
The present name was adopted and twelve trustees were appointed as
follows : Bloomfield Usher, William W. Morgan, John H. Seeley, T.
Streatfield Clarkson, Edward Crary, E. D. Brooks, George Richards,
Edward Hitchings, Aaron M. Deming, Harvey M. Story, H. C. Riggs,
and Hiram H. Peck. The association being organized, a second meet
ing was called October 23. Bloomfield Usher was chosen president of
the Board of Trustees; H. C. Riggs, vice-president; T. S. Clarkson,
treasurer; Edward Crary, secretary. A constitution and by-laws were
provided and an executive committee appointed. Twenty one acres
of land, situated on the west side of the river, were purchased of Mr.
Usher, and arrangements made for surveying and laying out the ground.
The consecration ceremonies took place October 6, 1866, when ad
dresses were made by William A. Dart, Rev. H. C. Riggs and others.
In 1867 fifteen acres of land were added to the ground, and with im
provements since made, the many well kept lots and handsome monu
ments, the cemetery is now a spot to which the mourner may turn
with sadness tempered by the beautiful surroundings.
Potsdam Red Sandstone Company} — This is the name of a company
of quite recent organization, but the inception of the business carried on
I Furnished by the proprietors.

THE TOWN OF POTSDAM. 475
by them dates far back in the past. The value of what has long been
known to geologists as Potsdam red sandstone for building purposes
has been locally known to some extent for many years ; but it was left
for enterprising men of more recent times to fully demonstrate this
value and bring the stone into extensive use. During the early years
of this town the sandstone was quarried in a primitive manner by al
most anybody to use in buildings, walls, etc. Among the earliest to
work in the quarries now controlled by the company, of which we are
writing, were members of the Parmeter family, who continued it many
years. The present company is composed of Edwin A. Merritt, jr.,
and Ogden H. Tappan. They succeeded a company of the same name
composed of E A. Merritt, jr., James W. Barker, George Z, Erwin and
W. R. Weed. The quarry in which that company operated is not now
used, better and more convenient workings having been opened. The
present company took the business in 1889, and since that time have
probably done more to extend a knowledge of the stone and prove its
great value, as well as its sale, than all the others who proceeded them
in the business. The owners of the quarries have secured the skill of
the most eminent scientists in the country, among them Professor J. S.
Newberry, of the School of Mines, Columbia College, in analyzing and
testing the stone, from which has been built up a wealth of evidence
that is absolutely incontestable as to its great value in every respect.
Professor Newberry has written of the stone as follows: " It is stronger
than any granite and much more durable, since granites are composed
of quartz, feldspar, mica and hornblende, all of which, except quartz,
are liable to decomposition on exposure. From this danger this stone
is free; composed as it is of pure silica, it will bid defiance to the tooth
of time, and had the obelisk now standing in Central Park been com
posed of as dense and homogeneous stone as Potsdam sandstone, it
would to-day be as perfect as when erected at Tanis, 1500 years B. C."
This is strong testimony and need not be amplified here, for all who
are interested will receive from the company, upon application, a great
amount of detail regarding the qualities of the stone, which would be
out of place in these pages. It may, however, be added that there are
buildings of this material now standing in the village of Potsdam which
are from fifty to seventy-five years old, and which bear to the ordinary

476 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
observer every appearance of having been erected within a decade.
Among these is a dwelling erected by Gardiner Cox in 1838 ; the resi
dence of Judge C. O. Tappan, which is sixty years old, built by the late
Judge Allen; the Usher residence, General E. A. Merritt's residence
and others. In a concise description of this sandstone we find the fol
lowing : " It is a fine-grained sandstone cemented with silica and weigh
ing more than any other sandstone, over 160 pounds to the square
foot. The cementing material is so unaffected by acids that the stone
can be boiled in pure nitric acid for hours without injury. It is capable
of withstanding crushing strains of 42,000 pounds per inch. It is so
nearly fire-proof that it has been used in the vicinity to line cupola fur
naces. For lining bank vaults it is superior to any other material ex
cept steel. In color the stone is an ideal red, being deep, rich and
brilliant, and retaining its freshness unimpaired by any condition of
climate or situation."
Very many important and costly buildings have been erected of this
stone, and stand to-day as monuments of its beauty and durability.
Among these may be mentioned the Houses of Parliament at Ottawa,
which cost over $4,000,000 ; All Saints Cathedral, Albany, now in
process of construction, costing about $2,000,000, and many others.
The stone is now shipped to all parts of the country, a recent order
going to Washington, D. C.
The quarries now in process of working expose seventy feet in thick
ness, and the output is very extensive, while something like 100,000
cubic feet is carried in stock. The quarries are known by numbers,
reaching from one to four, the color varying more or less in all. Water
power is used for the propulsion of the machinery used in pumping,
etc. Two hundred acres of land on both sides of the Raquette River
are owned and controlled by the company, where extensive buildings
have been erected.
The Clarkson Sandstone Quarries are situated about three miles south
of the village of Potsdam, and are owned by Thomas S. Clarkson. The
quality and color is the same as the old quarry and used for the same
purpose in building. This quarry was opened and worked in 1877, and
now about fifty men on the average are employed.

THE TOWN OF POTSDAM. 477
The Clarkson Manufacturing Plant was founded by Clarkson &
Brown in 1886, for the manufacture of butter firkins and tubs, which is
now carried on alone by Mr. Clarkson, who also turns out a large
quantity of shingles on Fall Island.
The Watkins and Turner Lumber Company. — Henry A. Watkins
came to the village about the year 1842, and died on March 29, 1891.
He was also for many years one of the principal operators of the large
mills on the west side of the river, which are now owned by the Wat
kins & Turner Lumber Company. The mill is one of those that were
originally built soon after 1850, in the period when advancement in this
direction was rapid, by Elderkin, Clark & Co. There were several
early changes in its ownership, and in 1863 it was owned by Watkins
& Burnham. and later by Watkins, Lester & Co. Eventually the
Raquette River Lumber Company was formed, of which Mr. Watkins
was a member; that was in 1884, and it was succeeded by the Watkins
Lumber Company, and that by the Watkins, Turner & Co., which was
formed in February, 1891, and the following are the officers : C. H.
Turner, president ; H. A. Watkins, vice president ; B. Turner, secre
tary ; H. E. Barnard, treasurer. The last two are residents of Platts
burg. The capital of the company is $100,000. The mill now contains
two circular saws, two gangs, a planing mill, and has a capacity of
100,000 feet per day. The company owns about 35,000 acres of timber
lands in the forests south of Potsdam. This mill occupies substantially
the site of the old mill of 1803, mentioned in earlier pages.
The same company carries on a kindling wood factory, which was
started in the spring of 1893, with a capacity of 16,000 bundles daily.
The factory is near the depot, and is equipped with machinery for its
purpose. The A. Sherman Lumber Company. — The little hamlet called Sisson-
ville, a few miles below Potsdam village, owes its existence to a mill
put in operation there between 1840 and 1850 by persons from the
'east. It was burned in 1852. Pomeroy & Pearson built a mill on the
site, which they operated a few years only. In 1866 George W. Sisson
settled there, and in partnership with Alfred H. Griswold erected a new
mill with six gangs of saws, which produced about 65,000 feet of lumber
a day. In 1875 Augustus Sherman, of Glens Falls, became a partner

478 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
in the mill, when the firm name of the A. Sherman Lumber Company
was adopted. This arrangement continued until 1885. In 1886, after
the death of Mr. Sherman, William R. and Frederick A. Weed, grand
sons of Mr. Sherman, came into the business as partners, and the mill
has been operated by them and Mr. Sisson since. The capacity of the
mill is upwards of 100,000 feet per day, and it has also machinery for
cutting slabs into lath ; a shingle mill with a capacity of 25,000 per day ;
a planing mill with capacity of 60,000 feet per day, and a box factory
from which a carload can be turned out daily. Logs for the mill come
from the south woods down the river, as far as fifty miles away. The
firm owns 40,000 acres of timber land tributary to the Raquette River.
About 150 hands are employed by them. In 1881 the saw mill was
burned, with 2,000,000 feet of lumber and twenty dwellings. The mill
was rebuilt, and other property restored as far as possible.
Sash, Door and Blind Factory. — In 1853 Seth C. Ellis & Co. built a
sash factory on the island. In 1855 George B. Swan acquired an in
terest in the business, and soon afterward became the sole proprietor,
and for many years before he died carried on a large business. In 1885
Thos. S. Clarkson purchased the property and continued the business
until April 4, 1888, when the property was destroyed by fire.
D. A. & W. A. Moore purchased the premises formerly occupied by
George B. Swan, who used it until 1884 as a door, sash and blind fac
tory. In the last named year the Moores purchased the business, and
have since conducted it on a large scale in the manufacture of doors,
sash, blind, screens, finished lumber, interior finish, lath, shingles, etc.
Foundry and Machine Shop. — The foundry was built by Judge Jabez
Willes not long after 1820. He was succeeded by Knowles & Watkins.
C. W. Leete in 1851 acquired an interest in the foundry, when a ma
chine shop was added. The former went out of the business in a few
years, and Mr. Watkins in 1872. Since that time it has been carried
on by Mr. Leete, chiefly in the manufacture and repairs of mill ma
chinery. A second machine shop was started August 1, 1884, by M. Hughes
and Son, where they do a general line of machine work and repairing.
Flouring Mill — The old mill, previously mentioned, in which was
combined not only a grist mill, but a saw mill and cloth factory, stood

^U5>N*a«K 0{. ^^

THE TOWN OF POTSDAM. 479
about 150 feet east of the present building. This site carries with it
the monopoly of grist grain grinding in the town. The present stone
structure was erected in 1830 by members of the Clarkson family, and
two„years later passed to Rodee and McCarthy. About the year 1856
it was sold to Brockins and Hitchings, and they were soon afterward
joined by D. K. Brown. After Mr. Brockins's withdrawal from the firm
Brown & Hitchings operated the mill until about 1872, when they were
forced to assign. S C. Crane, as assignee, conducted the mill a short
time, when it was sold to Watkins, Foster & Rodee, who conducted it
to about 1876. It was then sold to Hitchings & Conlon, who operated
it only about ten months, when in the fall of 1877 it was purchased by
Robert Wood, the present proprietor. It was changed by him in 1885
to a roller mill of seventy- five barrels capacity.
The Raquette River Paper Company. — The organization of this com
pany was effected in February, 1891, with a paid up capital of $50,000,
and the following officers: George W. Sisson, president; Carlton E.
Sanford, vice president ; F. T. Flint, secretary and treasurer; James
A. Outterson, superintendent. Other stockholders are Fred. L. Dewey
and Flora E Snell. The mill stands on the east side of the Raquette
River, on an old saw mill site below Potsdam village. The old build
ings on this property were removed to make way for the paper mill
plant, for which two large structures were erected. The power is fur
nished by five large water wheels, and the product is now about eight
tons per day. A sulphite department was added to the plant in the
fall of 1893.
Tanneries. — At an early day tanning was carried on in a small way
by L W. Fuller, but was soon given up. Another early tannery, situated
at the foot of Raymond street, was built by Davis & Sayles, who oper
ated the tannery a few years, when Davis purchased his partner's in
terest. In 1858 the property was sold to Duff & Barnes, who operated
it five years. After several changes were made, the property, in 1880,
was sold to A. Sherman, who remodeled the old tannery into a planing
mill and furniture factory.
Cabinet Shop. — Previous to 1841 almost all the furniture used in this
section of the country was made by hand. In that year Benjamin T.
Batchelder established a factory for making furniture by machinery.

480 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
It was situated on Fall Island, but in different localities in the village at
several different periods. Three times the factory has been totally de
stroyed by fire, once by a freshet, and once partly burned. It is worthy
of mention that on all of these occasions the fire started elsewhere and
communicated to Mr. Batchelder's building. In 1869 he was joined by
his son, Henry C. Batchelder, and in 1874 a younger son, Charles E.,
came into the firm. In 1874 they opened a wareroom in the village in
connection with their manufactory. The elder Mr. Batchelder died in
1882, but the firm name has been retained and the business is carried
on by the brothers.
Wait & Sons, manufacturers of fine cabinet ware, stair builders and
general jobbers in wood work, established their business in 1878.
They have all the necessary machinery for carrying on a successful
business. Picture Studio. — N. L. Stone & Son carry on a business in a three
story building fronting ninety four feet on Market street, which consists
in part of the copying and enlarging of photographs. In this business
Mr. N. L. Stone was one of the first to commence, and the first one in
Potsdam, where he settled in 1870 and began business in 1872. The
firm now makes seven grades of crayon pictures, six of ink work, two
of pastel, and three of water-colors and one in oil. This firm has in
troduced every facility that skill can devise, aside from the employment
of artists or specialists, in their particular line. Competent men are
employed to solicit orders throughout the United States and Canada.
About 15,000 portraits are now made annually.
The Thatcher Manufacturing Company. — This company was organ
ized in 1879, consisting of H. D. Thatcher and H. P. Barnhart, for the
manufacture of " Orange Butter Color." Mr. Thatcher began in 1862
experimenting, and continued his researches until the object was ob
tained and the company formed. Other inventions in the line of dairy
implements have since been perfected, such as a cream and milk protec
tor, a milk can measurer, bottle, etc. In 1887 Dr. Thatcher sold his
interest in the manufacturing company to H. P. and S. L Barnhart.
In December, 1889, a stock company was formed with a capital
stock of $60,000. The officers were as follows : Thomas S. Clarkson,
president; George Z. Erwin, vice-president ; Carleton E. Sanford, W,

THE TOWN OF POTSDAM. 481
R. Weed, Louis E. Ransom (of New York), H. J. Sanford (of Parish
ville), with H. P. Barnhart, and S. L. Barnhart, the first being treas
urer and the latter secretary. The active management of the company
rests with the two Barnhart brothers. After the formation of the stock
company they erected a plant on Depot street, in Potsdam village, with
a brick building thirty by one hundred feet. The basement is occupied
by the machinery and the compounding of the butter color. The
packing is done on the third floor, while the main floor is used for the
offices and the labeling of goods.
A new invention of the managers is attracting attention, consisting
of a machine for printing and cutting the milk jar caps simultaneously.
Attached to this machine is a device for paraffining the caps as they
come from the press. They have also perfected a cheese color for
which there is a large demand.
The Potsdam Milk-Sugar Company. — This company was organized
January I, 1893. for the manufacture of milk products, including but
ter, fancy French cheese and milk sugar. Thomas S. Clarkson is pres
ident ; Henry S. Wilson, vice-president ; D. F. Ellis, secretary and
treasurer. The capital is $25,000. The buildings are on the site of
the door, sash and blind factory formerly operated by Mr. Clarkson,
and which burned down in 1887. The stone building formerly occu
pied by the D. F. Ellis Butter Company, which began business April
1, 1890, is also used by The Milk- Sugar Company. The business of
this company is rapidly assuming large proportions, employing as they
do men who have given years to the business and who can make as
fine goods as the markets afford. Their products are sold largely in
this State, although quite an amount of their butter and fancy cheese
find sale in New Jersey and Connecticut. The milk-sugar finds ready
sale among manufacturing chemists and for baby foods, and is pro
nounced by experts to be the finest product of this nature manufactured
in this country.
A very destructive flood occurred in the village in May, 1871.
Heavy rains swelled the volume of water and the reservoir dam gave
way, bringing down toward the village a terrible flood, carrying along
the wreck of the Ellsworth mill, a quantity of logs, etc. This was on a
Saturday, and all night long the inhabitants remained up to watch the
61

482 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
expected catastrophe. At noon on the following Sunday a bulkhead
above the island was crushed, and the torrent poured through, carrying
away part of the Batchelder furniture factory and taking the east part
of the building of Watkins & Leete's shop. The upper part of Spar
row & Swan's shop was carried off and the floor on which was the
heavy machinery was left. The booms at Sissonville, with their logs,
were carried down, and at Hewittville parts of the dam and the bridge
and the booms filled with logs went down with the flood. Most of the
property was recovered at Norwood, where the booms withstood the
torrent. A destructive fire occurred on the 17th of January, 1890, which
burned all of the property between the old American House and Ray
mond street, causing a loss of $20,000 on buildings and about $50,000
on goods, etc. But the burned district has been rebuilt and with a far
better class of buildings.
The Potsdam Savings and Loan and Building Association was organ
ized in May, 1890, with Hosea Bicknell, president; Hollis Snell, vice-
president ; B. T. Scott, secretary ; F. M. Peck, treasurer. It is a
prosperous institution.
The following persons have served as supervisors of the town :
Bpnjamin Raymond, 1807 ; Charles Cox, 1 808 ; Benjamin Raymond, 1809; Charles
Cox, 1810-11; Benjamin Raymond, 1812 to 1817, inclusive; Gurdon Smith, 1818 to
1821, inclusive; Samuel Partridge, 1822; Gurdon Smith, 1823-1824 ; Samuel Partridge,
1825; Horace Allen, 1826-27 ; Samuel Partridge, 1828-29 ; Zenas Clark, 1830 to 1834,
inclusive; Ansel Bailey, 1835 to 1837, inclusive; Amos W. Brown, 1838; Ansel Bailey,
1839; Aaron T. Hopkins, 1840 to 1843, inclusive; Thomas Swift, 1844-45; Isaac
Parker, 1846-47; Charles Dart, 1848-49 ; Amos Blood, 1850-51 ; Isaac Parker, 1852
to 1854, inclusive; Benjamin G. Baldwin, 1855; Aaron T. Hopkins, 1856 to 1860. in
clusive; Edward W. Foster, 1861 to 1876, inclusive; Erasmus D.Brooks, 1877-81;
John A. Vance, 1882-92 ; M. V. B. Ives, elected February 1894.
National Bank of Potsdam. — This institution is the successor of the
Frontier Bank, which began business in Potsdam, May 1, 185 1.
Previous to that time the village had been without a bank. There were
originally three stockholders — H. P. Alexander, of Herkimer ; J. C.
Dann, of Sackett's Harbor; and Bloomfield Usher, of Potsdam. The
capital was $50,000. On the 1st day of May, 1854, it was reorganized
under the State laws and its capital increased to $100,000. The bank

H antic Puhlishinq lEnqravinq >

THE TOWN OF POTSDAM. 483
continued a successful career until October 28, 1866, when the Frontier
Bank ceased to exist under that name and the National Bank of Potsdam
succeeded, with its capital increased to $162,000. The next increase
of capital was made March 1, 1871, when it was raised to $200,000.
The stock of the institution has always been largely held by the original
proprietors of the Usher family, and the monopoly of banking business
of this section held by the bank for many years gave it great prosperity.
It has now a surplus and profits of about $60,000. Bloomfield Usher
held the office of president from the beginning until January, 1890,
when Luke Usher was elected president and William Usher was made
cashier. The present board of directors are as follows : Bloomfield
Usher, Luke Usher, George A. Hardin, William Usher, P. F. Bellinger.
W. Y. Henry is teller and book keeper. The bank building was
erected in 1853.
The People's Bank of Potsdam. — This financial institution was organ
ized on the ist of May, 1889, with a capital of $50,000. Its president
and one of the principal promoters was, and still is, Carleton E. Sanford
(see biography in later pages). Its vice-president was William A.
Herrick, who was succeeded by W. W. Weed, and he by C. M. Peck,
who is the present incumbent. The first cashier was William L. Pert,
who was succeeded by Frank D. Barry, the present cashier. F. M.
Peck was the first teller. In the board of directors were C. E. Sanford,
W. A. Herrick, Theodore H. Swift, W. W. Weed, Hosea Bicknell,
Hollis Snell, John S. Thompson, George S. Wright and Royal Newton.
C. M. Peck succeeded to a directorship when Mr. Herrick died, and
A. D. Heath, Frank F. Flint and Rufus L. Sisson have succeeded
Messrs. Weed, Snell and Wright. Under the progressive and liberal
management of these men the People's Bank has been especially pros
perous and has already accumulated over $10,000 surplus. Its bank
offices are convenient and commodious, and contain a large and secure
vault, with Yale time locks, built especially for it. It has the entire
confidence and liberal support of the community.
The Press.  The first paper in the town was The Potsdam Gazette,
started January 13, 1 816, by Frederick Powell. It was a small sheet,
eighteen by twenty-two inches, and neutral in politics. It was a weekly,
had four columns to the page, and survived to April, 1823. In January,

484 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
1824, Mr. Powell began the issue of another paper similar in character,
a little larger, and called The Potsdam American. It was later pub
lished by the firm of Powell & Redington, and lived until April, 1829.
In May, 1829, Elias Williams issued from the same press an anti-
Masonic weekly called The Herald ; it was discontinued in August the
same year. In April, 1830, William Hughes published on the same
press The Patriot, another anti-Masonic sheet; it was continued to
early in 1 831, when the press was removed to Ogdensburg by W. B.
Rogers, and used in the publication of The Northern Light
On the nth of April, 1844, Mr. Charles Boynton began the publica
tion at Canton of the Enquirer and Tariff Advocate, a campaign paper,
devoted to Whig politics; it was stopped in November following. From
the same office was issued the Democratic sheet called The Northern
Cabinet and Literary Repository, started by Mr. Boynton January
2, 1843. The latter became unpopular with the Democratic party, and
was removed at the close of the second year to Potsdam, where it con
tinued on its former plan one year, when the literary department of the
paper was issued semi-monthly, in octavo form and in covers, given up
almost wholly to literary matter, and its name changed to The Reposi
tory : the first number of this was dated July 20, 1846. At the end of
the fourth volume The Cabinet was sold to William L. Knowles, and
thenceforth issued under the name The St. Lawrence Mercury. Mr.
Knowles continued it two years, when he sold out to Wm. H. Wallace,
who continued it about two years longer under the same name. In
June, 185 1, he sold to H. C. Fay, who changed the name to The St.
Lawrence Journal. In July, 1852, he consolidated the paper with The
Potsdam Courier, under the name of The Courier and Journal. ' The
latter journal was started by Vernon Harrington in the fall of 185 1, and
was neutral in politics. The union of these two papers under the very
able and intelligent management and editorship of Mr, Fay at once
made an impression upon the reading public of Northern New York.
About the year 1858 The Northern Freeman was started by Doty and
Greenleaf in Canton. O. D. Baker succeeded Greenleaf, and the paper
was removed to Potsdam, where in 1861 it was united with The Courier
and Journal, and the name made The Courier and Freeman, by the firm
of Fay, Baker & Co. In 1862 Baker & Fay succeeded, and after one

THE TOWN OF POTSDAM. 485
or two other unimportant changes in the firm the establishment came
into the sole ownership of Elliott Fay, who conducted the business until
May 13, 1891, when he associated with himself his son, Ernest A. Fay,
under the style of Elliott Fay & Son. The paper is now a large nine-
column folio, and is devoted to Republican politics.
The St. Lawrence Herald. — This paper was started in January, 1878,
by William M. Hawkins & Son (Watson S. Hawkins), as a temperance
advocate. It was soon afterward changed in character to a local Re
publican journal, and in October, 1881, was sold to Rollin E. Sumner.
He has conducted the business and edited the paper ever since, and
with gratifying success. Beginning with about 1,000 subscribers, it has
steadily increased in circulation until at present there are printed from
2,000 to 3,000 copies, while the editorial conduct has merited the re
spect of the public.
The Potsdam Recorder. — This journal was established at Hermon,
under the name of the Hermon Recorder, in 1886, by P. L. Doyle.
After six years of successful publication in that village, the establish
ment was removed to Potsdam in October, 1892, and the name changed
to its present form. The business is now conducted by Mr. Doyle and
B. G. Parker, editor of the Gouverneur Free Press. The Recorder is a
four page paper, twenty-eight by forty four inches, and aims to be in
dependent on all public questions.
Reading Room. — A movement was inaugurated in 1887 for the es
tablishment of a free reading room and library in Potsdam. Its direc
tion was placed with Thomas S. Clarkson, Timothy O'Brien and George
H. Sweet. After the preliminaries were settled and a liberal fund se
cured by subscription, the two stores on the ground floor of the Albion
Hotel building were leased for a term of three years from March 1,
1887, at $500 annually. The rooms were opened to the public April
16, leading periodicals were provided, and the attendance was encour
aging from the beginning. The expenses for the first year were about
$1,500. The institution continued with increasing attendance during
the second and third years and was so encouraging to those whose lib
erality had supported it. that the rooms were leased for a second term
of three years. The benefits conferred upon the community by this
institution are incalculable, and promise to be permanent.

486 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Schools and Academy. — It is believed that the first school taught in
the town was by Howard J. Pierce, on the North Canton road ; Mr.
Pierce was one of the early purchasers of land. In the summer of 1810
Judge Raymond built a frame building, twenty- four by thirty- six feet,
between what is now Main and Elm streets, a little east of Market street,
which he intended should be used for both church and school purposes.
It had a porch and a small bell, and as the question of having an acad
emy here had by that time received some discussion, this building often
was called the academy. At that time no regular school organization
existed in the town. This building was used for private and district
schools until the organization of the old academy. Acting under the
law passed in 18 12, the electors of Potsdam assembled in special town
meeting at the academy on the 1st day of September, 1813, and chose
Benjamin Raymond, Gurdon Smith and Howard J. Pierce as commis
sioners of common schools. At the same time they elected four in
spectors of common schools : James Johnson, Liberty Knowles, Thomas
Swift and Sylvester Bacon. Since the first division of the town into
school districts there have been many changes. There are now thirty-
three districts in the town. District No 17 has the school building on
Market street ; No. 8 in the new building on Main street, and No. 30
on the west side of the river. Other schools will be noticed in the ac
count of Norwood.
The discussion of the project of having an academy in Potsdam, stim
ulated, doubtless, by the erection of the building before mentioned, by
Judge Raymond, at last bore fruit. When it was finally decided to
make the effort a subscription was started and a liberal sum secured
during the War of 1 812-14. Benjamin Raymond subscribed for a
hundred shares often dollars each, including the building he had al
ready erected, with the lot on which it stood, and Liberty Knowles,
Asel Lyman, Samuel Pease, Robert McChesney, Benjamin Burton,
Anthony Y. Elderkin, Joseph P. Reynolds, William Smith, James
Johnson, R. Taylor, Pierce Shepard, Lemuel Pinney, John Burroughs,
Sewall Raymond, David Parish, and Jacob Redington each took ten
shares. Eighteen others took lesser amounts, making in all 312 shares
— $3,120. In the month of January, 18 13, a petition was sent to the
Legislature for an act of incorporation, but nothing was accomplished

THE TOWN OF POTSDAM. 487
at that time. The incorporation was effected in 1816, with the follow
ing as the trustees : Benjamin Raymond, Liberty Knowles, Pierce
Shepard, Asel Lyman, Joseph P. Reynolds, Sewall Raymond, Robert
McChesney, David Parish, Nathan Ford, Louis Hasbrouck, Roswell
Hopkins. Russell Atwater, and Ebenezer Hulburd. Benjamin Ray
mond was the first president of the board and held the office until
1 8 19. He was succeeded by Liberty Knowles, who held the office
until his death in 1839.
By the act of incorporation the lands in Potsdam reserved for literary
purposes were transferred to the trustees, with power to lease, but not
to sell them. At the first meeting of the trustees in September, 18 16,
they directed the clerk to lease the land in lots of sixty acres or less for
a term of fourteen years, for a peck of wheat per acre, after the first
two years. But even at this low rental it was almost impossible to
find men who would clear the land under those conditions. At the
same meeting a precepter was employed at $428 a year, and prices of
tuition in the several branches were fixed Nathan Dixon, a graduate
of Middlebury College, Vermont, was the first preceptor ; he began in
the fall of 1 8 16, but remained only one year. He and his successors
for nine years taught in the building erected and donated by Mr. Ray
mond. Mr. Dixon had forty- two students. After he left the school
was closed two years, when Levi S. Ives was employed and remained
two years. He was succeeded by Charles Orvis, who remained one
year, and was followed by Rev. Daniel Banks. He was a successful
teacher, and under his administration of about five years the academy
acquired a high reputation. In April, 1825, the Legislature appropri
ated $2,500 to the academy, on condition that a brick or stone edifice
should be erected on ground owned by the trustees. In the same month
the commissioners of highways were authorized to convey, and soon did
so, a suitable lot to the trustees out of land granted by the original
proprietors to the town for public purposes. The trustees then pro
ceeded to erect a stone building facing the public square, and on the
site of the present north wing of the Normal School building. The
corner-stone, was laid by Harmony Lodge of Masons, June 1, 1825.
The building was of Potsdam sandstone, sixty- eight by thirty-six feet
in size, with three stories and a basement, a cupola and belfry. The

488 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
cost was $4,000, the surplus over the $2,500 given by the State being
contributed by citizens. The building was erected by Samuel Partridge,
under direction of Liberty Knowles, John C. Smith, and Joseph P.
Reynolds, and was finished the same year. Soon afterward the old
academy was sold to the Presbyterian church.
Rev. Mr. Banks died in 1827, and the school for the year was finished
by his assistant, Joseph Hopkins. In the following year the Legislature
authorized the sale of the " literature lot," the proceeds to be invested
in a fund, the interest only of which was to be applied to the payment
of teachers ; this was accordingly done. In the beginning of the same
year Asa Brainerd, a graduate of the University of Vermont, was em
ployed as principal, and held the position until the summer of 1847,
nearly twenty years. During this long period the school was exceed
ingly prosperous, and in 1835 it was designated by the Regents of the
University as one of the institutions to which State aid should be given
for the instruction of common school teachers. In consequence of
this action the town petitioned the Legislature for an act, which was
passed, imposing on the town a tax of $500 in 1836, and the same in
1837, to help in the construction of another building. The new struc
ture was erected in 1836, near the other and facing the square from the
east, leaving the church between the two academy buildings. This
building was seventy-six by thirty-six feet and four stories high, and
built of the Potsdam sandstone, and cost $5,200. The school con
tinued to prosper and was considerably extended, and thenceforward
about one hundred teachers were fitted annually to teach in the com
mon schools. In 1847 Mr. Brainerd resigned and was succeeded by
William H. Parker, who remained two years, and was followed by
William F. Bascom. He remained until 1852, and was succeeded by
Rev. E. W. Plumb, D.D., who continued as principal until 1864, with
the exception of one year, 1855, when H. B Bucknam acted in the
position. George H Sweet served as principal from 1865 to tne clos
ing of the academy. In 1867 the trustees conveyed all the property
to the State, in trust for the new Normal and Training School, and in
the spring of 1868 the two stone structures were removed to make a
site for the new building. The academy, as a school, was removed
across the square to the old Methodist church, and continued until

THE TOWN OF POTSDAM. 489
April, 1869, when the academic department of the Normal School was
established and the old historical institution went out of existence.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL OF POTSDAM.
The State Normal School at Albany was established in 1844, and
until 1861 it remained the only school supported by the State for the
education of its common school teachers. In 1861 another school of
like character was established at Oswego. Their graduates demon
strating that special training for their important work enabled them the
better to perform it, a public sentiment was soon created in favor of
the normal system. The War of the Rebellion for a time turned the
thought and energies of the people in another direction, and for four
years no new normal school were organized. But April 7, 1866, the
Legislature, upon the recommendation of Victor M. Rice, superintendent
of public instruction, passed chapter 466, laws of 1866, naming the
governor, lieutenant-governor, secretary of state, the comptroller, the
state treasurer, the attorney- general, and the superintendent of public
instruction, as a commission " to receive proposals in writing in regard
to the establishment of normal and training schools for the education
and discipline of teachers for the common schools of this State, from
the Board of Supervisors of any county, from the corporate authorities
of any city or village, from the Board of Trustees of any college or
academy, and from one or more individuals." The commission was
given the power to locate within the State four additional normal schools.
The act provided for the appointment by the state superintendent of
public instruction of a local board, which should have the immediate
supervision and management of any school so located. The act con
templated that these schools would be deemed of such special impor
tance to the place where they might be located, that different localities
would compete with each other in offering to supply the necessary site,
buildings, furniture, and apparatus for their use.
This theory proved correct, and a lively competition was elicited.
One of the first places to realize the importance of such an institution
was Potsdam. For half a century St. Lawrence Academy had been
maintained here, as before described, and had a name and reputation
62

490 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
as broad as the continent. It had, from its organization in 1816, edu
cated a large number of teachers for the common schools.
Early in the summer of 1866 the Board of Trustees of the academy
passed a resolution tendering to the State Normal School Commission
the grounds, buildings, library and apparatus belonging to that institu
tion for the use of a normal school, if located at Potsdam. At that time
General E. A. Merritt was a member of the staff of Governor Fenton.
He had assisted Superintendent Rice in procuring the passage of the
normal school bill, was quick to realize the importance to any locality
of securing such a school, was probably the first to suggest that Pots
dam might secure one of the four prizes permitted by the bill, and
labored zealously and indefatigably until the end was accomplished.
Henry A. Watkins and Charles O. Tappan, president and secretary
of the Board of Trustees, were among the most active promoters of
this enterprise, and caused petitions to be circulated in the principal
towns of St. Lawrence county, asking that efforts be made to locate a
normal school at Potsdam. At a special meeting of the Board of
Supervisors, held June 19, 1866, the board pledged the payment by the
county of the sum of $10,000, to be used in establishing said school at
Potsdam, and the village of Potsdam, at a special corporation meeting,
pledged $12,000 more. It its annual meeting, November 19, 1866, the
Board of Supervisors voted $25,000 for the same purpose. This was
subsequently modified so as to rescind the former resolution of $10,000,
leaving $25,000 as the whole amount contributed by the county. Soon
after this action was taken the Normal School Commission officially
announced that it would locate one of the schools at Potsdam upon the
condition that the sum of $72,000, in addition to the property donated
by St. Lawrence Academy, should be raised to construct the necessary
buildings, etc. The amount was much larger than was supposed to be
needed, and must be raised by a fixed date. People in other parts of
the county opposed the appropriation made by the Board of Super
visors, and for a time the success of the project seemed in doubt. The
friends of the proposed school used their utmost endeavors to overcome
the arguments and efforts of its opponents, who many times seemed
likely to succeed, but at last all opposition was defeated. December
19, 1 866, at a special town meeting, the citizens of Potsdam nobly

THE TOWN OF POTSDAM. 49i
came to the rescue and voted the sum of $35,000 to complete the
necessary amount to secure the school. The Presbyterian church lot
was purchased for $10,000, with the academy lot and the $72,000 which
had been pledged, as above mentioned, less the amount to be paid for
the church lot, was tendered to the Normal School Commission and
accepted by it, and the school located at Potsdam.
January 23, 1867, chapter 6 of the laws of that year was passed,
which imposed taxes upon the county of St. Lawrence, the town of
Potsdam, and the village of Potsdam to raise the money donated by
them respectively, and created a commission, consisting of Bloomfield
Usher, T. Streatfield Clarkson 2d, Hiram H. Peck, Henry Watkins,
Erasmus D. Brooks and Charles Cox, to prepare and improve the lands
donated, provide suitable buildings thereon, and furnish proper appa
ratus, books and furniture for the school. Bloomfield Usher declined
to act as a member of the commission, and Charles O. Tappan was ap
pointed in his place by the other commissioners, by virtue of authority
given them under the act. The moneys were raised by tax, and turned
over to the commission and expended by it for the purposes mentioned
in the act.
On the 29th of November, 1867, a contract was entered into with
Joseph N. Greene for the construction of the buildings. On the 24th
of June, 1868, the corner stone was laid with imposing ceremonies by
the F. and A. Masons of the county, G. B. Winslow acting as Grand
Master Mason of the State of New York, and in the course of that sea
son the buildings were erected. April 27, 1869, the school was organ
ized and commenced in the buildings provided for it, with Malcolm
McVicar as principal. Dr. T. B. Stowell came to the school in 1890.
Members of the local board of the State Normal School of Potsdam
from the date of its location ; the first since the original board appointed
by Superintendent V. M. Rice, August 10, 1867:
Henry Watkins, president, appointed August 10, 1867, deceased ; Charles 0. Tappan,
secretary, appointed August 10, 1867, resigned January 23, 1878 ; *Dr. Jesse Reynolds,
appointed August 10, 1867 ; Ebenezer Fisher, appointed August 10, 1867, deceased ;
*John I. Gilbert, appointed August 10, 1867.; R. G. Pettibone, appointed August 10,
1867, resigned July 3, 1890; Noble S. Elderkin, appointed August 10, 1867, resigned
December 31, 1875 ; A. W. Deming, appointed August 10, 1867, resigned August 14,
1873; Abraham X. Parker, appointed August 10, 1867, resigned January 12, 1882;
*Edwin A. Merritt, president, appointed August 14, 1873 ; William H. Wallace, ap-

492 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
pointed December 31, 1875, resigned May 6, 1878 ; *George Z. Erwin, treasurer, ap
pointed January 23, 1878; William A. Poste, appointed May 6, 1878, resigned July 3,
1890 ; *Absalom G. Gaines, appointed June 4, 1879 ; *John G. Mclntyre, secretary,
appointed January 12, 1882; *George H. Sweet, appointed July 3, 1890; William R.
Weed, appointed July 3, 1890 ; *John A. Vance, appointed July 1, 1891.
Those marked with an * are members of the present board.
The State Normal and Training School at Potsdam is a finely con
structed building. The brown stone from the neighboring quarry has
been utilized to make a very handsome structure. It stands in the
center of a large block, and a beautiful campus covered with shade trees
stretches before it.
It is a three story and basement building, containing every appliance
and convenience for the instruction of the pupils. Upon the roof is a
cupola which contains a deep toned bell by which the pupils are ad
monished as to their hours for study, the sessions of the school, bed
time, etc. In shape it is a somewhat modified T.
Upon the lower floor are the principal's office, the faculty room, re
ception room, janitor's apartments, the offices of the principals of the
primary and intermediate departments, and the class rooms of the
training school. In the body of the T, on the second floor, is the
assembly room of the normal department, an ample and well lighted
hall. On this floor also are many class rooms, the office of the pre
ceptress, and the libraries ; of these there are two, the text book and
the reference library. The third floor contains the piano department,
the museum, and several society class rooms.
The buildings are heated by steam and hot air, and there is a fair
system of ventilation, but not a thoroughly satisfactory one by any
means. The basement is dry, cemented, and suitable for manual train
ing rooms, if such are ever needed. The boilers are in a separate
building. The extreme measurements are: length of front, 232 feet; depth,
180 feet. The body of the T is forty-five feet in width, while the other
divisions average thirty-six feet.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The early settlers of Potsdam were religiously inclined. Judge Ray
mond, the pioneer settler, conducted religious services in his home on

THE TOWN OF POTSDAM. 493
the Sabbath for the benefit of his neighbors. The community, later
known as the "Union," who settled in the town in 1804, formed a
society in 1806, and later, in 18 15, an organization was effected by
Bela Palmer, which included most of the Union members, who were
of a Unitarian cast, became quite numerous at one time, and continued
its organization for a number of years. The congregational mission
ary, Amos Pettengill, with others, held services in the settlement as
early as 1806, which were continued from time to time, and culminated
in the formation of a society. A few years later the society was organ
ized into a Congregational church. A council was called consisting of
Rev. A. Pettengill, of Champlain ; Rev. A. Parmele, of Malone ; Rev.
E. Wright, of Russell; J. Winchester, of Madrid, and Amasa Blanchard
and Salmon Gray, delegates from Hopkinton. The church was duly
organized on June 9, 181 1, by the assistance of Rev. William Wright
and Rev. James Johnson, with twenty members. Rev. James John
son became their first pastor, and was installed the following spring.
Regular services were held in school-houses, and the church prospered
for a number of years.
St. Paul's Church Society. — A Presbyterian branch was formed Au
gust 14, 181 1, with Liberty Knowles, J. P. Reynolds, and Azel Ly
man, trustees. This society united with the congregational body in
holding meetings, congregating in school- houses, and often in the Ray
mond building, called the old academy, that they became known as
the Congregational Presbyterian Church. At length, exceptions hav
ing been taken at the name St. Paul's Church Society, and a desire to
form a union of the two bodies, when a general meeting was called for
that purpose on the 16th of December, 1820. After due consultation
as to the benefits of a union, a vote was taken, when the St. Paul's
Society, being a trifle more numerous, the name of Presbyterian was
carried and adopted by both societies. Hence the First Presbyterian
Society of Potsdam dates its organization, and a frame church was
erected at a cost of $4,500. The fall and winter of 1826-27 were
periods of unusual religious interest, and the membership of the united
bodies was greatly increased. In 1853 a brick church was erected on
the old grounds (now part of the Normal School) at a cost of $10,000.
In 1868 the property was sold to the commissioners of the Normal

494 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
School for $10,000, and in 1867 the present beautiful stone structure
was erected at the intersection of St. Lawrence and Elm streets, at a
cost of $37,000. The Rev. George O. Phelps is their present pastor.
The First Methodist Church. — A station of the St. Lawrence Circuit
was organized in Potsdam in November, 1820, and an ancient record
states that " Brothers Powell, Miles, Denning and Clark " joined on
trial on the day of organization, and were received into full communion
the next spring There had been Methodist preaching here probably
ten years prior to the above date. Josiah Keyes and William W.
Randall were preachers on this circuit at the time in question. In 1821
a small frame church was erected which now serves the village as
" Firemen's Hall," on June 21, 1821, and dedicated before its entire
completion, on the 22d day of January, 1822, the first church dedication
in town. Potsdam Circuit was formed in 1823 with two classes, one
of them being in the village. This church became an independent
station prior to 1833, and in 1835 had 130 members — eleven classes
which extended over a considerable tract. The first church was re
paired and enlarged in 1844. In 1859-60 the present brick church
was erected at a cost of about $10,000. In 1882, during the pastorate
of Rev. J. C. Darling, its present parsonage was built, refurnished,
etc., at a cost of $3,500, and in 1883 over $4,000 were expended in
renovating and repairing the church. The present membership (1893)
is 320.
First Baptist Church. — This church was organized January 9, 1824,
with thirteen members, viz. ; John Tickenor and wife, Norman Clin
ton and wife, Henry Myers and wife, Charles Grandy and wife, Silas
Taft and wife, Josiah Doolittle, Phcebe Collins, and Rowena Fobes.
The first deacons were Norman Clinton and Josiah Doolittle and the
first pastor, R. Batchelor. The society was feeble for a number of years
and had no house of worship until 1858, when a society was incorpo
rated and a frame church erected on Elm street at a cost of $5,100.
This was improved in 1875 at an expense of $2,500. Rev. A. L.
Fox is the present pastor. The present membership is 168 and the
Sunday school has an average attendance of ninety pupils; the super
intendent of the Sunday school is F. F. Flint. The parsonage on Elm
street was erected by the society in 1867.

THE TOWN OF POTSDAM. 495
Universalist Church. — The earliest record we have of the formation
of the Universalist Society was at a meeting called January 3, 1824,
and was incorporated October 2, 1825, with James Whitcomb, Asher
Brown, and Stewart Bannister, trustees. The early efforts failed to
secure the means for building a church until 1832, the meetings being
previously held in the old academy. A committee was then appointed,
who in 1835-36 erected a small wooden church edifice. Rev. Jona
than Wallace was the first pastor, who was followed by Rev. William
H. Waggoner, and he by Rev. Jonathan Douglass. The church was
reorganized January 17, 1852, with twenty-four members, and Joseph
Miller, Timothy Bacon, Solomon Parmeter and John Lucas, trustees.
There were several reorganizations from that time until 1859, when the
number of trustees was changed to five. In 1874 there was a marked
revival of interest, and twenty-three new members were added to the
church. In 1876-77 an elegant and substantial edifice was erected on
the site of the old one, built of Potsdam sandstone, forty- five by sixty-
five feet in size, and cost about $13,000, aside from the ground. Since
the reorganization of the church in 1852 the pastors have been U. M.
Fish, E. Fisher, M. Goodrich, Frank M. Hicks, Moses Marston, E.
Hathaway, A. U. Hutchins, O. A. Rounds, E. J. Chaffee, Francis E.
Webster, and the present pastor, W. O. Tuttle. The present Board
of Trustees are General E. A. Merritt, William S. Brown, Merrill
Hosmer, Dr. Oliver Bliss, and Chapin W. Hazelton.
Trinity Church {Episcopal) — As early as 18 16 the Rev. Daniel
Nash, while on his missionary tour through the county, visited Pots
dam. In June, 1818, Rev. Amos G. Baldwin, who had the Waddington
and Ogdensburg parishes in charge, made a tour through the several
towns in the county and visited Potsdam. Rt. Rev. Dr. Hobart,
bishop of the Diocese of New York, made a visit to Potsdam in Au
gust of the same year, but nothing resulted in regard to establishing
services there. For many years after the church people were de
pendent for ministration on the missionaries at Waddington, held in the
old academy. In the year 1831, July 15, Rev. Aaron Humphrey
officiated at Potsdam. Again on the 21st of May, 1833, he held serv
ices, examined candidates, and baptized one adult. On the following
Sunday the Rt. Rev. Dr. Onderdonk, Bishop of New York, held serv-

496

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

ices in the Methodist church and administered the rite of confirmation
to eleven candidates. A call was extended to the Rev. Richard Bury,
of Ogdensburg, on the iithot November, 1834, wh° entered upon his
labors soon after, and became the first rector of the parish. On the
23d of March, 1835, a parish was organized under the name of " Trinity
Church," (Potsdam), and articles of incorporation were duly executed,

with John C. and Augustus Clarkson, wardens ; David L. Clarkson,
Zenas Clark, Theodore Clark, Myron C. Munson, Noble S. Elderkin,
Samuel Partridge, Frederick Miller, jr., and Aaron T. Hopkins, vestry
men. The southerly half of Fall Island was offered by the proprietor
for a site for a church ; the work was commenced and the corner-stone
laid in June of 1835. The church was completed and consecrated on
the morning of the 7th of August, 1836, by Bishop Onderdonk, and
on the afternoon of the same day ten persons were confirmed. The

THE TOWN OF POTSDAM. 497
edifice and furnishing cost $5,880; all of this sum, except $1,500 do
nated by Trinity Church, New York, after which the plan was taken,
was raised in the parish. In 1858 the interior of the church was re
modeled at a cost of $5,698. The sum of $3,000 was bequeathed to
the parish by the late Augustus L Clarkson. The chapel erected in
1884 was provided for by Mrs. Elizabeth Clarkson as a memorial to
her late husband, Thomas S. Clarkson. In February, 1886, the church
was reconsecrated by Bishop Dr. C. Doan, after the erection of a new
front to the structure. This work was the gift of Thomas S. Clarkson
and his sister. The tower is a memorial to their parents. The nave
window, •' Christ the Light of the World," was a gift of Mrs. George
H. Allan, of New York, as a memorial to her parents, the late Mr. and
Mrs. A. N. Hopkins.
Catholic Apostolic Church. — There are only a very few organizations
of the peculiar character of this one in the United States. The sect
originated in Scotland about 1830, spread to England, and in a few
years men were named for office of apostle, as was believed by the
Holy Ghost speaking through prophets. In time twelve such apostles
were selected, and under their guidance the church has gradually in
creased, especially in the old countries. The beginning of the church
in Potsdam was in 1837, when two evangelists named Card and Cuth-
bert came at the invitation of David Lewis and began preaching. Since
that time various persons have conducted the peculiar service, which in
1893 is under charge of W. F. G. Sealy. The membership, is small.
Roman Catholic Church. — The first mass said in Potsdam was cele
brated in the house of a Mr. Burk in 1832 by Father Salmon, to about
a dozen people. In 1841 there were twenty-five families in that dis
trict, where Father Mackey, of Ogdensburg, said mass for a few months.
He purchased a large dwelling house, where he said mass three or four
times a year to about fifty persons. He blessed the house and gave it
the title of St. Mary's. In 1857 Potsdam became an independent parish
with Father Philip Keveny as its first pastor. Father McGlinn soon
succeeded him, and erected a church in the place of the old house.
Bishop McCloskey in 1859 dedicated the new building capable of hold
ing 600 persons.
63

498 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
In 1879 the Catholic population in the parish numbered 1,350 souls.
Bishop Wadhams twice visited the parish and confirmed 205 persons.
The Catholic spirit of the parish is very good and has never lost its tone
from the beginning.
A Free-will Baptist Church was formed at West Potsdam July 4,
1 841, by Elder D. F. Willis, of thirty members. This church erected
a house of worship, in connection with the M. E. society, in 1842, at a
cost of $600, which was dedicated October 2 of the same year. The
society was incorporated June 29, 1843, with G. S. Hathaway, Horace
Hathaway and B. Lane, trustees.
THE VILLAGE OF NORWOOD.
The early settlement of Raquetteville, which is now the thriving vil
lage of Norwood, has already been described. It is situated in the
northeastern part of the town of Potsdam, on the Raquette River, at
the junction of what was formerly the Northern Railroad (afterwards
the Vermont Central) and the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg Rail
road. The building of the Northern Railroad, which ran through the north
ern part of this town, between 1847 and 1850 (see page 177) marked
a new era in this section. The railroad at one point crossed the
Raquette River on the farm of Benjamin G. Baldwin, and there Mr,
Baldwin donated to the company fifteen acres of land with a right of
way across his farm. From this action a station was founded. In 1850
Mr. Baldwin built a tavern, which was burned in March of the next
year, and in 185 1 two other taverns and several dwellings were erected.
In 1852 a substantial dam, with a fall of eight feet, was constructed
across the river, affording a valuable water power. A highway bridge
was built a little below the dam. The lands were laid out into village
lots and streets, houses multiplied and mills were erected. A post-office
having been established in January, 1847, the village was incorporated
in 1872, and the name changed to Potsdam Junction; also, in 1875, to
Norwood. In 1878 there were in the place one general store, four dry goods
stores, seven groceries, two of which were large ones, two hardware
stores, two drug stores, one jewelry store, one furniture store, and

THE TOWN OF POTSDAM. ' 499
numerous other minor places of business and shops. There was also a
steam grist mill of H. S. Martin & Son, which was started in 1874, and
now discontinued ; a hub factory operated by the same firm ; the flour
ing mill of Hiram Rodee, a substantial stone structure with five run of
stone, run by water, built by parties in Potsdam village, has since been
burned; the Davis threshing machine factory, now discontinued;
Pearson's broom handle and hoop factory, recently burned ; Beam &
Waldron's tannery, built in 1877, now discontinued, and the Norwood
Lumber Company.
This destructive fire alluded to occurred in 1871, which also destroyed
a large portion of the business establishments of the village on the
main street, which are now covered almost wholly by handsome brick
structures. There are now for fighting fire three good hand engines,
with two organized fire companies, hose carts and other equipments.
Music Hall was erected in 1889 by the village and the town sharing
equally in the expense. It is an attractive brick structure, which cost
$6,500, and is used for public meetings and entertainments; for the
latter purpose a stage and scenery were fitted up. The village and a
small part of the town of Norfolk are embraced in the Union School
District No. 1. It was organized as a graded school in the spring of
1870, the school comprising four grades, academic, senior, junior and
primary. The school building in use at the time the graded school was
established was erected eight years earlier. This was supplanted in
1884 by a new brick structure which cost with its furnishings about
$15,000. Seven teachers, including one for music, are now employed
in the school, with E. F. McDonald as principal. The present officers
of the village (1893) are as follows : Henry Ashley, president ; trustees,
M. F. Bartlett, William Smith, T. N. Murphy ; treasurer, George F.
Clark; collector, E. I. Wait; clerk, George Harris.
The manufacturing operations of Norwood are now almost wholly
under control of the Norwood Manufacturing Company, which was
organized in 1875. The officers are L. R. Ashley, president; H. H.
Day, superintendent; I. B. Hosley, managing trustee and superintend
ent; William McEchron and F. L. Day, the last two men being of
Glens Falls. They operate what was formerly the Reynolds saw mill,
built many years ago by Amos Bicknell ; a structure built at the same

500 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
time for a starch factory, and afterwards changed to a shingle mill and
a door and sash factory ; the mill originally built by James Morgan &
Co., which passed through several ownerships to Lovelace & Fonda,
who erected a steam mill and transferred the whole to the Norwood
Lumber Company. All of these various properties are now in the
hands of the company, which have been extensively enlarged and im
proved. Their product consists of spruce and pine lumber, which is
manufactured and sold, box shooks, butter tubs, lath, shingles, doors
and sash, etc. The capital of the company is $80,000.
State Bank of Norwood. — This institution was organized in 1887,
with a capital of $25,000 paid up. The officers from the beginning
have been as follows : president, C. P. Vedder ; vice-president, L. R.
Ashley ; cashier, F. L. Smith. The bank has been prosperous and
now has a surplus of about $6,000, and average deposits of $125,000.
Newspaper. — The Norwood News was started in 1877 by E. D.
Parker, who conducted it for about five years, when it was purchased
by F. R. Smith and F. R. Martin. The paper is Republican in politics,
is ably edited, and has a large circulation.
Cyclone. — A destructive wind storm passed over Norwood, coming
from the southwest, about five o'clock in the afternoon of August 12,
1885. Some twenty minutes previous to its arrival, a dark blue cloud
was noticed coming up from the horizon, which was preceded by an
ominous calm that settled over every visible thing. The trees stood
motionless, birds ceased chirping, men and women were silently hurry
ing for places of shelter, and all seemed to have a premonition of danger
at hand. As the cloud drew nearer, a roaring, hissing sound was
plainly heard at a distance of five or six miles, which increased to a
wild crash as it struck. Hailstones as large as walnuts added to the
din, while the air was filled with all kinds of missiles, such as boards,
shingles, hen-coops and dirt. Persons who were caught out were
dashed to the ground and pummeled along before the wind like a foot
ball. Several houses were demolished, while some others were tossed
about like toys. Trees were wrenched from the ground and scattered
in all directions, houses unroofed, chimneys blown off, and about every
window light exposed to the storm in the village was broken. The
railroad bridge, a truss structure some 250 feet long, was lifted from its

THE TOWN OF POTSDAM. 501
foundation, wrenching it from the bed ties, and was carried some thirty
or forty feet down stream and dropped into the river. Two persons
were killed outright, Mrs. David Fitzgibbons and Michael McMartin,
by falling timbers of a house and barn, and several others were more or
less badly injured. It was estimated that $150,000 damage was done
in Norwood and vicinity.
Methodist Church. — In the year 1855 the Methodist Church at Nor
wood was organized, though services had occasionally been held here
in school-houses previous to that date. Various pastors served the
church until 186 1, when they joined with the Congregationalists in
building a church. The two congregations remained in that connection
for six years, when the Methodists withdrew according to the original
agreement, and with the money received from the Congregationalists,
and with a liberal subscription from their people, erected the present
house of worship, a substantial brick building. The society a few years
later built a parsonage. The church is in a prosperous condition and
is under the pastoral charge of Rev. John W. Simpson, who is also
pastor of a small congregation at Knapp's Station. The membership
is 138, and the trustees as follows: Harris Wilbur, George W. Drew,
H. L. Collins, and W. H. Wells.
First Congregational Church of Norwood. — This church was organ
ized March 4, 1858, with nineteen members, also with Norman Ashley,
Robert McGill, and A. T. Holbrook as trustees, and under the pastoral
charge of Rev. Dr. E. W. Plumb, of the St. Lawrence Academy, who
preached about three years. The church building was erected in 1861
at a cost of $4,000, and was dedicated February 13, 1 861, in connection
with the Methodists. In 1868 the society bought the interest of the
Methodists, and repaired the present house of worship at a cost of $1,200.
The deacons of this church are O. H. Hale and George F. Clark ; the
trustees, S. D. Leonard, George F. Clark and George Harris
St. Andrew' s Mission {Episcopal). — This mission was formed Febru
ary 7, 1874. Services were held for a time in the Congregational
church on the first and third Sundays of the month. Since May, 1892,
Rev. E. R. Earle has been the pastor. A pretty brick church has been
in process of construction a number of years and is just finished in 1892-
93 ; its cost is about $5,000. The warden is M. Valley ; treasurer, J.
A. Valley ; clerk, F. G. Partridge.

502 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Church of Visitation. — This Catholic church was founded about the
year 1878, and is an offshoot from the church in Potsdam. The first
attendant pastor was Father Walsh, and the first resident priest is
Father John Fitzgerald, who is at present over the church. Under
his administration the land and property has been acquired. There are
about ninety- eight families in the church.
Besides these churches in the villages of Potsdam and Norwood there
is a Scotch Presbyterian organization which branched from the church
of that section in the town of Madrid in 1852 and built a church edifice
in the following year, about two miles northwesterly from Norwood.
Services have been maintained most of the time since.
Buck's Bridge. — This is a small hamlet in the western part of the
town on the Grass River, and on the road leading from Madrid to Can
ton. The place derives its name from Isaac Buck, of Shoreham, Vt.,
who settled here about 1807. In 1809 he built a saw mill, cleared a
tract of land, and about the same time opened a store. He traded
some years, and from 1838 to 1848 Orrin Buck had a store Other
former merchants were W. H. Wilcox, A. A. Simmons, and in 1867
Franklin Castle had a small store which was purchased in the next year
by A. G. Buck, who has carried on the business ever since, and is now
postmaster also. The old saw mill that has passed through the hands
of various owners is now operated by James Spears, who purchased the
property about two years ago.
In the year 1837 a separate Methodist charge was formed from the
Canton Circuit, one of the classes being at Buck's Bridge. There had
been preaching, however, at this place in still earlier years. A frame
church was erected about the same time, and has in later years been
extensively repaired. The membership at the present time is about
sixty, and the pastor is Rev. J. R. Kay.
A house of worship was built at Buck's Bridge for the Second Ad-
ventists in 1856, and preaching was kept up for a number of years with
considerable regularity ; but there is no pastor at the present time and
the membership is very small.
West Potsdam. — This hamlet, formerly known as " Smith's Corners,"
is in the northwestern part of the town, and received its former name
from Gurdon Smith, the first settler. When the post-office was estab-

THE TOWN OF POTSDAM. 503
lished it was given the name of West Potsdam. Philander Simmons is
the present postmaster, and has kept a store and shoe shop there for
nearly forty years. The first mercantile business at this point was car
ried on by A. M. & O. N. Skeels, beginning nearly or quite sixty years
ago. Nathan Crary then had a store a few years in connection with a
law office ; he closed out and went to Potsdam. There is no manufac
turing here except butter and cheese, in which William H. and Au
gustus Lewis are engaged.
A small church was built at West Potsdam for the use of the Meth
odists and Free-Will Baptists in union in the year 1842. The Methodist
Society was formed there in 1846, with John Wellwood, Erastus
Robbins and William S. Horr, trustees. The Free Will Baptist Society
was formed in 1841 by Elder D. F. Willis and thirty members. The
society was incorporated June 29, 1843, with G. S Hathaway, Horace
Hathaway and B Lane, trustees. A Congregational church in West
Potsdam was incorporated July 8, 1842, with David Barnum, B. Hem
ingway and Henry Dayton, trustees. About the year 1857 the church
edifice which this society had erected was transferred to the Methodist
Society (above described), and the old church built by the Methodists
and Free-Will Baptists was abandoned. The present pastor of the
Methodist church here is Rev. Robert Kay and the membership is
small. The early settlement of what has been known as Yaleville has been
described. The principal business there at the present time is the grist
mill operated by David Clark and owned by O. E. Martin. Mr. Martin
has also established there a pulp mill, which is located on the Norfolk
side of the river (see Norfolk).

504 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE TOWN OF DE KALB -ORGANIZED IN 1806.
DE KALB, the eighth town erected by an act of the Legislaturef
passed February 21, 1806. It was one of the original ten town
ships, No. 7, of ten miles square, and formerly under the jurisdiction of
Oswegatchie. The act creating this town designated " the Cooper Hotel in said
town " as the place for holding the first town meeting, and there the
following officers were elected on the 18th day of March, 1806: super
visor, Isaac Stacy ; town clerk, Amos Comly ; assessors, James Burnett,
John Seeley, Thomas Benedict ; commissioners of highways, Potter
Goff, Timothy Utley, Elias Alexander ; overseers of the poor, Eseck
Whipple, Timothy Utley ; constable and collector, Elijah Farr. These
officers were sworn in before James Cooper, justice of the peace.
The limits of the town have twice been curtailed: first, in 1825, when
part of De Peyster was taken from it, and again in 1830, when a strip
one mile wide and six long, in the southeastern corner, was annexed to
what is now the town of Hermon. The town now lies toward the cen
tral part of the county, with De Peyster on the north, Canton on the
east, Hermon on the south, and Macomb and Gouverneur on the west.
The town was named from the celebrated Baron De Kalb, a native of
Alsace, Germany, formerly a province ceded to France. He came out
with Lafayette in 1777, and performed important service under General
Washington in our Revolutionary War. He was killed in a battle near
Camden in 1780, where a monument has been raised to his memory.
The town contains 49,657 acres ; its surface, while not hilly, is much
broken by ridges of gneiss and white limestone. The soil is fertile and
generally under good cultivation, and the dairying interests of later
years are large and prosperous. The Oswegatchie River flows in a
diagonal course nearly through the center of the town ; Beaver Creek
forms the boundary between De Kalb and De Peyster; Harrison's

THE TOWN OF DE KALB. 505
Creek flows across the southeastern corner, and there are other small
streams. Lead ore exists in the town and some mining has been pros
ecuted in the southeastern part in past years. Pyrites and barytes are
found which possess value as a product, and near Richville are now ex
tensive lime manufactories.
The territory of De Kalb was originally owned by Samuel Ogden,
and by him was sold to Judge William Cooper, father of James Feni-
more Cooper, the distinguished author, of Cooperstown, N. Y. In
May, 1803, Judge Cooper, accompanied by thirty- four persons, mostly
from the towns of Cooperstown and Richfield, in Otsego county, started
to form a settlement on his purchase. A number of the party, with
two wagons and spans of horses and a cart drawn by two yoke of oxen,
proceeded by way of the Black River country and the old State road
to the clearing of Abram Vrooman, near the site of the little village of
Oxbow. There they found the roads in such a condition that it was
necessary to build boats for a part of their loads, and two canoes were
constructed from logs, under direction of Jehiel Dimick ; these were
lashed together and loaded with part of the freight. This party con
sisted of the following : William Cooper, the proprietor, Salmon Rich,
Isaac Stacy, Eseck Whipple, Richard Merrill, Elisha Cook, William
Brown, Gardner Brown, William Stone, Asa Ransom, Timothy and
Elijah Utley, Abner Wright, Andrew McCollom, Asa Ransom, jr.,
James and Elijah Farr, and the wife and sister-in law of the latter,
Joseph and William Woodhouse, Dr. Robert Campbell, Ralph R. Bell,
wife, sister and daughter, Elijah Stockwell, Jehiel Dimick, John Hew
lett, and William Sloan. Of these, Dimick, Rich, Bell and Hewlett
came down the Oswegatchie River with the load, while the others came
along the road towards Ogdensburg. Their first night was passed in a
deserted shanty five miles from Oxbow, where they narrowly escaped
being crushed by a falling tree which they had fired to keep off mos-
quitos. On the second night they reached Bristol's tavern, half a mile
north of the Corners, in the present town of De Peyster. There the
women were left while the men cleared a road and bridged Beaver
Creek in order to reach their future homes. This was accomplished in
eight days, the distance being seven or eight miles, and the settlement
was made on the banks of the Oswegatchie, just above Cooper's Falls.
64

506 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Alexander McCollom, Peter Goff and Stephen Cook, of the original
party, went in boats up the Mohawk River with goods which Judge
Cooper had purchased in Albany with which to open a store, and they
reached their destination by way of Oneida Lake, Lake Ontario, the
St. Lawrence and the Oswegatchie, arriving with others of the party on
the site of De Kalb village June 12, 1803. The usual custom of putting
up log houses was begun, and the first night was passed within the
walls of one without a roof. On the second day another house was
built, and on the third a building for the store, all roofed with bark or
boughs. Goff, Campbell and Andrew McCollom were surveyors, and
soon laid out several farms. Salmon Rich took up 11,850 acres in the
southern corner of the town ; Mr. Farr a large tract in the eastern part,
and Stacy another tract in the northern part. A large part of these
lands afterwards reverted to the heirs of Mr. Cooper. Among the
names in the foregoing list of pioneers will be found many of persons
and their descendants who in after years and even to the present day
have been prominent in the county in various ways.
While some of the settlers proceeded with their clearings, others, in
the employment of Mr. Cooper, made preparations by getting out
timber, digging and blasting a canal, etc., for building a mill at the
falls. This place has ever since been known as " Cooper's Falls."
William Brown sowed two acres of winter wheat, and in the year 1803
the first saw mill was built. The entire town was afterwards surveyed
into lots, furnishing a basis for all subsequent titles.
Three of the families mentioned and most of the men of the first party
remained in the settlement during the first winter, and in the spring the
families of Salmon Rich, Isaac Stacy, James Farr, Jonathan Haskins,
James and Richard Merrill, Timothy Utley, and Sackett Dodge came in,
and also Dr. J. Seeley, Barton Carver, Seth Alexander (the man that was
drafted in the summer of 1812, see anecdote, page 140) and Elias Alexan
der, Elijah Pooler, James Burnett, Nathaniel Holt, James Cooper (a brother
of the proprietor), Elisha Griffin, and others. The year 1805 saw the
arrival of Philo Lord, Thomas B. Benedict, Horatio Johnson, Obadiah
Johnson, Jacob Preston, William Cleghorn, Daniel Smith and his six
sons (Harvey, John, Nathaniel, Daniel, Phineas and Richard), the latter
family from Canada, and Solomon Pratt, and probably others.

THE TOWN OF DE KALB. 507
The following list of jurors of the town in 1806 adds a few to the
foregoing names of residents, and is of interest in this connection :
Joseph Anderson, Elias Alexander, Seth Alexander, Ichabod Arnold,
Isaac Burnham, Thomas S. Benedict (then a merchant), James Burnett,
Amos Comly, James Farr, James Farr, jr., Elisha Griffin, Potter Goff,
Nathaniel Holt (a shoemaker), Levi Holt, Jonathan Haskins, Horatio
G. Johnson, Obadiah Johnson, Israel Porter, Solomon Pratt (a black
smith), Solomon Rich, Isaac Stacy, Henry Smith, Nathaniel Smith,
Timothy Utley, Abner Wright, Joseph Woodhouse (a carpenter), Will
iam Woodhouse and Joshua Sweet.
One more list comprising fifty-four names is worthy of preservation
here, consisting of the electors of the town (though it then embraced a
part of De Peyster) in December, 1807, all of whom were heads of fam
ilies excepting Nathaniel Holt ; they are as follows : Joseph Anderson,
Ichabod Arnold, Elias Alexander, Seth Alexander, Daniel Barker,
Ralph R. Bell, Mansfield Bristol, Truman Bristol, James Burnett, Isaac
Burnham, Barton Carver, Abraham Cole, Elisha Cook, James Cooper,
William Cleghorn, Abel Cook, David Day, James Farr, Elisha Farr,
Joseph Fisk, Ephraim Fisk, Matthew Grover, Elisha Griffin, Potter
Goff, Russell Goff, Nathaniel Holt, Levi Holt, Philo Hurlbut, John
Jackson, David Judson, Philo Lord, Abial Lyon (chairmaker), Richard
Merrill, James Merrill, Solomon Pratt, Jacob Preston, Samuel Phelps,
Solomon Rich, Salmon Rich, Joseph Rounds, William Sloan, Nathaniel
Smith, Joshua Sweet, John Seeley, M.D., Isaac Stacy, Elijah Stock-
well, Marvel Thair, Josiah Thornton, §aniuel Thatcher, Timothy Utley,
William Van Booscirk, William Woodhouse, Abner Wright, Eseck
Whipple. In the spring of 1 804 Mr. Cooper began the erection of that great
necessity to the pioneer, a grist mill, under direction of three brothers
named Jackson — Cyrus, Asahel and Asa. The latter was severely in
jured during the work by falling on his head, and it is said that Dr.
John Seeley performed on him the operation of trephining with no
other instrument than a steel thimble, which he fashioned into an
annular saw and fitted to a handle. Further notice of the hamlet at the
Falls is given a little further on.

508 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Aside from Mr. Cooper, probably Thomas B. Benedict was the first
merchant in the town, as he was granted a license for that purpose in
1806, and William Cleghorn received a license to keep a tavern in the
same year. To these were added licenses to Solomon Pratt and Elijah
Utley in the year 1807. In 1808 John Ross began working as a cooper
in the town, and Peter Thatcher started a chair shop at De Kalb vil
lage, and Abner Wright a wagon shop. These were the first in the
town. In the next year tavern licenses were granted to Jonathan Has
kins and Solomon Rich. A tannery was in operation in 18 14 by Gideon
Townsley, who was then agent for the lands of the Daubeny and Wad-
dell estates. He wrote in a memoranda that he was operating a tan
nery and " was accumulating money fast." The late E. P. Townsley,
who died about two years ago, succeeded his father as agent for the
lands mentioned, and they were not sold out until about thirty years
later. A mill lot of two and a half acres was sold by Salmon Rich in
June, 1808, near the site of Richville, to Ralph R. Thrall, for "a ton of
potash and fifty dollars worth of sawing after the mill was completed."
The mill was built and operated until 18 14, when it was burned ; but a
new one was erected in the following spring through aid of many of the
settlers. Russell Goff, who bought a farm of his brother, Potter Goff,
in 1806, built a saw mill on his place (lot 503) as early as 18 14. He
was a mason by trade and noted for his great strength. Elijah Farr, son
of James, built a dam on Farr's Creek and started a carding machine
before 18 14. It had to be abandoned after some years on account of
scarcity of water in the creek..
The first death in the town of De Kalb was that of George Cowdry,
one of the first party of settlers, who was drowned by going over the
falls in the Oswegatchie, September 13, 1804. The first birth was in
the family of Jehiel Dimick, in 1804, and the second that of Mary Ann
Rich, daughter of Salmon Rich, born May 16, 1804. The first mar
riage was that of Elisha Cook and Letta Willey, May 27, 1804; they
were married by Stillman Foote, then of Canton, and the nearest magis
trate. The first road that is on record as being laid out in this town
was on the 28th of June, 1806, "Beginning at the State road on Mr.
John Jackson's southwest line, near Mud lake," and thence easterly to
"Beaver Creek Bridge." A second one, under date of July 7, 1806,

THE TOWN OF DE KALB. 509
ran " from Captain Farr's place to the town line towards the Ballybeen
road." From the village to Captain Farr's was laid out in 1805 by
Salmon Rich and Kelsey Thurber. Of course the first road in the town
was that already mentioned as having been cut through by the first
party of settlers in 1 803, from the State road to the site of De Kalb
village. The settlement of De Kalb progressed with encouraging prospects and
by a class of people who were competent to build up the community in
both its material and moral aspects. The War of 1 8 1 2 was scarcely
felt here, except in the effect it had upon the general interests and the
anxiety and unsettled condition of mind everywhere prevalent.
Although many enlisted, as well as being drafted (see Chapter on the
War of 1812), by the year 1818 the population of the town was 725, and
the principal land owners at that time were James Cooper, Luther Bra-
dish, Lloyd Daubeny, Henry Waddell, and Frederick De Peyster.
In relation to the educational question in De Kalb,- we quote as fol
lows from Dr. Hough's work :
In this, as in some other towns, a large amount of poor money had accumulated, by
taxes levied ostensibly for the support of the poor, for which there was no use after the
adoption of the poor-house system. By an act of February 22, 1830, the overseers of the
poor in this town were directed to pay a thousand dollars to the trustees of the public
lots, to be invested for the support of schools. From this source and the sale of the
school lot this town acquired a very large fund. The location of the two reserved lots
was at first not known, and they were sold by Mr. Cooper. This afterwards became a
subject of difference, and Simeon Dewitt, the surveyor-general, was empowered by an
act passed April 3, 1811, to settle with the legal representatives of William Cooper, on
such terms as he might deem just and reasonable, for any differences which might have
arisen between the State and the said Cooper, in consequence of any mistakes com
mitted in locating the public lots in De Kalb. In the general law relating to the gospel
and school lots of these towns, De Kalb was excepted.
During the early years the settlers depended principally on the
lumber sent down the river to Ogdensburg market, and the " black
salts" they made in clearing up their farms, to raise money. With the
passing of the years in such industry the lands of De Kalb became
largely cleared, and the agricultural interests developed in ratio with
those of other localities. Dairying interests have in recent years greatly
advanced, and the manufacture of butter and cheese has become an im
portant branch. The cheese factory formerly operated at De Kalb was

510 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
burned in the winter of 1882 and was rebuilt in the following spring,
and has since been operated as a creamery for the making of choice
butter, which finds a market in Boston. The factory is owned by
Gardner Murphy & Co., of that city, and is conducted by William
Keyes. Aside from this factory, cheese is the principal product. The
first factory, near Richville, was built in 1863, which was the first north
of Black River. There are several prosperous factories now in opera
tion, and the town ranks third in the county in the quantity of cheese
made. In educational affairs this town has always shown a proper degree of
interest. There are twenty-two districts in the town, and all have well
conducted schools. The village of Richville has a union free school, for
which a commodious house was built in 1874, and three teachers are
employed. At De Kalb Junction also is a graded school with three
departments, in which J. C. Holland acts as principal.
The opening of the railroad and the establishment of the junction
with the line leading to Ogdensburg had a permanent effect upon the
business interests of the town, drawing trade largely to the Junction and
to Richville, and away from the interior of the town, as recounted
further on.
During the war period De Kalb put forth patriotic efforts in support
of the government, and sent her quota of men to the front, providing
liberally for the payment to them of bounties. A special town meeting
was held December 15, 1863, at which a resolution was adopted pledg
ing the payment of $300 to each volunteer enlisting after the 17th of
October of that year, until the quota was filled under the call for 300,000
men. Similar action was taken on the 27th of February, 1864, to fill
the quota under the call of February 1 of that year. At a special
meeting, August 17, 1864, after the call for 500,000 men, the town
board was authorized to issue certificates of indebtedness to the amount
of $600 to each volunteer or substitute, but owing to some alleged
illegality in these proceedings and the fact that the Board of Supervisors
authorized the payment of a county bounty of $400 each, this action
was annulled. On the 30th of August the town board was authorized
to issue bonds to the amount of $500 for each volunteer in addition to
the county bounty of $400 each, and the quota was thus filled. There

THE TOWN OF DE KALB. 511
were' some unappropriated moneys in the hands of the committee which
were by resolution appropriated to the payment of the taxes of persons
who enlisted in the years 1861 and 1862. The total amount of bonds
issued by the town was $29,231.
Following are the names of the supervisors of the. town from its
formation to the present time, with years of service :
1807-15, Isaac Burnham ; 1816-18, Gideon Townsley ; 1819-20, Elisha Griffin ; 1821-
28, Asa Sprague, jr. ; 1829-30, Jonathan Round; 1831, Nathaniel Martin; upon his
failing to qualify, Roswell White was appointed to fill vacancy ; ] 832-35, Asa Sprague;
1836-39, Seth Alexander; 1840-42, Harlow Godard; 1843-45, Asa Sprague; 1846,
Dwight Spencer ; 1847-49, Orin M. Fisk; 1850, Edward H. Hopkins; in September,
Orin M. Fisk appointed to fill vacancy ; 1851-56, Orin M. Fisk ; 1857-60, Elias P.
Townsley; 1861-63, George D.Hastings; 1864 Henry Thompson ; 1865, Abel Godard;
1866, Henry Thompson ; 1867-75, Darius A. Moore ; 1876-78, Thomas M. Wells ; 1879-
81, Abel Godard; 1882-4, Geo. E. Gibbons; 1885-6, Ara J. Moore; 1887-8, G. E.
Gibbons; 1889-91, Chas. R. Walker; 1892, John W. Morrison ; 1893-94, A. J. Moore.
De Kalb Village. — The first settlement of this place (then called
Cooper's Village) and the building of a public house by Judge Cooper
in 1805, has been alluded to. Around that house, which was a large
structure, sixty feet square and three stories high, the stores and shops
of the place sprang up. After being kept by various persons, among
them Isaac Stacy and Wm. Cleghorn, the building fell into decay and
was taken down. Mr. Holt built a hotel about this time, which was
favorably known throughout the country. The first school in the town
was opened here in 1807, by Bela Willis, a Methodist exhorter. The
post-office was established in 1820, the mails being carried through
from the Black River country on horseback. Thomas B. Benedict was
probably the first postmaster. Among those who have held the office
since then may be mentioned Gideon Townsley, his son, Elias P., Na
thaniel Holt, Asa Sprague, Stephen Slosson, John Kingsbury, L. D.
Townsley, John Whipple, and the present incumbent, A. J. Moore.
Among the former merchants of this place were Asa Sprague, jr.,
Hiram McCollom, John Rounds, Stephen Slosson and D. A. Moore.
Stores are now kept by D. A. Moore & Son, and Joseph Thraves. The
only hotel in the place is the Seymour House, kept by Edward Sey
mour. At Cooper's Falls was formerly concentrated a little settlement and
some business interests. The falls are about six feet high, and are

512 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
about a mile below De Kalb village. There Judge Cooper erected a
saw mill and a grist mill in 1804-5. Subsequently a stock company
built a furnace there, the ore being obtained in the town of Hermon.
The mine was abandoned, the grist mill went to decay, and the water
power now is not in use.
Richville. — The first settlement made on the site of Richville was by
Salmon Rich and Jonathan Haskins in 1804. It is said that they
reached this point from Cooper's village in the winter, drawing a sled,
with the help of two or three others, up the winding river on the ice,
a distance of about ten miles. They formed a camp opposite the vil
lage site and began a clearing. In April of the next year Haskins built
a log house near the river, and in June, P. Rich began clearing on the
site of the village. The first school taught here was by Joseph Knee-
land, who was killed in a skirmish at the taking of Ogdensburg by the
British in 1813. About 1807 the first tavern was opened by Solomon
Pratt. About the year 18 10 Charles Boreland built a grist mill on the
stream that bore his name, about a mile and a half above Richville, where
Salmon Rich built a saw mill in the previous year ; this grist mill was the
second one in town. Jonathan Haskins was granted a license in 1809
and opened the second public house here. About the year 18 19 John
C. Rich erected a building for hotel purposes. This was burned in
1870, and on the site, what is now the Lynde House (formerly the
Godard House) was erected ; it is now kept by F. W. Foster. The
first store at this point was established by James Phelps on the road
leading to the station ; he was a shoemaker and combined work at his
trade with his store. Among the merchants of the past at this point
are W. E. Carpenter, Charles Higbee, E. P. Griffith, Spooner & Wiser,
J. C. Wiser, and Charles R. Walker. The present merchants are J. F.
Wiser, William Walker, A. D. Gardner, F. P. Beaman, Alexander Mc
Coy. The present postmaster is Willis P. Hendrick, the office having
been in existence since 1824, when John C. Rich took the office and
held it about twenty-five years. He was a son of Salmon Rich, the
first master of Northern Light Lodge, No. 1 1 (see page 225), and long
a prominent citizen of the town. The village was known for many
years as " Rich's Settlement." The grist mill here and the saw mill
connected were burned in 1877, when they were the property of James

THE TOWN OF DE KALB. 513
O'Connor. They were rebuilt a few years afterward and again burned
in 1881, while owned by Abel Godard, who rebuilt them and sold the
property to A. D. Lawyer, the present owner. The mill is on the site
of the one built in 1815, and described a few pages back.
With the opening of the railroad a considerable settlement grew up at
what has been named Richville Station, near Richville village, in the
southwestern part of the town. A post-office is located there now
under the name of " Bigelow," and H. N. Williams is postmaster and
general merchant. An extensive lime kiln has been in operation at
the station, and quite recently quarrying of lime stone and sand stone
near the station has been entered upon extensively by Williams & John
son and the Clarksons, of Potsdam. This industry is probably destined
to become an important one. S. W. Phelps has a mercantile business
here, and a saw mill, built in 1884 by S. A. Martin, is now owned and
operated by H. M. Townsley.
De Kalb Junction. — At this point the opening of the railroads has
built up a thriving community. The Ogdensburg extension of the rail
road was opened in September, 1862, and from the then only building
of the place, a log house, the present village has grown. The first store
was opened in the fall of that year by T. M. Craig, and about three
years later Patrick Green built what was called the "Union Hotel."
Later on two other hotels were built, one by Israel Smith and the other
by Patrick Green, and they, with two steam mills owned by Joseph
Ray, were burned with other buildings. The post-office here was es
tablished in January, 1864, with Israel D. Smith as postmaster. The
present postmaster is W. E. Vandelinder. A. C. Hine built a grist
mill in 1877, which he conducted a number of years. A saw and a plan
ing mill was built in 1880 and burned January 31, 1892 ; it was then
rebuilt, and is now doing a thriving business in the hands of John D.
Smith. The flour and feed mill is now operated by Fairbanks & Lewis.
The merchants of the place are W. E. Vandelinder, George A. Sheldon
& Co., Dr. E. M. Cole, D. McGruer, Frank Green, I. G. Haven, W. L.
Thomas, M. D Alverson, L. M. Wainwright, and G. E. Gibbons. A.
Stiles sells flour and feed, and S. T. Walker has the meat business. A
pump and oar factory was started in 1878 by S. Smithers, who continues
the business. A sash and blind factory was established by Lemuel
65

514 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Clark in the spring of 1893, and is now operated by Gibbons & Clark.
The Union Hotel was burned in 1888 and has not been rebuilt The
Goulding House is kept by Hurley Brothers, and the Thomas House
by N. G. Thomas.
There was formerly a post-office and a small settlement at East De
Kalb, the post-office of that name having been opened in 1853, with
Harvey Bartlett as postmaster. The office is not now in existence.
The locality was settled by Elijah Pooler and Chester Dewey. Thomas
and Isaac Tanner, John Williams, Freeman Stewart, and a Mr. Adams
settled here in the winter of 1810-11. Harvey Bartlett built a hotel
here at an early day, and kept it for some years ; it was afterwards con
ducted by others and finally closed.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The former record of these societies has been somewhat mixed. De
Kalb was one of the towns visited by the missionaries sent out by the
Massachusetts Society in 1806, when meetings were held in private
houses. In this way a circle of friends would congregate as a society
without a formal organization. During a series of meetings held in the
town of Russell by Rev. James Johnson, in the summer of 1817, Mr.
Seth Pomeroy, of De Kalb, invited him to come and preach to his
people. Arrangements were made, and his preaching awakened a deep
interest in the minds of a few, and warmed up several backsliders, which
resulted in the formation of a Congregational church at Old De Kalb,
with ten members, on August 30, 18 17. Rev. Mr. Johnson was their
first pastor, and continued to supply them, in connection with the Rus
sell church, for some two years. The society was incorporated De
cember 18, 18 18, with Seth Pomeroy, Joshua Dewey, Isaac Burnham
(see page 126; he was also S. W. of F. and A. M.), Elisha Griffin,
Isaac Stacy, jr., and Jonathan Haskins, trustees. A revival soon fol
lowed, when the church was greatly strengthened. Rev. Mr. Johnson
soon returned to Vermont, when the Rev. Thomas Kennon was engaged
to supply them a part of the time. A small church was built by the
united efforts of the people, including other denominations, about 18 18.
A few years later a stone church was built by the Congregationalists
at East De Kalb, where regular services were held until about 1853,

THE TOWN OF DE KALB. 515
when, a number of the more prominent members having died and
others moved West, services were discontinued, the members, however,
going either to Richville or to Old De Kalb church. The Presbyterian
minister serving a small church at Old De Kalb commenced to hold
services at the stone church, but the spiritual life of the people in that
neighborhood was on the wane, and after a short time the meetings
were discontinued and the stone house left to decay.
The Congregational Church located at Richville was formed by a few
of the waning society at East De Kalb then living in the place. The
organization was effected in 1828, with Marshall Allen, Darius Wiser,
Jonathan Baker, Josiah Walker, Orson White and A. V. Chandler,
trustees. Rev. Thomas Kennon supplied them in connection with the
church at East De Kalb. Rev. Gorham Cross came into the place in
the summer of 1839 took charge of the church, and brought his family
on the following spring, and served the church in connection with
others near by for fifty years, and who is now (1894; aged eighty-four)
living in the place enjoying the fruits of his labors. In 1840 the society,
with the Methodists, built a small wooden church, and each held meet
ings on alternate Sabbaths. In 1859 a new church was built on a lot
donated by A. B. Lynd. In the spring of 1877 Rev. Mr. Dixon came
to minister to the Methodist portion of the congregation, when a desire
on their part led to a separation. The Congregational society paid
them for their interest in the church and became full owners of the
property the following year. A parsonage was built on the lot, and in
1890 the church was thoroughly repaired and refurnished at an expense
of $1,500. Rev. T. T. Davis served this church, with the Welsh society,
for a number of years, and resigned December, 1893.
The Congregational church located at De Kalb village was reorgan
ized in December, 1829, with Stephen Thompson and two other trustees.
The society has continued to maintain services most of the time since
with varied success. In 1878 a new church building was built, in
modern style, at a cost of $4,500, which was erected principally through
the influence and means of A. D. Moore. The membership is not large
and is now coupled with South Hermon church, and served by Rev.
W. Y. Roberts.
Welsh Congregational Society, located at Richville. The settlement
at an early period of a large number of Welsh people led to the for-

516 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
mation in 1856 of the Welsh Congregational church, by Rev. Thomas
D. Rees. Meetings were first held in the stone dwelling of James
Jones, near the village, but in the summer of 1859 a frame church was
erected. The church prospered and at one time had a membership of
more than 125 ; it is now about forty, and Rev. T. T. Davis ministered
to the church a number of years up to December, 1893.
The Methodist Episcopal Society. — This body of believers was among
the first to commence their labors in town, but they did not form a legal
organization until February 25, 1829, when a society was formed at
Old De Kalb, with Seth Alexander (see war incident, page 140), Dwight
Spencer, Obadiah R. Rundell, Orin C. Spencer, Elijah Pooler, Thomas
Spafford and John D. Smith, trustees. They had a part interest in the
union church where they had previously met for worship. The society
built a church at East De Kalb in 1839, and have continued since to
hold forth in both places.
A Methodist Episcopal society was formed at Richville about 1835,
They united in building a church with the Congregationalists in 1840,
also in 1859. In l%77 the Rev. Mr. Dixon had charge of the society,
when it was thought best by that body to withdraw from the Congre
gational or union house and build for themselves. Consent was given,
and they received the value agreed upon from the other body. A lot
was purchased a short distance north of the other church and a contract
made with Albon F. Deen to erect a wooden church, which was com
pleted and dedicated about December 1, 1878. The entire cost, in
cluding lot, furnishings, etc., was $2,500. The membership is now
about eighty. F. W. Thompson is the present pastor, who also supplies
a small church of about forty members just over the line in North
Gouverneur. The M. E. Church located at De Kalb Junction was formed when
that place, on account of the two railroad lines passing that point, at
tracted the people to locate there. A neat wooden church was erected
in 1880. It is now in a flourishing condition, having about 135 mem
bers, with the Rev. J. P. Dunham, pastor.
What has been known as the Kendrew Methodist church (the first
class having been formed by Thomas Kendrew, sr.), was located a few
miles below De Kalb village on the west side of the river. The frame

THE TOWN OF DE KALB. 517
church was erected in 1859 at a cost of $1,000. The first pastor was
Rev. W. C. Lent. In recent years the church has commonly been sup
plied by the pastor at Rensselaer Falls (see history of Canton).
Presbyterian Societies. — This body of believers was early on the
ground, and assisted in the erection of a small union church at Old De
Kalb in 1818, and organized a church soon after. The names of the
officers and members were not preserved. Services have been continued
most of the time since, and meetings were also held at East De Kalb
for a time. When the Congregational society built a church in 1879,
the Presbyterians and Methodists overhauled the union church and re
furnished it, which has served the two bodies since.
A second Presbyterian church was organized at De Kalb Junction in
1 879, and erected a convenient edifice in 1 880, at a cost of about $2,000.
The membership is now about forty- eight, and the pastor is Rev. George
F. Walker.
Baptist Church — The Baptist society of Richville was formed March
13, 1836, with Nathan Barker, Harlow Godard, John Chase, James
Phelps, Danford Johnson, Russell Johnson and several others. A small
building was erected for worship the summer following, and on the 2d
of October, 1837, the society was incorporated, with Eleazer Dewey,
Jacob C. Temple, Jabez Bosworth, John C. Rich, Harlow Godard and
Simeon Millen, trustees. Some years later the first building was de
molished and the present frame edifice erected. In 1876 about $2,500
were expended in improving the church. The membership is now about
eighty, and the pastor is Rev. George Barnes.
St. Henry's Catholic Church was formed at De Kalb Junction, and
labor commenced August 15, 1893. The organization was effected
under the guidance of Father Conroy, of Ogdensburg. James Cun
ningham and Timothy Sullivan were elected trustees, and Mr. Vanda-
lind and Daniel Hurley, building committee. A brick church 30x40
feet was erected at a cost of $3,500, exclusive of the lot, which was
donated by D. Tupper, non- catholic. The people in that vicinity, irre
spective of sect or creeds, assisted in the enterprise, and are proud of
the beautiful structure. The church was formally opened for services
January 16, 1894.

518 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXIX.
THE TOWN OF STOCKHOLM— ORGANIZED IN 1806.
STOCKHOLM, the ninth town organized, was one of the original
" Ten Townships No 2." It was erected from Massena jurisdic
tion by legislative act passed February 21, 1806. It received its
name by the surveyors from Stockholm, Sweden. It retained its orig
inal territory until April 9, 1823, when a part was annexed to Norfolk,
and on April 15, 1834, another portion was annexed to the same town,
and now contains 54,276 acres.
The surface of the town is rolling and is watered by the St. Regis
River, and its eastern branch, which unite near the eastern border
Trout, Plumb and Squeak brooks. The soil is a productive loam, mak
ing it one of the best agricultural districts in the county. The first
town meeting was ordered at the home of Dr. Luman Pettibone, but the
date passed without an election, and under the Act of March 7, 1801,
Nathan Walker, of Canton, and Gordon Smith and Benjamin Raymond,
of Potsdam (magistrates), appointed the following officers : Supervisor,
Ebenezer Hulburd ; clerk, William Staples ; assessors, Stephen A.
Tambling, Benjamin Wright, and Arba Woodward ; constable and col
lector, Samuel Webster ; overseers of the poor, S. A. Tambling, Luman
Pettibone ; commissioners of highways, S. A. Tambling, E. Hulburd,
and W. Webster ; fence viewers, S. A. Tambling and B. Wright ; over
seer of highways, E. Hulburd ; pound master, E. Hulburd.
Settlements in the territory of this town began a few years previous
to its formation, when Dr. Luman Pettibone, in the summer of 1800,
came into the town as an agent for the proprietor, Mr. McVickers, made
preparations for himself and others to follow. In that and the follow
ing years several families came in. Ebenezer Hulburd was the next
agent, and in 1802 he and Dr. Pettibone, with Benjamin Wright, Isaac
Kelsey, Abram Sheldon, and a few others, came to the town, and on
the 7th of March, 1803, seven families arrived, six of whom were from

THE TOWN OF STOCKHOLM. 519
Orwell, Vt., and made permanent settlements. There were, besides the
above, William Staples, John and Robert Bisbee. They came by way
of Chateaugay and the St. Regis. In September, 1804, a tremendous
freshet so swelled that river that four of the seven families were com -
pelled to fly from their homes, which were devastated. Samuel and
Warren Webster, brothers, of Orwell, Vt., began clearing their pur
chases of 105 acres each on lots 44 and 45 in 1805, and the following
year brought in their families. In 1806 Isaac Marsh came from Sharon,
Vt., and settled on 200 acres of lot 65. Luther Hulburd settled on lot
33, and members of that family have always been prominent in the
town. Other early settlers (mostly from Vermont) were Stephen A.
Tambling, Daniel Harrington (father of G. W. Harrington), Amos
Bicknell, long a prominet citizen, Simeon Nash, Zephaniah French, A.
Woodward, John Graves, Alpheus Johnson, Josiah L. Hill, Ralph P.
Stearns, Reuben Kelsey, and Harvey Thatcher. The latter, with
George Streight, John Partridge, Eldad Taylor, Stiles Nelson, Martin
Doud, Nathan Osborn (who succeeded Dr. Pettibone as proprietor's
agent in the west part of the town), Clark and Warren T. Phippen, A.
S. Tucker, and others, located in the western part. In the southern
part located Shubel Gurley, George A. Flower, Parley and Delos Dus-
tin, Joseph Merrill, John McNeal, Anthony Thomas, Allen Lyman
(who removed to West Stockholm), Carlton Wires, John Simonds, Jon
athan Emery, Oliver Osgood, Samuel and Levi Corey, Dr. Hosea
Brooks (the first physician in that section), Benjamin Reeve and Mor
gan Marsh. Samuel Newton, who served in the War of 18 12, settled
in town in 1815. Ira Lewis came in 1828. Members of many of these
families have been instrumental in aiding to build up the several com
munities. The first white child born in this town was William Bisbee, son of
John Bisbee, in 1803 ; the second was Julius, son of Ebenezer Hul
burd, April 20, 1803. The first marriage was that of Alba Woodward,
and Almira, daughter of Dr. Luman Pettibone, July 20, 1808. Eb
enezer Hulburd taught the first school in the winter of 1807. Dr. Pet
tibone was the first physician, but practiced very little. Dr. Lemuel
Winslow, who came in 181 1, was the first to devote himself to his
practice. Previous to 181 1 the settlers went to mill, chiefly in Hopkin-

520 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ton (where a mill was built in 1804), to Canada, or to what is now
Madrid, but in the first year named Amos Bicknell built a grist mill at
what became known as " Bickneyville," now West Stockholm, where a
mill has ever since been operated. Samuel Reynolds, who owned a
large tract of land not far from the east village, built a saw mill in 1804,
the first one in the town.
The number of settlers had largely increased by the opening of the
War of 1 812, but that event caused a great deal of consternation in
anticipation of Indian excursions, and a number of families fled, while
others adopted measures for self-protection. Stockades were build
around the dwelling of Dr. Pettibone and partly around that of Warren
Webster, a little east of the center of the town Here the inhabitants
assembled on occasions of alarm, but the defences were fortunately not
needed. After the close of the war a portion of those who left the coun
try never returned, and others came back to witness the waste and
destruction which their own folly and neglect had brought upon them.
Settlements again became active, and the clearing of farms and the
progress of agriculture has been unchecked to the present time. The
dairying industry has been greatly developed in recent years, and now
butter-making is the principal occupation of the farmers, through the
agency of a large number of factories.
The history of St. Lawrence county in its relation to the great War
of the Rebellion has been given in an earlier chapter. As far as this
town is concerned in meeting the calls of the government for men and
material means, the same energetic and liberal efforts were made that
characterized every town in the county. Bounties continued to be ad
vanced from $50 until near the close of the war they reached a total of
nearly $1,000 for each volunteer. The vacant places in many homes
afterwards testified to the loyalty and heroism of the people of the
town. The town records for a number of years at first show that the place
was overrun by ravenous beasts. At various times bounties were offered
from five dollars to twenty dollars on panthers and wolves. The bounty
tax for several years was much larger than the poor tax on the town.
Deer were also very plentiful, and venison was the principal meat used
by the settlers for a number of years.

THE TOWN OF STOCKHOLM. 521
Following is a list of the supervisors of the town from its formation,
with years of their services :
Ebenezer Hulburd, 1806; Simeon Nash, 1807 ; Zephaniah French, 1808-9; Stephen
A. Tambling, 1810-11; Warren Webster, 1812-13; Nathaniel F. Winslow, 1814-22;
Chauncey Pettibone, at a special meeting in 1823 ; Chauncey Pettibone, 1823-29 ;
Shiveric Holmes, 1830-32 ; Joseph Sanford, 1833 ; Benjamin Holmes, 1834 ; William
T. Osborne, 1835-36; Joseph H. Sanford, 1837-38; Dorus Pettibone, 1839; Thomas
Dunton, 1840 ; J. H. Sanford, 1841-42 ; Ziba L. Smith, 1843-45 ; Sidney Kelsey, 1846 ;
B. Holmes, 1847; Allen Lyman, 1848-49; Daniel P. Rose, 1850-51; Hiram Hulburd,
1852-55; Harvey Merrill, 1856 ; Daniel Shaw, 1857-59; Hiram Hulburd, 1860-63;
Ira Hale, 1864-65 ; Hiram Hulburd, 1867 ; Philo Abbott, 1868 ; George N. Culver,
1869 ; Jason W. Stearns, 1870 (died in office, and E. S. Crapser was appointed to com
plete term); E. S. Crapser. 1870-79; B. N. Burnap, 1880-1 ; James W. Culver, 1882-85 ;
S H. Stearns, 1886-89 ; John S. Thompson, 1890-91 ; John W. Morrison, 1892-94.
West Stockholm. — This pretty village is situated in the southwest
part of the town, on the west branch of the St. Regis, and has been
locally known as " Bickneyville," from Amos Bicknell, the pioneer,
whose settlement and building of the mills has been mentioned. Other
settlers on or near the village site were Luman Newell, Roswell and
Stiles Nelson, Thomas and Benjamin Knowlton, Benjamin Bisbee,
Martin Doud, John Thatcher, Abner Dodge, Eli Parkwell, Samuel
Culver and others.
About 1815 a road was opened by Mr. Pierrepont, proprietor, from
Parishville to Norfolk, which became a very important thoroughfare for
transporting potash and produce through to the navigable waters of the
Raquette River. It became known as the " Market Road," and event
ually passed near Bicknell's mills, though originally laid out a mile east
of the settlement.
The mills established by Mr. Bicknell have been rebuilt, and are now
operated by George W. Gibson. In 18 15 a carding mill was established
by Mr. Bicknell. which, after numerous changes, was converted into a
woolen factory, and is now operated by Robert Stafford. A foundry
and machine shop was started in 1846 by Carlton Smith, which he con
ducted many years ; it is now in the hands of Eugene Smith. A butter
tub factory is carried on by Levi Wellington, and a shingle mill by
George W. Gibson, and the latter also runs a starch factory. The mer
chants of the place are H. D. Pinney, George W. Gibson and Carl
Wellington. Mrs. Myra Trussell is postmistress.
66

522 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Winthrop. — This is the name of the village formerly called " Stock
holm," or " Stockholm Depot," situated on the O. & L. C. Railroad,
near the confluence of the east and west branches of the St. Regis. The
first settler here was Isaac Kelsey. The post-office was not established
until 1852, when Philo Abbott was appointed postmaster. The first
store was opened in 1 850 by Culver Stearns. Daniel Shaw soon after
ward began business and continued many years ; he was one of the
most prominent citizens. Ebenezer S. Crapser, now residing on Ogden's
Island (see history of Waddington), formerly was a prominent business
man here, and manufactured lumber, shingles, starch, etc., and carried
on the mills at Brasher Falls. The mercantile business of the place is
now represented by E. M. Shaw (who is also postmaster), E. F. Russell,
J. W. Morrison, J. W. White, G. H. Russell, A. D. Miller. There are
also the usual village shops. The hotel is kept by C. C. Corey. Be
sides the two villages just described, there are no less than six other
hamlets and post-offices in the town of Stockholm. They are as fol
lows :
Southville (or South Stockholm), situated on the southern line of the
town. The first settlers in this locality were Shubel Gurley, Daniel
Harrington, Dr. Hosea Brooks, John L. Mayhew and others. The first
post-office was established in 1825, with Dr. Brooks, postmaster; he
also kept a store. There has never been much business here. One of
the numerous butter factories is in operation here, and Mrs. Henry M.
Jarvis is postmistress.
Skinnerville. — This hamlet is situated on the St. Regis River, one
mile and a half west of Winthrop. A grist mill and a shingle mill have
been operated here many years and are now in possession of M. D.
Smith. A saw mill is operated by E, M. Shaw. A tannery and a
starch factory, formerly operated here, are now closed.
Stockholm (or East Stockholm). — On the site of this hamlet the first
settlement in the town was made by Dr. Luman Pettibone and Ebenezer
Hulburd. A store was conducted here many years, and a saw mill,
with several shops. There is no business here now, and Mrs. L. C.
Burnap is postmistress.
Buckton (Buck's Corners). — This hamlet received its name from
Asahel Buck, who settled here about 1825. The saw mill built here in

THE TOWN OF STOCKHOLM. 523
early years and a small grist mill are conducted by H. P. Riggs. A
starch factory formerly carried on has been abandoned. A butter
factory is now in operation, and H. H. Burroughs has a store and is
postmaster. Knapp's Station (North Stockholm P. O.).— - Moses Knapp settled
here in 1828, and when the O. & L. C. Railroad was built the place
took its name. The post-office was established at that time, and E. L.
Brush is now postmaster. Mr. Knapp built a steam saw mill in 1863,
but the business has been abandoned.
Brookdale (Scotland). — This locality was settled by John Grandy.
A saw mill formerly in operation here has been abandoned. Joseph W.
Brothers is postmaster and has a store. '
Stockholm Center. — A little hamlet has existed here for many years,
and a post office is now in charge of Mrs. Ann C. Ainger.
A small settlement on the St. Regis, below West Stockholm, with
former saw mills and shops, is known as Sanfordville ; but the busi
ness interests of the place have been abandoned, excepting a shingle
mill. Churches. — The first religious meetings were held in this town by
the settlers assembling in private houses in 1803. Elder Webster, a
Baptist, from Orwell, Vt, soon after preached a short time to them.
In 1806 Rev. Amos Pettingill held services a few weeks, and in the
next year Rev. E. Hibbard spent a few Sundays with the people, re
sulting in the formation of a Congregational church at East Stockholm,
with seven members, consisting of Dr. Luman Pettibone and wife, and
Almira, their daughter, Stephen A. Tamblin and wife, Miss Eleanor
Nash, and Mrs. Rosalinda Murray, at the house of Ebenezer Hulburd,
March 10, 1807. Meetings at first were held in barns in the summer
and private houses in the winter season. They were supplied until
1 813, when Rev. Hiram S. Johnson was employed to preach half of the
time until 18 19, when the Rev. Moses Parmalee succeeded him and
served them until 1824, holding services most of the time in school
houses. In 1829 a church was erected, and it became known as the
White Church. On June 6, 1837, the society was incorporated, with
Sidney Kelsey, Ashbel Skinner and Calvin T. Hulburd, trustees. This
building was used until a few years ago, when it was taken down and

524 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
rebuilt at Winthrop, where it is now in a prosperous condition, with a
membership of between 200 and 300. Rev. F. Hassold is the pastor.
A second Congregational church was formed at West Stockholm
about 1823, with five members, Rev. Roswell Pettibone being their first
pastor. A church edifice was erected in 183 1, at a cost of $1,800,
principally through the influence and means of J. H. Sanford. The
society retained its organization about thirty- six years.
The Methodist Episcopal church of West Stockholm was formed in
1828, succeeding a class which was in existence before that time. The
"Parishville circuit" was formed September 21, 1828, and in August,
1833, the name was changed to " Hopkinton circuit," with Rev. J. W.
Barney as pastor. The society was incorporated November 19, 1840,
with Loren Ashley, Ziba Smith, Ruel Lincoln, Roswell B. Webb,
Horace Doud, Martin Strait, Henry B. Sumner, Norman Ashley and
Joseph Page, trustees. The present pastor is Rev. C. F. Allen, who
also preaches at Buckton, where the church was organized January 10,
1872, by Rev. A. F. Bigelow, and placed in the Fort Jackson charge.
A brick church was built the same year, at a cost of $3,500. The
membership is about 100.
The First Episcopal Methodist church at North Stockholm (Knapp's
Station) was organized in February, 1865, with about fifty members.
A church was built in 1867, at a cost of $2,800. Rev. J. W. Simpson
was called to preach for them, coming from Norwood, where he also
serves a church.
An Episcopal Methodist church was formed at Brookdale in the
spring of 1867, and a house erected during the summer following, which
was used a few years only. There has been no pastor or meetings
held in several years, and the organization is substantially extinct.
Wesleyan Methodist. — The first Wesleyan Methodist church of East
Stockholm was organized in the summer of 1 843 with eight members.
The society was incorporated October 11, 1852, and in the following
year a house of worship was erected at a cost of $1,350.
A Wesleyan Methodist church was also organized at North Stock
holm in the fall of 1843, and a church erected in 1867 at a cost of
$1,500. A Wesleyan Methodist church was formed at Buckton some years
ago, but it has no pastor at the present time.

THE TOWN OF STOCKHOLM. 525
A Wesleyan Methodist church at Brookdale was organized in 1844-
45, and a church erected about that time. A parsonage was built in
1858-59, and the property is worth about $2,800. Rev A. E. Moses
is the present pastor, and the membership is about fifty-five.
A Wesleyan Methodist Society in East Stockholm was incorporated
October 11, 1852, with Ira Beach, Stillman Austin, Elias Jenkins,
Hugh Allen and James Kelsey, trustees. A church was erected not
long after, and services have been kept up with tolerable regularity.
At the present time there is no pastor over the society.
The First Baptist church of Stockholm, at " Stockholm Center," was
organized prior to 1812, and was incorporated May 25, 1822, with P.
Stearns, Warren Webster, and Luther Fuller, trustees. The church has
subsequently died out.
A Free-Will Baptist Church was organized in June, 1839, by Elder
Samuel Hart, at Stockholm. The society was not very numerous,
which soon became scattered, and finally became absorbed by other
churches. A Universalist Church was incorporated at Winthrop on March 26,
1888, over which Rev. L. W. Coons is the pastor. The society built a
church in the spring and summer of 1888, at a cost of $2,850, includ
ing furniture. The membership is twenty- nine. The officers of the
society were Delos D. Kelsey, moderator ; H. W. Stearns, clerk ;
Spencer H. Stearns, treasurer ; Philo A. Davis, Jesse P. Sawin, and
Isaac W. Thomas, trustees.

526 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXX.
THE TOWN OF RUSSELL— ORGANIZED IN 1807.
RUSSELL, the tenth town erected by an Act of the Legislature
passed March 27, 1807. It comprised the whole of the great
Tract No. 3, except so much of Township No. 3 as is now included in
Pierrepont, formerly under the jurisdiction of Hopkinton. On April 10,
18 1 8, the townships of Edwards and Fitz William (now Hermon and
Edwards) were taken from Russell and attached to Fowler. Rossie
was taken off January 27, 1813 ; a portion of Fowler April 15, 181 5 ;
Pierrepont, April 15, 18 18, and a part of Fine, March 27, 1849, thus re
ducing the territory of Russell to about 58,000 acres.
The town was originally heavily timbered, and the southern part is
still largely forest- covered, hilly or mountainous and rugged. The
soil where susceptible of cultivation is very fertile. Grass River flows
diagonally across the town, and numerous other smaller streams give
the town excellent drainage. By the terms of the act forming the
town, the first meeting was held at the house of Reuben Ashman, when
the following town officers were elected : Russell Attwater, supervisor ;
Reuben Ashman, town clerk ; Ezra Moore, Joseph Hutchison, Philip
Viall, assessors ; Calvin Hill, constable and collector ; John Knox,
Joseph Hutchinson, overseers of the poor ; Samuel Eaton, John Wat
son, John Knox, commissioners of highways ; John Watson, Thomas
Gillmore, fence viewers ; Azel Clark, Simeon Stiles, Elihu Morgan and
Joel Clark, overseers of highways.
In 1798 Russell Attwater (from whom the town was named) purchased
of McCormick a tract embracing 13,600 acres, all of which except the
north half of No. 5 was subsequently reconveyed to McCormick, and
later became the property of Joseph Pitcairn. Mr. Attwater made an
exploring trip here in 1806, and in the following year came in with
Timothy Blair (a surveyor who surveyed the town into farms), Nathan
Knox, Heman Morgan, Elias Hayden, Loren Knox, Reuben Ashman,

THE TOWN OF RUSSELL. 527
Jesse Bunnell, Elihu Morgan and David Knox. Nathaniel Higgins was
the first to bring in his family, and in the fall of 1805 Joel Clark and
his family located on Plum Creek. In April, 1806, Mr. Attwater re
turned, and in that and the succeding year the following settlers came
in : Joseph Hutchinson, Michael Coffin, Philip and Sampson Viall, John
Potter, John Cooper, Calvin Hill, Simeon Stiles, Elihu Phelps, Samuel
Clark, John Watson, Horace Dickenson, Enos Bunnell, Luther and
David Phelps, and Philetus Clark. The first white child born in town
was a son of Reuben Ashman, in October 1806; the second was a
daughter in the family of Nathaniel Higgins, in May, 1807. Calvin
Hill and Harriet Knox were the first persons married and the first
death was a Mr. Curtis in 1807. Between 1810 and 18 16 the town was
very rapidly settled, and anticipations were indulged that it would soon
become a populous and wealthy community. But these anticipations
were clouded by a season of adversity. Mr. Attwater had in his busi
ness mortgaged his lands to the Mohawk Valley Bank, and being unable
to meet his payments a foreclosure followed, which affected the titles of
the settlers and caused the utmost disappointment. Many went away
and only by the most urgent appeals were others prevailed upon to re
main. The lands passed into the hands of Gerrit Smith, whose native
benevolence led him to give all possible accommodation to those who
needed it, and the settlements finally recovered and continued to ad
vance. This town attracted some attention in the War of 1812, on account
of the location here of an arsenal an the opening- of the roads toward
Lake George and Albany, which, concentrating in town, were supposed
to promise prospects of future greatness, together with the St. Lawrence
turnpike, then in course of completion, and by its enormous business
during the first few years, gave encouragement that this prosperity
would last. On account of the blockade of Sackett's Harbor by the
British, troops and munitions of war to a certain extent were sent from
Plattsburg through the woods to the former place, who passed by the
way of Russell and Edwards ; but at the close of the war trade was
diverted, and the roads soon fell into disuse, which greatly checked the
growth of the place. Dr. Hough gives the following account of the
arsenal :

528 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
An act was passed February 24, 1809, which directed the governor to cause to be
deposited, if he should deem necessary, an amount not exceeding 500 stand of arras,
in such place in St. Lawrence county as he should select, with such quantities of am
munition and military stores as in his opinion would be necessary in case of invasion.
The village of Russell, from its being interior and on the St. Lawrence turnpike, was
selected, and a building erected. It stands on a commanding elevation, a little north
of the village, on a lot given to the State by Mr. Attwater for the purpose of an arsenal,
and is a massive stone building, three stories high, 30 by 50 feet on the ground, and
originally surrounded by a high stone wall, bristling with iron spikes. The lower story
was designed for artillery, the second for small arms, and the third for ammunition.
During the war a guard was posted around the premises for its protection, but since that
period no further supervision has been maintained than the care of a keeper, who was
a citizen residing in the vicinity. In the summer of 1850 the arsenal building was sold
at auction, in pursuance of a general law, for the sum of $525. The arms, amounting
to four hundred stand, and some twenty thousand cartridges were sold in small lots at
the same time.
After the Russell arsenal was disposed of an appropriation was made
by the State for a new one to be built at Ogdensburg, which was car
ried out within a few years after. It was built of blue limestone on the
bank of the Oswegatchie River, a few rods above the east end of the
dam. It was soon after abandoned, and the property, costing about
$10,000, was sold to the city of Ogdensburg about 1875, for $1,000
which has since been used as a storehouse for the water works.
We learn from an old resident of the town the following : The walls
of the building are thirty- five to forty feet high, thirty inches thick, and
are still in a good state of preservation. The property was bid in by
Benjamin Smith, of Russell, at the time and at the price before stated,
who sold the same to the town about ten years later for school purposes,
he having experimented in the mean time in establishing a high school,
but without success. In addition to the stone wall surrounding the
building, as mentioned, there was erected a guard house 'or a small
barrack with the necessary conveniences to accommodate a company of
soldiers. It was situated a short distance from the arsenal, and several
booths were placed around the arsenal enclosure, with lights on either
side, for the use of the guards while on duty. During the War of 18 12
Corporal Horace Dickinson, with a small company of soldiers, was
stationed there. At the close of the war the arsenal was placed in
charge of a citizen of the place.

THE TOWN OF RUSSELL. 529
Notes. — The town records show that a bounty of five dollars was
offered for each wolf destroyed, and one dollar for foxes. It seemed to
be the custom to take a vote at their town meetings to raise one hun
dred dollars each year, from which sum bounties were paid. Should
this bounty money accumulate beyond what was required for the space
of a few years, then a certain portion of this money set apart to pay the
bounties on wolves or other obnoxious animals was devoted to making
roads or building bridges. A regulation was passed in 1810 that sleds
should be four feet wide, and a fine of two dollars was the penalty for
going on the public highway with a sled under that measure. A pen
alty of one dollar was voted for allowing Canada thistles to grow and
go to seed.
The following names are given of persons who were active in build
ing up the various interests of the town after the period of adversity
before alluded to : Rollin Smith, Philip Viall, Ezra Moore, Stephen
Kimball, James Williams, Timothy Kimball, Enos Wright, Consider
Hall, Benj. Gibbons, James Mathews, John Boyd, Anthony C. Brown,
Enos Green, David Loop, Wm. Danforth, Elanson Ray, Thomas Gibbs,
Royal and Justus Stiles, Erastus Lloyd, H. Van Ornam, Charles and
Benjamin Smith.
The town of Russell has prided itself upon the results of its efforts in
aid of the government during the great war of 1861-65. She furnished
423 volunteers, among whom were thirty-one commissioned officers;
raised $21,369 for the various war purposes, and seventy- one of her
brave soldiers sleep in heroes' graves. The customary bounties were
paid to volunteers, and so liberal were the contributions that nearly
$1,000 remained on hand when the last of these obligations was paid.
Following are names of the supervisors of the town from its forma
tion, with the years of their service :
1808-9, Russell Attwater; at a special meeting, March 27, 1809, Reuben Ashman;
1810-14, Reuben Ashman; 1815-17, Anthony C. Brown; 1818, Reuben Ashman;
1819-21, Phineas Attwater ; 1822, Reuben Ashman ; 1823-27, James Williams ; 1828-
33, Rollin Smith ; 1834-38, Elihu Phelps; 1839-40, Holmes Nevin; 1841-42, Rollin
Smith; 1843-46, Benjamin Smith ; 1847, Rollin Smith; 1848, James Williams; 1849-
'50, Nelson Doolittle; 1851-54, Rollin C. Jackson ; 1855, Nelson Doolittle; 1856, Wm.
B. Rose; September 27, 1856, John Goodside was elected to fill vacancy ; 1857-59,
Joseph H. Gibbons ; 1860-61, Charles Smith; 1862-66, Julius M. Palmer; 1867-68,
Wm. E.Boyd; 1869-70, Benjamin Smith; 1871-76, Hiram Bartlett; 1877, Wm. H.
67

530 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Lewis, jr.; 1878, Julius M. Palmer; 1879-80, Hiram Bartlett; 1881-86, James R.
Smith ; 1887-8, H. Stanley Derby ; 1889, Wm. Stephenson ; 1890, H. Stanley Derby ;
1891-4, Rollin G. Smith.
Russell village is situated near the center of the town on both sides of
the Grass River. The place was settled in 1805, when Nathaniel
Higgins located near the village site ; Russell Attwater came the next
year with Reuben Ashman, Nathan, David and Loren Knox, Jesse and
and Moses A. Bunnell, and in 1807 the Phelps brothers, Horace Dick
inson, John Watson, and Dr. Goddard came in. The manufacturing
interests of the place began with the building of a saw mill by Mr. Att
water in 1807, and the site was occupied for the same purpose until
recent years. A saw mill, however, was put in operation on Plum
Creek, about half a mile from its mouth, near Russell, by Joel Clark, in
the fall of 1805. Mr. Clark and Higgins, with their families, were the
only ones settled in that neighborhood until 1 807. In 18 10 Mr. Att
water put up a small grist mill near the site of the present mill ; the
latter was erected in 1863 by Hiram Bartlett, and is now operated by
Charles Bartlett. Other manufactures that have been carried on here
were a fanning mill factory, which subsequently became a furniture
shop, run by Palmer & Boyd ; a cloth dressing business carried on by
George L. Hosford, M. Van Brocklin and others, now abandoned. A
forge was built by Benjamin Smith at the village on Grass River in
1846. It had two fires capable of producing about 400 pounds of bar
iron per day. It was worked with bog and magnetic ores and with
scrap iron. The ores were obtained from beds about eleven miles from
the forge in unlimited quantities. The business was abandoned a few
years later. An axe factory was established in 1850 and discontinued
a few years later. The present manufactures are a furniture shop by
Daniel Colton, who also deals in furniture ; Hepburn, Brown & Co.
make butter tubs ; and F. W. Blanchard is proprietor of a cheese fac
tory ; James Gore is a harness maker and deals in horse fittings.
The first school in Russell was taught in a log house in the Knox
settlement by Phineas Attwater. In January, 1814, three school dis
tricts were formed, which have been subdivided until there are nineteen
districts at the present time.

THE TOWN OF RUSSELL. 531
Russell is prominent as a dairy town, and considerable attention has
been given to raising blooded stock. There are now eight cheese fac
tories in operation, and the product enjoys a high reputation.
The village of North Russell is situated near the Canton line, and the
immediate locality was settled by nine members of the Knox family,
of whom John came in 1805 and with him his son Chester. Joseph
Hutchinson, Samuel Clark and his six sons, Rollin Smith, Alvin White
and others located in that section of the town, the latter on Rensselaer
Creek. On that stream Jacob Hutchins built a log grist mill in 1806.
The present mill succeeded the first one, and is operated by Almon
Gilman. At a later day Dr. Alanson Ray built a saw mill here for
Joseph Pitcairn, which was swept away ; but a mill has always been
maintained, and is now operated by Almon Gilman in connection with
the grist mill farther up the stream. Other saw mills were built and
are now operated, one by A. E. Burdick, known as the Robinson mill ;
and one by A. Gates at what is called " Palmerville ; " and one by
Chester Van Ornam at what is called " Silver Hill." The post-office
was established in February, 1848, with Linus Clark, postmaster. The
present official is Leland D. Clark. Clark Brothers carry on a mer
cantile business, and one of the cheese factories is established here.
The first store was opened by Anthony C. Brown, a lawyer, of Og
densburg, about 1 8 14. William Danforth and J. P. Moulton were also
pioneer merchants, and later came John Goodrich, Hiry Derby and J.
M. Palmer, Charles Smith, O. Baker and others. Present merchants
are R. G. Smith, J. M. Palmer, O. M. Baker, George W. Burt and P.
G. Carr.
The first tavern was built in 181 2 by Moses A. Bunnell, and kept by
him a number of years. The building, with many others, was burned
in 1874, and another built on its site. It is now kept by O. Richard
son. The post-office was established in June, 1812, with Pliny God
dard postmaster. The present official in the office is J. M. Palmer.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
In the summer of 1806 the missionary, Rev. Royal Phelps, visited
the new neighborhood and held services at the house of Russell Att
water, where meetings were occasionally held until the erection of

532 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
school houses. In the spring of 1817 Rev. James Johnson held meet
ings in the village in connection with the De Kalb Mission, when a con
gregational church was organized with ten members, and James Will
iams and Enos Wright were elected deacons. In i840the membership
had increased to thirty, when they contemplated building a church, the
Revs. Mr. Montague and Graves having officiated in connection with
other charges up to this time. But the removal of several of the lead
ing members prevented this purpose, and the services shortly after were
discontinued. The Zion Episcopal Church. — The first meetings of this denomination
was held in the summer of 1807 by Bishop Hobart. A parish or church
was formed on July 15, 1809, with fifteen members, Russell Attwater
and Jesse Bunnell as wardens ; Justus Ives, Levi Frost, John Boyd,
Moses A. Bunnell, Reuben Ashman, Phineas Attwater, William Att
water and Nathan Knox, vestrymen. The church never had a regular
rector, and after a few years the work was abandoned.
The Baptist Society. — Services of this denomination were held here as
early as 1 809 by Rev. Samuel Rowley, who was one of the advance
missionaries sent out to look up this people. Meetings were held in the
house of Philip Viall and in school-houses for a number of years, when
a society was formed without a legal organization previous to 1845.
At this time a small frame church was erected, being the first church
edifice in town, which was dedicated October 15, 1845. The society in
connection with this church was incorporated December 29, 1846, with
H. Van Ornam, William G. Gibbons, and Gilbert Stewart, trustees.
In 1874 the old church was thoroughly reconstructed, a basement
and tower added, and finished off in good style, valued now at $4,000,
and rededicated in August of that year by Rev. A. W. Barnes, mostly
through the efforts and means of J. M. Palmer.
A second Baptist church was organized at Monterey settlement in
June, 1877, with twenty- five members, most of whom had withdrawn
from the above named church for the purpose of forming this one. A.
Colton and A. A. Baker were elected deacons. Services were held in
school houses.
A Methodist Episcopal church of Russell was formed in 1847 with
eight members. Services in this faith had been held here prior to that

THE TOWN OF LOUISVILLE. 533
year at North Russell and at Elm Creek. In February, 185 1, the so
ciety was incorporated with Hiry Derby, M. Van Brocklin and Charles
Rundell, trustees. In 1857 a substantial frame church was erected
costing, with a parsonage built in 185 1, about $2,500. The present
pastor is Rev. Linus Green. Preaching and other services under this
charge are held at North Russell, Silver Hill, Belleville, South Russell
and Monterery, with Sunday schools organized at most of these places.
The Universalists and other denominations also hold services occasion
ally in some parts of the town.

CHAPTER XXXI.
THE TOWN OF LOUISVILLE— ORGANIZED IN 1810.
THIS was the eleventh town erected by an Act of the Legislature,
passed April 5, 18 10. Louisville is one of the northern towns of
the county, borders on the St. Lawrence River in the northeastern part
of the county, and comprises the larger portion of the original township
No. 1. It now contains 33,424 acres, and was formerly under the ju
risdiction of Massena. It is bounded by Massena on the east, Norfolk
on the south, Waddington on the west, and the St. Lawrence River on
the north. The Grass River flows across the central part nearly paral
lel with the St. Lawrence. The surface is level or gently rolling, and
the soil a fertile loam Several islands in the St. Lawrence, the more
important being Croil's and Goose -Neck, belong to the town.
Louisville was settled about ten years before its formation. The first
town meeting was directed to be held at the house of John Wilson, but
the loss or absence of the records of the first five years of its existence
renders its history somewhat obscure for a time. In April, 1800,
Nahum Wilson, the first settler, arrived in the town, coming in from
Canada, where he had lived a year. He was originally from Peru, N.
Y. He was accompanied by his two sons and Aaron Allen, but did
not bring his family until the following winter. He settled on the lot
next east of the one recently occupied by his grandson, Jeremiah

534 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Wilson. They raised some corn the first season and in the next some
wheat, the first produced in the town. Mr. Allen and Samuel W.
Wilson, son of Nahum, cut down the first tree in their clearing and
built the first log house in the town. The next settler was John Wil
son, who came from Vermont in the spring of 1801. He was soon fol
lowed by Lyman Bostwick, Dr. Elisha W. Barber and several of his
brothers, Griffin Place, Joseph Bradford, Alexander Loughrey, Charles
Whalen, Jube Day, Jeremiah Wood. Among those of later arrival
were Samuel Wells, Ephraim Wood, Thomas Bingham, C. S. Willard,
Amos Underwood, Levi Cole, Chistopher G. Stowe, Timothy W. Os
borne, and others whose names will appear in the succeeding pages.
The first birth in town was a son of Nahum Wilson, Nahum, jr., born
October 28, 1801, and the first death that of Philo Barber, in either 1801
or 1802. After about 1805 settlement was quite active and the lands
were eagerly taken up. In 1805 Asa Day, one of the pioneers, erected
a saw mill on the Grass River about a mile below the site of Louisville
village. The first school was taught by Elisha Barber, probably in
1809, in a log school-house in the Wilson neighborhood. Sylvester
Drake and Lucinda Cole, and Joel Case and Lucy Haws, were married
in the year 1809, but which twain has the honor of priority is not now
known. On the 6th of January, 1806, a sad event occurred in the town which
spread a pall of gloom and mourning in the little community. The fol
lowing account of it is condensed from Mr. Hough's writing :
Dr. Barber and Mr. Chapman, from Madrid, and Messrs. Powell and Alexander, of
Louisville, were accidentally drowned while crossing the St. Lawrence, about opposite
the center of the town. They had been over to Canada, where they were detained by
the roughness of the river occasioned by a strong east wind. Towards night, the wind
having abated, they attempted to cross in a log canoe, but their boat capsized and two
of their number are supposed to have drowned immediately. The other two clung to
their boat and endeavored by cries to obtain assistance. These cries were heard on
both sides of the river and to a great distance below as they floated down, but no one
paid any particular attention to them, not realizing that they proceeded from persons in
distress, and these two also perished. Three of the bodies were found several miles
below, and the fourth a great distance from the place of the capsize, among the islands.
A large dog which was aboard had been tied to keep him quiet, and he is sunposed, in
his struggles to get free, to have overturned them. This sad accident spread a gloom
through the settlements, and was a cause of unavailing regret to those who had heard

THE TOWN OF LOUISVILLE. 535
the cries without hastening to their assistance. No blame was attached to any one,
and the darkness of the night and roughness of the river were such that aid could
scarcely have been afforded had the situation of the sufferers been appreciated. A
touching incident that occurred in the morning of the day on which the accident hap
pened was rendered peculiarly affecting by the fatal event. As one of the number was
about leaving home, a little daughter, who evinced great fondness for her father, came
to him in a manner unusually affectionate, tenderly embraced and kissed him, and ex
acted of him a promise that he would certainly return before night. She seemed to
have an instinctive foreboding of evil, and by the artless innocence of childlike entreaty
endeavored to prevent him leaving home.
The formation of Norfolk in 1823 diminished the size of Louisville
nearly one half, but a small part of that town was reannexed to Louis
ville in April, 1844. Among the regulations adopted in 18 19 was one
offering a bounty of ten dollars for wolves killed, and two years later
one of one dollar for foxes. Relative to proposed divisions of the town
in 1823, two notices were promulgated; one was to form a town six
miles square from Lisbon, Madrid, Stockholm and Potsdam, with Nor
folk village as its center ; the other was for the division which was sub
sequently made in the formation of Norfolk. An attempt was made in
1849 to take a part of the town and annex it to Massena. This project
was undoubtedly most objectionable to the people of Louisville, for they
voted to lay the proposition under the table.
Mr, Hough has made special reference to the fact that the pioneers
of Louisville previous to the War of 1812 were the recipients of nu
merous favors from their neighbors on the Canada shore. Why this
should be true of Louisville any more than of other towns is not wholly
clear, unless it was a fact that the residents across the river at that par
ticular locality were in better circumstances than others farther east or
west. Many of those Canadian settlers were Germans who had come
from the Mohawk Valley during the Revolution — were Tories, in fact —
and they had early become well and comfortably established, had built
mills, were raising crops of grain and vegetables, and it is a credit to
them that they contributed to the necessities of the pioneers on the
south shore, though they had differed in their former attitude towards
the English king and the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Hough says :
Previous to the declaration of war (1812) the most friendly relations existed; families
exchanged visits with as much freedom and frequency as if the river was but a common

536 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
street, and they were constantly in the habit of borrowing and lending those articles
which their limited means did not allow each one to possess. The war for a time made
each suspicious of the other and entirely stopped all intercourse for a time, but neces
sity led them ere long to look back with regret on the customs of former times and
secretly long for their return. During the first summer of the war many of the Can
adians were called off to perform military duty and labor on the fortifications at Pres
cott, and their families were left to provide for themselves as they might best be able.
Provisions became scarce and want stared them in the face. Pressed with hunger the
children of one of the families, remembering the homely but wholesome fare which they
had formerly observed on the south shore, one night entered a boat, and being skillful
in its use, crossed over and humbly begged at the door of a house at which they were
acquainted for food. The family were overjoyed at the visit, and on their return sent
back an invitation for their parents to come over on a certain night and renew their old
acquaintance. They did so, and never were people more delighted than these when
they met, exchanged salutations and learned by those expressions which come from the
heart that although the two governments had declared them enemies they were still
friends. It is said that from that time onward the nightly clandestine visits
were of constant occurrence until the close of the war made them un
necessary. With the end of that struggle settlers came more rapidly
into the town ; the forests fell before the pioneer's axe, and the found
ations of future prosperity were securely laid.
Inhabitants of Louisville were directly interested in that struggle, and
early in the summer of 1812 organized a volunteer company for self-
protection, consisting of forty men. That number comprised all the
male population who were capable of bearing arms. Benjamin Daniels
was chosen " high sergeant," an office which they must have created
for their own special accommodation. Soon after their organization
they received orders from General Brown at Ogdensburg to stop all
craft on the river opposite the town. This led to the capture of a raft,
in the cabin of which they found a large quantity of stores, most of
which they forwarded to the collector of the district. Before the close
of that season a regular militia company was organized, with Benjamin
Willard as captain, which drew arms from the arsenal at Russell and
was in service from August to November, but they did not come into
active conflict with the enemy.
It is worthy of rcord to state that the first death penalty inflicted in
St. Lawrence county was for the murder of three persons in this town
on the 22d of February, 18 16, details of which event have been given
on pages(i354-6.

THE TOWN OF LOUISVILLE. 537
Croil's Island, which has been mentioned, has had several different
names, that of the French being " He au Chamailles," while its inhabi
tants in later years have called it Baxter's, Stacy's and now Croil's,
after the names of its owners. Previous, to 1818, when the boundaries
between the two countries was fixed, this island was considered British
territory ; under that belief, Asa Baxter, who then owned it, was drafted
into the British army in 18 12, and on his refusal to serve, the island
was confiscated. Baxter appears to have been made of patriotic ma
terial, for he deserted the British and fled to Vermont, where he remained
to the close of the war. Returning to his island, he was promptly
arrested as a deserter and confined in the Cornwall jail from April to
August, 1 8 14. On the way to Kingston for his trial he escaped from
the officers. When the island was finally assigned to this country he
he gave himself up for trial at Cornwall, but the court, of course, had
no jurisdiction over him, and he returned to the island and lived there
several years. He was dispossessed through the purchase of the islands
in the St. Lawrence by Judge Ogden, owing to a misunderstanding be
tween the land commissioners and the attorney-general, but he was in
some measure recompensed at a later date. The island contains about
1,800 acres and is now divided into several farms.
This town, in common with others, on the river was visited by the
cholera in 1832, but not with great severity. There were ten cases,
only one of which was fatal. A board of health was organized, with
Dr. Ira Gibson as health officer, and designated the shore of the St.
Lawrence " between Robert Crawford's and Allen McLeod's farms '' as
quarantine grounds.
The chief industry of the town has always been farming. Aside from
that a few mills and manufacturing industries have been started, but
most of them have gone out of existence. The site of the little village
of Louisville ( formerly called " Millerville " from the Rev. Levi Miller),
is on the Grass River and has a good water power. Mr. Miller was a
licentiate Methodist preacher, originally from Massachusetts, but later
from Turin, Lewis county, N. Y., and came to this town as agent for
Ja nes McVicker, the purchaser from Macomb of the tract which em
braced the village site. Mr. Miller arrived in March, 1823, and found
a small clearing made a few years earlier by Oliver Ames, A bridge
68

538 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
which had been built in 1820, also crossed the river, and- the founda
tions for a saw mill were also laid. McVicker began making improve
ments and in 1833 built the stone part of the grist mill now standing.
In 1837 George Redington came in and purchased the water power, of
which Mr. Miller owned one-quarter, finished the mill building, put in
the machinery and put it in operation. This mill has since been en
larged by a wooden part and is now operated by M. & E. Whalen.
Redington owned the mill until his death in September, 1850, and after
wards it passed through various hands to the present owners
There was a dam and a small grinding mill built about a mile lower
down the river, but it long since passed away.
Other manufactures were a carriage factory established in 1 85 3 by
a Mr. Sullivan, but it was closed up after a long and successful career.
A saw and shingle mill now in operation was lately taken by S. F.
Wells ; it had been carried on about twenty years. The post-office
here was established in 1827, with Levi Miller as postmaster. The
present official is Willard Loughrey, who also conducts a mercantile
business. John B. Willson was a merchant and hotel keeper for many
years and a prominent and useful citizen ; he held the office of super
visor for many years and was held in high respect. He died August
14, 1893. Wm. J. Mien & Co. are merchants and A. G. Taylor sells
boots and shoes.
Settlement was begun at what is known as Chase's Mills, by Alden
Chase, and hence its name. Others who settled early in that section
were Eben and Varnum Polley and James and Elijah Stearns. The
hamlet is in the southwest part of the town and for many years had
only a few houses and a grist mill ; but the water power is excellent
and led to starting several other manufactures. The first grist mill was
built in 1834 and burned ten years later. Elijah H. Stearns erected
the second mill in i860, which suffered the fate of its predecessor after
some twenty years of existence. A feed mill is now operated by M.
Fobair. A successful tannery owned by George Graves & Son, of Rut
land, Vt, was operated several years, and also a shingle and saw mill.
A pump factory was carried on by Haggett & Son, but it has, gone
down. L. E. Barnett has been many years and still is a merchant, and
a second store is kept- by Nolan & Ballou. Mr. Barnett is postmaster
and has held the office many years.

THE TOWN OF LOUISVILLE. 539
Louisville Landing is a port of entry from Canada, with a few houses
and two stores, a hotel and a few shops. James Matthews has one of
the stores and is customs officer in 1893. H. T. Clark carries on the
other store, and Adelia Gibson is postmistress.
The agricultural industry of this town, since the days of lumbering
and black salts, has in recent years undergone the same changes wrought
elsewhere in this section. The dairying interest is large and almost
wholly devoted to the production of butter. There is one large factory
and several smaller ones which are tributary to it, and the product en
joys a high reputation. RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
It is believed that there was no church organization within the pres
ent limits of this town until 1820. There was a church in Raymond-
ville at an earlier date, which was, until 1823, in this town. Meetings
for religious services were, however, held by different denominations
long before the year mentioned, often by ministers from Canada.
Through the efforts of Benjamin and Peter Powers a small society was
gathered and meetings held in the dwelling occupied in recent years by
John Whalen, and there the Rev. Levi Miller formed a Methodist
class. The church was not organized until 1839, and on the 3d of June
of that year the following trustees were chosen : Levi Miller, Levi
Miller, jr., Israel G. Stowe, John Power and John Doud. The house
of worship was erected in 1840 at a cost of about $4,000. The present
pastor is Rev. W. T. Best.
The Second Methodist Church was organized at Chase's Mills with
about twenty-two members, July 12, 1869. The first officers were
L. E. Barnett, Robert Bardon, R. C. Allen, Apollos Jones, and I. A.
Harriman, trustees; William Bardon, treasurer; L. E. Barnett, church
clerk. The house was erected in the same year of brick, and cost
$2,400. Of this amount $1,000 were contributed by the inhabitants,
and on dedication day, contrary to predictions of many, the $1,400 re
maining was all paid up. Athough not numerous in membership, this
church has always been active and prosperous. The pulpit is now sup
plied by Rev. Frank H. Taylor.
A Methodist Society was organized with forty members at Louis
ville Landing in 1852, by Rev. H. Chittenden, and a church was built

540 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
in the same year. Services have been regularly held. The member
ship is small and the pulpit is supplied from Louisville village.
The Presbyterian church of Louisville was organized just previous to
the erection of the present brick edifice in 1880. The building cost
$4,500. The membership is about fifty five, and the church is now
supplied on Sabbath afternoons by the congregational minister, Rev.
A. S. Warden, from Massena.
The St. Lazvrence Roman Catholic Church was organized with sixty-
four families, October 2, 1869. John B. Whalen presided, and Michael
Power was secretary of the meeting held for the purpose of effecting the
formation of the society. The church was erected in 187 1-72, at a cost
of $7,000. The first trustees were Bishop Wadhams, Very Rev. James
Mackey, Father Welsh, then pastor in charge, and John B. Whalen and
Michael Power. The membership is about 300, and Father D. Nolan
is in charge.
Since the opening of the first school in the town by Elisha Barber in
1808, in the Willson neighborhood, and of another a little later by Rev.
Levi Miller, near the Louisville village site, great changes have been ef
fected. The rude log school house has given way to tidy frame
buildings, comfortably furnished and supplied with teachers of educa
tion and experience. There are now fourteen districts in the town, all
of which are in prosperous circumstances
Following is a list of the supervisors of Louisville from 1816 to the
present, with dates of service:
1816, Elisha W. Barber; 1S19, Christopher G. Stowe ; 1820, Benjamin Raymond;
1821, Timothy W. Osborne; 1S22-23, C. G. Stowe; 1824. Samuel R. Anderson; 1825-
2-f, William Bradford; 1829, September 19,  Gould, to fill vacancy from Brad
ford's death; 1829-33, Jube E. Day ; 1S34, Allen McL.od, jr. ; 1S35, J. E. Day ; 1836,
Allen McLeod; 1837-40, Samuel Bradford; 1841-42, John Doud ; 1843, Thomas Bing
ham; 1844, S. Bradford; 1S45, T. Bingham; 1846-47, Nathaniel D. Moore; 1848,
John Gibson; 1848. March 25, Levi Miller, jr., to fill vacancy; 1849, Levi Miller, jr.;
1850-54, John Gibson; 1855, Mark A. Moore; 1856-57, Samuel Bradford; 185S, Will
iam Miller ; 1859-60, Samuel Bradford; 1861, Levi Miller; 1862-63, John Whalen;
1804-05, James Miller; 1800-68, William Bradford; 1869, Otis H. Wells; 1870-71,
John Whalen; 1S72, James Miller; 1873-77. William Bradt'ord ; 1878-79, W. W. Tut-
tle; 18S0, Otis H. Wells; 1881. W. W. Tuttle ; 18S2, Otis H. Wells; 1883-84, Henry
Mulholland; 1885-SO, John B. Wilson; 1887-89, Guy R. Cook; 1890-93, John B,
Wilson; Otis Wells, 1894.

v5T ^^^^

THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR. 541

CHAPTER XXXII.
THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR— ORGANIZED IN 1810.
THIS town was erected by an act of the Legislature passed April
15, 1 8 10. It comprised the original township of " Cambria," No.
10, lying in the extreme southwestern corner of the ten towns and was
under the jurisdiction of Oswegatchie. It was patented by the State to
Alexander Macomb, December 17, 1787, after which it passed through
various owners to Gouverneur Morris between the years of 1798 and
1808, and in honor of whom the town was named. The territory was
somewhat dimished by the erection of Macomb in 1841. The first town
meeting was held at the house of John Spencer, where the following
officers were elected : Richard Townsend, supervisor; Amos Comley, *
town clerk ; Rufus Washburn, Isaac Morgan, Pardon Babcock, assessors ;
Amos Comley, Benjamin Smith, Ephriam Case, commissioners of high
ways; Jonathan S. Colton, Isaac Morgan, fence viewers; Israel Porter,
pound master. A portion of the surface of the town is rolling, while
in other parts rugged hills and rocky limestone ledges prevail, furnish
ing valuable building material which will be more fully explained fur
ther on. The soil is sandy in places, mixed with clay and gravel suitable
for agricultural purposes. The town is well watered with numerous
springs, brooks and the Oswegatchie River passing nearly twice through
the central part (see page 109). The forest growth of timber of the
various kinds was equal to other localities in the county.
This territory was first settled by white men, as far as known, in the
summer of 1805, when several men under leadership of Dr. Richard
Townsend, from Washington county, N. Y., came into the locality. Dr.
Townsend had been engaged by Mr. Morris to act as his agent for the
Cambray lands and to promote their settlement. The names of the
party were Willard Smith, Isaac Austin, Pardon Babcock, John Alden,
Ambi Higby and Morris Mead. Their route into the town was from
the head of Lake George through the wilderness to the Smith settle-

542 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ment in De Kalb, whence they proceeded southwest to the Oswegat
chie just above the natural dam. Thence they passed down and crossed
the river near the present line of Rossie. After looking over the coun
try, they returned home by way of Indian and Black Rivers. In the
fall of the same year Dr. Townsend, with a party of those before named
and others, made a second visit to the town, coming up from the south
to the Oswegatchie and up that stream to the small island on the site
of Gouverneur village. This locality greatly pleased them. Lands
were selected for settement, a surveyor secured, tracts laid out and a
beginning made in clearing away the forest. The party then returned
to their homes
Early in February, 1806, Willard Smith, Pardon Babcock, Isaac
Austin and Eleazer Nichols set out with their families from Hartford,
Washington county, to take up their permanent residence in Cambray.
They were provided with eight bushels of beans, eleven hundred pounds
of boneless pork, sugar, tea and coffee, with a small outfit of furniture
and cooking utensils. Mrs. Austin had been many years a rheumatic
invalid and was carried the whole distance in a crib. Seven cows and
four yoke of oxen were driven in by the party. The women and chil
dren were left with Gershom Mattoon, who had opened a tavern on the
site of Antwerp village, while the men went forward to build the first
rude dwelling places. Isaac Austin established himself within the lim
its of the present village ; Babcock on what became known as the Joel
Keyes place ; and Smith and Nichols built a shanty together where
James Maddock recently lived. On the 31st of March, Isaac Morgan
and his wife came in from Vermont, and Dr. Townsend came soon after
ward, but did not bring his family until the following year.
Through the influence of the first four pioneers and the reported
value of the farming lands and the water power, other settlers soon
arrived, and in the spring of 1 807 there were twelve families, the eight
besides the four being Dr. John Spencer, Isaac Morgan, Dr. Richard
Townsend, Daniel Austen, Stephen Patterson, Benjamin Smith, Israel
Porter and Stephen Smith. Land began to advance in value and a
large tract was purchased and divided into farms. The original price
was $2.50 per acre but was soon raised to $3.00 and $4.00. As con
siderable land was occupied on both sides of the river, the need of a

THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR. 543
bridge was felt as crossing was by boats or on a log foot path which was
made by felling trees in the river. Therefore an effort was made to
provide a bridge, and as the town of Oswegatchie declined to aid in
the undertaking, the settlers with commendable zeal and energy raised
the sum of $500, when Isaac Kendall built a log bridge, in the summer
of 1807, which served its purpose about twelve years. In the same
summer the route from Antwerp was worked in a more direct line and
continued through to Richville. Many families of the St. Regis Indians
were camping in the neighborhood, who were generally friendly when
sober, though their native shyness proved a source of annoyance. Re
ligious exercises were regularly held, consisting of prayer meetings and
the reading of Scripture and exhortation on the Sabbath, the latter ser
vice being often conducted by Stephen Patterson. In the spring of
1806, two Congregational missionaries, named Pettengill and Nicholas,
came from Massachusetts and remained in the little settlement a short
time, and a Methodist preacher named Heath came occasionally from
De Kalb and held service. Previous to the organization of the Baptist
church in 181 1, religious harmony prevailed and no outward feeling
was manifested regarding sect or belief, and all parties worshiped to
gether. The first families were Baptist, but a large Congregational
element was early developed, each giving of his ability for the support
of the Gospel by whomsoever declared. Concerning the privations of
the pioneers, while establishing their homes in the wilderness, see Chap
ter IX. The nearest mill was at Cooper's Falls, a distance of many
miles through the woods to go for a supply of meal.
The first birth in the town was that of Allen Smith, son of Willard
Smith, born May 8, 1806. The first death was that of a two year- old
daughter of Isael Porter, in August, 1808. Previous to the spring of
1807, the nearest physician was Dr. Seeley of De Kalb, until Dr. John
Spencer arrived.
Other arrivals in 1807 were Col burn Barrell and Roswell Wilder,
while in 1808 there came Joel Wilder, James Parker, John Parker,
Ephraim Case, Jonathan S. Colton, William Cleghorn, Henry Welch,
Jeremiah Merrihew, Jesse Dewey and Stephen Patterson. James
Thompson, James Haile and Jonathan Paine came in 1808. Among
those who came in the following year were Timothy Sheldon, Reuben

544 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Nobles, William W. Rhodes, Richard Kimball and Capt. Rockwell
Barnes, a millwright and a man of enterprise, who did much to advance
the prosperity of the town. From this time forward, settlements in
creased rapidly and farms were cleared from year to year of the original
forest. In 1809 a clearing of eighty acres was made in the vicinity of
Natural Dam by Joseph Bolton, for Mr. Morris, who erected a saw
and grist mill, which were long known as Morris's mills. In the
autumn of 1809 the first district school was opened, and soon after
wards a small school house was built near the site of the Presbyterian
church, taught by Silas Brooks. After a week he left the school and
was succeeded by Betsey S. Sackett, who later became the wife of John
Parker. The first slave and probably the only one brought to town was one
Jenny, a cripple, who came with the family of Dr. Richard Townsend,
in the spring of 1807. She was conveyed to Ephraim Gates for the
consideration of a span of horses and sleigh, but her health failing, so
as to render her nearly useless, she was repurchased by her former
owner, by whom she was treated kindly until her death a year later.
The customary regulations for the public good were voted, including
the destruction of noxious weeds, bounty on wolves and other ferocious
animals, the control of domestic animals, the building of a pound, etc.
The encounter with wild beasts and the depredations committed, caused
bounties to be offered for their destruction, which laws or regulations
at the present time are a dead letter.
Dr. John Spencer, who came in with his family from Windsor, Ont.,
in the spring of 1807, was the only practicing physician within a cir
cuit of many miles. Several families in Antwerp were prostrated with
a malignant fever, whom the doctor visited from time to time, going
through the woods on foot. On one of his visits in December, in the
year of his arrival, and when about three miles from the settlement, he '
was startled by the sight of a deer pursued by a black wolf. While
watching the chase he observed eleven other wolves following after.
The wolves, on discovering new game, abandoned the chase of the deer
and circled around the doctor with loud howls and open jaws ready to
attack him. Mr. Spencer's first thought was to retreat to the settle
ment, but this seemed to be impractical. The next thought was to

THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR. 545
climb a tree ; this he also considered was not safe, as the cold was so
intense he would freeze to death if obliged to stop there through the
night, for the wolves would not be in a hurry to leave. He therefore
resolved to fight; so, divesting himself of unnecessary burdens, he cut
a heavy beech cudgel and rushed at his assailants, beating the icy
bushes right and left and making all the noise possible, when the pack
of disappointed beasts retired ; he then pursued his journey unmolested.
Encounters with wolves similar to this were quite frequent for several
years after. The bear was just about as lawless as the Indian. He
trampled down and carried off the corn, stole maple sugar when left in
the bush, stuck his nose and paw into boiling syrup, tipped over sap
troughs, and carried off pigs, calves and lambs. A Mr. Case adopted a
novel mode of capturing a bear which was foraging on his premises.
He attached a piece of meat to the end of a long rope and retired to a
hill that was frequented by the animal. With his gun he waited for his
victim, but becoming drowsy he fastened the rope to his leg and fell
asleep, when he was awakened by an unceremonious journey down the
hill. He at once fired in the direction of the motor when the bear took
fright and fled.
The above is sufficient to show what had to be contended with in the
settlement of a new country. For particulars see Chapter IX.
The first public house was opened in 1808, on the west side of the
river, and was kept by Israel Porter. A commodious log school house
was built near what became known as Fosgate's Four Corners, where
John Cheney was the first teacher. This part of the town improved
faster for a period than the east side, but the valuable water power, and
the opening of a store by John Brown, soon turned the scale.
James and John Parker came into the town in April, 18 10, and the
former located on a farm. William Downs, a clothmaker, in 18 14
operated a carding machine and fulling mill, as mentioned hereafter.
The first frame house built in the place was for Dr. John Spencer,
by Rockwell Barnes and Isaac Austen, and is still standing. Rockwell
Barnes was a noted mechanic and came to the town in 1808. He built
many of the mills in the vicinity, and was conspicuous in the early
militia. 69

546 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The War of 1812-14 created much excitement in the town. For
the history of the doings at Ogdensburg see Chapter XI. At the
commencement of the war the people in the village of Gouverneur, be
ing panic-stricken in the fear of Indian excursions, erected a block
house in the road between the residence of F. M. Holbrook and H. H.
Hoover's livery stable, enclosed by a stockade containing about one
acre of ground. The main building was formed of heavy timbers cal
culated to withstand a siege and stop musket balls. The modern Babel
was not molested by the enemy, though a watch by day and sentinels
by night were maintained for a time, when the people returned to their
vocations. The building was finally sold and the timbers used in the
construction of the dam, bridges and houses.
Stephen Patterson, William Fanning, Isaac Austen and Stephen
Mitchell were among the volunteers who went to the frontier. Silas
Spencer, -a brother of Dr. John Spencer, went as substitute for John
Parker, and by his heroism in firing a small cannon upon a party of
British who were attempting a landing from the ice at Ogdensburg,
gained local fame.
Dr. John Spencer, while living on the farm now occupied by Wallace
McKean, kept a small tavern. A company of soldiers on their way to
Ogdensburg in the fall of 1 8 1 2 stopped at his house for breakfast, and
while they were thus occupied the doctor inspected their ordnance.
Looking into the mouth of a cannon he discovered, instead of powder
and ball, several of his own chickens, which a short time before were
running around the yard, their necks having been rung and their cackle
hushed. A few years later a stranger called on the doctor and asked
him if he had kept a tavern down the river during the war time. Being
answered in the affirmative, he added : " Did you breakfast some sol
diers one morning ? and did you miss any chickens ? " The doctor
said he did and knew of the theft at the time, but felt it a privilege to
. do something for his country, and was willing that they should select
their own provisions.
With the close of the war the prospects of the town were brighter
than ever before. In 1816 there were one hundred and fifty families
in the town and a population in the village of nearly two hundred, while
immigration was active. This progress received a check between 1820

THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR. 547
and 1825. A few additions were made in that period, among them
Daniel Keys (1822) and Harvey D. Smith (1824), a most valuable
citizen ; but on account of scarcity of money, poor markets for pro
ducts, difficulty in meeting the interest accounts on purchased lands,
the people were much discouraged.
But a better and more prosperous era was at hand, and following
1830, and continuing to the present time, the inhabitants of the town
have experienced almost uninterrupted progress.
The agricultural interests, in common with those of other sections,
have undergone much change since early times. The most important
feature of this change has been effected within the past twenty-five
years, resulting in great increase of the dairying interest, at the ex
pense of grain growing. This has been, on the whole, beneficial to
the farmers, for a large portion of their lands is better adapted for
grazing than tillage. The first cheese factory in the town was estab
lished by A. G. Gillette in 1869; this was rapidly followed by one at
North Gouverneur, by Elias Kelsey, 1870; one at Little Bow Corners,
by S. W. Crandall, in 1867; one at Smith's Mills, by Conray & Drake,
in 1875 ; one west of the village, by C. W. Overacker, in 1875 ; and one
near the Rock Island bridge, by Caleb Thornton, in 1875.
Gouverneur Village was incorporated August 8, 1850. It is situated
on both sides of the Oswegatchie, near the center of the town. The
incorporation was accomplished in pursuance of an order of the Court
of Sessions, under condition that the electors of the village should assent
thereto. James Sherwin, Rodney Smith and John W. Overacker were
designated inspectors of the election, which was held on the 7th of Sep
tember, 1850. The vote was thirty in favor of incorporation and four
against. The first corporation election was held on the 1 2th of the
succeeding month, and the following officers were elected : Trustees,
N. D. Arnot, Edwin Dodge, Peter Van Buren, S. B. Van Duzee and
J. P. Smith (Mr. Arnot being elected president by the board at its first
meeting) ; assessors, H. Schermerhorn, Richard Parsons and O. G.
Barnum; clerk, Chauncey Dodge ; collector, Zebina Smith; treasurer,
H. D. Smith.
The presidents of the village from that time until the present have
been as follows :

548 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Peter Van Buren, 1851; John Fosgate, 1852 ; Richard Parsons, 1853-55 ; Charles S.
Cone, 1856; Whitfield M. Goodrich, 1857; James D. Easton, 1858; Gilbert L. Van
Nairiee, 1859-60; Charles Anthony, 1861; Charles A. Van Duzee, 1861-62; Charles' E.
Clark, 1864-66; and J. B. Preston, in 1867.
By act of Legislature the original village charter was repealed in
April, 1 868, and a new act of incorporation passed, and the first elec
tion thereunder occurred on the 5th day of May, 1868. The list of
presidents is continued :
W. H. Bowne, 1869-70; S. B. Stinson, 1871; Edwin G. Dodge, 1872-76; William
Whitney, 1877; W. H. Bowne, 1878; A. K. Jepson, 1879; E. F. Beardslee, 1880; W.
R. Dodge, 1881 ; Dr. J. B. Carpenter, 1882 ; Newton Aldrich, 1883 ; B. L. Barney,
1884-5; G. M. Gleason, 1886 ; John McCarthy, 1887-8; Henry Sudds, 1889-91; G. S.
Conger, 1892 ; J. B. Preston, 1893.
Some of the early operations of the pioneers in the settlement here
have already been noticed. The building of the first bridge across the
river was in 1808. The second bridge was built by James Parker in
1820, at a cost of $1,000. This was also replaced by the present iron
bridge in 1877, at a cost of $18,000. It was placed a trifle higher up
stream than the former ones, and the approaches to it on both sides of
the river were greatly improved.
In 1809 John Brown opened the first store, at the east end of the
bridge. Not long after, Moses Rowley opened the second store. The
products of the early manufacture of potash, maple sugar, grain, etc.,
found market in the village, whence they were sent to Ogdensburg,
Watertown or Sackett's Harbor, to be exchanged for goods. Mr. Will
iam Downs in 18 14 entered into a contract with Mr. Morris to build a
dam and fulling mill at the village. The conditions of his contract were
that his mill should be in operation in time to work the wool clip of
that season, which was performed. This mill was operated many years,
Downs being succeeded by Eli Robinson. Sylvester Cone was the
next owner, and rebuilt it. It was afterwards converted into a wood
working establishment by Isaac P. Fisher, and was burned in 1853.
Mr. Fisher erected on its site the fine grist mill flow owned by Graves
Bros. (C. H. and W. C), who bought it April 11, 1893, of their father,
S. Graves.
John Brown erected and carried on a distillery soon after the close
of the war ; it was situated above the mills, and for a number of years

THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR 549
did quite a large business. What the effect of the distillery alone may
have been on the morals of the community, we cannot say, but it
was not beneficial, according to the recollection of the older inhabitants.
The first saw mill in the village was built on the west side of the
river in 1815 by Israel Porter, Rockwell Barnes, Raymond Austin and
Benjamin Smith, each having a quarter interest. After passing through
the ownership of many persons, it was finally burned in 1853, when
John Fosgate was its owner. He rebuilt it, and it afterwards passed
into possession of Bidwell & Baldwin, who remodeled it and sold it to
Starbuck, McCarty & Co., in 1869. In 1882-3 they erected the steam
mill which was burned July 9, 1887, and was immediately rebuilt. The
company continues to operate the steam and the water mill, have
several lumber yards, and carry on a large business. They manufacture
sash, doors and blinds, and run a planing mill.
The first grist mill was built by Israel Porter about 1820, on the west
side, and was furnished with two runs of rock stone brought from Ant
werp. This mill was burned in 1825 ; rebuilt by Porter, who operated
it until his death in 1836, when it passed to Almeron Thomas, and later
to John Fosgate, who operated it in connection with the saw mill above
described. The mill was burned in the fire of 1853, but Mr. Fosgate
rebuilt it. At his death it was purchased by Edwin C. Dodge. The
firm was then Dodge & Beardslee. On the death of Mr. Dodge, Nelson
H. Howard bought into the firm of Howard & Beardslee. Mr. Howard
bought out his partner and sold one half to J. E. McAllaster in 1887.
The two remained together until 1890, when Mr. McAllaster purchased
the remaining half and took his son, A. F. McAllaster, and his son in
law, R. T. Allen, into the partnership, the same firm carrying on a
large mercantile business also. In the summer of 1893 an extensive
addition was made to the mill, which now contains six sets of rollers
and all modern machinery for a merchant milling business.
Harvey D. Smith, whose name has been mentioned, settled in the
town in 1824, and until his death, in 1864, was conspicuous in all good
works. In that year (1824) the first post-office was officially established
on the 3d of August, Moses Rowley, postmaster.
In the earlier years most of the mail had been received from the
Black River country by whatever agency the people could make use of

550 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
and deposited with Haile Coffeen for distribution. About 1816 Dr.
Richard Townsend performed the duties of postmaster, though not an
appointee of the government, and so continued to do until the regular
appointment. Dr. Townsend made an office of his table drawer, which
was subsequently removed by Mr. Rowley to his store. His successor
was Edwin Dodge, from about 1830 to 1849. Mr. Dodge came to
Gouverneur as the agent of the Morris estate, and by his liberal and
forbearing policy exerted a strong influence upon the upbuilding of the
place. He died in 1877. Chauncey Dodge succeeded him as post
master, and was followed by Charles Anthony, William H. Bowne, S.
S. Van Duzee, George B. Winslow, Horace G. Reynolds, Wm. R.
Dodge and A. C. Gates.
The deep interest that has uniformly been evinced in Gouverneur in
educational affairs found early expression in efforts to establish an
academical school. Agitation of the subject began in 1826, when a
one-story brick school house was in process of erection. It was pro
posed to add another story for a school of higher grades, funds for the
purpose to be raised by subscription. In pursuance of the plan $640
were raised and divided into fifty-four shares, the shareholders to con
stitute an association which should use the upper half of the building
and control the school. The name of " The Gouverneur Union Acad
emy " was adopted, and its affairs placed under control of three trustees
to be elected annually. The school was opened in 1827 with a Mr.
Ruger as principal. On the 5th of April, 1828, this academy was in
corporated as " The Gouverneur High School," with John Spencer,
Aaron Rowley, David Barrell, Harvey D. Smith, Josiah Waid, Alba
Smith, Almond Z. Madison, Joel Keyes and Robert Conant as the first
Board of Trustees. The authorized capital stock was $20,000, divided
into 2,000 equal shares. In the fall of 1828 the charge of the school
was assumed by Isaac Green, who was to receive as remuneration all
the proceeds of tuitions, and was granted the use of the school room
free during the first term.
The school was admitted to the benefits of the Regents of the Univer
sity in 1829, and in the following year the necessity for additional room
was met by raising $2,755 and the beginning in September of a new
building on a lot secured from James Averill ; this lot constituted the

THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR. 551
easterly end of what is now the public park. The fund mentioned
being insufficient for the purpose, the stockholders in the upper story
of the old building conveyed their shares to the trustees of the High
School, under agreement that the latter should sell the property, donate
the proceeds to the erection of the new building, and give the stock
holders an equal amount of stock authorized by the act of 1828. Ar
rangement was made with Joseph Hopkins, a graduate of Hamilton
College, who had taught in Potsdam, to take charge of this school, re
ceiving as remuneration all the tuition money in addition to that received
from the Regents.
The building was of brick, two stories high and was ready for occu
pancy in April, 1834, when the school was opened with Joseph Hop
kins as principal, assisted by A. Z. Madison and Mary A. Hopkins.
In March, 1836, Mr. Hopkins resigned and under arrangements with
the Black River Conference the school was taken under the charge of
the Methodist Episcopal church. The principal features of the agree
ment under which this change was made were that the Methodists were
prohibitedfrom procuring sufficient of the stock, exclusive of I OO shares
which were properly transferred to them, to give them entire control of
the institution ; and that if the Methodists should fail to maintain the
school ( by which failure they would forfeit the said transferred stock )
then the institution should be returned to the former proprietors free
of all encumbrance. On March 29, 1837, 103 shares were transferred
to John Loveys, William C. Mason, Jesse T. Peck, C. W. Leet and Reu
ben Reynolds, ministers acting for the conference. The first principal
under the new regime was Rev. Jesse T. Peck. On the night of Janu
ary 1, 1839, the building and all of its contents were burned. In this
trying emergency rooms were fitted up in the upper story of the old
school building and occupied. Of the $2,300 insurance, $1,800 were
lost; the remainder, with about $2,600 in subscriptions, a large part of
which was not yet due, constituted the resources of the institution,
while there was an indebtedness of about $4,000. A loan of $2,000 was
obtained from the State, to be repaid through a tax in four years,
which, with additional subscriptions, enabled the authorities to rebuild.
A lot fronting 225 feet on what is now Main street, and 182 feet on
what is now Grove street, was purchased of Wolcott Griffin, May 6,

552 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
1839, and there a substantial stone building was erected at a cost of
$5,500. On the 25th of April, 1840, the name of the institution was
changed by act of Legislature to "Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary"
and so remained. By an act of 185 1, an appropriation of $2,000 was
made by the State, which relieved the seminary of all incumbrances.
The institution remained in charge of the Methodists, enjoying a high
degree of prosperity, until 1869, when they transferred their support to
a school at Antwerp. The town citizens thereupon held a meeting at
which a vote was passed to issue bonds to the amount of $20,000 to
insure the continuance of the seminary in Gouverneur. The law author
izing these bonds passed April 23, 1869, ar)d it also authorized an in
crease of the capital stock to $50,000. Of the principal of the bonds,
$4,000 were used in repairing the buildings and other improvements.
The stockholders' meeting of September 6, 1869, developed considera
ble friction. Rev. L. Clark, for the conference, offered a vote on the
103 shares transferred to them in 1837, which votes were rejected. He
also offered to vote on 300 other shares, which votes were finally re
ceived. The supervisor of the town voted on 2,000 shares, under the
strenuous opposition of Mr. Clark. This effectually disposed of secta
rian influence in the seminary, and the following trustees were elected :
Hon. Edwin Dodge, Isaac Starbuck, Hezekiah S. Randall, Stephen B.
Van Duzee, Griswold E. Burt, William A. Paul, George M. Gleason,
Edward H. Neary and Francis M. Holbrook.
West Side School Building. — The rapid increase in population on the
"West Side" in 1888, owing to the development of the marble busi
ness, had so far outrun the capacity of the school facilities, that it was
decided, after a fiercely fought fight, to erect a new and more commo
dious school building.
Great opposition was made by the extremely conservative portion
of the population, but the indomitable energy and dogged perseverance
of John McCarty triumphed over all opposition, and in 1889, under his
personal supervision, a splendid building was erected at a cost of $8,300.
The structure is of wood, two stories high, has a floor area of 3,300 feet,
eight class rooms, and can conveniently seat 360 pupils. It is furnished
with modern seats and all other needful paraphernalia in keeping with
the progress of the age, and is warmed by three furnaces, which are

^^e^4-^6*^=^r.

THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR. 553
located in the basement. A fine bell was donated by the workmen who
constructed the edifice, which is an honor to the town, and a fitting
monument to the enterprise and dauntless pluck of John McCarty, to
whom it owes its existence.
It will be proper to close our account of educational affairs in
Gouverneur in this connection. In 1873 the old brick school house,
corner of Church and John streets (erected in 1826) was purchased
by Dr. McFalls, who fitted it for a dwelling. A lot had already been
purchased on Gordon street, where, in 1870, a new and more com
modious school building was erected, to which several additions have
been made at various times, as necessity demanded. Early in the
year 1880 agitation was begun for a change in the school system
to a Union Free School. While the old seminary had many friends
who deplored the necessity of seeing it lose its identity, they still realized
that it had lost much of its prestige and usefulness through competition
in larger places, and acquiesced in the general movement for a change.
A meeting was called in March, 1887, to consider the establishment
of a Union Free School in the village and the uniting of Districts Nos.
1 and 2. The majority voting in favor of the project was large, and the
meeting proceeded to the appointment of a board of nine trustees, as
follows : H. Sudds, J. B. Johnson, L. M. Lee, J. W. Ormiston, J. La-
berdee, B. L. Barney, John McCarty, A. S. Whitney, and F. H. Hor
ton. The school opened in the following autumn and has continued
with gratifying success. A new school building was erected on Depot
street in 1890.
The Gouverneur Union Library was incorporated in 181 5, and
through contributions of money and books from private collections at
home and abroad, a valuable library was soon secured. The trustees
were Rockwell Barnes, Israel Porter, Aaron Atwood, Richard Kim
ball, Benjamin Brown, Timothy Sheldon, Pardon Babcock, and Joseph
Smith, all of whom served at one time or another. The library was
eventually transferred to the High School and then to Gouverneur
Wesleyan Seminary, where it was burned with that institution on the
1st of January, 1839, after being a means of untold good.
On November 19, 1885, the Ladies' Reading Room Association was
organized, with a president, five vice-presidents (one of the latter from
70

554 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
each religious denomination in the village), a secretary, treasurer,
librarian, and executive committee. The library of the association has
now nearly a thousand volumes, which, with the current literature kept
constantly in the rooms, render it a popular and beneficial resort. The
early success of the reading-room was greatly promoted by the action
of the Women's Christian Temperance Union (organized 1884) in turn
ing over to it a considerable accumulation of books, etc.
Sewers and Street Lighting. — There were no sewers in Gouverneur
until the year 1876, since which date they have been extended in sev
eral of the principal streets. Extensive improvements in this direction
have been made since 1886, until now the village is thoroughly drained
and the streets are in excellent condition. In the year just mentioned.
also, was established the fountain in the park, which was paid for by
a dollar subscription.
The American Illuminating and Power Company was formed with
a capital of $20,000, and the electric plant erected in the summer of 1887.
The first officers were : E. D. Barry, president ; W. F. Sudds, vice-presi
dent ; V. P. Abbott, treasurer; C. Arthur Parker, secretary. Power
was obtained from the Gouverneur Machine Company, and the village
voted to adopt the lights of the company for three years. They gave
satisfaction and have continued in use, while many firms and individuals
have adopted them in places of business and residences.
Water Works and Fire Department. — In the year 1868 the Gouver
neur Water Works Company was incorporated with a capital of $20,-
000, the incorporators being Charles Anthony, Augustus E. Norton,
Edwin Dodge, Peter Van Buren, Stephen B. Van Duzee, Lyman
Litchfield and Charles E. Clark. In the same year the company
erected the works on the " Holly " system on one of the islands,
driven by water power. Since the establishing of the works several
changes have been made; A stand pipe has been erected above the
dam and a steam engine put in to drive the works at low water. Suf
ficient pressure is now obtained to force water from the various hydrants
to the top of the highest buildings. The facilities for extinguishing
fires in the village were inadequate for many years, and the people
were taught several salutary lessons upon the economy of having all
necessary apparatus for the purpose. Gouverneur Hose Company No.

THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR. 555
I was organized by Act of Legislature April 29, 1868. It was well
equipped with carriage, hose, hooks, ladders, etc. Early in the year
1 880, a fine La France steam fire engine was purchased, which has
since on several occasions saved a vast amount of valuable property
when threatened by fire. The fire department of the village now con
sists of the engine above mentioned and two hose carts and equipments.
The public hydrants are the chief reliance in case of fire.
Conflagrations and Rebuilding. — On January 15, 1875, a block of
five wooden buildings, three stories high, on Main street, was burned
with their valuable contents, and the old Catholic church. The burned
district was promptly covered with handsome brick structures ; and it
may be added that in the same year the old brick stores on the corner
of Church and William streets, built by Thomas Thompson and Rock
well Barnes about 1833, were removed to make room for the Union
Hall Block, which owes its existence to S. B. Van Duzee and Willett
Bowne. It supplied the long felt want of a public hall for various pur
poses. It was burned, as explained a little further on. The second
destructive fire in the village occurred in the evening of May 1, 1877,
when seven stores on Main street, where Van Namee's Block was
erected, were burned, with a loss of $60,000. The site was promptly
and handsomely rebuilt Again, on the morning of October 7, 1877,
fire broke out in the rear of the Union Hall Block, which was nearly
destroyed ; but some of the walls were used in rebuilding. These
severe calamities had the usual effect in impelling the citizens to make
better preparations to combat the devouring element. In 1878 a sub
stantial brick building was erected on Clinton street, where a lot had
been purchased. It has a stone basement which is used as a lack-up,
while the remainder of the building is for the fire apparatus.
Manufactures. — Aside from the mills which have been described,
there has never been extensive manufacturing in Gouverneur, until the
development of the great marble and talc industries of recent years,
which are described further on. Joel Keyes had a shop with trip ham
mer, in 1827, on the site of the Van Duzee Manufacturing Company's
plant, where he made tools, etc. It was burned about 1848 and the site
passed to Asa Hunt, from whom Mr. Van Duzee purchased it and built
the furniture manufactory. The latter was burned in 1881 and the

556 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
present factory put up ; at the same time the business was placed in
control of a stock company with $50,000 capital. Mr. Van Duzee was
president, Lewis Eckman, vice president, and C. A. Van Duzee, super
intendent. Mr. S B. Van Duzee died in April, 1893, but the business
continues. On the site adjoining the above factory Capt. Rockwell Barnes had a
saw mill and wood- working shop about 1829. It passed to Milton
Barney who carried on the manufacture of chairs until about 1840 when
the works burned. The shops were rebuilt and passed through several
hands, finally to Richard Grinnell, who continued the manufacture of
sash, doors, etc., for some years, when the establishment was again
burned. A. foundry and machine shop started about 1850 was carried on suc
cessively by O. S. Hill, Fox & Rich, Litchfield & Moore, Litchfield &
Corbin and finally by J. S. & A. Corbin. The business was subsquently
given up and the property passed to the St. Lawrence Manufacturing
Company, with other additional real estate, which company began
the manufacture of wagons. This business was also subsequently
abandoned. A large tannery was built on the west side of the river about 1841 by
H. Schermerhorn, which was burned, rebuilt and purchased by Newell
Havens in 185 1. F. Freeman and Charles E. Clark also owned it, and
about 1865 it was again burned. Mr. Clark rebuilt it and sold it to
William P. Herring & Co. It again burned and was rebuilt, by that
firm, who did a large business for some years, but finally abandoned it.
Allen and Thomas Goodrich also carried on tanning on the west side
of the river in early years, and another was operated by Benjamin H.
Smith in the north part of the village as early as 1 828.
The Gouverneur Machine Company was organized for the prosecution
of general machine work and the manufacture of quarry mill machinery.
The works are in a building formerly used in similar business by a firm
composed of Starbuck & McCarthy and B. L. Barney, on the west side.
On the 20th of December, 1886, the Gouverneur Machine Company
was organized by B. L. Barney, Newton Aldrich, Isaac Starbuck,
Charles Anthony, Frank Starbuck, J. B. Johnson, W. P. Stacy, W. H.
Hill and Joseph Laberdee, to carry on the same business on a more

THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR. 557
extensive scale. The capital stock is $25,000 and the officers are as
follows: President, John McCarty; treasurer, Frank Starbuck; secre
tary and manager, J. B. Johnson.
Gouverneur Banks. — The earliest demand for banking facilities in
Gouverneur was supplied by the late Charles Anthony, who organized
the private banking firm of Charles Anthony & Co., on the 1st of Octo
ber, i860. The proprietors were Charles Anthony, James G. Averill
and William J. Averill. Henry Sudds was made cashier of the institu
tion. The direct successor of this bank was the present Bank of Gou
verneur which was organized in July, 1879, with capital of $50,000 ;
this has twice been increased, first to $80,000 and then to $100,000.
The first officers were Charles Anthony, president; William J. Averill,
vice-president; Henry Sudds, cashier. There has been no change
excepting that Newton Aldrich succeeded Mr. Anthony as president,
when the latter died in May, 1892. The bank has a surplus of about
$31,500. In 1874 the banking firm of A. Godard & Co., was formed consisting
of Abel Godard and Hiram Herring ; A. J. Holbrook was made cashier.
The institution closed up its affairs in 1880, G. M. Gleason having in
the meantime purchased the interests of both Mr. Godard and Mr. Her
ring. The present First National Bank of Gouverneur was then organ
ized in the spring of 1881, with a capital of $55,000, which still remains
the same. The officers were G. M. Gleason, president ; Newton Al
drich, vice-president ; F. M. Burdick has since been substituted as vice-
president. The surplus of the bank is $13,500.
Hotels. — The first tavern in Governeur has already been mentioned,
and for many years it was the only one in the place. What was formerly
known as " The Brick Hotel " was on Main street near the east end of
the bridge, and a portion of it was built by John Brown, the early mer
chant, in 1 81 8, for his residence. It was purchased in 1822 by Dr.
John Spencer, who enlarged the building and opened it as a public
house. It was kept for this purpose by various proprietors until 1848..
The Spencer House was in the east part of the village, was built in
1828-29, and kept by Dr. Spencer fourteen years, and subsequently by
his son, Col. J. M. Spencer, and was burned several years ago. The Van
Buren House was built by Peter Van Buren immediately after the burn-

558 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ing of his brick hotel. He was a popular landlord and the house con
tinued under his management until 1869, the year before his death. He
was succeeded by his son, J. B. Van Buren. The house burned in Janu
ary, 1893, in the night, the guests barely escaping with their lives. The
Fuller House, on the northwest corner of Main and Park streets, was
built by C- T. Fuller and opened in 1876, by Daniel Peck, who is still
the proprietor, the name of the hotel being the Peck House.
Following is a list of supervisors of this town, with their years of ser
vices : Richard Townsend, 181 1 to 18 14; John Brown, 181 5 to 18 19;
Israel Porter, 1820 2J; Aaron Atwood, 1822 to and including 1826;
Harvey D. Smith, 1827 to 1834 inclusive, also in 1837; Almond Z.
Madison, 1836 and 1838; William E. Sterling, 1839, '40, '41 and '43 ;
Peter Van Buren, 1842, '44-45; George S. Winslow, 1846 to 1849;
Charles Anthony, 1850, '5 1, '52 ; Milton Barney, in 1853, '57, '58, '59 ;
O. G. Barnum, 1855; Charles S. Cone, 1856; John Pooler, jr., i860
to 1865 inclusive; Robert Ormiston, 1865 to 1871 inclusive; Newton
Aldrich, 1872, '78-79; George M. Gleason, 1880-81; A. K. Jepson,
1882; Amasa Corbin, jr., 1882 to 1892; Newton Aldrich, 1892 to
1894. Natural Dam. — This is a small hamlet a little more than a mile below
Gouverneur on the right bank of the Oswegatchie, and takes its name
from a rock which nature has thrown across the river at that point,
forming a dam which with the fall affords an excellent water power.
Here the proprietor, Gouverneur Morris, had put up the first mills in
the town, which were long known by his name. A massive stone house
was also erected here for the use of his agent. After the disappear
ance of the first mills and about the year 1838, .Capt. Rockwell Barnes
purchased the site and adjoining land and erected a saw mill, dwelling,
etc. The property subsequently passed to F. M. Beardslee and by him
was sold in 1866 to Weston, Dean & Aldrich, who in the following
year began the erection of the extensive mills which they have ever
since operated. The mills now embrace machinery for manufacturing
all kinds of lumber, shingles, planing mills, lath and picket machinery,
etc. The company own immense tracts of timber lands and have
cleared thousands of acres, while the large number of employees in the
mills and the several interests drawn thither by the industry have made

THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR. 559
the little village a busy place. There are three stores kept respectively
by John A. Lalone, William Laberdee and Ambrose Laquier. The
firm of Weston, Dean & Aldrich is composed of Abijah Weston, Orison
Dean and Newton Aldrich. A post-office is located here and E. J.
Loveless is postmaster.
One of the earliest mills for the manufacture of talc was situated
about half a mile below the lumber mills, which was established in
1876, the proprietors being D. Minthorn, B. P. Sharp, Thomas Girvan
and A. C. Smith. The works had previously been used in grinding
mineral paint.
At a small settlement, known as the " Little Bow Corners," the first
settler was Benjamin Smith, who located there in 1806, with his three
sons. His brothers, Rufus and Stephen, also settled near there in
1807. Mr. Smith built a saw mill on a creek, which was operated until
worn out. Moses Rowley kept a store and had an ashery here before
1820, and another store was kept by R. K. Smith. In early years
there were persons who looked upon this settlement as a possible rival
for Gouverneur and the site of the coming village.
What has been known as " Olds' Mills " is in the northwest part of
the town, where Aaron Carrington settled about 1825 and built a saw
mill, which was burned ten years later while owned by Hiram Drake.
Asa Hunt rebuilt the mill, and it passed through possession of R. K.
Smith, Stephen Johnson, Jason Smith (during whose ownership it was
called " Smith's Mills "), William Sudds, and finally to Benjamin Olds.
A tannery was operated here for a time in early years.
GOUVERNEUR QUARRY INDUSTRIES.
The town of Gouverneur is blest with many natural resources, and
one which stands near the head of the long list is variously known to
the outside trade as " Gouverneur," " St. Lawrence," and " Whitney
marble." This beautiful stone, though so recently utilized, has already gained
an almost nation-wide reputation both for monumental and building
purposes. It is a very hard and heavy marble, of close and even text
ure, and susceptible of a high polish. It has a rich, dark-blue color,
is finely mottled, and by reason of its marked crystalline structure pre-

560 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
sents, when finished as a building material, an unusually clean and
sparkling appearance. Both as rough ashler and when polished this
marble is known as " live stone," in contradistinction to most of the
dark American marbles which are generally of a dull or dead color.
Its close texture prevents the absorption of moisture and thus protects
it from disintegration from the effects of frost. The absence of an ap
preciable amount of iron guards against the appearance of rust ; because
of its peculiar structure it does not absorb dirt or become streaked or
stained, and each recurring rain washes it fresh and clean.
Having successfully stood the severe and searching tests that all
building material must undergo before acceptance by the United States
authorities, this marble now stands on an enviable equality with granite
and the various other durable stones used in the construction of Gov
ernment works or in the erection of public buildings.
A chemical analysis shows its composition to be :
Carbonate of Lime  51.65
Carbonate of Magnesia  42.15
Oxide of Iron and Aluminum a mere trace.
Silica   3.70
Water and loss  2.50
100.00
Its resistance to pressure or crushing strength is 12,692 pounds per
square inch; its weight is 169.99 pounds per cubic foot.
This truly valuable marble, although existing in almost unlimited
quantities and cropping out in innumerable places in this vicinity, was
utilized only for ordinary rough wall purposes until the year 1825,
when Jasper C. Clark, of Hailesboro, town of Fowler, extemporized a
small mill at that place for sawing this material, which was then known
as " gray lime-stone." This mill stood on " Mill Creek," near the
spot occupied by the Agalite Fiber Company's first talc mill in Hailes
boro. Mr. Clark was succeeded by Addison Giles in the marble-sawing
business. This industry continued in a small way for several years, but lacking
a demand which warranted its continuance, was abandoned in the year
1837. Numerous headstones there sawed are still standing in the
cemeteries of this vicinity. Their almost perfect state of preservation

THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR. 561
are enduring monuments not only to the virtues of the dead whose
resting places they mark, but also to the excellent qualities of the
marble, which seems to defy the " ruthless tooth of time." Water
tables, window-sills and caps, mantels, fire jambs, and other articles
which the times demanded, were also sawed and placed upon the mar
ket. The old Spencer House, erected in 1825, was trimmed with this
marble. The late Isaac Starbuck's residence, the old Eager House,
and the Gouverneur Seminary still show samples of this marble which
was sawed in Hailesboro
About the year 1838, Hermon Rice, of Wegatchie, town of Rossie,
constructed a mill for sawing this marble at that village. His mill stood
on the bank of the Oswegatchie River, on the spot now vacant, between
the woolen and saw mills. The stone for sawing was quarried on what
is now the Elias Teal and Titus Downey farms, near Wegatchie vil
lage. This business was continued with small success and in a desultory
manner for about ten years, when it was abandoned. Although over
fifty years have elapsed since the business was given up there are many
grave stones still standing in the Wegatchie and neighboring cemeteries,
besides pieces of sawed marble in some of the older dwellings of that
town, which testify to the prior existence of that dead industry.
Early in the year the firm of " Whitneys ( D. J. and T. J.) & Honey
comb " ( John S.) was formed in Gouverneur for the purpose of doing
the mason work for the erection of the present Main street bridge across
the Oswegatchie River in Gouverneur village. In searching for suita
ble stone for piers and abutments, they found on what was then known
as the J. C. Barney dwelling-house lot on Somerville street, near the
village, marble in layers of convenient thickness for quarrying. This
marble was cap rock of a light color. The company readily procured
a sufficient quantity for their purpose. This was practically the initial
step toward the revival of the marble industry, which had been aban
doned many years before.
Outside of the bridge contract D. J. & T. J. Whitney had contracts
for building work in 1876, among which was the marble trimmings for
the Presbyterian church at Canton, N. Y., the quarried marble in the
rough being purchased by them of the firm of " Whitneys and Honey
comb." 71

562 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
This firm was dissolved in 1877, the Whitneys continuing the quarry
in connection with their monumental marble business. The same year
they furnished marble trimmings for the County Clerk's office in Canton
and dressed and furnished the marble for the fronts of the Draper and
Van Namee blocks, now standing on Main street in Gouverneur.
Up to this time the only marble ever quarried or sawed in this vicin
ity had been the cap rock, or light colored variety. In December,
1877, the Whitneys quarried a few blocks of the dark colored variety
on the" Barney lot," the opening being made on the south side of the
Somerville road, nearly opposite the northeasterly end of the present St.
Lawrence Marble Company's mill. In 1878 the first dark colored Gouv
erneur marble monument was finished by the Whitney Brothers and was
subsequently erected on the Joseph E. McAllaster lot in the River Side
Cemetery, Gouverneur.
In the fall of 1878 the Whitney Brothers dissolved and the business
was continued by Daniel J. Whitney, and he in, 1879, sold and shipped
small quantities of the dark colored, and unfinished marble to dealers in
several different States and Canada. In the latter part of this year he
shipped several car loads of rough blocks to marble- sawing mills in South-
erland Falls, Vt., and Cleveland, Ohio, where they were prepared and
sold to the trade for monumental purposes. In the spring of 1880 the
demand for this marble was largely in excess of Mr. Whitney's limited
financial ability to produce. By reason of legal complications between
Mr. Barney and the Barney heirs, Mr. Whitney abandoned his quarry
and moving his tools and machinery directly across the road to the Pres
ton farm he opened what is now the famous St. Lawrence Marble Com
pany's quarry. At this time Joseph E. McAllaster of Gouverneur, who,
having become financially and otherwise interested in the enterprise, se
cured a lease of the about nine acre triangular piece of the J. B. Preston
farm, which comes to a point at the intersection of the R., W. and O. rail
road with the Somerville road, and July 1, 1880, under the name of the
" Whitney Granite and Gouverneur Marble Company," the marble busi
ness was begun on a scale more commensurate with the importance of
this very promising industry. In the fall of this year the system of
quarrying by cutting channels with hand drills was introduced. This
method proved too slow for practical purposes and in March, 1882, a

THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR. 563
diamond- drill channeling machine, run by steam, was put in operation.
A little later a large derrick was erected and steam pumps were intro
duced to clear the quarry of water. Thus equipped, the getting out of
large blocks was vigorously pushed, and as fast as raised, were shipped
by rail to Lyman Strong & Son, Cleveland, Ohio, where they were
sawed, finished and sold to the trade. D. J. Whitney was interested in
and continued as superintendent of this quarry and business until it
changed hands.
After extended negotiations, this plant was sold to capitalists of New
York city, and in May, 1884, the " St. Lawrence Marble Company" was
organized with a capital stock of $250,000. The officers are : John
Benham, president and treasurer ; J. W. Griswold, first vice-president ;
M. M. Belding, jr., second vice-president; John R. Emery; secretary;
and T. J. Whitney, superintendent. The present 16 -gang mill was
erected and sawing began the following November. The mill is one
story high, 82x221 feet in size, and stands half a mile southwest of the
corporate limits of Gouverneur village. The mill, which is substan
tially built, is equipped with rubbing beds, turning lathes and every
other labor-saving appliance. A branch of the R., W. and O. railroad
runs into their stock yard alongside a wharf of the right height for con
venience in loading cars. The motive power, which is steam, is gener
ated by a battery of four boilers and runs a 150 horse-power Water-
town steam engine, which drives the almost endless machinery of mill,
quarry, pumps and derricks. An artesian well, 450 feet deep, furnishes
abundant water for all desired purposes.
Quarry No. 1, which has a surface opening of 1 10x200 feet, has
reached a depth of 95 feet, and yet huge blocks weighing 20 tons are
readily raised to the surface by their mighty derricks. The stock list
of this and all other companies here includes building stone in all forms,
rough, dressed, turned and polished, as well as monumental material.
The first rough, broken ashler of a dark color, was used by J. T. Rey
nolds in 1884 for the front of the four- story Reynolds Block, on Main
street, Gouverneur.
Gouverneur Marble Company. — The present officers are : Daniel
Peck, president ; A. Z. Turnbull, vice-president ; Lewis Eckman, treas
urer; and George P. Ormiston, secretary. The capital stock is $75,000.

564 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
In November, 1881, the following citizens of Gouverneur, locally
named " the Twelve Apostles," viz.: S. B. Van Duzee, John S. Honey
comb, John W. Tracy, Daniel Peck, Henry E. Gates, George P. Ormis-
ton, Abel Godard, T. J. Whitney, Austin Meyeur, Fred Haile, E. H.
Neary and Lewis Eckman, purchased thirty acres of land of William
McKean, near the southwest limits of Gouverneur village, and January
3, 1882 organized the "Whitney Marble Company" with a capital
stock of $750,000. A quarry was at once opened, a four gang mill
erected and equipped, and sawing begun the following fall. The busi
ness prospered until May 3, 1884, when the mill and machinery were
wrecked by the explosion of a boiler, which killed the following per
sons : Joseph Oliver and Oliver Dashneau, boiler makers of Watertown,
N. Y. ( who were making repairs ) ; W. Frank Newcomb, Eli Jackson,
W. T. Miller and Charles Murray, employees. The company's loss
was $20,000. The mill was at once rebuilt and business was continued
until 1888, when, owing to financial complications, the company was
placed in the hands of D. G. Wood, as receiver, who continued opera
tions until the following fall, when matters were adjusted and the com
pany was reorganized August 23, 1888, as the " Gouverneur Marble
Company." April, 1889, D. J. Whitney became general manager, business pros
pered and the mill was enlarged to a capacity of nine gangs of saws, a
rubbing bed was added and now the plant is complete and first-class
in every particular. The regular force employed is fifty men, and the
annual output of stock is about 50,000 cubic feet. The quarry is L
shaped, being 100 x 100 feet and 100 x 60 feet.
The Davidson Marble Company was organized July 25, 1890, with
Alexander Davidson, president ; John A. Davidson, treasurer; Charles
Stedman, secretary; A. C. Davis, superintendent of mill ; and Erwin B.
Hurlbut, superintendent of quarry. Capital stock, $300,000.
In 1888 Messrs Davidson & Son of Chicago, who are very extensive
producers and manufacturers of, and dealers in, marble, having quarries
and mills in several States of the Union, purchased of J. B. Preston, ten
acres of land lying southwest of the St. Lawrence Marble Company's
property, and at once opened a quarry under the supervision of E. B.
Hurlbut. This quarry, which is known as No. 1, was successfully

THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR. 565
worked until July, 1893, when a superior quality of marble was uncov
ered on the Milton Barney farm, during the grading of the Gouverneur
and Oswegatchie Railroad. This deposit being convenient to the rail
road, the company secured land, transferred their quarry machinery to,
and opened quarry No. 2, from which they are taking material for
sawing. The leading members of this company, believing that water power
was preferable to steam, and a suitable building site and water power
having been tendered them on satisfactory terms on the Black River,
near the R., W. and O Railroad, just east of the city of Watertown, N.
Y., a splendid i8gang mill, with two rubbing beds, turning lathes and
other finishing works were erected there in 1889 and 1890.
This company advertises its product as " New York marble."
Empire State Marble Company. — The deposit from which this com
pany takes its material is located on the Charles Overacker farm, a little
over a mile southwest of Gouverneur village. In 1890 John W. Tracy
of Gouvernenr discovered an excellent quality of marble, which crops
out as a ledge, and after securing the right to prospect and an option
for purchase, induced capitalists to join him in the marble business.
The above named company was organized early in i89i,,land was pur
chased, a quarry opened and a fine four- gang mill was erected the same
year. The company officers are : John R. Wood, president ; Gilbert
Mollison, secretary ; James Dowdle, treasurer ; and J. M. Esser, super
intendent. The directors are J. R. Wood of Appleton, Wis., G. Molli
son and J. Dowdle of Oswego, N. Y., and J. W. Tracy of Gouverneur.
A spur from the R., W. and O. Railroad runs to the mill.
The company employs twenty- five men and is doing a prosperous
business. Northern New York Marble Company. — The late D. G. Wood of
Gouverneur was the active agent in organizing this company in Janu
ary, 1891. The officers are ; Samuel H. Beach, president and treas
urer ; and Samuel F. Bagg, vice-president ( both of Watertown, N. Y.) ;
and John Webb, jr., of Gouverneur, secretary.
A model eight gang mill, equipped with rubbing bed, turning lathes
and all modern conveniences was erected and put in operation the same
year. The quarry and mill are located west of and adjoining the Em-

566 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
pire State Marble Company's property on a plot of seventeen acres of
land from the William Kitts farm. The company's works are connected
with the R , W. and O. Railroad by a side track. This company em
ploys a force of forty men under the superintendence of Peter Finegan,
and is doing successful business.
Red Granite. — Red granite, of a superior quality, crops out at
Hailesboro, town of Fowler, and Natural Dam, in Gouverneur. Noth
ing has been done towards working the Hailesboro deposit. This
granite shows, on the surface, on a rocky ridge running nearly east and
west near Natural Dam on a farm of the late Edwin G. Dodge, of
Gouverneur. Several years ago specimen pieces were taken out and
polished by W. H. Andrews, of Gouverneur, and are now in his collec
tion of polished specimens.
At the time of the erection of the beautiful city hall and opera house
in Ogdensburg, Mr. Dodge had two suitable blocks of this granite
quarried and donated them to that city. They were turned and pol
ished and now are the column parts of the two main supports for the
central portion of the front of said opera house.
Although the material for these columns was taken out from the sur
face of the ledge, their extreme hardness, beauty' of color, and suscep
tibility to a high polish demonstrate the value of the material and
warrants the general belief that a granite equal to the famous red
Scotch variety here awaits development, and will amply reward the
enterprise which results in opening up its buried treasures.
Serpentine Marble. — Serpentine marbles in endless quantities are
known to exist in Gouverneur. It crops out in all directions, and is
encountered very frequently where excavations are made in Gouverneur
village ; and, being of fine texture, bearing many shades of color from
a rich verde antique green, through various shades of yellow, red and
pink, down to a pure white, it is sure, at no distant day, to attract
sufficient attention to insure its development as a new source of wealth
for this locality.
Porphyry. — Among the many splendid mineralogical specimens of
polished stone which has given Mr. Andrews's collection a nation-wide
reputation, a piece of polished porphyry from a large rock, found in the
village of Gouverneur, holds a position of high honor.

THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR. 567
Both talc and marble, which are now most eagerly sought as sure
sources of wealth, were but recently cursed as a nuisance by the
farmer, whose plough they impeded.
But, under the mystic touch of the magic wand of capitalistic enter
prise, present mutterings of disapproval will be changed to pseans of
praise, when the owning of a ledge of porphyry, like the discovery of a
talc deposit to-day, is equal to the finding of an ample fortune.
GOUVERNEUR TALC.
Talc is a mineral product composed of silica and magnesia. While
this material is locally known as talc its chemical properties are sub
stantially the same as asbestos, steatite and soap stone. It has the
greasy feeling of soap-stone and the fibrous properties of asbestos.
Talc is found in France, Italy, Scotland, South Carolina and Pennsyl
vania. But little French talc is exported, being mostly used at home.
Scotch talc exists in too limited quantities to pay for working. The
South Carolina and Pennsylvania varieties are of the non-fibrous nature
of soap-stone. The Pennsylvania material is valueless by reason of the
large amount of iron mingled with it. The fibrous qualities of the talc
of this locality renders it peculiarly valuable as a " filler " in the manu
facture of paper, and, so far as known, these are the only mines in the
world from which this species of talc is taken.
Where Found. — This mineral was first discovered in the town of
Gouverneur, near Natural Dam and Little Bow, as early as 1867 by
Daniel Minthorn, of Watertown, N.Y., who is an expert mineralogist,
and to whom this locality is largely indebted for its world-wide fame
as one of the richest and most prolific mineral bearing sections, not
only of the United States, but of the known world. (For the formid
able list of minerals of Gouverneur and vicinity see " Dand," page
386.) Taking the village of Gouverneur as a center, talcose indications may
be found throughout a radius of ten miles in every direction. The
time will doubtless come when this valuable mineral will be found and
profitably mined in numerous places at every point of the compass from
Gouverneur, where only surface indications now exist to show its pres
ence. Deep digging must be resorted to find it in many places. Past

568 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
experience has demonstrated that talc exists here at great and unknown
depths, and improves in quality with the increasing depths of the
mines, some of which have already reached a depth of 350 feet with
good size veins in sight, which show no signs of exhaustion.
So far as it has been developed in paying quantities, present mining
is confined to what is known as " the talc belt," from seven to nine
miles long, and from four to five miles wide, in the towns of Fowler
and Edwards, and running northeast and southwest.
First Talc Mining. — The first attempt at talc mining in this section
was made by Daniel Minthorn at Natural Dam and Little Bow during
the winter of 1869 and '70. Enough material was found to warrant
the erection of a mill for testing its value. Mr. Minthorn was joined in
the enterprise by George W. Goodrich and George Paddock, of Water-
town, N.Y. A mill was erected at Natural Dam in 187 1 for preparing
the material for market. The product lacked fiber, contained grit and
other impurities which rendered it unsuitable as a filler in paper- making,
and for these reasons the parties interested became so discouraged that
the grinding enterprise was temporarily abandoned.
In the winter of 1873 and '74 Mr. Minthorn, having discovered foliated
talc on the Abner Wight farm, near Little York, town of Fowler, se
cured samples and carried them, with various other mineralogical speci
mens, to New York city, hoping to induce capitalists to join him in
opening and developing mines. Among others, he showed his talc
specimens to G. A. Menden, who was a partner of A. L. McCrea, sen ,
in "promoting stock companies." Menden brought the talc to the
attention of his partner, who at once became interested and believed
this material could be used in place of various clays as a " paper filler."
They visited Gouverneur in the spring of 1873, examined the material
on the Wight farm, secured a lease covering the right to open and
work mines, and in the spring of 1874 McCrea and Menden took pos
session of the old plaster mill, in the basement of what is now the Star-
buck and McCarty planing mill, in Gouverneur, and in an experimental
way began grinding talc from the Abner Wight farm. These operations
continued with encouraging success until the spring of 1875, when
James McCrea, of Philadelphia, Pa., became financially interested in the
enterprise, and it was decided to enlarge the business.

THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR. 509
The Agalite Fiber Company was organized with A. L. McCrea, presi
dent ; James McCrea, vice-president; and G. A. Menden, secretary; suit
able machinery was secured, a small steam mill was erected near the mine
on the Wight farm and the business was thus continued until, with a
steadily increasing business, experience had demonstrated the folly of
using steam as a motive power in a vicinity which was blessed with
many water powers which were then unused and could be had at a
trifling expense.
In June, 1877, A. L. McCrea, jr., visited Gouverneur on an intended
trip from New York city to the Pacific coast. His father and uncle be
ing largely interested in the talc enterprise, he visited their mills and
mines. Being a young man of a decidedly practical business turn, he
pointed out many expensive mistakes in the business as then conducted
and suggested numerous changes and improvements. His ideas met
with such favor that he was urged to abandon his western journey, in
vest a considerable sum of money and take a personal interest in the
enterprise. To this he consented on condition that he become (as he
at once did) the general superintendent of the mines and mills with a
potential voice in the general management. From this time the busi
ness moved forward with new and increasing energy. From then until
the present time the personal influence of but one other individual
(" Gus " McDonald, now superintendent of the International Talc Com
pany) has compared at all favorably with that of " Gus " McCrea in
lifting the talc industry to its present enviable height of almost peerless
prosperity. Having purchased the Clark & Howard saw mill, which has one of
the best water powers on the Oswegatchie River, and fitted it up with
the best machinery then known for their business, they, in 1878, moved
their milling operations to Hailesboro where they continued to grind
material from the Wight farm until 1879. Experiencing extreme diffi
culty in reducing foliated talc to a degree of fineness required by the
trade, this company introduced the Alsing revolving cylinders, which
are capable of pulverizing the most refractory rock into an impalpable
powder. After the fibrous talc had been discovered, near Freemansburg, in the
town of Edwards, this company secured mineral rights, and having de-
72

570 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
veloped valuable mines in that locality, they, in 1879, abandoned their
mines on the Wight farm, and drew all material for grinding from their
new mines. Now their business boomed and orders far exceeding the
capacity of their mills being received, the company, in 1880, purchased
the old Henry Haile flouring mill, which nearly adjoined their works
and when refitted for use their output was increased several fold. The
two mills with magnificent water powers and the many improvements
added, made an excellent business plant and continued in successful
operation until early in 1893 when this company was absorbed or
merged in the " International Pulp Company. "
Natural Dam Pulp Company. — In 1877 the "Mineral Attrition Mills
Company " was organized to grind talc, soapstone, etc., into pulp for
papermakers' use. The mill erected at Natural Dam by Minthorn and
others, and which had also been used for grinding iron ore for paint,
having lain idle for a number of years, was refitted with a milling plant
on the attrition plan. For about one year the company ground foliated
talc found near Little York, town of Fowler. This material lacked fiber
and although ground to an impalpable powder was neither attractive
to the paper trade nor remunerative to the company. These things,
with the hard times of 1887 and 1888 caused the company to fail.
Early in 1879 Mr. W. Bayand of New York city, a large creditor of
the company, bought the property and continued the business long
enough to become satisfied that neither soapstone nor foliated talc could
be made acceptable to the trade with the machinery in his mills. He
acquired mines at Freemansburg and continued the business (using
fibrous talc) successfully under the able management of A. J. McDon
ald, until 1886, when the property was organized into a stock company
under the name and style of the "Natural Dam Pulp Company." Mr.
Bayand retaining a controlling interest in its affairs until its transfer to
to the " International Pulp Company," in which he is largely interested,
being one of its directors.
The plant of the Natural Dam Pulp Company at the time of its trans
fer, consisted of Mill No. 1 at Natural Dam and their splendid new mill
No. 2 at Hailesboro which had just been completed.
Gouverneur Pulp Company. — The name of Col. Henry Palmer stands
next to that of Daniel Minthorn on the roll of honor as a discoverer

'^(^.O^t^C^^

THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR. 571
and inaugurator of the talc industry. The colonel having been in the
service of the Agalite Fiber Company, as superintendent of its mining
operations, withdrew from its employ in June, 1877, and soon after an
nounced the discovery of the genuine fibrous talc on the Brayton farm
at Freemansburg, town of Edwards, which has since proven such a big
" bonanza." Having secured by lease the mineral rights of the farm
(which he subsequently purchased), he tried, for a time, in vain to
find a man of means who would put up capital against his valuable find
and help open and develop mines.
December 26, 1877, the colonel entered into a written agreement
with John S. Honeycomb of Gouverneur, in which he covenanted to
assign a share in his lease in case he should induce a capitalist to fur
nish sufficient money to develop the business. Heneycomb secured the
co-operation of S. B. Van Duzee of Gouverneur, who agreed to furnish
the money required, and articles of incorporation were formed and filed
May 7, 1879, under the name of the "Gouverneur Pulp Company,"
with Henry Palmer, president; S. B. Van Duzee, treasurer; and John
S. Honeycomb, secretary ; each of the three incorporators owning one-
third of the capital stock.
So modest were their ideas and ambitions at the start, that they con
sidered the very limited quarters first used by McCrea & Menden am
ple for the requirements of the proposed business. The basement of
the Starbuck & McCarty planing mill was refitted and when in
"full blast," about two tons per day of marketable material was pro
duced by simply grinding the crude talc with ordinary buhr stones.
The business, which was a success from the start, grew so rapidly
that the company was unable to fill the demand, and arrangements
were soon completed for enlarging the business. Thirty acres of land,
with a fine water power, were purchased one and one-half miles up the
Oswegatchie River, and in December following a splendid new mill was
in operation and turning out an average product of twenty tons per day.
The business prospered and in 1882 was purchased by, and consolidated
with the
Adirondac Pulp Company. In 1880 Amasa Corbin, jr., A. G. Gillett,
L. M. Gardner and Samuel Graves, all of Gouverneur, organized the
" Gouverneur Talc Company," and erected a fine mill on the Oswe-

572 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
gatchie River, one mile south of Hailesboro, town of Fowler. After
continuing the business with marked success this plant was sold to the
Adirondac Pulp Company. The latter company continued the business
until 1893, when it also became a part of the great International Pulp
Company. Mr. John Manning, a prominent paper manufacturer of Troy, N. Y.,
who was identified for many years with the Adirondac Pulp Company,
is largely interested in the International Pulp Company, and is one of
its directors.
St. Lawrence Pulp Company. — In 1884 Messrs. M. Belding, G. H.
Kenedy, W. B. Putney, and Austin Stevens purchased of Fred Haile
twenty acres of land, on which was good water power, between Gouver
neur and Hailesboro, and after organizing the " St. Lawrence Fiber Pulp
Company," erected a magnificent mill. Having the benefit of all past
experience in the talc business, this company profited by the experi
mental knowledge of all who had preceded them, and in erecting their
mill so combined the excellence of all as to earn the reputation of hav
ing the " Model Mill." Their talc was obtained from newly discovered
mines south of Fullersville, town of Edwards. Their finished product
did not prove to be suitable for the paper trade. They tried foliated
talc with the same result. Financial embarrassments arose and the prop
erty was sold under mortgage foreclosure. The company was reor
ganized under the name of the " St. Lawrence Pulp Company." Ma
terial for grinding was now obtained from the Freemansburg territory,
and business proceeded in a profitable manner until 1893, when it was
merged in the " International Company."
All parties closely connected with the " St. Lawrence " are largely
interested in the " International," and their views and experience have
due weight in its councils.
The Gardner Pulp Company. — In 1880 Capt. W. L. Palmer, of Ro
chester, N. Y., was instrumental in organizing the " Northern New York
Manufacturing Company." The parties interested were Captain Pal
mer, " Arch" Kennedy, and Donald McNaughton, of Rochester, N. Y.,
Josephus Collett, of Terre Haute, Ind., Hon. Leslie J. Russell, Wm. H.
Kimball, and Milton Packard, of Canton, N. Y.

THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR. 573
The company purchased land and erected a steam power mill, with a
daily capacity of fifteen tons, ne?r the R. W. & O. R. R. track on the
west side of Gouverneur village. Talc for grinding was obtained from
the Woodcock farm in Fowler and adjoining the Abner Wright prem
ises. The mill was started and run but a short time when, by lack of
unity of business sentiment, the mill was shut down and remained closed
until 1892, when L. M. Gardner, of Gouverneur, purchased the prop
erty, repaired the mill, and after increasing its capacity to twenty tons
per day, started the works the following September. Soon thereafter
Mr. Gardner sold a half interest to Josephus Collett, of Terre Haute, Ind.,
and a quarter interest to Wm. Whitney, of Gouverneur. After running
the business but a short time Gardner purchased Collett's half, and by
selling another quarter interest to Whitney they became joint and equal
owners of the business. In December, 1893, the entire plant, including
mines and mineral rights, were purchased by A, S, Bigelow and L. M,
Hair, of Rochester, N. Y., F. H. Munson and F. W, Streeter, of Water-
town, N. Y., and A. L. McCrea, jr,, and L. M. Gardner, of Gouverneur.
Upon a reorganization the company name was changed to the " Gard
ner Pulp Company." The officers are : A. L. McCrea, jr., president ;
F. H. Munson, vice-president ; and F. W. Streeter, secretary and treas
urer. The company is doing a fine business, and have extensive mines
on the Abner Wright farm, town of Fowler, being the original mines of
the Agalite Fibre Company, which were the first mines that were suc
cessfully worked. Having sunk these mines to a considerable depth
the nature of the material has changed to a fibrous character, and im
proves in quality and value as greater depths are reached.
The Gardner Pulp Company's mill was completely destroyed by fire
March 5, 1894. As this company owns a fine waterpower on the Oswe
gatchie River and has ample financial ability, it is safe to predict that,
with the well known enterprise of the owners, it is more than probable
that they will soon erect a new mill that will stand second to none in
completeness and capacity.
The United States Talc Company was organized March 30, 1891. Its
officers are: Newton Aldrich, president; F. M, Burdick, vice-presi
dent ; and W. R. Dodge, secretary and treasurer, all of Gouverneur.

574 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Their plant is located seven miles south of Gouverneur on the Oswe
gatchie River, town of Edwards, and consists of seventy-five acres of
land, covering both sides of the river ; a magnificent water power with
a fall of twenty- six and one half feet ; a sixteen cylinder mill with a
capacity of sixty tons of finished product per day. Both mill and power
are fully equal to a daily output of IOO tons, to which capacity the mill
is soon to be increased.
This mill, which was constructed in 1893-4, combines all improve
ments which past experience in the business have proven desirable.
The mill is so situated, with reference to the adjacent high land, that
the crude talc rock goes in at the top and is carried downward by the
inexpensive force of gravity, through the various processes of manufact
ure, from floor to floor until it reaches the bottom a completely finished
product, sacked and ready for shipment on the cars of the G. & O. R. R.,
a branch of which runs to their doors. These works are located at a
railroad station known as Dodgeville, and named in honor of Mr, W. R.
Dodge, one of the active promoters of this splendid enterprise. The
company has erected nine commodious dwellings, convenient to the
mills, for the occupancy of some of its employees. The company's full
force consists of fifty- five men.
The American Talc Company was incorporated in 1891, Its officers
are : C. C. Gray, president ; C. P. Darling, secretary and treasurer ;
and F. G. Wallis, general superintendent. A fine mill was erected in
1892-3, equipped with all modern improvements, and is located on the
famous Balmat farm in the town of Fowler, one and one-half miles
southeast of Little York and seven miles south of Gouverneur. The
power is steam, supplied by a battery of boilers, which runs a fine Cor
liss condensing engine. The company's mining rights cover 200 acres,
and the talc outcroppings indicate an unlimited supply of the foliated
variety which grows more fibrous as the mines increase in depth. A
chemical analysis of their talc shows a remarkable freedom from iron
and carbonates, and contains from thirty six to eighty per cent, of mag
nesia. The mills have a daily capacity of thirty tons, the usual force of
men employed is forty when in full operation.
In connection with the mines now open, which are near the mills, is
a storing shed with a capacity of 6,000 tons of crude rock, which is

THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR. 575
conveyed to the mills, a distance of 350 feet, in cars operated by a cable.
The mill machinery includes two Blake crushers, three buhr-stone
mills, and three Alsing pulverizing cylinders.
The Asbestos Pulp Company was incorporated in April, 1892, with
the following officers: E. M. Upton, of Charlotte, N. Y., president ;
M. Doyle, of Rochester, N. Y., vice-president ; A. H. Green, of
Rochester, treasurer ; and H. S. Predmore, of Gouverneur, secretary.
This company was organized for the purpose of buying out and com
bining the partnership known as the " Gouverneur Asbestos Pulp
Company " and the L M. Gardner mill and mines at Freemansburg.
In 1 89 1 L. M. Gardner, of Gouverneur, who owned a grand water
power and had developed what is known as the Gardner or Gid Free
man talc mines at Freemansburg, erected a first class talc mill equipped
with four large sized Alsing pulverizing cylinders and other necessary
machinery for producing twenty-five tons of finished product per day.
This plant and mines were transferred to the Asbestos Pulp Company
in February, 1892.
In 1891 A. L. McCrea, jr., and James M. Sparks, of Gouverneur,
F. W. Streeter and " Frank " Munson, of Watertown, N. Y., who com
prised a company known as the Gouverneur Asbestos Pulp Company,
purchased the Abbott woolen mills at Hailesboro' and fitted them up
as a talc mill, with a capacity of twenty tons per day. The mill had
been in operation but a short time when the plant and business was, in
April, 1892, sold to the Asbestos Pulp Company. This company also
purchased of " Fred " Haile a lease which he held of the original and
therefore famous Col. Palmer mine at Freemansburg.
By improvements in mines and mills this company has increased
their output to over fifty tons per day, employing about fifty men.
International Pulp Company. — This company was organized early in
1893 by capitalists of New York city, who count their wealth by figures
of such dazzling dimensions as to make the denizens of old St. Law
rence county dizzy when attempting to comprehend the real meaning
of so many millions. The officers are : Augustus G. Paine, president;
H. Walter Webb, treasurer; Alfred Rindskopf, secretary; C. R.
Dimond, jr., manager ; and A. J. McDonald, of Gouverneur, superin
tendent.

576 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The company's New York city office is No. 79 Times Building ; its
superintendent's office is in the Union Hall building, Gouverneur, N.Y.
Its directors are : Chauncy M. Depew, H. Walter Webb, George H.
Daniels, John A. Manning, J. Touro Robertson, Theo W. Bayard, L.
C. Fuller, Thomas L. James, John W. Welch, Augustus G. Paine,
Edgar Van Etten, Alfred Rindskopf and Wm, J. Arkell, mostly of New
York city.
The organization of this company resulted in the consolidation of the
mining preperties and milling plants of four of the largest and most
successful concerns in the talc business up to the time of such consoli
dation, viz. : Natural Dam Pulp Company, Agalite Fibre Company,
Adirondack Pulp Company, and St. Lawrence Pulp Company.
The mining territory and mineral rights acquired cover a sufficient
portion of the fibrous talc district, so far as at present known, as to
practically insure an unlimited quantity of the unmined material. The
milling plant consists of six large and well equipped mills, with a pres
ent capacity of not less than 200 tons per day, and which with the
company's unused water powers can be made equal to any demand that
is likely to be made upon them. The number of men now employed
by this company averages 260 daily.
Since taking possession of these various properties the company has
connected all of its mines and mills with the Gouverneur and O. R. R.
by spurs and trestles, thus minimizing the expense of handling both the
crude material and finished product. Their mills have been submitted
to the most critical inspection of practical and scientific experts, with a
view to adding to their efficiency, both as to output and quality of
marketable material. Large warehouses have been erected at each mill
for storing any surplus above present demand, so their milling opera
tions may be continuous. While these changes and improvements have
entailed an enormous expense, the cost is justified by the fact that the
average expense of production is -lessened and the output increased.
We have learned from a reliable source that it is the intention of the
International Company to take up other industries in the near future,
and thus utilize several valuable waterpowers on the Oswegatchie River
which this company owns but which are now lying idle. Those who
are at all familiar with the business habits of the officers and directors

THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR. 577
of this company consider it of the utmost advantage to this section that
their energy, experience and great wealth have been brought to bear
upon the development of the almost limitless natural mineral resources
of this portion of St. Lawrence county.
Talc Mining. — This mineral, whose presence is indicated through
a wide district by talcose tracings, crops out on the surface in many lo
calities in the towns of Fowler and Edwards. The great talc find in
Freemansburg was uncovered many years ago by the grading down of
a rocky side hill for a roadway, and was heedlessly passed over by hoof
and wheel until 1877, when the trained eye of the veteran miner, Col.
Henry Palmer, appreciated its value and thereby laid the foundation of
the handsome fortune which he had accumulated before his death.
Talc exists in veins which sometimes grow to a vast deposit ; often
the vein pinches out to very small proportions and then expands into
" pockets " of great and small dimensions.
Talc is mined by drilling and blasting and the product when broken
to a suitable size for handling, is hoisted to the surface by the various
devices used in raising ores, sometimes by horse power, but generally
by machinery whose motive power is steam.
The depth of talc veins are not known. Some of the mines that have
been longest worked have reached a depth of 350 feet, the material
growing finer and more valuable as the mine increases in depth.
Different Kinds of Talc. — In the fibrous variety the fiber permeates
every part of the material, being devoid of grit and soft enough to be
readily sawed or cut. It is readily reduced to the consistency of flour
by grinding with the ordinary buhr stones. The foliated kind is com
posed of an infinite series of micaceous scales which so successfully re
sists the action of the stones that no matter how it is ground it retains
its scaly condition, only the scales are smaller.
Process of Manufacture. — In many respects a talc mill is constructed
on a plan quite similar to an ordinary flouring mill, with hoppers, buhr
stones, elevators, etc. Talc is brought to the mill in the shape and size
of rough stone used by masons in constructing foundation walls. It is
first reduced to a size that will admit its being put through a stone
crusher, whose ponderous jaws mash it to the maximum size of a robin's
egg- Then it goes to the hopper, and by one or more grindings is re-
73

578 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
duced to a powder similar to flour in appearance. Fibrous talc can be
made fit for some purposes by the grinding process alone. But the
finer grades are bolted to rid them of impurities, then conveyed by ele
vators to the floor on which the cylinders are located.
Alsing Pulverizing Cylinders. — These cylinders had formerly been
used for reducing silica and other refractory materials to an impalpa
ble powder for pottery purposes. The Agalite Fiber Company, having
to deal with foliated talc, was the first to introduce the cylinders, which
proving a perfect success ; the example in this regard has been followed
by all other companies.
The cylinders are made of cast iron, strongly bolted together. They
are from six to eight feet long, six to eight feet in diameter, lined with
thick porcelain brick, also having chilled-iron heads. The cylinders,
each having a " man- hole" for filling and emptying, are filled about
one-third full of the hardest known pebbles or flint stones, averaging
one and one-half inches in diameter, which are brought from the coast
of Labrador. The cylinders are then nearly filled with talc, from the
buhr stones, and the "man-hole " is securely fastened. The cylinders
are hung by means of a pinion at each end, so they can be revolved by
machinery, and in from three to five hours after starting, the most stub
born material is reduced to a suitable condition for market.
Uses and Market of the Product. — Although this industry is still in
its infancy the product is already known and used in varying quantities
almost around the globe. Orders are received and talc is shipped from
Gouverneur to Enland, Germany, Spain, Italy, Russia, all over Europe,
and even to far distant India. It is principally used as a filler in the
manufacture of paper. Being very heavy it has largely taken the place
of the various clays both as a filler and a make-weight by paper makers.
It is largely used as an adulterant of white lead, and undoubtedly finds
its way into many articles of general use where its presence is neither
suspected nor detected. It is extensively used in pharmacy for pow
ders, cosmetics, also in making various kinds of soap. Much is used
by pill manufacturers for coating, but as it is not deleterious to the hu
man system, there is little if any danger from its use as an adulterant.
The Press. — Although several attempts had been made to establish
a newspaper in Gouverneur, nothing was actually accomplished in this

THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR. 579
direction until 1849, when, in April, W. M. Goodrich and M. Wilson
issued the first number of the Northern New Yorker. It was a credit
able paper, but passed into the hands of Nelson Bruet & Company, and
was discontinued in 185 1.
On the 20th of July, 1852, a paper called The Laborer was issued by
Martin Mitchell, of Fowler, but after a time he secured an assistant, Mr.
Mason, when the name of the paper was changed to the Free Press.
Harley Mitchell afterwards succeeded Mr. Mason, and the title was made
The St. Lawrence Free Press. In 1854, when it appeared an impossible
task to make a newspaper self-supporting in the place, J. J. Emmes,
of Hammond, assumed the control of the enterprise and endeavored to
form an organization to liquidate the indebtedness and raise a fund for
future emergency. While considerable sums were subscribed to this
fund, they were not at all realized, and after a short time the whole
venture was abandoned. The next effort to establish a paper here was
made in 1864, when F. E. Merritt, who had started The Times in Sandy
Creek, Oswego county, was induced to remove to Gouverneur. He
came in July and called his paper the Gouverneur Times. This paper
was, April 1, 1880, sold to The Herald, which then became The Herald-
Times. The Gouverneur Herald was established April 10 1873. It had
several owners within a short time and was then purchased by H. C.
Reynolds, who continued until November, 1874, when Frank L. Cox
purchased a half interest. Mr. Cox went out of the firm October 28,
1878, his half interest being purchased by Jesse T. Reynolds, who now
became its editor. Prior to this the paper had been neutral in politics,
now it became uncompromisingly Republican. At this time the Her
ald's circulation was about 900, but with the vigorous and spicy edi
torials of the new editor it rapidly gained both popularity and patronage.
April 1, 1880, the Times was consolidated with the Herald, making
it the Herald Times, and thus adding about 300 to its circulation. That
the paper was now ably managed was demonstrated by the fact that its
circulation, which became general throughout St. Lawrence county,
continually grew until it reached a little over 5,000 (being the largest
ever reached by any county newspaper in Northern New York).

580 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
May 10, 1887, H. G. Reynolds became its sole owner, and continued
its management until May 23, 1892, when he sold it to R. S, Sackett,
who consolidated it with the Northern Tribune.
The Northern Tribune was established in 1887 by Prof. M. R. Sack
ett. Meanwhile the Free Press had been started, and it was clear
enough that Gouverneur had more newspapers than could be supported.
This state of affairs resulted in May, 1892, in the consolidation of the
Tribune with the Herald- Times. The name of the new publication was
made the Northern Tribune and Gouverneur Herald- Times, as at pres
ent. The name of the organization is the Gouverneur Publishing
Company, which was properly capitalized. M. R. Sackett is secretary
of the company and editor of the paper. The paper is Republican in
politics and is ably conducted, having a circulation of over 4,000,
The Gouverneur Free Press was established in March, 1882, by B.
G. Parker, who is still the editor and proprietor of the paper. Mr.
Parker is a practical printer, having learned his trade in Gouverneur,
and at nineteen years of age started the Norwood News, which he pub
lished five years. He has made the Free Press a recognized authority
and influence in Republican politics and given it a circulation of about
4,000. RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
Baptist Church. — The first church organization in the town was ef
fected on the 1 8th of February, 181 1, when a committee of three per
sons of the First Baptist church of Hartford, Washington county, N.Y.,
namely, Elder Amasa Brown, Timothy Atwood, and Eli Carrington,
met at the house of Isaac Austin and organized the First Baptist church
with eighteen members. Jonathan Payne was appointed deacon and
soon afterward was licensed to preach, and ordained as the first pastor.
The church joined the association in 18 12. Mr. Payne continued pas
tor until 1816, from which date until 1825 there was no settled minister,
but the church was supplied most of the time by various elders and
licentiates. For eleven years meetings were held in dwellings, barns,
or in the school-house, but in 1822 the first church building was erected,
This was a plain wooden structure and was used until 1850, when it
was sold to James Spencer and removed, and the present church erected

THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR. 581
on the site. The church has been prosperous during most of its his
tory and now has a membership of more than two hundred, with a
largely attended Sabbath school. The present pastor is Donald Dun
can Munro, who came January I, 1890. The society is prosperous and
the attendance large. A Baptist church was in existence at North Gouv
erneur from about 1 840 for a short time ; was reorganized in 1859, but
disbanded nearly twenty years ago.
Congregational Church. — As before stated, meetings of this denomi
nation were the first held in the new settlements, which were continued
for several years without a formal organization. The first regular or
ganization of the society took place in May, 1817, under direction of
Rev. Nathaniel Dutton, of Champion, Jefferson county, with fourteen
members, eight were received on profession of faith. On the 27th of
July the sacraments were first administered by Mr. Dutton, when ten
more, on profession of faith, united with the church. The church was
legally incorporated April 13, 1820, with the following as trustees:
John Spencer, Richard Kimball, William Cleghorn, William Colton,
Rockwell Barnes, and James Parker. Prior to this time the members
had met in the school house, or in their dwellings and barns; but when
the organization was perfected, a beginning was made upon a church.
It progressed far enough that year for occupancy by January, 1821,
and Rev. James Murdock, the first regular pastor, began his service.
The house, a plain but convenient meeting place, costing, $1,400, was
completed in 1824. This building was occupied about twenty years,
when a second and large edifice was erected, and dedicated August 29,
1844, costing $3,500. Several years later it was considerably enlarged,
the school-room improved, and a parsonage built. A few Presbyteri
ans at first united in the formation of the church. Their numbers were
greatly increased during the succeeding years by the Scotch Presby
terians who had settled in that vicinity, when the society became known
as the " Presbyterian Congregational Church." The time arrived when
it became necessary to repair and refurnish the church, and it was in
timated that if the name was changed to Presbyterian, the means to
make the repairs would readily be furnished. Therefore a meeting was
called to act upon the proposition. The Congregational element had
been greatly weakened by the formation of a second church of that de-

582 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
nomination, when the test vote decided the question, and the church
became fully Presbyterian in 1863, under the pastorate of Rev. Baruch
B. Beckwith.
Methodist Episcopal Church. — Several persons of the Methodist faith
lived in Gouverneur from early days, but they commonly worshiped
with other denominations, except when an occasional itinerant preacher
held a service in a private house or the school-room. Rev. Benjamin
Dighton is believed to have been the first of these preachers, and the
record book of the society is authority for the supposition that he
preached as early as 1828, while Mrs. Parker places the probable date
several years earlier; but the first organization of which there is posi
tive record was effected in the year 1832, with a very limited member
ship. From the beginning of 1833 unt'l about the close of 1835 the
meetings were held in the school-house, and later in the chapel of the
seminary, where they continued until the institution was burned in 1839 ;
then the school-house was again used for the purpose. When the semi
nary was rebuilt it was used as the meeting place of the Methodists un
til 1862, when the building which had been erected by the Second Con
gregational Society was purchased for $1,000. This was used for about
seven years, when the church that preceded the present building was
erected in 1 870. It cost $13,500, besides the site, and was dedicated
February 9, 1871. The society has also a fine parsonage property.
The society is very prosperous and active, the membership in the charge
is about 350, with a Sabbath school of more than 400 scholars. The
present church is of stone and cost about $30,000. It was dedicated in
October, 1891. Rev. S. J. Greenfield, the present pastor, came in May,
1893. There is a small Methodist church at Natural Dam, built in
1890, which is in the Gouverneur charge. Rev. L. T. Conrad preaches
there and at Hailesborough. A Methodist church is in existence at
North Gouverneur, which is in ihe Richville charge. Rev. F. W.
Thompson is pastor.
A Second Congregational Church was formed in February, 1842, sev
eral having withdrawn from the first. The society was incorporated on
March 21, 1843, with Rockwell Burns, Nathan W. Smith, and John
Leach, trustees. They built a small frame church, where the Rev. E.
Pond preached to them a few years The society was not very numer-

THE TOWN OF GOUVERNEUR. 583
ous, and after struggling for a time sold their house to the Methodist
society, and some joined the first church when the society went down.
Presbyterian Church. — This was formed from the Congregational
body in 1863 by a vote of that church, when most of the members con
tinued their relations with the new body, but a few went over to the
Methodists. This change took place under the pastorate of Rev. B. B.
Beckwith, when it took on that character, abandoning its partial Con
gregational features, and electing the following elders: George Rodger,
Melville H. Thrall, Samuel Wright, James Brodie, Simeon L. Parmelee,
Joseph Howes, and George Lockie. The church has continued in a
flourishing condition since, and now has a membership of nearly 400.
The society continued to worship in the same place, with only occa
sional repairs, until the development of the mineral wealth of the place
caused a marked improvement in the prosperity of the pleasant village.
This was plainly visible in the substantial places of business and elegant
homes being built up around the old church, which seemed to admonish
them that a more elegant temple should be raised. In the spring of
1892 the society took steps in that direction, when preparations were
made for a new church, resulting in the construction of the present
edifice, of Gouverneur marble, at a cost of nearly $60,000. It is one of
the most substantial and beautiful churches in Northern New York, and
a great credit to the town. The new church was dedicated with elab
orate and interesting ceremonies on the 31st day of October, 1893, un
der the pastorate of Rev. W. F. Skinner.
Trinity {Episcopal) Church. — The first Episcopalian religious ser
vices were held in the Presbyterian church by Rev. Wilbur F. Paddock
in the summer of 1862, and a church was incorporated under the above
name on the 16th of April, 1866, with Benjamin F. Skinner and Aaron
B. Cutting as wardens. Their first rector was Rev. Jedediah Winslow.
The congregation usually worshiped in the Seminary Chapel until the
church building was erected ; the corner-stone was laid in September,
1866, and the church was dedicated, free of debt, July 29, 1869. The
cost of the building was about $7,500. It has been repaired and re
furnished recently and a new organ put in. Rev. James A. Dixon,
pastor.

584 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Catholic Church. — There were only about twenty-five Catholics in
Gouverneur as late as the year 1850, and they had been dependent for
public religious services upon various priests from Ogdensburg. A
movement was inaugurated in 1856 for the erection of a church edifice,
and a lot was purchased on South street. This was afterward exchanged
for a lot and building on Park street (the former church of the Method
ists), which was dedicated to its new purpose December 22, 1874 It
was burned in the great fire of January 13, 1875. In the same year the
present house of worship was erected at a cost of $4,000. Rev. Father
Laramee is the present priest in charge.
Universalist Churches. — The first Universalist church of Gouverneur
and Fowler was organized in 1832. The original subscribers to the
constitution were Israel Porter and twenty- five others. The first Uni
versalist church of Gouverneur and Hailesborough was formed in Gouv
erneur village January 27, 1849, with eighteen members. The church
continued a precarious existence several years; but there is now no
church of this denomination in the town.

CHAPTER XXXIII.
THE TOWN OF ROSSIE— ORGANIZED IN 1813.
THIS was the thirteenth town erected by an act of the Legislature
passed on the 27th of January, 1813. This territory was formerly
under the jurisdiction of the town of Russell, which that town released
on a vote of the freeholders assembled for that purpose January 1, 181 1,
and was to be annexed to the town of Gouverneur, but resulted in the
formation of a new town.
The first town meeting was directed to be held at the house of
Reuben Streeter, but the day having passed, the Legislature appointed
another, and the first town election was held at the block house, then
the residence of Mr. Streeter. The dates and the presiding officer's
name were not preserved.

THE TOWN OF ROSSIE. 585
As originally formed, this town embraced townships i, 2 and 7, or
Hammond, Somerville (or Kilkenny) of Tract Number 3. Fowler and
Hammond have since been taken off, and the line between Rossie and
Hammond was altered February 7, 1844.
The town lies on the western border of the county, south of Ham
mond, west of Macomb and Gouverneur, with Fowler to the southward
and Jefferson county on the west. The surface is level or rolling in the
eastern part, but in the western part is much broken by ledges of gneiss,
limestone and sandstone. Numerous streams cross the town, and the
Oswegatchie crosses it twice, forming the " Ox- Bow." Indian River
and Grass Creek flow through the northern and western parts, while
the central part is crossed by the Yellow Lake, which is connected with
the Oswegatchie by a small stream.
Settlement began in what is now Rossie in 1807, when Joseph Teall,
of Fairfield, and Reuben Streeter, of Salisbury, Herkimer county, who
had contracted with Lewis R. Morris, nephew of Gouverneur Morris,
for a tract of land between the Oswegatchie and the south line of
Gouverneur, extending to the county line, came in to occupy their
possession. On the 2d of December, 1808, David Parish purchased
the town from Gouverneur Morris and J. D. Le Ray. Through Mr.
Parish the town was given its name in honor of his sister Rossie, but
she usually bore the name of Rosa. The castle in Scotland which was
owned by her husband was also called Rossie. The land records show
the following purchases under date of December 2, 1806, when the per
sons named came in and selected lands : Ambrose Simmons, Oliver
Malterner, Amos Keeney, jr., Samuel Bonfy, Silvius Waters, Joshua
Stearns, Jerome Waldo, George W. Pike, Benjamin Pike, jr., Ebenezer
Bemis and David Shepard ; most of these were from Herkimer county
and many of them settled in the southern part of the town. The first
improvement was made by Reuben Streeter in 1807 on a farm about
half a mile east of Wegatchie hamlet. In the next year he built a mill
on the Oswegatchie.
Previous to the spring of 181 1 the following families had moved in
and were living on the tract purchased by Teall and Streeter, besides
those already named ; David Freeman, James Streeter, Joseph Teall,
74

586 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Diamond Wheeler, Eli Winchell, Simeon Stevens, John and Wheaton
Wilcox, and Daniel Wilcox came soon after.
The first school was taught about a mile west of the site of Somerville
by a Mr. Maynard.
Other names which appear upon an early assessment roll are as fol
lows, but a part of these lived in what is now Fowler and Hammond':
Lemuel Arnold, Jeduthan Baker, James Barnes, Horatio G. Berthrong
(the first tavern keeper at Rossie), Samuel B. Brown, Truman Bristol,
Joseph Desbrow, James Haile, Samuel Hendrix, Jedediah Kingsley,
Alexander Osburne, Ebenezer Parker, Richard Townsend, Joseph Teall,
jr., Elias Teall and Alvin Wright.
That part of this town lying between the Indian and the Oswegatchie
Rivers has been termed " the Scotch settlement," from the large num
ber of that race who settled there. The settlement was begun in 1818,
when ten families came in, as follows : Robert Ormiston, James Dick
son, William Fachney, James Fairbairn, Corlan McLaren, Donald
McCarrie, Thomas Elliott, James Henderson, James Douglas and
Andrew Dodds. These families emigrated from Scotland by way of
Quebec and the St. Lawrence River. While going up that river in a
Durham boat, and before their destination had been fully decided upon,
they met the agent of Mr. Parish (Joseph Roselle), who induced them
them to cross to Ogdensburg. Their families were there provided for,
while the men went into Rossie to view the country, with the result as
stated. Mr. Parish treated them with liberality, causing ten acres to
be cleared for each family, built a log house for each, and supplied them
with an ox team for each two families, and a cow, provisions, and seed
wheat for each, also a fine young dog. It was then just after the his
torical cold season, and prices were very high, which made this action
on Mr. Parish's part doubly generous and helpful to the immigrants.
In the following year other families came in, among them the following:
James Lockie, David Storie, William Laidlaw, Robert Clark, Andrew
Culbertson, John Henderson, Andrew Fleming, John Dodds, James
Hobkerk, John Wait and James Ormiston. In 1820 John McRobbie,
Thomas Turnbull, and brothers Michael, Adam, Andrew and William
came in. Elizabeth Fachney, daughter of William, born January 13,
1 8 19, is believed to have been the first white child born in this part of
the town.

THE TOWN OF ROSSIE. 587
Descendants of some of the Scotch settlers live in the town and
near by, but they are not numerous. Among them are David Storie,
who lives in Oswegatchie ; A. A. Dickson, grandson of James, who lives
on the old homestead ; Alexander McLaren, son of the pioneer, living
in the " Half-way House," formerly a public house, between Rossie and
Ox- Bow.
The War of 1812 had its effects in this town as well as in others, and
the law of self-preservation prompted the inhabitants to build a block
house on the road between Summerville and Wegatchie, and thither the
people went to spend the nights in times of apprehension. The block
house was 24 by 30 feet, built of hewn timber, bullet proof, and stood
till about the year 1840. Rossie also during the war time became a
very active place, as it was a great resort for both the timid and the
brave. Several families from Ogdensburg and other exposed points
went to Rossie to stop during the troubles, or after the siege of Ogdens
burg, as they supposed that its retired position would make it compar
atively safe from British raids. Here also was the headquarters of a
gang of hard characters, who came from various places, even from
Canada, who would go over the line into the Canadian settlements,
steal horses and bring them back to Rossie, where they had several
secret hiding places among the ledges, and on favorable opportunities
sell them to the government agents. During their leisure time, or be
tween raids, they loafed around the village, drinking and gambling.
These repeated raids caused the Canadian authorities to make an effort
to squelch them. Therefore Colonel Frazer, with a company of British
soldiers, having a knowledge of their den, came over in the summer of
18 13, surrounded the village and captured it without resistance. He
placed sentinels at various points, then searched for horse thieves, but
only found a few innocent old men, women and children. The next
morning he formed his men into line on the street, and called the peo
ple together and said to them,, that he came there to catch thieves, and
he hoped that he had not brought any with him, but said that if any of
the Rossie people had lost anything while he and his men were there,
that they believed his men had taken, he wanted they should say so, and
he would have every man searched before he left. No complaint being
made, the squad returned to Kingston. A day or two later a Mrs.

588 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Stevens, missing a set of solid silver spoons, sent a man over to Kings
ton and informed the colonel of the fact, when he instituted a search
and found them with a soldier and sent them back to the woman. Mr.
Henry Plumb of Ogdensburg was an eye witness of the above incident
and related the same and many other similar ones, to the writer. It
was also reported that the colonel's horse, which he rode over, was left
to graze on the commons, but in the morning was not found, and had
either strayed away or been stolen, and he had to go back on foot.
Other incidents of plundering will be noticed in the history of Ham
mond. During the summer of 1812, the mill built by Mr. Streeter was
burned in the night by an incendiary, who laid it to the Indians. It was
rebuilt by Mr. Parish, who owned and operated it until about 18 17,
when he sold it to James Howard. The grist mill is now carried on by
James H. Bolton. W. B. Wheelock was superintendent of all of Mr.
Parish's mills and mining operations for a number of years. It was
Mr. Howard's wish to have the settlement about his mills called " Cale
donia," and that name did to some extent attach to the place ; but it
was also called " Howard's Mills," "Church's Mills," and finally We
gatchie, which name was applied when the post-office was established
in 1849.
A saw mill here is now operated by David Story. George D. Story
and James Reed have stores, and the former is postmaster. The woolen
mill is carried on by John Wright, succeeding Church & Wright. The
hotel is conducted by John Brickley.
The first settlement at the Rossie Iron Works (now Rossie P. O.) was
made by men sent in by Mr. Parish, late in the summer of 18 10, to
build mills and open settlements. This was an important point, being
at the head of navigation of twenty- seven miles towards Fort Stanwix
(Rome), and the pioneers found evidences of French or English occu
pation there. A Durham boat was found sunk with stone in the river,
and an excavation, perhaps for a cellar, was on the site of the stone
store at Rossie. D. W. Church, who had superintended the building
of a stone store at Ogdensburg, took seven men, and his wife to act as
cook, and proceeded in a bateau with furniture and tools, to the head of
navigation on the Indian River, and landed at sunset on an island near

THE TOWN OF ROSSIE. 589
where the foundry was located. There they spent the night and the
next day erected a hut near where the saw mill was built, and by win
ter had a saw mill in operation there. In December the party was
broken up. During the winter parties were engaged in getting out
timber, which was used in buildings in Ogdensburg and in the frame of
the " Genesee packet," which was built soon afterward. In the following
summer the lumber business was prosecuted with vigor, and in the suc
ceeding winter the bridge at the foot of the hill was built. In the sum
mer of 1813 a furnace was begun under direction of James Howard,
and from that time onward the operations of the town were ener
getically advanced by Mr. Parish. A road through to Ox-Bow was cut
out in 1 8 10 and became a turnpike. The first male child born in the
village was William Rossie Williams, born March 31, 18 14.
The Rossie Furnace was the first blast furnace built in Northern New
York, and was started up in the' year 1815. At about the same time
what was known as the Caledonia Iron Mine, about a mile and a half
east of Somerville, was put in operation. A specimen of ore was sent
to Albany, and expectations of a large mining interest to be developed
in this town were confidentially entertained. The furnace consisted of
two stacks about thirty-two feet square at the base and the same
height ; only one of them was ever operated. Mr. Parish engaged
William Bembo, an Englishman experienced in iron manufacturing, but
ignorant of this ore and the fuel to be used, the result was discourage
ment and failure. At this juncture Mr. Parish offered the eastern firm
of Keith, Marvin & Sykes, the free use of his furnace and coal with the
best ore on his premises, for three months, if they would give it a trial.
The result was eminently satisfactory, good iron was produced, and a
large profit realized. For the succeeding three years the furnace was
operated by S. Fullers & Co., under a contract for five years ; but
George Parish, in order to lease for a longer term, bought the contract
at the end of three years and leased to Robert R. Burr, of New Jersey.
He carried on the business two or three years and left about 1827. The
works were then idle for about ten years, when, in May, 1837, Mr.
Parish again took up the business. A new and larger stack was built,
which was replaced in 1844 by a still larger one, capable of making
eleven tons per day. The last blast in this furnace ended October 14,
1867.

590 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Meanwhile, iron mines situated a mile and a quarter east of Somer
ville were opened in the fall of 1812 and continued many years for the
supply of the above described furnace. From one to three dollars per
ton was paid for drawing the ore thirteen miles to the furnace, making
a sourse of income from which many settlers paid for their farms. The
work was mostly done in the winter. The Caledonia Mine, a part of
the Parish estate, was estimated to have supplied one hundred thousand
tons of ore down to 1852. In 1865 the mines were purchased by a New
York company and placed under supervision of Charles R. Westbrook.
Extensive improvement was made, improved machinery put in, buildings
erected, and a track connencting the ore bed with the railroad was laid.
The supply of iron ore was apparently inexhaustible and the quality of
the product was good, but unforeseen causes too powerful to be over
come caused the final abandonment of the business about 1877. Chief
among these causes was the enormous and cheap production of iron in
other localities with the scarcity of fuel here.
Another mining interest, which at one period promised very impor
tant results, was the discovery and production of lead. It is a tradition
brought down from the time of Indian occupation, that the red men
knew of the existence of lead in this section and made use of it. It
is said that Arthur Bacon was one of the very first to discover galena
in the earth at the roots of an overturned tree in this town. What was
called the Victoria vein was afterwards discovered by a daughter of
Joseph Jepson. In December, 1835, Mr. Parish had become convinced
that the industry might be made a profitable one, and he contracted
with B. T. Nash to make a search for ore. Fifty cents a ton was to be
paid the latter for iron ore and seventy-five cents for lead ore, should
he discover any mines, all the lead ore to be worked in Rossie. The
lease was to run ten years. Previous to this time a company, consist
ing of B. T. Nash, Joseph Barber, Zadoc Day, Joseph Disbrow, and
another, for the purpose of mineral explorations, and the Indian tradi
tions, led them to the Rossie district. Mr. Nasli soon after sold the
rights to J. C. Bush Two companies were incorporated May 12, 1837,
after compromising with Nash's associates and others, for working the
mines. The charters of the two companies were substantially alike as
to their terms, and were to continue to January 1, 1847; capital of

THE TOWN OF ROSSIE. 591
each, $24,000. The company holding the eastern division of the
" coal hill " vein was styled the " Rossie Lead Mining Company," and
David C. Judson, James Averill, Erastus Vilas, Peter C. Oakley, and
Royal Vilas were its first directors. The western division of the same
vein was held by the " Rossie Galena Company," of which John C.
Bush, Bliss T. Nash, Elias J. Drake, Sylvester Gilbert, and David C.
Judson were the first directors.
Work was begun on the western section in 1836, but systematic
operations were not commenced until January 1, 1837, when the eastern
company also began operations. A large number of laborers was em
ployed, and the business seemed to prosper for a considerable time,
notwithstanding the inexperience of those engaged and the great ex
penditure for smelting houses and machinery, which were later found
to be insufficient. Large dividends were made by the companies and
the stock commanded high prices. The ore was principally smelted by
Moss & Knapp at a furnace on Indian River, about a mile from the
mines, at twenty-five dollars per ton, with a contract giving them all
over sixty-eight per cent. A reverberatory furnace was built at the
mines, but this was found wasteful. The Victoria and Union veins were
worked a short time by Mr. Parish. A " working " was begun by him
on the Robinson, or Indian River, vein, where ore was found upon the
surface, and about 300 pounds of lead were taken out directly over a
cavity in the granite which, upon blasting to the solid vein, proved to
be fifteen feet in depth. A shaft was sunk to the depth of seventy- six
feet, which yielded i,ioo pounds of lead ; cost, $1,600. In the branch
of the Union vein two shafts were sunk, the western fifty- five and the
eastern fifty- three feet in depth.
The product of the mines was in all 3,250,690 pounds or 1,625
tons of metallic lead, the average yield of the ore being sixty- seven per
cent. Both of the companies discontinued work about 1840, and many
persons lost largely by deterioration of the stock. During.the summer
of 1852, these mines having reverted to Mr. Parish, a portion of the
property was leased by R. P. Remington, for ten years, with the privi
lege of another ten years, with one-twelfth royalty, and a company
styled " The Great Northern Lead Company " was incorporated Sep
tember 8, 1852, with a capital of $500,000. The first directors were

592 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
James C. Forsyth, Ernest Tielder, P. Strachan, John F. Sanford, S. T.
Jones, Silas M. Stilwell, Charles G. Myers, R. P. Remington, and
James G. Hopkins. A powerful engine was put in, a number of
practical miners from Cornwall, England, were imported, and work was
quite extensively prosecuted for about three years. It was then dis
continued, being unable to pay the royalty agreed to Mr. Parish. In
1854 the works were leased by J. B. Morgan and were again operated
until 1868, since which time they have remained entirely idle.
The foregoing description of the extensive mining operations in the
town comprise a large portion of its general history. Compared with
the somewhat remarkable activity during the long period in which those
industries were prosecuted, the affairs of the town since the War of the
Rebellion (for particulars see Chapter XV.) have moved peacefully
along. The agricultural interests have been more successfully and pro
gressively pursued, the attention of the farmers now being largely
devoted to dairying. Cheese is the principal product, which has an
excellent reputation, and considerable butter of good quality is pro
duced. Many incidents occurred during the earlier working of the mines that
well-nigh resulted in bloodshed, which were peculiarly common in those
days in such a mixed population of nationalities. Such as suspending
by the neck an effigy in Irish costume before a boarding-house occu
pied by laborers on St. Patrick's day with insulting mottos attached to
it. This was done by thoughtless chaps merely as a joke on a certain
class. This, however, was not approved of by the better class of citi
zens. Following is a list of the supervisors of the town from its formation
to the present time with the years of their service.
1814, Reuben Streeter; 1815, Theodosius O. Fowler; 1816-1818, Reuben Streeter ;
1822-24, Louis Franklin ; 1825, Ebenezer Martin ; 1826-1827, James Howard ; 1828,
William Brown ; 1829, Reuben Streeter; 1830-32, S. Pratt; 1833-34, William Skinner;
1835, S. Pratt; 1836-38, Robert Clark ; 1839-40, Martin Thatcher; 1843-44, William
B. Bostwick; 1845-46, S. Pratt; 1847-48, H. V. R. Wilmont; 1849, Zacheus Gates;
1850, Adam Turnbull ; 1851-52, Zacheus Gates; 1853-4, Solomon S. Pratt; 1855, R.
R. Su°rman; 1856-57, L. W. Baldwin , 1858, William B. Bostwick, 1859-63 ; James
H. Church; 1864-66, Thomas A. Turnbull; 1867-69, David McFalls; 1870-74, Thomas
A. Turnbull; 1875-77, A. E. Helmer; 1878, T. A. Turnbull; 1879-80, A. E. Helmer;

THE TOWN OF ROSSIE. 593
1881-83, George McLear ; 1884-1886, A. E. Helmer; 1887-88, John Barry ; 1889, D.
W. Church ; 1890-1894, James W. Marshall.
Rossie Village. — This village is situated at the head of navigation on
Indian River, where there is a good water power. The early settle
ments here have been fully described. Mr. Parish built the mills here
at an early day, which were operated by him in connection with his
other large industries. The grist mill is now operated by Robert Mel
rose, and the saw-mill by W. W. Leonard. Here also the Rossie Iron
Company built a furnace and a machine shop and a foundry, none of
which are now in operation. A freshet in April, 1892, carried away the
dam, wheelhouse, etc., but a new one has been built, supplying power
for the saw-mill and grist mill. Among the various persons who have
done business at this point may be mentioned W. W. Leonard, W. W.
Butterfield, George Backus, William A. Paul, Gates & Laidlaw, and
Hiram Polley. At the present time W. W. Leonard and Alexander
Brown sell dry goods and groceries ; C. W. Ormiston and Miss Rose
Gillen sell groceries, and the latter is postmistress. There are two
hotels, the Rossie House, owned by George McLear and conducted by
L. D. Ladd, and the Laidlaw House, by J. Laidlaw.
Somerville. — This little village is situated in the southern part of the
town, on the road between Antwerp and Gouverneur. It took its name
from the township as given by Surveyor- General Dewitt long before its
settlement. There has never been much business carried on here, there
being no natural facilities for it. There has been a small mercantile
business here for many years, in \vhich have been engaged Solomon
Pratt, Lucius Draper, M. G. Wait, C. D. Gilbert, Wallace Foster, and
J. B. Johnson. At the present time John Rickley carries on a store and
is postmaster. A hotel is kept by William Becker, and a cheese factory
by J. W. Marshall Hiram Hall and Orin Freeman formerly manufact
ured furniture. P. M. Crowley made carriages and still does a small
business in that line.
What was formerly called " Sprague's Corners," the post-office name
now being Spragueville, is a small village situated in the extreme south
ern end of this town, near Keene's station on the R. W. & O. Railroad.
A part of the village, including the two churches (Methodist and Bap
tist), is within the bounds of Jefferson county. D. W. Sprague carries
75

594 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
on a store here and is postmaster, and A. H. Johnson and Steele & Co.
also have stores. RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
A Universalist church was organized at Somerville, August 20, 1842,
with Lyman Merriman, Alva Weeks, and William Ayers, trustees. In
1846 they erected a house of worship at a cost of $1,500. The first
pastor was Kev. C. C. Swan. For many years past there has been only
occasional services.
The Methodist Episcopal church at Somerville was incorporated De
cember 16, 1845, with Hiram Hall, Orin Freeman, John Johnson, Free
dom Freeman, Augustus Preston, and A. C. Van Dyke, trustees. In
1846 they erected a house of worship costing $1,500, which is still in
use. The present pastor is Rev. Mr. Warren.
St. Patrick's church (Catholic) was organized in 1852 at Rossie with
about twenty-five families, and in the same year the society erected a
building costing $2,000. The first rector was Father Michael Clark.
A new church was erected about six years ago, and the member
ship is now about 150. Father Michael O'Neill is in charge of the so
ciety. The first Presbyterian church of Rossie village was organized with
eighteen members in October, 1855. In tne next year the church was
built at a cost of $1,600. It is still in use and the membership is
seventy- five. Rev. W. A. Fisher is pastor.
The Methodist church at the village was organized in 1868 with seven
teen members by Rev. Lemuel Clark. The first pastor was Rev. O. F.
Nichols.

THE TOWN OF PARISHVILLE. 595

CHAPTER XXXIV.
THE TOWN OF PARISHVILLE— ORGANIZED IN 1814.
THIS was the fourteenth town erected by an act of the Legislature
passed March 18, 1814. It was formerly under the jurisdiction of
Hopkinton, and embraced all of its present area and all that is now in
cluded in the town of Colton. It was reduced to its present area by the
formation of Colton in 1843, and by annexing three sections to the latter
town in 185 1. The northern part of the town is rolling and adapted to
grazing, and the southern is hilly and sandy. It is watered by both
the Raquette and St. Regis Rivers, and contains several small lakes.
The first town meeting was directed to be held at the house of Thom
as C. Colburn, April 5, 1814, when the following officers were elected :
Daniel W. Church, supervisor; Abijah Abbott, town clerk; Stephen
Goodman, Ira Ransom, Daniel Rockwell, assessors ; Ephraim Smith,
collector ; Jonathan M. Derby, Stephen Paddock, poormasters ; Abel
Brown, Peter Mayhew, Elisha Brooks, commissioners of highways ;
Ephraim Smith, Mathew Wallace, constables; Peter Mayhew, Abel
Brown, overseers of highways ; Russell Foot, pound-keeper. The town
was named in honor of David Parish, who purchased the territory of J.
D. Le Ray de Chaumont, December 2, 1808.
The settlement of the town was begun under the direction of Daniel
Hoard, who, with his brother Silvius, natives of Springfield, Vt, were
employed as agents for David Parish. The town was surveyed by Joseph
Crary in 1809, and in the fall of that year Mr. Hoard surveyed and cut
out a road from the Potsdam line to the site of Parishville village. Mr.
Hoard returned to Vermont for that winter and in the spring came back
with Luke Brown, Isaac Towner, Hartwell Shattuck and Levi Sawyer.
The former three were from Vermont and the latter was from Massa
chusetts. They were engaged in making clearings on the site of Parish
ville village. Mr. Whit more and his wife came into town the same
summer to cook for the men clearing land. During that year a saw mill

596 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
was built by two brothers named Barnes, and put in operation in the
winter of 1810. The first permanent family settlement was that of
Luke Brown, whose family came the last of March, 181 1. Others who
came in that year were Richard Newton, George A. Flower, Joel Haw
kins, Reuben Thomas, Abijah Abbott, Otis Daggett, Foster Brownell,
Elisha Brooks, Nathan Whittemore, Chester Rockwell and Simeon
Tupper. During the summer of 181 1 the turnpike from Plattsburg to
the Black River was cut through the town and a large number of set
tlers came in during that and the following year, many of whom had
fled from the river towns below on account of the war. Among them
were Abel Brown, Rufus De Land, Peter Mayhew, Joseph Thomas,
Stephen Paddock, Ira and Oliver Raymond, Jonathan M. Derby and
Oliver Forbes. In i8i.4came Joel Barnes, Joel Button, Moses Sellick,
Silas and Francis Tupper and Peter B. Gilbert. In 1815-16 Frank
Priest, William Miller, Isaac Russell and Jacob Rosevelt came. Others
who soon followed were, Salmon Frost, Daniel P. Rose, James Scott, jr.,
John Hoit, Gustavus A. Wakefield, Seymour Flower, Nathan Christy,
and others, who with their descendants developed the town and made
it what it is.
Parishville village was surveyed in 181 2 by Sewell Raymond, and is
situated in the eastern part of the town on the west branch of the St.
Regis River, where there is an excellent water power on a fall of 125
feet in the space of a mile. Here the first grist mill was built by Mr.
D. W. Church, in 181 1, for Mr. Parish, and a distillery was started the
same season by Mr. Hoard, and operated by him for many years there
after. In 1812-13 the place received large accessions from the inhab
itants living on the frontier, on account of the danger they apprehended
from the war, and this gave business and life to the settlement.
A lamentable affair occurred in town in the fall of 18 12. A fiend in
human form, by the name of B  , living on the edge of Stockholm,
committed a crime and was sent to jail in Ogdensburg. While under
going his trial at the June session, he threatened vengeance against the
neighborhood where the crime was committed, and especially against
Mrs. Miller, one of the principal witnesses against him. Shortly after
he broke jail and was not seen until the morning on Monday, October
23, following, crossing a bridge near the line of Pierrepont. On the

THE TOWN OF PARISHVILLE. 597
following Wednesday morning Mr. Miller went to a neighbor's to get
fire to start his own. On his return he found that Mrs. Miller was gone,
but her shoes and stockings and part of her clothing were lying on the
floor. A search was instituted but proved fruitless. On Friday night of
the same week several houses and barns, including the culprit's own
house in the vicinity were burned, and on Saturday morning the jail bird
was seen crossing the bridge and was followed up and arrested at Carthage,
having in his possession a stolen rifle. He was sent to State's prison
and died there. In the following spring Mrs. Miller's body was found
in the woods about three miles above Parishville, her head having been
severed from the body and lying some distance away.
In the summer of 1812 a large three story building was erected by
Daniel W. Church for the proprietor, for a tavern, at a cost of $12,000 ;
it was burned in 1875. A forge was built and put in operation for a
time in early years. In 1 813 progress in the village was marked, among
other buildings erected being one intended for an academy, which
was used for a town hall, school purposes, for religious meetings and
public purposes until 1854, when it was burned. The first school was
taught in 18 13 by Harriet Bronson in Daniel Hoard's barn; a school
house was soon after erected. Dr. Francis Parker, a native of Vermont,
was the first practicing physician in town. In January, 1820, J. & J.
Hoit paid $25 for water privilege for a clothier's factory. Considerable
manufacturing, especially in lumber and its products, has been carried
on at this point. The Parishville Lumber Company and S. L. Clark &
Son now operate, large saw mills, and the latter also a butter factory;
and A. M. Randall a planing mill. The present grist mill is on the site
of the original mill and is operated by C. J. Newell, jr. E. Whittaker
has a saw mill outside of the village. The merchants of the place are
Newton & Gilmore, H. L. Daggett, Adams Brothers, H. J. Sanford,
J. J. Campbell and W. W. Baker. Two hotels are conducted here, the
Eagle House by Myron G. Hastings, and the Commercial House by
A. F. Cole. Fred D. Gilmore is postmaster.
Parishville Center. — This is a small hamlet four miles west of the
village'. There has been very little business done here. G. W. Boodey
is now the postmaster and carries on a store.

598 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
At Allen's Falls, in the northern part of the towji, a post-office has
been established recently, and W. N. Crouch is the present postmaster,
and operates a grist mill and a small machine shop.
The post-office at West Parishville is in charge of Charles B. Willis.
Religious Societies. — The Congregational missionaries held services
in the settlement as early as 1811, but no regular church was organized
until August 7, 1823, which was by a council consisting of the Rev.
Mr. Parmelee of Stockholm, Rev. Oliver Eastman, pastor, Rev. Mr.
Constant Southworth of Canton, Rev. R. Pettibone of Hopkinton, Mr.
Henry Winchester from Madrid and Deacon Samuel P. Reynolds of
Potsdam, with eleven members. The society was incorporated April
23, 1827, with Noran Rockwell, James Hardy and George A. Flower,
trustees. A stone church was built in 1834, at a cost of $3,000. It
was burned in 1854, and a new church building erected. The services
are now held (1893) with the Methodists. W. F. York is the present
pastor. A Baptist society was formed at the Lower Falls in October, 1823,
with thirteen members. On the 5th of April, 183 1, a society was or
ganized at the village, with Graton Brand, Seymour Flower and David
Burdit, trustees. They built a church, which was also burned in the
great fire of 1854. A new edifice was erected and in 1870 a parsonage
was purchased. In 1874 the church and house were repaired, at a cost
of $500. The property was then worth about $4,000' Rev. E. E.
Brown is the present pastor.
The first Methodist class was formed in 18 18, though meetings had
been held previous to that date, and a society was organized March 10,
1828. During that year the first church was built near the Center. A
reorganization took place in August, 1833, and again in October, 1846,
soon after which the church was removed to the village, repaired and
refitted. The organization took the title of " The Parishville Village
Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church." In 1832 a Protestant
society of Methodists was formed from the Methodist Episcopal society,
and retained its organization until 1843, when it was absorbed by the
Wesleyan Methodist organization and took the latter name. In 1859—
60 the parsonage was built, and the present house of worship was dedi
cated in 1867. The present pastor is W. F. York ; membership about
sixty.

THE TOWN OF FOWLER. 599
A Free-will Baptist society was formed in the southwest part of the
town in September, 1859, and a church built in the same year at a cost
of $2,000. There has been no regular pastor in recent years.
The usual bounties were offered for wolves and other obnoxious
animals during the early period of the settlement.
Following is a list of the supervisors of the town from its formation,
with years of service :
Daniel W. Church, 1814; Abijah Abbott, 1815; Daniel Hoard, 1816-21; William
Allen, 1822; Daniel Hoard, 1823; Wiliiam Allen, 1824-31 ; John Brownel', 1832-34;
William Allen, 1835-37; John Hoyt, 1838, 1839; John Browneli, 1840, 1841 ; Ethan
H. Pease, 1842-44; Sylvanus B. Merrill, 1845-47; Erasmus D. Brooks, 1848, 1849;
¦Nathan Christy, 1850, 1851 ; William F. Gurley, 1852, 1853; E. D. Brooks, 1854, 1855 ;
Parker W. Rose, 1850-58; Austin Willis, 1859, 1860; Elam Marsb, 1861-63 ;' Allen
Whipple, 1864-69 ; P. W. Rose, 1870-74 ; Edward H. Abram, 1875-87 ; Fred. D. Gil
more, 1888-92 ; Royal Newton, 1893-94.

CHAPTER XXXV.
THE TOWN OF FOWLER— ORGANIZED IN 1815.
THIS was the fifteenth town erected by an act of the Legislature
passed April 15, 181 5. The first town meeting was directed to
be held at the house of Noah Holcomb, which met on April 15, 1816,
where the following officers were chosen : Supervisor, Theodosius O.
Fowler ; town clerk, Simeon Hazleton ; assessors, Noah Holcomb,
Eben Cole, Benjamin Brown ; commissioners of highways, John Parker,
Noah Holcomb ; overseers of poor, Noah Holcomb, Benjamin Brown ;
overseers of highways, Simeon Hazleton, Samuel B. Sprague; con
stable and collector, Alvan Wright; commissioners of schools, Alvan
Wright, Simeon Hazleton, Elam Cole. On the ioth of April, 18 18,
the townships of Edwards and Fitzwilliam were attached to Fowler and
taken from Russell. These were taken from Fowler in the subsequent
erection of Edwards.
The only vote taken in town for the destruction of obnoxious animals
was in 1824, when a bounty was offered for wolves and wildcats agree
able to the late law.

600 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The town lies on the southwestern borders of the county, bordering
on both Lewis and Jefferson counties, with Gouverneur and Rossie on
the northwest; Hermon on the north; Edwards on the east, and Pit
cairn on the south. The principal watercourse is the Oswegatchie,
which crosses the town in a northwesterly direction, while the south
branch of that river flows across the southeastern corner of the town
and then takes a northerly direction and passes through Fullerville on
into Edwards, where it joins the main river. Into these streams small
tributaries flow, the principal ones being the outlets of Sylvia and Chub
lakes. In the western part are Sawyer's and Shingle creeks. The
surface of the town is rough and hilly, broken by rocky ranges, with
productive soil between and along the streams. The town now em
braces the survey township of Kilkenny, in Great Tract No. 3, and a
small portion of that of Portaferry, No. 11. The town takes its name
from Theodosius Fowler, a Revolutionary officer of the city of New
York, to whom, and Robert Gilchrist, Kilkenny township fell in the
division of the Great Tract. On the 3d of August, 18 10, Gilchrist con
veyed his interest to Fowler, and the latter on the 15th of May, 1821,
conveyed the whole to his son, Theodosius O. Fowler, under whom the
settlement of the locality was chiefly promoted, though it had been
begun by Gilchrist and the elder Fowler.
The first purchaser with the view of permanent settlement was Gen.
James Haile, who made a tour of exploration in 1807 and selected a
tract one mile square covering the site of the village of Hailesborough,
which was named from him. In the same year he began erecting mills
upon the superior water power of that locality, where the Oswegatchie
falls eighty-four feet in half a mile, and within a mile above has an
equal descent. Eleven years later General Haile removed his family
to his purchase, and there he died December 17, 1821. Other very
early settlers were Ebenezer Parker, Jbhn Ryan, S. Cleveland, Lemuel
Arnold, John Parker, Samuel B. Sprague, Noah Holcomb, Oliver
Wright, Alvin Wright, Simeon Hazleton, Benjamin Brown, Richard
Merrill, Eben Cole and Jedediah Kingsley. Theodosius O. Fowler
came to Kilkenny in 18 14, and insisted that his father should not only
give him almost the entire township, but should also build him a stately
mansion. Upon the granting of this request, a site was chosen on the

THE TOWN OF FOWLER. 601
shores of the beautiful lake then called "Lake Kilkenny," but rechris-
tened Sylvia Lake from Miss Sylvia De Pau, of New York, whom the
young man was to wed. In 1816 the erection of the mansion was
begun on a site now embraced in the farm of John L. Parker, occupied
by D. E. Parker. About three years later it was finished at a cost of
$16,000. Here Mr. Fowler lived in elegant style for many years. He
sold his estate in 1838 to Thomas D. Carpenter, from whom it passed
to Mr. Parker. The wood-work of the mansion was burned about 1872,
and the stones in the walls were removed and placed in buildings in
Gouverneur. Mr. Fowler died in 1861.
There are many descendants of the worthy old settlers of this town
still living, among whom may be mentioned Ira Arnold, James Hazle
ton, Asa Woodcock, father of D. P. Woodcock, and others. Settle
ments were not numerous previous to the War of 18 12, but a few years
after that event the town filled up rapidly. The first marriage was that
of John Parker to Elizabeth S. Sackett, in 18 12. He settled on the
south branch of the Oswegatchie, a little below the site of Fullerville,
on the Russell turnpike, and there he opened a tavern for the accom
modation of the public. Mr. Parker died in 1866, aged eighty-three
years. Elijah Sackett was the first person who died in the town ; his
death occurred at the Haile settlement in 1812. During the war
several families left the town fearing Indian depredations, and settle
ment was not active again until about 1820.
This town was originally covered with a dense forest, a considerable
portion of which was valuable for lumber, the manufacture of which
gave occupation to settlers in connection with farming for some years.
Tanning was also carried on quite extensively until the supply of bark
became diminished. At the present time dairying is followed, but not
so largely as in other towns, the character of which is better adapted
to grazing. In quite recent years an immense industry has been in
augurated through the manufacture of pulp and talc, as explained
further on. There are fifteen school districts in the town, where schools
are generously supported, and district No. 1, at Little York, and dis
trict No. 4, at Hailesborough, are graded schools with two departments.
Little York (now Fowler). — The first settlement at this hamlet was
made by Samuel B. Sprague, who came from Gouverneur in 181 1.
76

602 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Several families came here during the War of 1812, and they gave the
name of " Little York " to the place, in memory of the then recent
capture of Toronto, which then bore that name. A store was opened
here early by William Lawrence, who came from New York to take
charge of the Fowler Mansion. He was succeeded by Martin Mitchell,
Justus Pickett and E. W. Abbott. Another early merchant was Aaron
Rowley, who was succeeded by Simeon Hazleton and his sons. A
public house was built by Jason Wright, who was succeeded by various
landlords. Here the meetings and elections for the town were com
monly held. The post-office was established in November, 1821, T.
O. Fowler being the first postmaster ; it was for many years the only
post-office in the town. The present merchants of the place are G. C.
Davis, J. F. Herrick, and L. L. Austin, the latter being also postmaster.
The hotel is kept by R. E. Webb. There has never been any manu
facturing at this point. A bed of red hematite iron ore was discovered
here on the land of Justus Pickit, and opened in 1833 by the proprietors
of the Fullerville Iron Works, who, with others, took out considerable
of the ore. Nothing is now being done in the town in this line.
Hailesborough. — This village is situated very near the northern line
of the town on the Oswegatchie. The settlement of the site is described
a few pages back. Under the terms of purchase by General Haile he
was obliged to erect mills within a year, and so energetically did he
push his work that the saw-mill was in operation before the close of the
year 1807, while the following season saw a grist mill with one run of
quarried stone in operation. The building of these mills was the real
beginning of improvement in the town. The old saw- mill with various
repairs stood until 1873, when it was rebuilt by Clark & Howard. The
grist mill was carried away by a flood in 1 809 ; was rebuilt the next
year, and in 18 19 a second run of stones was added. This was oper
ated until 1844, when the third mill was built by H. H. Haile. son of
the general. This property passed into possession of the International
Talc Company about 1881. This is a strong business organization for
the prosecution of the important and growing talc industry, and has ab
sorbed a number of mills and other property. Among these, besides
the one just mentioned, are a mill built in 1881 by the Natural Dam
Pulp Company, and the mill built in- 1884-5 by the St. Lawrence Pulp

THE TOWN OF FOWLER. 603
Company. (Further details of this business are given in the history of
Gouverneur.) In 1825 Jasper Clark began quarrying, sawing and work
ing the veined limestone, resembling coarse marble, which is found here.
The business was abandoned, chiefly on account of the coarse grain of
stone. About the same time a carding mill was started by Raymond
Austin, who was succeeded by Addison Giles, and James and Edwin
Mcintosh ; the latter changed it into or added to it a woolen cloth fac
tory. J. H. Abbott purchased an interest in the factory and later E.
W, Abbott bought the remaining interest. The business was prosper
ous for some years, employing twenty hands ; but in 1891 it passed by
lease into the hands of the Abestos Pulp Company, and is now used in
the manufacture of talc ; the company are Rochester capitalists. Jesse
Banister started a cabinet shop about 1850, which after various changes
passed to Carpenter & Tupper ; while in use as a wood working shop it
burned about 1871, and was rebuilt by J. H. Carpenter, and is now car
ried on by him as a planing mill, sash factory, etc. An upper leather
tannery was started about 1865 by Morse & Carpenter and operated
twelve or fifteen years. It was subsequently changed to a grist mill
and is now run by C. A. Clark.
The first merchant at Hailesborough of consequence was probably
William Hurlbut, who began business about 1825. He was succeeded
by Justus Pickit, who continued to his death in 1842. Other later mer
chants were Horace Barnes, John R. Stewart, Theodore Clark, Mathias
Fithian, S. D. Rich, and J. T. McCombs. The present merchants are
Edwin Nobles, A. A. Potter & Co., and Coats & Ayers.
A hotel was opened about 1835 by William Hurlbut, and was kept
later by George P. Holmes, Apollos Leggett, and S. D. Rich, the pres
ent landlord. The post-office at Hailesborough was established in 1858
with S. M. Farmer as postmaster. The present official is Miss Delight
Coats. (For the War of the Rebellion see Chapter XV).
Fullerville. — This village is in the southeastern part of the town where
John Parker built his early saw mill, in 18 13, on the south branch of
the Oswegatchie, as before related. This mill was burned in 1822 and
rebuilt in the next year. It was almost the only improvement there
until the coming of four brothers from Vermont named Fuller — Shel
don, Stillman, Heman and Ashbel. They formed a business firm under

004 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
the name of S. Fuller & Co. They had experience in iron working in
the town of Rossie, and at once began the erection of a blast furnace on
the west side of the river; it was finished in 1833, and put in operation
on ores from the Little York mine before noticed, bog ores from Ed
wards, and the magnetic ores from Jayville and Clifton. The admission
not long afterwards of a Mr. Maddock changed the firm to Fullers &
Maddock ; but the latter soon retired. The furnace finished its last
blast in October, 1837, having produced about 3,500 tons of iron. In
1846 the firm of Fullers & Peck, composed of Sheldon Fuller, Leman
Fuller and Daniel Peck, rebuilt the old furnace and put in the hot blast.
They operated the works with fair success until 1861, when they were
closed. Ten years later Daniel Sterling took up the industry, but closed
down in two years. In 1875 the property was purchased by Bixby,
Clark & Co., who put in a new tuyere and other improvements. A
little later George H. Clark became the proprietor and continued opera
tions to about 1882, when the business was given up for good. Distance
from railroads, character of ores, distance from mines, and other condi
tions combined to render the business unprofitable.
The Fullers built a grist mill on the east side of the river, which with
fifteen acres of adjoining land was sold to Rockwell, Bullard & Co. (Ed
win Rockwell, Luther Bullard, Chester H. Benton, Oliver Benton), in
1838. Two years later this firm finished a forge for making blooms
from the ore. After various vicissitudes in the hands of different par
ties this business was given up about 1850.
The saw mill and grist mill here, formerly owned by Belmat & Bray-
ton, passed recently to possession of the Oswegatchie Wood Pulp Com
pany, a strong business organization which is developing the pulp busi
ness on extensive lines. The company is composed of F. H. Hale,
president ; S. H. Austin, secretary and treasurer ; Charles Fuller, as
sistant secretary ; and George H. Clark. This mill was burned in the
fall of 1892, and is now being rebuilt. On the river a little above Ful
lerville was formerly a saw- mill, cheese box factory, and shingle mill,
owned by Charles H. Sprague. This has lately been changed to a pulp
mill and is owned by Sprague & Keller.
The first mercantile business at Fullerville was by Fuller & Co. in
connection with their other interests. Rockwell, Bullard & Co. also

THE TOWN OF FOWLER. 605
kept a store, and another was opened about 1865 by F. H. Davidson.
The present merchants are C. D. Carr and Lloyd Loomis. The first
public house was kept by Charles G. Edgerton on the east side of the
river, which was closed many years ago. About 1839 a hotel was
opened on the west side by James R. Bignall, which was also finally
closed. The Franklin House was opened about 1850 by Truelove
Brewster ; various proprietors succeeded. The hotel is now kept by
Thomas Whalen.
The post-office was established in 1832 with Heman Fuller, postmas
ter. The present official is Charles Fuller.
There was formerly a post-office at " West Fowler," three miles west
of Little York, in 1850, with Thomas Mitchell postmaster. A 'little set
tlement called " Homer's Mills " existed two miles northeast of Hailes
borough, named from William Homer, who had a saw mill, shingle mill,
butter tub factory, etc., there. They have passed out of use. What
is known as the Willard mill, on the Chub Lake outlet near the Hermon
line, was built by Thaddeus H. Willard, and is now operated by Charles
Potter. Hiram Baxter built a mill on the river northeast of Little York,
and on the same dam was a" grist mill, and above these, near the Ed
wards line, was the Holcomb mill, built by Obadiah Jenkins. All of
these have passed into disuse. Simeon Hazleton built a saw mill on the
Sylvia Lake outlet as early as 1820; he was the only owner. John
Frazier built a mill in early times on Sawyer's Creek above West
Fowler. It was remodeled into a circular saw mill and operated by
David Myers. Both of these mills are abandoned. A circular saw mill
on Sawyer's Creek near the Pitcairn line was remodeled from the old
Glazier mill and is now operated by E. & J. O. Davis. The mills known
as the Knowlton mill on Sawyer's Creek, built by Erastus Knowlton ;
the Draper mill on the same stream, and the one built by John L. Parker
and operated by E. H. Kellogg, are all abandoned.
Following are the names of supervisors of the town, with years of
service :
Theodosius 0. Fowler, 1817; Benjamin Brown (to fill vacancy), 1818; Eben Cole,
1818 to 1821, inclusive; Justus Pickit, 1825 to 1829, 1831-32, 1837-38; Stillman Ful
ler, 1830, 1833-34. William Hurlbut, 1835-36; Henry H. Haile, 1839-40-41; Asa L.
Hazleton, 1842-43 ; Alfred Burt, 1844-45; Heman Fuller, 1846-47; Addison Giles,
1848-49, 1855-56-57-58 ; Thomas J. Hazleton, 1850-51, 1853-54, 1859, 1865; Emory

606 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
W. Abbott, 1852 and 1860 to 1864, inclusive; Daniel Peck, 1866 to 1875, inclusive;
Abner H. Johnson, 1876-77; Geo. W. Kelly, 1878-82; Simeon H. Austin, 1883;
Henry W. Johnson, 1884-87; Wm. T. Clark, 1888-90; Simeon H. Austin, 1891; Wm.
T. Clark, 1892-94 . ¦ ¦
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
A Baptist church was organized in this town as early as January,
1822, under Elder Jonathan Paine, with thirteen members. Through
various vicissitudes and periods of depression this society was kept alive
until 1876, when the last services were held under Rev. C. H. Dike. A
Baptist society of Antwerp and Fowler was organized in 1825 and
built a church at Steele's Corners, in Antwerp. This subsequently
went out of existence.
Methodist services were held in this town in common with the Con
gregationalists, at an early day ; but the first records of an organization
take us back only to 1837, when a Methodist society was in flourishing
existence in Fullerville, with the Rev. N. R. Peck as pastor. About
the year 1845 they purchased the unfinished building of the Presby
terians and completed and used it. Regular services were kept up
until about 1865, but in recent years, and at present, they have no
pastor, services being occasionally held by a pastor from Edwards. A
Methodist society was organized in Fowler recently and the present
church edifice was built in 1892. The pastor is Rev. L. T. Conrad,
who also preaches at Natural Dam, in Gouverner ; both of these small
societies are in the Gouverneur charge.
A Presbyterian organization was effected at Fullerville soon after
1830 with about fifteen members. A Rev. Mr. Batchelor was the pas
tor for some time, and the church edifice was begun, which was sold to
the Methodists, as before stated, when the organization went down.
The First Universalist church of Gouverneur and Fowler was organ
ized January 26, 1832, and for many years was the strongest religious
organization in the town Simeon Hazleton and twenty-five others
were the original members. By June of the following year the mem
bership was seventy- two. This society was succeeded by the Little
York Universalist Society, organized in 1841. A church was built
there at a cost of $1,200, most of which was given by Simeon Hazle-

THE TOWN OF PIERREPONT. 607
ton. The society subsequently diminished, and the church was sold to
the Baptists.
The " First Universalist Society of Gouverneur and Hailesborough"
was formed January 27, 1849, w'tn eighteen members. Rev. C. Dodge
was the pastor. In i860 a Union church was built on land donated by
H. H. Haile. In January 1861, the "Universalist Union Society of
Hailesborough " was formed with Francis Farmer, William T. Burt,
and Daniel G. Sartwell as trustees. This pulpit is now supplied by
Rev. J. S. Lee, of Canton.
In 1826 Elders Dodge and Waite organized the West Fowler Free
Will Baptist church, with Rev. Amasa Chandler as pastor. In 1852 a
church edifice costing $1,300 was built. The last pastor in that church
was Rev. B. F. Jefferson, and the members have for many years attended
the church at Fowler (Little York) and at Fullerville. At the former
place they purchased the building of the Universalists, and at the latter
place worshiped in the church of the regular Baptists. Rev. C. Ker-
nahan is the pastor.

CHAPTER XXXVI.
THE TOWN OF PIERREPONT— ORGANIZED IN 1818.
""T^HIS was the sixteenth town erected by an Act of the Legislature,
| passed April 15, 18 18. The territory was originally a large one
in area, and was taken from Russell and Potsdam April 15, 1818, and
formerly under their jurisdiction, and embraced the townships of Emily-
ville, Chaumont, Clifton, Clare, and so much of De Witt as would lie
east of a continuation of the west line of said township to the rear line
of Canton. Emilyville was taken off and annexed to Fine in the form
ing of that town, March 27, 1844. Chaumont and Clifton were taken
off to constitute the new town of Clifton April 21, 1868, and Clare was
taken off and made a town by that name in 1882. (See history of
these several towns.)

608 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The first town meeting was held at the house of Cyrus Grannis,
March I, 1819, and the following officers elected: Cyrus Grannis,
supervisor; Andrew A. Crampton, clerk; William Yale, Elisha Wood
ruff, Gardner Cox, assessors ; Peter R. Leonard, Joseph Dorothy,
poormasters ; Flavius J. Curtis, Ezra Crary, Samuel Belding, commis
sioners of roads ; Richard Weller, constable and collector ; Seth Hale,
overseer of highways ; F. J. Curtis, Ebenezer Tupper, Gardner Cox
commissioners of schools; Cyrus Grannis, William Yale, A. A. Cramp
ton, inspectors of schools ; Joseph Dorothy, Seth Hale, F. J. Curtis,
Henry Axtell, fence-viewers ; E. Tupper, P. R. Leonard, pound-
keepers. Pierrepont received its name from Hezekiah B. Pierrepont, who
owned a large share of its territory, and under whose administration,
through agents, most of it has been settled. Portions of it are still
owned by his descendants. The surface of the town is diversified with
hills and valleys, and the soil is especially adapted to grazing, the prin
cipal occupation of the inhabitants at present being the making of
cheese and butter, for which there are five or six factories now in opera
tion. It is a remarkable fact in the history of this locality that the cele
brated Frenchwoman, Madam De Stael, once owned a portion of the
township of Clare which was in the township of Pierrepont until recent
years. She invested money here upon the advice of Gouverneur
Moiris, with whom she was acquainted. From Mr. Hough we learn
that on the 7th of October, 1806, he wrote her as follows :
It has occurred to me that you would do well to purchase the remainder of the town
ship of Clare. It lies next to that of Ballybeen (Russell), which is rapidly increasing in
population. Thus in time a revenue will be drawn from it, inconsiderable indeed at
first, but subsequently of great importance. Now such a provision for a son is of more
value than thrice the amount of money. The one directs to industry and economy, the
other excites to dissipation, unless indolence is allowed to exercise its enervating
power. It would perhaps be possible to purchase the remainder of Clare at the rate
of one dollar an acre. It certainly would not be necessary to go higher than two
dollars. Quoting further from Mr. Hough, he says relative to the title to parts
of this town as follows :
On the partition of lands between McCormick and others, 15,200 acres were conveyed
to Herman Le Roy and Wm. Bayard, in trust for this lady. They were subsequently

THE TOWN OF PIERREPONT. 609
conveyed to Theodosius 0. Fowler, and in 1846 purchased by S. Pratt and John L.
Russell, upon directions to sell by the Due de Broglie and Ada Holstein de Stael, his
wife, the only surviving child of Madame de Stael. In 1847 a question of alienage of
the Duchess de Broglie, and of the operation of the New York statute of trusts, having
arisen, the legislature, by separate acts, confirmed the title of Russell and Pratt to the
Clare lands, and of Livingston to the Clifton lands, similarly circumstanced.
Between the years 1864 and 1868, Wm. H. Sawyer and Leslie W.
Russell, of Canton, purchased for themselves and Samuel C. Wead, of
Malone, the west half of this township, since which it has been rapidly
settled. The east half of the township is owned by Marcus Ball, of
Troy, and is practically unsettled. The Pierrepont, Fine and Watson
turnpike runs from north to south through the west half of the town,
and all the farms are upon this road. About 2,000 acres of land are
cleared and improved, and 2,000 acres more in process of clearing.
The land lying back from the road is considered the best for farming.
The timber is mostly hard wood, with hemlock, pine and spruce.
In the summer of 1799 Judge Raymond and others, engaged in sur
veying into townships the great northern purchase, had a provision
camp near the village of East Pierrepont. Some of his men, near the
close of the season, becoming weary and mutinous, resolved to leave
without consent before the job of surveying was completed. They were
intending to take the compass, at all hazards to those remaining behind,
to guide them through the southern forest. Mr. Raymond having
failed to persuade them to relinquish their purpose, privately stole out
of the camp on the evening previous to their intended departure and
hid his compass. The mutineers, failing to get possession of the com
pass, dared not undertake a journey through the woods without it, and
became sullen over the matter. Mr. Raymond at length succeeded in
convincing them that it was for their interest to continue the survey
until it was completed, and then return home honorably. After con
sulting with each other they promised obedience, when the instrument
was produced, and the labors continued till completed.
There was a tradition among the Indians which was told the survey
ors when running out the town of Pierrepont, that there was a silver
mine near the falls on Grass River, in the township No. 3, which was
worked a little about 1776, but was stopped by order of the government
77

610 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
soon after it was begun. The . Indian trail from St. Regis to Black
River runs through Pierrepont by way of Fall River.
The first settlement in this town was made by Flavius J. Curtis, who
located in the northeast corner about 1 806-7. Further settlement was
mostly postponed until after the opening of the turnpike from Platts
burg to Carthage in 1812-13, which passed through the town and
called settlers to its vicinity. Henry Axtell came from Vermont in
1813 and settled on lot 44, and in the next year his son, Henry Edwin
Axtell, was born, the first birth in the town. About the same time
Cyrus Grannis, then agent for Mr. Pierrepont, built a large frame house
near Pierrepont Center and opened a tavern, which was probably the
first in the town. Ebenezer Tupper came in 18 13 and settled on the
east side of the Raquette River, where the turnpike crosses it. He also
opened a public house. Peter Ripley Leonard came from Shoreham,
Vt., and settled in Canton in 1803, with his brother Moses. Both re
moved to Pierrepont in 18 13, the former settling half a mile southwest
of the Center, where his son Charles afterwards lived. Moses settled
on the site of the Center village ; they and their descendants were
prominent in the town. Zuriel Waterman settled in 18 13 on what was
known as the "Waterman Hill," and has descendants in the town.
Others who came that year were Davis Dunton, Foster Shaw, Alanson
Woodruff, Joseph Mather and Clark Hutchins. Andrew A. Crampton
came from Pittsford, Vt., in 181 5, and settled a quarter of a mile south
west of the Center, where he lived fifty-one years; he was a leading
citizen, was elected town clerk at the first town meeting, held several
other offices, and was postmaster twenty- four years. His son now
lives at the Center.
Appleton Crary was the first one of that name to locate in town,
which he did in 18 16, settling on the Canton Road. Nathan Crary, jr.,
then living in Potsdam, taught the first school in 18 15-16, and after
wards moved into the town. Edward Crary settled at what became
known as Crary's Mills, which mills he built. Nathan Crary, sr , came
to Potsdam in 1805 and lived there to 1824, when he moved into
Pierrepont and settled on lot 4, which became part of his son Stephen's
farm; his descendants are still living in town. Ephraim Butterfield
came from Vermont in 1804, served in the War of 1812, and in 181 5

THE TOWN OF PIERREPONT. 611
settled in Pierrepont on the farm occupied in recent years by his son
Horace. Christopher Leonard, father of Christopher Leonard, jr.,
settled on lot 45, and Shubael Crandall came from Vermont in 1817
with ox teams, fourteen days being required for the journey. Mitchell
Hamilton settled in Hopkinton in 1806, removed to Canton in 181 1,
and to Pierrepont in 1825, where he died in 1854; his descendants are
still living in town. In the northeast part of the town the first settle
ment was made on the Raquette River by Gardner Cox, who bought
the water privilege in 18 17. John P. Dimick purchased a piece of land
adjoining; they were both from Vermont. In March, 1818, Benjamin
Cox, who had joined his brother in the purchase, moved in his family.
Within four years of the advent of the Cox family several others came
in at his solicitation and settled on both sides of the river. Samuel
Bancroft came in 18 16, Reuben Dorothy in 18 18, Asa Briggs in 1820,
and Samuel Belding in 18 18 ; most of these have descendants now in
the town. Others who came about that time were Seth Hale and
David Bradley.
Pierrepont Center. — This small village is situated at the intersection
of the Canton and Colton road with the St. Lawrence turnpike, nine
miles from Canton and ten from Potsdam. The first grist and saw
mills in the town were erected on Grannis Brook by Cyrus Grannis,
near this village. The grist mill long ago disappeared and a saw mill
has occupied the site ; but there has been little done with it at present.
Eldoras Cochrane is in charge of it. There are two other saw mills in
the town. A cheese factory is located here, operated now by John
Coon, which is one of the five cheese factories in the town. There is
also one creamery. Chauncey Thomas was an early blacksmith at this
place, and built the first frame house. Benjamin Squire was the first
merchant and Andrew Crampton the first postmaster. The present
postmaster is B. P. Hubbard, who has filled the position a great many
years and carries on a store. Charles Beekman is the other merchant
of the place.
Hannawa Falls. — This place has had other names such as " Cox's
Mills," " East Pierrepont " and " Ellsworth." It is a small village in
the northeast part of the town on the Raquette River. In 1818 Gard
ner and Benjamin Cox (who have been mentioned among the settlers),

612 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
and John P. Dimick, got out the frame for a saw mill, and in the sum
mer of 1 819 the dam was built and the mill erected. In 1822 Gardner
Cox built a grist mill on the west bank of the river, with a single run
of rock stones. Two years later a run of burr stones was added and
the place took the name of " Cox's Mills." A bridge was built across
the river in 1828, and in 1836 the first mill was replaced by a stone
mill which was burned in 1869 It was rebuilt in 1877 and is now
operated as a feed mill under the ownership of Thomas Bicknell, who also
owns a small saw mill. In 1845 Gardner Cox built a starch factory
which produced about thirty tons annually. In 1858 it was changed
to a corn starch factory, which continued three years. The building
was burned in 1872. In 1852 a large gang saw mill was erected here,
which was operated for a time and was burned. A woolen factory,
wagon factory and machine shop have been operated here in the past ;
but they have all been abandoned. The dam first built, or a portion of
it, is still standing, as is also the stone house built by Gardner Cox in
1838. Cybele Kelsey and Martin Welch were the first merchants in
the place and had an ashery and a starch factory. The first tavern was
erected about 1835 and was kept by Sidney Lanphear. The first post
master was John P. Dimick, in 1832 ; the present official is Mrs. H. G.
Carpenter, who also keeps a store.
There is a post-office and small settlement at West Pierrepont
In 1822 a bounty of $ 1 .00 for foxes and $5 00 for wolves was offered.
The poor fund had accumulated in 1829 to $575.62 over and above the
expenditures for such charities, and this sum was invested, by consent
of the Legislature, and the proceeds applied to the support of schools.
In 1846 the town voted the sum of $800, legalized by act of the Legis
lature, and erected a town hall near where the Canton and Colton road
crosses the turnpike. The hall served the purpose of a church, there
being no meeting-house in town at the time.
Following is a list of the supervisors of the town, with the years of
their service :
C. Grannis, 1819; John Axtell, 1820-21; Ezra Crary, 1822-23; Benjamin Squire,
1824-29 ; August 22, 1829, Gardner Cox, to fill vacancy ; G. Cox, 1830-32, '40 ; Sam
uel Northrup, 1833-38; Paine Converse 1839; A. A. Crampton, 1841-42; Joshua
Manley, 1843, '44, '46, '47; Orrin A. Howard, 1845, '57, '58, '66, '67, '68; Truman
Smith, 1848-49; Asa W. Briggs, 1850-51 ; Peter F. Ryerson, 1852-53; Edwin A. Mer-

THE TOWN OF PIERREPONT. 613
ritt, 1854. '55, '56'; Benjamin F. Hamilton, 1859-60; Martin Welch, 1861, '62, '63;
Ansel B. Hamilton, 1864-65; L. Crampton, 1866-70; A. C. Leonard, 1871-72; William
A. Sherman, 1873, '74, 75, '76 ; 1877-86, Darwin H. Merritt; 1887-88, J. Ingraham
Leonard; 1889-94, John B. Squires.
Religious Societies. — Services were held in this town in very early
years by Rev. Ezra Healy, a Methodist, and in 1816, by Rev. A. Bald
win, an Episcopal clergyman. Down to 1844 no religious society ex
isted at the Falls, the settlers in that section going to Potsdam to church.
On January 3, 1844, the Methodist Episcopal church at East Pierrepont
(Hannawa Falls) was incorporated, with Gardner Cox, Nathan Christy,
Levi Fuller, John Hicks and Harry Train, trustees. Rev. Mathew Ben
nett was the first pastor. This society is now in existence, but with
small membership and irregular services. A Presbyterian society was
organized here and the congregation joined with the Methodists in the
erection of a house of worship, but that organization has gone out of
existence. A Free Will Baptist church was organized at the Center, September
14, 1850, by Rev. J. W. Lewis Rev. William Whitfield was chosen
pastor, and continued there many years; but in recent times the church
has languished and at the present time there is no pastor and no regular
service. The first Methodist Episcopal church of Pierrepont, located at "Cur
tis Corners," was organized January 5, 1853, at the house of Joseph
Martin. The first trustees were Charles Smead, Chester Mott, John
Martin, Daniel Church and Darius N. Curtis. A neat church was soon
erected, for which a bell was presented by H. E. Pierrepont of Brook
lyn, N. Y. There is no settled pastor, and only irregular services are
held. What was called the Free Church Association of this town was or
ganized at the Center in September, 1884, and a building was erected
the same year. A similar organization was effected under the name of
the Beech Plains Free church in 1875. A church was erected in 1880,
but it has no pastor at present.
A Union church is in existence at the Center, where Rev. Mr. Irish
from Colton holds service; no settled pastor.
The Seventh Day Adventists of Pierrepont organized a church June
28, 1 874, with Milo Western, Orange Chollar and Arden Eels as trus-

614 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
tees. Elder Edward Holcomb is the present pastor, and there are about
twenty-five members.
There is a Union church at Hannawa Falls (Methodist and Presby
terian), over which Rev. Alfred Page is pastor.

CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE TOWN OF MORRISTOWN— ORGANIZED IN 1821.
THIS was the seventeenth town erected by an act of the Legislature
passed March 27, 1821. It was No. 9 of the original township
called " Hague," and formerly under the jurisdiction of Oswegatchie.
There are two versions as to the origin of the name of the town. One
is that it was named after the Morris family, they being among the
original proprietors or owners of a portion of the lands of the county.
Another is, which seems to be the correct one, that the town was so
named on the suggestion of David Ford. Morristown in New Jersey is
a place where most of the Ford family of that day were born, hence the
name. At the first town meeting held in that year the following officers were
chosen : Supervisor, David Ford ; clerk, David Hill ; assessors, John
Canfield, Paschal Miller, and Horace Aldrich ; collector, Henry Hooker;
overseers of the poor, John Hooker, Daniel W. Church, and John K.
Thurber; commissioners of highways, William Swain, Alexander B.
Miller, and William R. Ward ; commissioners of schools, Powell Davis
and James Burnham ; inspectors of schools, Erastus Northam, John
Grannis, and Alexander R. Miller.
The area of this town was reduced in 1827, by the erection of the
town of Hammond; and again by the erection of Macomb in 1841.
The town lies upon the St. Lawrence River, and between that river and
Black Lake, and now contains 27,573 acres. The surface is rolling and
rises almost abruptly from the waters mentioned, and on a gradually
elevation towards the center. It is watered, apart from the river and
lake, by Chippewa Creek, which flows through the central part from east

THE TOWN OF MORRISTOWN. 615
to west (see page 1 1 2). The soil is sandy, loam overlying the Potsdam
sandstone, which, in lighter color, crops out in many places. While
grains and vegetables were grown to a considerable extent in former
years, the larger portion of the farming community now devote their
attention to dairying There is little manufacturing in the town, and
the mercantile business is also limited in extent.
A surve}' of this town was made prior to its permanent settlement in
1799 by Jacob Brown, and a village plat was laid out called " Morris-
ville " on the site of Morristown village, and another called " Marys-
burgh " on the site of Edwardsville.
The territory embraced in this town was first settled through the
agency of Col. David Ford, who in the summer of 1 804 visited the lo
cality for the purpose of exploration. He did not, however, make his
permanent settlement until 1808. He was a native of New Jersey, a
brother of Nathan Ford, the famous pioneer. Mr. Ford settled on the
site of the present village of Morristown, and evinced his true apprecia
tion of the natural surroundings by his selection of the rising hill
side overlooking the river for the nucleus of the hamlet. He was the
first supervisor of the town and a man of prominence. He built
the first house here, which is still standing and owned by James Holli-
day. Soon after the opening of Mr. Ford's settlement Arnold Smith came
in and opened the first public house. John Canfield, John Hooker and
his son Henry settled near the village site. Mr. Canfield built the first
store house here, and in 18 17 erected the first wharf. He was one of
the first Board of Assessors in the town, and lived on the site of the
present Frontier House. John Hooker was one of the first overseers of
the poor, and his son was the first collector.
The Black Lake region in the south part of the town was settled a
little previous to 18 10 by John K. Thurber, as mentioned in the Oswe
gatchie settlement ; he was one of the first overseers of the poor. Dur
ing the year 1810 Henry Ellenwood, Henry Harrison, Ephraim Story,
Benjamin Tubbs, and Benjamin Goodwin settled in that section.
The central and eastern parts of the town were further settled in
1817-18, when a large number (for the time) of immigrants came in,
giving the local appellation of the " English Settlement " to a certain

616 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
section, which name still survives, as also do many descendants of those
settlers. They were Robert Long, George Bell, James McDougall,
Robert Johnson, Edward Lovett, William Arnold, William Holliday (an
Irishman) Thomas Carter, William Wilson, George Couper, William Os-
burne, Thomas Baldwin, all of whom came in 1817, and John Pringle,
Thomas Young, John Taylor, Joseph Taylor, John Wilson, Joseph
Couper, and probably a few others who came in the following year.
Other settlements are noted further on.
The few dwellers were considerably excited in July, 181.2, when the
Julia of the United States navy, and the British vessel, the Earl of
Moira, met in conflict in the river opposite the settlement (see war of
1812, page 139.) It is said that Mr. Ford.and his family secreted them
selves in the cellar of the public house and remained there until the
firing ceased.
After recovering from the effects of the cold seasons of 1816-17,
which caused much destitution and suffering in most parts of the coun
try, settlement in this town became active and was given something of
an impetus by an offer to mechanics of a village lot and a park lot of
five acres, on condition that recipients of the gift should carry on their
trade five years in the town, and within a stated time should build on
his lot a house of specified size. Quite a number accepted the propro-
sition and began towards its fulfillment, but only two or three persisted
so as to secure their deeds. But aside from this effort the town rapidly
filled up during the period from 1817 to 1820, when many located in
the interior part. Among them were Henry Bogardus, Norman Tyler,
Capt. William Lee, Dr. Powell, Willard Parker, Thomas. Coats, and Abel
Parker, all of whom located in the vicinity of the lake.
Sales of lands continued until 1820, when they were suspended dur
ing the settlement of the Gouverneur Morris estate. In 1823 the sales
were again opened in the land office then established and continued to
recent years. By a deed bearing date June 23, 1823, Moses Kent con
veyed the township of Morristown (except a few lots) to Abram
Cooper, and soon afterwards Cooper sold interests in his purchase to
Samuel Stocking, of Utica ; James Averill, of Ogdensburg, and Au
gustus Chapman ; the latter had become a resident of Morristown, and
his enterprising influence, with that of later members of his family, be-

THE TOWN OF MORRISTOWN. 617
came a powerful factor in the growth of the community. He was sev
eral times chosen supervisor, and was in all respects a leading citizen.
The three men, Stocking, Averill and Chapman, finally purchased the
whole of Mr. Cooper's interest, and in 1845 Averill and Chapman pur
chased Stocking's interest. Since that date the territory has been
gradually subdivided into farms and all sold out to individuals.
An incident of 18 19 was the drowning of Thomas Carter in the St.
Lawrence He and one of his neighbors started for Ogdensburg in a
canoe, and when a short distance from the shore one of the rowlocks
became detached and fell into the water. In a sudden effort to secure
it Mr. Carter capsized the boat. Being unable to swim he was drowned
and his body was not recovered. His companion reached the shore.
At the organization of the town and during the few following years
the customary ordinances were adopted by vote of the freeholders.
Among these may be noted that Canada thistles should be cut twice in
each year, penalty five dollars; providing for the proper care of stock ;
protesting against setting off a part of the town to Hammond ; regu
lating the ferry, etc.
The early settlement of this town was of course retarded by the lack
of water-power, although a saw, grist and carding mill was built and
operated a few years during the wet portion of the year on Chippewa
Creek, known as Church's mills. In those days a rapid flowing stream
was of much greater importance than in these later years of steam and
electricity. Almost the first necessity of the pioneers, aside from roads,
was a mili for sawing lumber and grinding grain, and prospective set
tlers in any locality always took into consideration the proximity of
water-power in selecting their homesteads. It was this lack of water-
power that prompted Hugh McConnell in 1825 to erect a windmill on
the elevation above Morristown village. McConnell was one of the
Scotch settlers and had been" a miller in his own country, where wind
mills were numerous. The mill was finished and operated a short
time, but was abandoned soon after the owner's death in 1826; he was
drowned in the summer of that year while crossing the river in a small
boat The circular stone tower in which the mill was placed is still
standing, a quaint and interesting landmark. It is the only mill of the
78

618 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
kind ever built in this part of the county, though they have frequently
been erected in Canada.
The first physician in the town was Dr. Joseph Boynton, who came
in early from Massachusetts. He practiced to about 1834. Dr. Sol
omon Sherwood was also an early practitioner and continued to about
1850. Dr. J. P. Morgan came here in 1826 and practiced until his
death, a period of more than fifty years. Dr. J. A. Phillips has prac
ticed in the town the greater park of a long life.
A band of outlaws operated along the frontier during the War of
18 12; some of the incidents possessed much fascination for the in
habitants of Rossie, this town, and Hammond. The more exciting
part will be given in the history of Hammond, where the larger part of
it transpired. The raiders only passed through Morristown to places
more secure in secreting their plunder, as no such hiding places existed
in Morristown. There were, however, horses and cattle stolen from
some of the inhabitants of this town and taken to Jefferson and Herki
mer counties. A Mr. Abner Swain, then keeping tavern where Brier
Hill village now stands, had a fine mare, valued at the time at $150,
stolen, supposed to be by Jack Livingston, known to be one of the
gang. Mr. Swain lost also during one season eleven head of fine
cattle, supposed to be taken by the same gang.
In the War of the Rebellion Morristown acted a patriotic part in
sending her sons to the front, and in the payment of bounties, upon
the same generous plans adopted by other towns in the county. Suc
ceeding that memorable struggle settlements on the farms and the con
sequent clearing of lands and advancement of agricultural interests
progressed more rapidly than before. Moreover, in 1876, Morristown
village and Brier Hill received railroad communication with Water-
town on the west and Ogdensburg on the east, creating for a time the
belief that an era of unwonted prosperity had set in. It is doubtful if
these expectations have been realized ; it is the rule that a new railroad
kills off some of the smaller villages, while it builds up the larger ones,
and while the road is a wonderful convenience for travel and shipping,
it cannot be said to have greatly benefited this town in a material
sense,

THE TOWN OF MORRISTOWN. 619
The dairying interest in the town has been greatly developed in re
cent years, the larger part of the product being cheese. There are now
five cheese factories and one butter factory in the town.
Following is a list of the supervisors of the town from its formation
to the present year, with dates of their service :
1821, David Ford; 1822, Timothy Pope; 1823-24, Augustus Chapman; 1825-26,
Paschal Miller ; 1827, Augustus Chapman ; 1827-29, Jacob J. Ford ; 1830-32, Richard
W. Colfax; 1833-34, John Parker; 1835-37, Jacob J. Ford; 1838-39, Isaac Elwood ;
1840-54, Moses Birdsall ; 1855, George A. Chapman ; 1856. Joseph Couper; 1857-59,
Charles Richardson; 1860-66, Henry Hooker; 1867-72, Warren R. Fitch; 1873-80,
Charles Richardson; 1881, George F. Rowland; 1882-94, Enoch Young.
Morristown Village is situated on the St. Lawrence River, nearly
opposite the thriving village of Brockville, Canada, and near the north
erly line of the town. Its site is picturesque and commands a beautiful
view. A ferry plies between the two places and a custom house has
existed here from an early day. It is now in charge of Arthur Gregory.
Stephen Canfield built a steam grist mill here at an early day. This
was changed to a saw mill, planing mill, stave mill, etc., in recent years,
and is now leased to Gillis Brothers, who are doing quite an extensive
business. The property is owned by the Chapman estate. Chapman
& Son built a large elevator a few years ago, but the leasing of the rail
road to the New York Central Company rendered its use at a profit
impossible. It is now used by the Brockville Wringer Works for a
branch of their business which is carried on here. A large industry
here is the manufacture of several proprietary remedies by W. H. Com-
stock of Brockville, which was begun in 1867. Robert Nicholson is
superintendent of the business and has been in the establishment since
1868. The leading merchant is James V. Crawford. Others are Harry
Hawkins, A. L. Palmer, Thomas Pierce and Albert Rowland. On the
2d of December, 1892, Allen C. Strough began the publication of the
Weekly Gleaner, an eight- page paper, independent in politics. There
is now only one hotel, the Frontier House, which is kept by J. F.
Culligan. The first school in the town was taught by George Couper, one of
the English settlers before mentioned. Until 1876 the common dis
trict schools were well supported in the town, but in that year the Mor
ristown Union Free School was inaugurated, with three departments,

620 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
and the following Board of Education: Harry Hooker, president; J.
Garvin, M. D , clerk; C. F. Yennie, T. D. Losee, A. F. Carpenter, A.
Proctor, Henry Russell, E. Kingsland and Frank Chapman. The school
building is commodious and pleasantly situated. The present Board of
Education is as follows : A. F. Carpenter, A. L. Palmer, Dr. John Gar
vin, Henry Colton, Henry Russell, James V. Crawford, Thomas Pierce,
Clinton Church and Dr. Whitford.
Edwardsville. — This is a hamlet situated on Black Lake, directly
south of Morristown village. The names of the settlers in this locality
have been given. The place is more generally known as "The Nar
rows," and a ferry was early established at that point across the lake.
In 1 85 1 it was regularly licensed and the profits are divided between
the schools of Morristown and Macomb. The post-office was estab-
lisheg here in March, 1837, with Jonathan S. Edwards as postmaster,
and from him the name " Edwardsville " is derived. Jessie Capron is
the present official. A hotel and stores have been kept here for many
years. There are at the present time two general stores kept by George
A. Crawford and the Chambers Brothers. The Lake View House is
kept by R. E. Capron, and the Black Lake House by H. J. Perry. A
steam saw mill in that vicinity is operated by H. S. Austin. G. M.
Chrysler has a steam saw mill and cheese factory a short distance down
the lake, or near Galilee.
A number of wealthy men of New York, Washington and other
cities have recently purchased Elizabeth Island in Black Lake (the
island being a part of Morristown), and built thereon a fine club house,
chiefly for their own benefit, at an expense of several thousand dollars.
They receive mail at the post-office of " Black Lake " on the southern
shore of the town of Macomb, where H. A. Morse is postmaster.
Another post-office called " Cedars " was established December 22,
1892, on the Black Lake road, four and a half miles from Morristown,
where the Lutheran church is situated, with O. D. Moore as postmaster.
Brier Hill is a hamlet situated on an elevation in the central part of
the town. This immediate locality was not settled so early as the
northern part of the town, and the post-office was not established until
1853, the first postmaster being David Giffin. There has been no man
ufacturing of account here, but quite an active mercantile business has

THE TOWN OF MORRISTOWN. 621
existed for many years, with the usual complement of small shops.
There are now two stores, one conducted by George S Yerden, who is
also postmaster, and the other by M. S. Stephenson. A hotel is kept
by John McClear, and a second one by E. Taylor. One of the cheese
factories is also located here. RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The Presbyterian was the first religious organization formed in Mor
ristown, which was formed by the assistance of Rev. Mr. Smart, of
Brockville, in June, 1821, with eight members. Meetings were held in
various places until 1837, when a frame church was built at a cost of
$1,950. To this an addition and other improvements have recently
been made, and the society is now prosperous. Rev. C. O. Thatcher
is the present pastor.
Congregational Society. — The Chippewa Street Congregational
Church was organized in 1827, with nine members, assisted by Rev.
Hiram Johnson, of Canton. The services were held in private houses
and school houses until 1850, when $1,000 were expended in erecting
a church. The first pastor was Rev. Samuel Young. The church
property is now valued at $2,500. The present membership is about
one hundred. Rev. C. E. Green is pastor.
A Baptist Church was organized at " The Narrows " January 23,
1828, with ten members. As the number of Methodists increased in
this neighborhood a union was effected and a church building was soon
after erected. It is now and has been for many years the property of
the M. E. Church of Edwardsville. It was repaired in 1880 at a cost
of $1,000. The pulpit is now occupied by Rev. G. H. Williams, who
also preaches in the Methodist church at Galilee.
Episcopal, Christ Church. — This society was formed at Morristown
village about 1830, and was incorporated July 6, 1846, with George
Couper and Cuthbert Ramsey, wardens ; Augustus Chapman, Chilion
Ford, Robert Ashton, Moses Birdsall, James W. Munsell, Thomas
Boldram, John Brewer and Henry Hooker, vestrymen. The church
edifice was erected in 1833 at a cost of nearly $3,000. Rev. W. R.
Woodbridge is pastor, and the membership is about forty.

622 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
A union church at Brier Hill was erected in 1859 by the Baptists,
Lutherans, Wesleyan Methodists and Nonitarians. The three denomi
nations named had each a one-fourth interest, and the residents outside
who contributed, the other fourth. Nine trustees were chosen to man
age its affairs. The building is wood, and cost about $1,500. Services
are now held by C. E. Green, Congregationalist ; O. F. Nichols, Meth
odist; and Rev. O. D. Moore, Lutheran, on successive Sundays.
The Evangelical Lutherans organized a church March 18, 1847, w'tn
Joseph Weaver, John Mitchell and John Dillenbeck, trustees. Services
were held in the school house until 1853, when the present church was
erected at a place now called " Cedars," about three miles from Brier
Hill on Black Lake. Its cost, with the parsonage, was about $2,500.
There are now about fifty five members, and Rev. O. D. Moore is the
pastor. The Methodist Episcopal Church was formed in Morristown village
in 1843. About five years later the first church building was erected
and dedicated February 20, 1849. The first trustees were Samuel
Lewis, Percy W. Hindmarsh, James Young, Rev. John Stoddard, Nel
son Wright, Cornelius Walworth and Richard P. Waldron. The first
church was burned November 18, 1850, and in the following year the
present building was erected. It was refitted and furnished in 1874.
The present pastor is Rev. O. F. Nichols.
The First Universalist Church. — This society was organized at Brier
Hill in 1855, and reorganized in February, 1859, in which year their
house of worship was erected at a cost of $1,250. Services were regu
larly held until 1890, the last pastor being Rev. Mr. Munson. The
church is not now in use.
St. John's Catholic Church — organized July 15, 1873. The first
trustees were Rt. Rev. Edgar P. Wadhams, James Garvin and Michael
Rowland. The bishop administered baptism the first time in the town
in July, 1874. The church was erected in 1878, and Rev. J. M. Varrily
is at present in charge of the society.
St. Lawrence International Camp-ground Association. — This associ
ation was organized in June 1874, for the purpose of establishing an
extensive camp-meeting place. A beautiful tract of twenty- three acres
was secured on the high bank overlooking the St. Lawrence one mile

THE TOWN OF NORFOLK. 623
east of Morristown village, and fitted up with fine cottages, tents, water
supply, etc. For a number of years the association prospered fairly,
when the society erected a large hotel, which put them in debt and
soon ruined the organization. It has recently passed into possession of
a syndicate made up principally of Ogdensburg men. The fine hotel
built, the name "Terrace Park " given it, has become a popular summer
resort.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
THE TOWN OF NORFOLK— ORGANIZED IN 1823.
THIS is the eighteenth town erected by an act of the Legislature,
passed April 9, 1823.
Prior to 1823 Norfolk was a part of the town of Louisville. An
attempt had been made and failed in 18 17 to divide the latter town,
making the new one six miles square, with the present village
site of Norfolk in about its geographical center. The division was
finally effected, as above stated, leaving Louisville as it now stands, ex
cept that in April, 1844, two lots and parts of three more were added
to it from Norfolk. On April 15, 1834, mile squares 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10
and the north halves of 14 and 19 of Stockholm were added to Norfolk.
The surface is rolling, the soil fairly good, particularly for grazing, and
the town is drained by the Raquette River, which flows northeast
erly across from one corner to the opposite one. One of the chief
reasons which led to the division from Louisville, was the exist
ence of a large swamp between the Raquette and the Grass Rivers.
Soon after the erection of the town of Norfolk, and on the 5th of
May, 1823, the first town meeting was held at the house of Elisha
Adams, where the following named officers were elected : Christopher
G. Stowe, supervisor ; Erastus Hall, town clerk ; Elisha W. Barber,
Ephraim S. Raymond, Roswell Hutchins, assessors ; Ebenezer S. San-
burn, Bishop Booze, John Blanchard, commissioners of highways ;
Christopher G. Stowe, Ephraim S. Raymond, overseers of the poor ;

624 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Russell C. Atwater, Roswell Hutchins, Erastus Hall, inspectors of com
mon schools ; Benjamin Raymond, Phineas Atwater, Roswell Hutch
ins, trustees of gospel and school lots.
It is no discredit to the permanent settlers of this town that the first
operations towards cutting its forests were made by timber thieves pre
vious to 1809. This is a fact that was common to many of the towns
on the St. Lawrence and its large tributaries. The cutting of the very
finest timber for vessel masts was in particular carried on by these
depredators, and many beautiful sticks were taken out of Norfolk and
shipped to Montreal.
In 1809 the first permanent settler arrived in the person of Erastus
Hall, from Tyrringham, Mass. His first visit was one of exploration
only. He reached Potsdam May 9, 1809, met there Judge Raymond,
who had the land agency of that section, and who induced Hall to
explore the territory then embraced in the town of Louisville. A bush
road had been cut from Potsdam to the site of Raymondsville for the
conveyance of potash to market, and over that Mr. Hall traveled,
accompanied by Ira Brewer, who was also from Tyrringham. Reach
ing that point and wishing to cross the river, they constructed a rude
raft, loaded on it their baggage and started to pole it across the rapid
stream. As a result they nearly lost their lives; but they did finally
succeed in reaching the opposite shore. Returning on the following
day to Potsdam, pleased with the outlook, they had farms surveyed by
Sewall Raymond of Potsdam, and the first contract in the town was
given to Mr. Hall in June of that year. The first frame house was built
on the east side of the river at Raymondsville. Mr. Hall employed
persons at Potsdam to build him a house, and in the fall returned to his
former home. After his settlement he resided in the town until his
death at the age of eighty- three, on March 29, 1869. He was a con
spicuous and useful citizen and left an estate valued at nearly $100,000.
In the same year (1809) Eben Judson, from Williston, Vt, and Martin
Barney came in and made the beginning of a settlement. In March,
1 8 10, Mr. Judson brought in his family, his wife being the first white
woman settler.1 The company consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Judson, three
'Mr. Hough makes the startling statement that they started on March 10, in the first snow storm
that had fallen in that winter.

THE TOWN OF NORFOLK. 625
children, a brother and a brother-in-law, and Ashbel and John Hall,
two young men who did not remain long. They had two horse teams,
an ox team and a cow.
Major Bohan Shepard of St. Albans, Vt , acquired an early interest
in this town, and in September, 1810, he sent on a company of about
ten men, who built for him a saw mill on Trout Brook ; this was the first
mill in the town. The second mills were built by Jonathan Culver, in
1 8 12, at a place called Hutchins's Falls, about three miles below Ray-
mondville, and at the lowest point on the Raquette where mills were
ever erected. These mills were burned Judge Russell Atwater built
the third mills in the lower part of what is now Norfolk village in the
summer of 18 16, which are alluded to a little further on. The first
Durham boat on the Raquette River came up in 18 16 from Schenec
tady, by the route which has been several times described ; it was laden
with mill irons, goods and provisions, sent in by Judge Atwater. It
was hauled around Culver's dam, before mentioned, and for a time
afterward made regular trips from Culver's to Norfolk, in connection
with boats which ran below the dam to the St. Lawrence. The first
bridge was built at the village site of Raymondville (which was called
" Racketon " in early years) about 18 14.
Christopher G. Stowe, Martin Barney, Milo Brewer and several others
came in and began improvements in 18 10, but the families of Hall and
Judson were* the only ones who remained through the winter. In 181 1
several other families came in, and among those and others of later
years who have been prominent in the community, may be mentioned
Moses B and Col. Ira Hale, Joel Farnsworth, Divan R. Rich, father of
Silas F. and Hiram Rich, Denis Kingsbury, Sylvester C. Kingsley,
Henry, John, William and Aaron Blanchard, Ephraim P. Raymond,
Nathaniel F. Winslow, Joseph Cummings, Perry C. Bixby, Amos
Kimball, C. C. Elms; Chauncey L. Shepard, son of Maj. Bohan Shep
ard, Osmund Farwell, John Patterson, Samuel Adams, David C. Clin
ton, Wetmore Adoniram Lockwood, Ichabod Whitcomb, Lewis and
Daniel Small, Fisher F. Ames, Amos W. Palmer, William W. Grandy,
Lot and Jones Bradish, William L. Gadding, Ebenezer S. Sanburn,
Elisha W. Barber, Roswell Hutchins, Julius and James Grant, the
pioneers of what has since 1838 been known as the "Grant Settlement,"
79

626 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
on and around lots 72 and 73. Of these Messrs. Bixby, Shepard (on
the place now occupied by his grandson, George B.), Farwell, Adams,
Whitcomb (still living at the age of ninety), Grandy (who kept a hotel),
Hutchins and others located on or near the village site.
The first white child born in the town was Roscius W., son of Eben
Judson, now a lawyer and a prominent citizen of Ogdensburg, who
was born August 7, 1810 The first death was that of Eben Judson,
father of Roscius, who passed away June 29, 181 3. Dr. Lemuel Win-
slow settled as the first physician in the town in 181 1, coming from
Williston, Vt. The first road opened was the one leading toward Mas
sena in 1 8 IO.
As far as this territory was concerned, the War of 18 12 produced
little effect, aside from the general forebodings prevalent throughout all
this section and rumors of Indian raids. The town was still a part of
Louisville, and the reader is referred to the history of that town for the
part taken by the inhabitants in our last struggle with a foreign nation.
No event of great importance has occurred in the town since its or
ganization, aside from the part it was called upon to take in the War
of the Rebellion. In that memorable struggle the inhabitants showed
a patriotic willingness to aid the government and sent to the front about
forty men, whose deeds are their best monument. While in manufac
turing industries it perhaps cannot be said that the town has fulfilled
the ardent expectations of its earlier inhabitants, in other' directions it
ranks among the more prosperous communities in the county. Its am
ple water power on the Raquette River, which led to the construction
of seven or eight dams and various mills and factories, gave the inhab
itants the right to hope for a great degree of prosperity from that
source ; that this has not been realized is due to several causes, chief
among them being the absence of early railroad facilities. As a dairy
town, however, it is excelled by few, the product being almost wholly
butter of high quality. There are four successful factories in the town
and none for the manufacture of cheese. The further account of the in
dustries is given in the pages of village history following.
A list of the supervisors of the town follows, with dates of their
terms of service :
1823, Christopher G. Stowe ; 1824-29, Phineas Atwater: 1830-31, William Blake;
1832-33, P. Atwater; 1834-36, William Blake ; 1837, Norman Sackrider ; 1838, Will-

THE TOWN OF NORFOLK. 627
iam Blake; 1839, N. Sackrider; 1840-41, Hiram Atwater; 1842-45, Ira Hale; 1846-
47, Giles I. Hall; 1848-49, Calvin Elms; 1850-51, Nathaniel F. Beals; 1851-54, Chris
tian Sackrider; 1855, Giles J. Hall; 1856, John Yale; 1857-59, Lewis Small; 1860,
Horatio S. Munson ; 1861, William Glosson ; 1862-65, John R. Brinkerhoff; 1866-68,
Edwin H. Atwater; 1869-75, Joseph C. Mould; 1876-77, Edwin H. Atwater; 1878-80,
S. J. Farnsworth; 1881-83. Edwin H. Atwater; 1884, Henry D. Carpenter; 1885, E.
H. Atwater; 1886, S. J. Farnsworth; 1887-94, Osccr H. Hale.
Norfolk Village. — As has already been stated, the first settlement on
the site of the village was made by Judge Russell Atwater, who came
from Russell, in 1816. In June of the previous year he had purchased
one half of the Morris tract and the west half of 88 in Louisville. This
tract had been assigned to James D. Le Ray in a partition of lands and
sold by him to Gouverneur Morris. A clearing of ten acres had been
made for Le Ray in the lower part of the village site in 1811, and there
a crop of wheat was raised the following year. Mr. Atwater built a
large stone mill in the year of his arrival ; it was burned and rebuilt
and is now owned by Warren Dyke, having passed through various
hands in the meantime, but recently passed to the possession of Mein
& Baxter.
The mill drew around it other settlers and the hamlet slowly took on
the character of a small but enterprising village. Among those who
have in the past years contributed in a conspicuous manner to the pros
perity and the moral progress of the village may be mentioned Norman
and Christian Sackrider, Julius Judson, Thomas and Joseph C. Mould,
William Atwater, M. D., Hiram Atwater, Timothy W. Osborne, Ros
well Hutchins, Solomon Sartwell, Martin Beach, John P. and Henry A.
Wetmore and the Robinson brothers, with others.
The Phcenix Iron Company, under the firm of E. Keyes & Co., was
formed October 7, 1825, and the following year built a furnace on the
north bank in the village, for making pig iron from bog ores which ex
isted abundantly in swamps of this and neighboring towns. It passed
through several hands and was run about four months in a year till 1844,
when it was burned by an incendiary. It produced about twelve tons
daily, and was lined with sandstone. In 1846 a forge was built by Will
iam Plake, a little above the furnace, and run two or three years, until
it was burned.

628 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Other manufactures that have been operated in the village were a
tannery, operated by a Mr. Griffith, which was abandoned about 1870 ;
also several shingle mills, two being in operation now, one in connec
tion with the saw mill by E. W. Bemis and the other by Matthais Van
Zandt. A tannery at East Norfolk, or Slab City, was in existence for
many years, but was finally burned and was not rebuilt. A starch
factory was started in 1874, but was not in operation long. In 1868
H. S. Martin purchased the sash factory of E. H. & L. L. Atwater and
remodeled it into a hub factory, it being the first one started in the
county. It was burned in 1870, was rebuilt and operated about a. year,
then transferred to Norwood. Besides, there have been the usual com
plement of small shops.
Of the village in 1853 Mr. Hough wrote as follows, which will indi
cate the former ardent hopes of the people :
The village of Norfolk possesses manufacturing facilities which are destined to render
it a place of much importance. The Raquette River here has a descent of about 70
feet within a mile, passing over three dams already erected, and affording opportunity
for at least four more, at each of which the whole volume of the river could be used.
Below the upper dam the channel is divided by an island of about two acres in extent,
which affords facilities for the erection of dams at its head and its foot, and the water
could be diverted to either side or used upon both sides of the island and the main
shore. At the foot of the island the water turns to the left, and the bank on the inside
of the bend is so low and flat, and but little elevated above high watermark, while that
on the outside of the bend is an elevated plain of easy ascent, and abruptly terminating
upon the river. * * * Throughout the whole extent the bed of the river is formed
of limestone, affording at the same time a secure foundation for building, and the mate
rials for erecting walls. Lime made of this stone is of good quality.
There are two general stores in the village, one formerly kept by G.
A. Mowitt having gone out of business. The larger one is that of
Ambrose E. Sayles and E. H. Atwater, and the other is kept by E. B.
Fairchild and A. Branchaud.
In 1852 the town voted $650 for a town house, which was built in
the village, of brick, 40 x 60 feet, with a wide piazza in front. This
building was subsequently burned and the present one was erected in
1871. It is one of the finest in the county in the smaller towns and
cost $3,000, Two handsome iron bridges span the river, one in the
village and the other one-half mile below. The large brick hotel

THE TOWN OF NORFOLK. 629
was built by E H. and L. L. Atwater, and is now kept by James
Cullimore. The postmaster and justice of the peace is C. A. King.
Raymondville. — Spafford's Gazeteer, published in 1813, has this par
agraph :
The village of Racketon is a new and flourishing settlement, forming in the southeast
part of the town, at the head of bateau navigation on the Raquette River, twenty
miles from its confluence with the St. Lawrence. At this place, immediately above the
landing, is a fall of the waters of the Raquette River of about fifteen feet, and excellent
accommodations for hydraulic works. Racketon is about twenty-five miles east of
Ogdensburg; and uniting its advantages for good navigation to the St. Lawrence with
those of its central position in a rich and fertile country, must become a rich and popu
lous place.
Alas ! for the errors of the prophets. A bridge was built across the
the river at this point in 18 14, and Judge Raymond, entertaining high
anticipations for the future of his village, moved his family here in 18 16
and they lived here several years. From him the inhabitants named
the village Raymondville. Joseph Clark and William Coats were early
residents of the village, the former being a wagon maker and the latter
an extensive brick maker, an industry which is still in operation by
members of his family. The first brick yard was established in 18 17
by Erastus Hall ; it was about half a mile below the village. A woolen
factory was conducted for many years, passed through various hands to
W. S Bennett. It was badly damaged by the great freshet in 1891 and
the proprietor took it into another building and it is now in operation.
The grist mill has been in operation many years and is now abandoned ;
it was owned by John and James Donnelly. William Coats has a saw
mill and shingle mill. A starch factory which was carried on for a few
years by N. C. Bowen of Moira, N. Y., is now abandoned. A beau
tiful one-span iron bridge, taking the place of two other iron bridges
having a center pier which were swept away by floods, crosses the river
here and has withstood the floods about ten years. It cost $10,000.
The postmaster is Simon N. Babcock.
A part of the hamlet of Yaleville is in this town in the southwest
corner. There have recently been established there by O. E. Martin,
an extensive pulp making industry which turns out twelve tons of wet
pulp per day, and is noticed in the history of the town of Potsdam. A

630 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
foundry and a saw mill once in operation there are not now in use. A
grist mill is now in use there.
Religious Societies. — The first settlers living in the lower part of the
town, were not church members, but men of moral worth. By com
mon consent they assembled on the Sabbath at some one of their homes
for religious worship. They sang hymns, read the Scriptures and a
select sermon, then returned to their homes without stopping to visit.
In the year 1811 a Congregational missionary, named Seth Burt, came
from Massachusetts and left some religious books. Rev. James John
son, from Potsdam, and Rev. Mr. Winchester, from Madrid, who also
were Congregationalists, occasionally visited the community and held
meetings at Raymondville. After Mr. Atwater's grist mill was far
enough advanced, he fitted up the upper story for divine worship. A
Congregational church was organized July 1, 1817, by Rev. Royal
Phelps, acting as missionary, assisted by Rev. John Ransom of Hopkin
ton, with seventeen members. Meetings were held in the grist mill,
school house and elsewhere previous to the building of the church. The
society was incorporated February 20, 1828, with G. C. Stowe, Martin
Beach, E. S. Tambling, William Blake, Philemon Kellogg and John C.
Putnam, trustees. The Rev. Loring Brewster was installed as the first
pastor, in April of that year. A re-organization was effected Decem
ber 12, 1840, and in that year the church was erected at a cost of
$3,000. The membership is less than 100, and the pulpit is supplied
from the church at Norwood.
A Congregational church was organized at Raymondville March 12,
1828, as a branch of the parent church at Norfolk. The society showed
little vitality until 1844, when they joined with the Methodists and
erected a union brick church at a cost of $3,000. Since that time ser
vices in both denominations have been kept up with commendable reg
ularity, but the membership is small.
The parish of Grace (Episcopal) church was at first organized in Nor
folk, in 1825, by Rev. Seth M. Beardsley, a missionary. Services were
kept up until July, 1836, when they were discontinued until March, 1842,
at which time the church was reorganized under Rev. John A. Childs.
On the 30th of July, 1845, tne corner-stone of the present church was
laid on a lot purchased by the vestry. Its massive walls of stone and

THE TOWN OF BRASHER. 631
its peculiar architecture make it a quaint landmark. The membership
is small, but services have been kept up with commendable regularity.
Rev. Mr. Earl is the present pastor.
The Methodist church was organized April 19, 1831, with Royal
Sheldon, Lucius Chandler, Justus Webber, Hiram Johnson, and Eben
ezer Houghton, as trustees. After nine years of faithful work the so
ciety reorganized February 10, 1840, and built their first house of
worship, which they sold to the Catholic society in 1868, and built their
present edifice. The church is now prosperous, and is at the present
time ministered to by Rev. S. S. Short.
The Catholic church was organized in the summer of 1868, when
they purchased the old Methodist church building and refitted it for
their use. The first pastor was Father Swift. The society has pros
pered and has a membership of between 400 and 500. The present
priest in charge is Father Fitzgerald.

CHAPTER XXXIX.
THE TOWN OF BRASHER— ORGANIZED IN 1825.
THIS was the nineteenth town erected by an act of the Legislature
passed April 21, 1825, formerly under the jurisdiction of Massena-
The town embraces most of the townships of Grange and Crumack.
By an act of April 1, 1827, all that part of Chesterfield (No. 16) north
of the south line of Stockholm extended to the county line was added
to Brasher, without the knowledge and consent of its inhabitants. This
was taken from the town in the formation of Lawrence in 1828. The
town lies in the northeast corner of the county, bordering on Franklin
county, and corners on the Indian reservation, St. Regis, and lies in the
rear of Massena. The first town meeting was held at the house of Ben
jamin Nevin on the 6th of June, 1825, and the following officers were
elected: Benjamin Nevin, supervisor ; Daniel McMurphy, town clerk;
William Stowell, Jehiel Stevens, and Benjamin Watts, assessors ; John
Burrows, David Richardson, and Peter Corbin, commissioners of high-

632 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ways ; Benjamin Watts, constable and collector ; Francis Nevin, and
David Richardson, overseers of the poor ; Luman Kibbe, Jehiel Ste
vens, and Francis Nevin, commissioners of common schools ; David
McMurphy, Benjamin Nevin, and William Stowell, inspector of schools.
The town was named in honor of Philip Brasher, of Brooklyn, who
at various dates purchased portions of the territory from the heirs of
Thomas Marston, who had acquired his title from G. V Ludlow, mas
ter in chancery, on the 18th of March, 1809. The town was sub -divided
into three strips running north and south, and, according to Dr. Hough,
McCormick, one of the proprietors, conveyed to Joseph Pitcairn by
deed dated July 6, 18 18, the middle part, and under this proprietor the
first settlement began. The eastern part, which is known as the Chand
ler tract, of 12,235 acres, was conveyed by McCormick to Samuel Ward
December 15, 1794, and formed a part of 192,000 acres, to which the
latter became entitled on a division of the great purchase. It passed
thence to Samuel Havens, of Dedham, Mass., December 6, 1806, and in
1834 the tract was surveyed into thirty-three lots and sold August 10,
1842, to T. P. Chandler. The west third was confirmed by McCormick,
Constable, and Macomb, to Harrison and others, in a partition executed
January 19, 1801. It ultimately became owned by Thomas Marston,
and (as before stated), passed to Brasher.
The surface of the town is generally level, swampy in places, and was
originally well timbered, the cutting of the soft woods forming for many
years a principal source of revenue. The soil is a sandy loam, varying
greatly in productiveness and generally better adapted to grazing than
to tillage. Both the Deer and the St. Regis Rivers flow northerly
across the town until they unite, when the latter flows northeasterly.
Several smaller streams, among them Squeak Brook, contribute to the
drainage of the town.
The town was not settled until a comparatively recent date, the first
improvement being the building of a saw mill on the Deer River, a short
way above the site of the iron works, by G. B. R. Gove in 18 15. On
the 17th of March, 1817, the first settlement was made near the site of
Helena village by a company of men brought in by Mr. McCormick,
through his agent, Russell Atwater, of Norfolk. In May, 1 8 19, when
Benjamin Nevin came to the town, the following comprised the perma-

THE TOWN OF BRASHER. 033
nent settlers: William Johnson, Amos Eldridge, Jeremiah Shuff(or
Schoff), Enoch Hall, Francis Brown, and Francis Nevin, most of
whom were located near the site of Helena. There the first birth oc
curred, a son of the Schoff's. Robert Means was an early settler, and
the first blacksmith ; James Nicholson was the first miller, and James
Piatt the first carpenter. Other settlers are mentioned a little farther
on. In the early years of the town the inhabitants were compelled to give
much time to the improvement of the roads, which were difficult to con
struct and often almost impassable over the level tracts. Seven road
districts were formed at the first town meeting, and Enoch Hall, Henry
Hammill, Francis Nevin, Minor Hilyard, John Keenan, Josepn Macum-
ber, Justin Bell, and William Arnold were appointed overseers. Ener
getic work and frequent sub-divisions of these districts have resulted in
a commendable system of highways. The streams have also been well
bridged, those over the St. Regis at Helena, erected in 1871 at a cost
of over $10,000, and at the iron works, being excellent examples of
modern iron bridge construction.
We quote the following from Dr. Hough relative to early navigation
of the St. Regis :
Some importance was at an early day attached to the navigation of the St. Regis
River in this town, and a boat capable of carrying ten barrels of potash was run be
tween Hogansburg and the landing, seven miles below Brasher Falls. The inhabitants
of Stockholm and Hopkinton availed themselves of this communication in reaching
market. To promote this, an act of March 25, 1828, made it the duty of the assessors
of the town of Brasher to designate in their next assessment all lands lying west of and
within two miles of the St. Regis River, and above the place usually called the landing.
The Board of Supervisors were authorized from this to levy a tax not exceeding twenty
cents on an acre, in addition to the ordinary tax to be expended by the road commis
sioners of the town in improving the roads through these lands.
The schools received a proper degree of attention from the early
inhabitants, and the cause of education has always been liberally sup
ported. The town is now divided into twenty-two districts, and the
district embracing Brasher Falls and the one in the town of Stockholm
adjoining, including the village of Winthrop, united about ten years
ago in establishing a graded school and erected a handsome brick
structure midway between the two places. Here an excellent graded
80

634 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
school with five departments, under the principalship of William H.
Adams, is now conducted, with about 165 scholars in attendance. A
successful Catholic school is also in operation in Brasher Falls.
What is known as the Quaker settlement was begun in 1824 by Peter
Corbin, John Phelps and David Blowers, who were from Vermont. A
company of Quakers had made purchases here prior to the above date,
with the purpose of founding a colony, but the project did not succeed.
To those above named were soon added Aaron Chamberlain, E. and
U. Pease, Thomas Kinney, Samuel Chambers and his sons Charles,
James, George and Thomas, Richard Tyner, Samuel, Thomas, George
and William Kingston, Elijah and Abiah Wood, Asa Tyler, Abel Kel
sey, and others. Joseph Merrill came here in 1830 and opened a store
and operated an ashery. A large school was taught here from 1830,
and a large plank building erected for it, which was also used for
religious meetings. A Methodist class was formed and a parsonage
erected, but the work was long ago abandoned. In common with all
this section the farming community have for some years given a large
share of their attention to dairying, and the production of butter in the
town is now very important, and the quality enjoys a high reputation.
There are nine butter factories in operation, and the industry is on the
increase. With the outbreak of the Civil War the inhabitants of this town
adopted prompt and efficient measures to aid the government in putting
down the rebellion. A special meeting was held at Brasher Falls Au
gust 30, 1862, to take action for raising the quota of volunteers. David
Nevin, O. D. Edgerton, Joseph A. Jacobs, Elijah Wood, C. T. Hul
burd, Harrison Lowell and William Curtis were appointed a committee
to act in the matter, and they advised that a tax of $3,500 be levied
to be used in obtaining recruits. At a meeting held December 21,
1863, a committee of twelve reported in favor of the issue by the town of
certificates, sufficient to pay $400 to each volunteer, the gross amount
of the certificates not to exceed $16,000. This liberal action was con
tinued until the last quota was filled, on a similar basis to that followed
in the older and more important towns. Following is a list of the
supervisors of the town from its formation to the present, with their
years of service :

THE TOWN OF BRASHER. 035
1825, Benjamin Nevin ; 1826-28, Jehiel Stevens ; 1829, B. Nevin ; 1830, J. Stevens;
1831-33, Benjamin Nevin ; 1831, Jehiel Stevens; 1835-36, David Richardson ; 1837
-38, Nicholas Watts; 1839-41, Jehiel Stevens; 1842-43, John Phelps; 1844-47, Jo
seph A. Jacobs ; 1848-49, John Phelps; 1850-51, James H. Morse ; 1852-53, Hannibal
Andrews; 1854-55, Owen Partridge; 1856-58, Horace Houghton; 1859-60, C. T.
Hulburd; 1861, Joseph A. Jacobs ; 1862-64, David Nevin; 1865-66, Jehiel Stevens;
1867-6S, Barnaby Lantry ; 1869, C. T. Hulburd ; 1870-73, Barnaby Lantry ; 1874-79,
George Kingston ; 1880-81, William A. Hamlin ; 1882, Allen M. Mears ; 1883-85, Cal
vin T. Fletcher; 186S-88, John F. Skinner ; 1889-90, Rolla M.Hill; 1891, Lewis C.
Long; 1892-3, Bertram Hazen ; 1393-4, Charles C. Lantry.
Following are the names of the principal town officers elected for
1893 : Supervisor, Charles C. Lantry; clerk, John H. McCarthy; jus
tices. George H. Butler, A. A. Baldwin, H. Chamberlain, Bernard
Scullin ; commissioner of highways, Patrick E. Murray ; assessor,
James J. Keenan ; collector, Daniel J. O'Brien ; overseer of poor,
William Roper.
Helena. — In May, 18 19, Benjamin Nevin succeeded to the agency of
lands in the town. As the little settlement in his locality grew it was
given the name Helena, from Helen, only daughter of Joseph Pitcairn,
who proposed passing his summers here. He built a large stone man
sion on the left hand of the St. Regis, opposite the settlement. Domes
tic affliction prevented him from carrying out his plan. Some of the
first settlers have been mentioned, and others were Morris Gehan, Neil
Mclntyre, John Bonar, Robert Means, James Nicholson, and others,
who came in the spring of 1817. Francis Nevin came soon after Ward
and his brother Benjamin in 1819, succeeding Atwater as agent. John
Nevin, father of Francis and Benjamin, with his other sons, Holmes and
David, came in 1820. His family was for many years prominent in
the town. Other settlers of a later date were James Piatt, Benjamin
Watts, David McMurphy, and the Lantry, Houghton, Brown, Wait
and Hall families. The saw mill on the river before mentioned is long
since gone. A run of stones was added to it and it sufficed for grind
ing until Benjamin Nevin built his mill. This was burned in 1828, and
he immediately rebuilt it, and it is running at the present time, after
various improvements, by Samuel Baxter. The saw mill site was oc
cupied by the third mill, but it is not now in operation. A tannery was
carried on for about thirty years near the village by A. and L. Bur-
gett, but it has gone out of use. A store was opened here in 1823 by

636 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Stowell & Burrows Other former merchants were L Gory, Joseph
Hall and S. C. P. Thorndyke. In earlier years the settlers went to
Cornwall, Canada, for their merchandise, and a custom house was
opened at Helena. The present merchants are C. C. Lantry, John R.
Crowley, and C. T. Fletcher. The first hotel was opened about 1840
by Ezra Ballard and continued many years. The present landlord is
Hugh Geehan. The post-office here was the first one opened in the
town, February 13, 1827, with David McMurphy as postmaster. The
present official is William A. Hamlin.
Brasher Falls. — This pleasant village is situated on both sides of the
St. Regis River, about a mile below the union of its branches, from
which point on the stream is a succession of rapids culminating at the
village in the falls, which give the place its name. This excellent water
power, with a dam, and its proximity to Winthrop and the railroad,
give the place considerable importance. John Crapser made the first
improvements here in the fall of 1826, by building a dam and saw
mill. He also induced a number of Hollanders to locate here, aided
them in building, and supplied them with tools; but the environment
discouraged them and nearly all left within a year. Mr. Crapser, how
ever, persevered, ran the mill, introduced other industries, and the
settlement finally began to grow. Among those who settled in the
vicinity early were William and Joseph Stevens, Orin Patridge, Joseph
Estes, David Blowers, Asa Winters, Ethan Johnson, Jehiel Stevens,
Justin Bell, Samuel Blodgett, Amariah Harrington, David Richardson,
and others. In 1839 Calvin T. Hulburd purchased 600 acres, embrac
ing the village site and the water-power, and began improvements. He
came from Stockholm with his brother, E. S. Hulburd, and soon took
a prominent position as energetic and progressive citizens. They built
a stone grist mill on the site of the Crapser mill, which is now operated
by B. A Babcock. On the site of the old saw mill Elmore Church
built a saw and shingle mill, which are now operated by him. A woolen
factory was established below the mill in 1845 by Joseph Merrill, which
is now operated by J. P. Stafford. Davis & Company, a firm from
Maine, started a manufactory of agricultural implements farther down
the stream in 1852, which became very prosperous. A part of the
buildings were burned in 1873. P. E. Kinney operates the establish-

THE TOWN OF BRASHER. 637
ment at present. The starch factory established in 1857 by H. M.
Hulburd & Company is now operated by S. W. Hulburd. In 1867 L.
C. Hall erected a pump factory and did a large business, and near by
J. G. Taylor built, in 1877, a large factory for the manufacture of vari
ous novelties. The latter now manufactures pumps, churns, etc. The
tannery started many years ago is now operated by William Thomp
son. A fork and hoe factory was established in 1846 by F. and T.
R. Taylor, and a very large industry was developed and carried on to
1857, when it was discontinued. The buildings were burned in 1862.
The first merchant here was John Cooper, who had a small store in
1828. Joseph Merrill began trade in 1834, and C. T. Hulburd sold
goods on the west side. J. H. Morse opened a store and continued
many years, and Nathaniel Buck also. H M. Hulburd, who is still in
trade, began in 1852. Other merchants are J. H. McCarthy (who is
town clerk), G. & J. Kingston, W. S. Blanchard, Donovan & Stevens,
and W. H. Cox, on the west side, and D. J. Murray, W. E. Garvey and
L. C. Hall on the east side. G. W. Ryan has a harness shop and W.
J. Waugh a tin shop.
John L. Stevens erected a hotel in 1840, where he continued for
thirty-five years. At present the Central House is kept by John Dris-
coll ; the American by Edward Wheeler, and on the east side the
Riverside by John Desmond. The post-office was opened July 22,
1840, with C. J. Hulburd postmaster. W. H. Wells is now postmas
ter, and the position has been filled by his father and himself since
1865. Brasher Center. — This little hamlet is situated three miles below the
falls on the St Regis. The first improvement here of consequence was
the building of a saw mill in 1832, by John Cooper. Others who lo
cated here were Jonas Crapser and his son, E. S , Stephen Curtis and
his sons, William, Otis and Lafayette, the Johnson families and others.
E. S. Crapser later operated a saw mill and starch factory here, and
John Crapser built a forge in 1850, which he operated about five years.
All these industries are abandoned. A feed mill is in operation by
William Vallance, and there is a butter tub factory. Joseph Hall sold
goods here as early as 1837, and other former merchants were Jonas
and Michael Crapser (1858) and William Curtis. John F. Skinner is

638 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
now the only merchant. A post office was opened here in July, 1893,
with Nancy Clark in charge.
Brasher Iron Works. — The beginning of this settlement, two and a
half miles above Helena, was made in 1835 by Stillman Fuller, formerly
from the Fullerville Iron Works. He was indued to come here by Mr.
Pitcairn, to develop and work the bog ore in the town. A contract
was entered into by which Mr. Fuller was given the exclusive right to
the ore by paying 25 cents a ton for all used, the contract to run ten
years. A furnace was erected on the left bank of Deer River, to be
operated by the cold blast, and was started in October, 1836. At the
end of the second blast, in the latter part of 1837, the property was
sold to Isaac W. Skinner of Buffalo, and R. W. Bush of Ogdensburg
(Skinner & Bush), who continued the work about three years, when
William H. Alexander of Syracuse took the place of Mr. Bush in the
in the firm. The business was continued to 1855, when Mr. Skinner
assumed entire control and continued until his death in 1874. The iron
was at first sold in the pig, but later a foundry was established, where
stoves and other castings were made. In 1843 a machine shop was
added to the plant. The furnace was four times wholly or partly
burned. The shops were idle from 1874 to 1877, when John F. Skin
ner started the shops only. He is now the merchant at the center. The
post-office was established in July, 1849. The present postmaster is
John Keenan, who is also the merchant. Samuel Fletcher opened a
hotel in 1846. A later house was built in 1857.
Religious Societies. — The Methodist Episcopal church at Brasher
Falls was organized by Rev. Elijah Wheeler, at the house of William
Stevens, in January, 1827, with David Richardson, class leader. A
society was formed April 10, 1848, with David Richardson, Heman
Holmes, Joseph Estes, Ethan Johnson and John S. Hall, trustees. The
building of a church was soon afterward commenced and it was dedicated
in 185 1 ; it was extensively repaired and improved in 1875 at a cost of
$1,500. The present pastor is Rev. Reuben Sherman.
The first Methodist Episcopal church of Maple Ridge was incor
porated February 29, 1848, with D. Wait, William E. Wait, Luther S.
Carter, Benjamin Bell and V. G. Carter, trustees. A chapel was built
soon afterward.

THE TOWN OF BRASHER. 639
A Congregational church was formed at Helena, electing Benjamin
Nevin, Linus Kibble and Grant Johnson, trustees, on June i, 1837,
with several other members, by the assistance of Rev. Rufus R. Dem-
ming of Massena. The society built that year and the following, a
small frame church at a cost of $1,500. Rev. Mr. Howe and Rev.
Charles Jones supplied the church for a few years. It was known as
the Congregational Presbyterian church, but the organization was not
sustained very long.
The First Presbyterian church of Brasher Falls was organized on the
8th of July, 1844. There had been preaching in the school house a
year before by the Rev. Mr. Birge of Stockholm ; the number of mem
bers at first was twenty-four. Deacon Alvin T. Hulburd was elected
ruling elder. The church was received into the St. Lawrence Presby-
tesy August 20, 1844. A society was formed February 24, 1845, con
sisting of fourteen persons, and Hiram Holcomb, Justin Bell, E. S.
Hulburd, Sidney Kelsey, Jehiel Stevens, Martin Wood and Elijah Wood
were chosen trustees. A subscription paper was at once circulated to
provide funds for building a church, and $1,995 was subscribed. Re
ceipts from the sale of seats were afterwards added to this fund. E. S.
Hulburd presented the site and the building was finished and dedicated
June 9, 1848. In 1871 about $5,000 were expended for repairs. Rev.
Samuel Storrs Howe was the first pastor. The present pastor is Rev.
H. Hadley Hall.
The Methodist Episcopal church of North Brasher was organized in
1848, with Downer Wait, G. Carter, Benjamin Bell, Luther Carter and
Thomas Andre, trustees. Rev. E. Arnold was the first pastor. A small
church was erected west of the Center, but services have been aban
doned. A class is maintained at the Center, where Rev. Reuben Sher
man from Brasher Falls preaches.
The First Methodist Episcopal church of Brasher Iron Works was
incorporated May 7, 1859, with I. W. Skinner, J. F. Skinner, R. W.
Thickens, W. H. Hamilton and M. B. Dreene, trustees. Through I. W.
Skinner's generosity a neat frame church was built at a cost of $1,600,
in the year of the incorporation, and Rev. E. Briggs was secured as
pastor. For some years past the services have been irregular and the
membership is small.

640 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Besides these there was a Free-Will Baptist church organized in
July, 1848, which continued a number of years and was discontinued.
A Baptist society was also in existence some years at the Iron Works.
St Patrick's Roman Catholic church at Brasher Falls was organized
in 1 850 by Father James Keveny, with about sixty members. In the
same year the church was erected at a cost of $3,000 Father John
McDermott first had spiritual guidance of the church. The present
pastor is Father W. B. Nyhan, and the society is very prosperous.

CHAPTER XL.
THE TOWN OF DEPEYSTER-ORGANIZED IN 1825.
r^HIS was the twentieth town erected by an act of Legislature which
passed on the 24th of March, 1825, and was organized on the 3d
of May following. About three-fourths of the territory was taken from
Oswegatchie and the balance from the town of De Kalb. The north
western part of the town bordering upon Black Lake is an extensive
marsh of about 2,000 acres ; on the southeast, bordering upon Beaver
Creek, it is also marshy; and on the southerly line is broken by parallel
ridges of primitive rock. Its peculiar location, being separated from the
greater part of the settlements of Oswegatchie by Black Lake and the
Oswegatchie River, and from the settlements of De Kalb by a broken
and intervening wilderness, was considered a sufficient reason for a sep
arate town organization.
The surface of the soil is comparatively level, though sufficiently roll
ing to insure good drainage. The borders of the town along Black
Lake, Macomb and De Kalb are more or less broken with rocky ledges.
The soil of the greater part of the central portion is a clayish loam,
though a narrow drift from Mud Lake to the Oswegatchie is somewhat
sandy. There were several large swamps in the town which were con-'
sidered of little value, but recently have been reclaimed by draining
and now produce large crops of grass. On the whole the soil produces
excellent crops and compares favorably with any lands in the county.

THE TOWN OF DEPEYSTER. 641
The table lands or clayish marshy slopes were formerly covered with a
good quality of large white oaks, the ridges with rock maples, beech
and birch, the ledges with beautiful rock elms, and the swamps with pine
and cedar. The ledges along the line of De Kalb and part of Macomb
are principally of white lime rock, from which a good quality of lime is
manufactured for building purposes, this being the only valuable min
eral as yet discovered in the town. The principal streams are on the
borders of the town, the Oswegatchie River on the north, Black Lake
on the west, and Beaver Creek on the east. Fish Creek and a few
brooks are the only streams that traverse the town, but do not have suf
ficient water or fall to afford power for manufacturing purposes. The
town as a whole is not well watered for stock purposes. A few springs
flow from the foot of ledges on the borders of the town, but for the cen
tral portion surface water and wells only are to be depended upon.
In selecting a name for this town the citizens were desirous to call it
" Stilwell," as a man by that name was one of the prominent residents ;
but he declined on the ground that some one of the land proprietors
might be willing to make the town a liberal present for the privilege of
giving it their name. A correspondence was opened with Frederic
Depeyster, of New York, who owned a part of the tract taken from
De Kalb, which resulted in the selection of his name for the town. The
expected present did not come until about fifteen years later, when his
son presented the town with a fine bell of about 800 pounds weight.
The bell had the donor's name, with a suitable inscription cast on its
surface. The bell was hung on the tower of the Bethel Union church,
where it remained about thirty years. After the old church fell into
decay and was abandoned, the bell, by consent of the town, was trans
ferred to the M. E. church, where it now remains.
The first town meeting was held in pursuance of statute at the house
of Timothy Morris, May 3, 1825, Jonathan Curtis acting as chairman.
Smith Stilwell was elected supervisor ; Timothy Morris, town clerk ;
John Willson, Moses King, Horace Plympton, assessors ; Jonathan Mor
ris, and Bela Bell, overseers of the poor.
The first settlement in the town commenced as follows: The State
road, leading through the central portion of this tract of land, by which
settlers coming in by the way of Albany had to pass, Mr. Ford, in order
81

642 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
to assist them to reach this part of the county, established stopping
places at various points on the route. Samuel Bristol, who with a large
family had recently moved from Sandgate, Vt., and settled on the St.
Lawrence about four miles above Ogdensburg, was engaged by Mr.
Ford to move out on this road and keep a public house. In Novem
ber, 1802, he located on lot No. 12 on the southern border of the town
ship Oswegatchie, which was about half a mile north of Depeyster Four
Corners. The following spring he erected a commodious log tavern,
and during the summer cleared about thirty acres and got three of them
sowed with fall wheat. During the winter of 1803-4 Thomas Willson,
from Hebron, N. Y., Joseph Rounds, Mr. Barnard, Mr. Green, Icha
bod Arnold and Robert Hill, from Rhode Island, Frederick Plimpton,,
from Massachusetts, Capt. Rufus Washburn, and David Day, all, except
the latter, having families, moved into what was then called the Bristol
settlement, putting up at Bristol's tavern until they could build shanties
to live in.
Silas Kellogg, in 1806, came to the settlement and built a log tavern
on the hill about a mile south of the Four Corners. Some of the sol
diers and citizens of Ogdensburg, when it was taken by the British in
February, 18 13, fled to this place and made Kellogg's tavern their head
quarters for a few days. In the summer of 1809 James Averell, 2d, a
young man about nineteen years of age, came in with his wife and goods
on pack horses from Cooperstown by the way of Plattsburg, and settled
near Kellogg's tavern on a tract of 3,000 acres of timber land that was
purchased from Mr. Cooper, the father of the novelist.
Mr. Averill opened a store in a log building, where he conducted a
small business for about two years, when he moved to Ogdensburg.
In 1809 Smith Stilwell came in from Albany and purchased a large
tract of land lying on both sides of the State road, the northerly line
resting on the east road, and the one leading to the western part of the
town, which was opened about that time. He made a small clearing,
built a log house, and moved his family to the place the year following,
and with them he brought "Black Bet," the first negro slave, and the
only one that was ever owned in the town.
From 1810 to 1815 the following persons came to the settlement:
Joseph Shaw, Mansfield and Levi Bristol, Lemuel Day, Josiah Thorn-

THE TOWN OF DEPEYSTER. 643
ton, John Parker, and C. Hurlbut. Previous to 1811 the people at
the Bristol settlement were supplied with a monthly mail from Ogdens
burg. At that time, however, an arrangement was made with Joseph
Shaw, by which, during the two years following, the mail was carried
every week, most of the time on foot. For several years after the
close of the War of 1812- 1 5 immigration was light. During the cold
season of 18 16, it is said, there was not a month during which this
section was not visited by severe frosts, and little was raised in con
sequence, and a portion of that little was destroyed by the birds and
squirrels, which were unusually numerous that year. During the fol
lowing year the scarcity of provisions was such that many families
were reduced to the verge of starvation, and only for the abundance
of wild game the suffering would have been much greater. In some
cases the potatoes recently planted were dug up to satisfy their hunger.
The early grain was anxiously watched, and before the kernel was
fairly ripe it was cut, dried, and sent to the mill. The nearest mill
was located at Cooper's Falls at De Kalb, and as there was no road to
the place the people were obliged to carry the grain through the woods
upon their backs. The price of wheat went up to two and three
dollars per bushel, oats one dollar, and potatoes a dollar and a half.
For a few years after these cold seasons several families moved into
the place, and most of them settled in the western part of this territory,
as new roads had been bushed out through some choice lands in that
section. Among those who came were Jonathan Curtis, Reuben Hast
ings, William B. Wheelock, Bela Bell, Moses, Amasa and Zenas King,
Lewis Dimick, Eli White, Nathan, James and Luke Dean. Moses King
settled on the corner lot where the road from Heuvelton to Fish Creek
crossed the Lake road, about a mile and a half west of the State road,
which place has since been known as King's Corners. White settled on
a lot near King's Corners, and built the first frame house in that sec
tion, which is still standing. He kept tavern for several years, where
his boy Drue, a bright, smart and well-behaved lad, under the influence
of the bar-room, became dissipated, and for years was known to the
people of the town, Heuvelton and vicinity, as the leader of one of the
vilest gangs of vagabonds in the country.

644 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
In the summer of 1825, John Finch, Benjamin F. Partridge, Adam
Fishbeck and others commenced a settlement in what has since been
known as the " Fish Creek " settlement. Messrs. Finch and Partridge
built the first bridge across the creek, for which Mr. Ogden allowed
them $100 on their land contract.
In 1826 the wheat crop was so abundant, that during the winter and
spring following it was almost impossible to dispose of it. Seventy-
five bushels an acre was an average crop, which was sold or exchanged
at home for three York shillings per bushel. Mr. Stillwell drew two
hundred bushels of beautiful wheat to Ogdensburg, and with some diffi
culty prevailed upon Mr. Parish to take it in payment of land at five
shillings per bushel. Within a few weeks after this occurrence, the en
tire wheat crop of the State was struck with rust, destroying both grain
and straw, when the price of wheat arose to two dollars per bushel.
These few years of low prices and crop failure so discouraged the set
tlers in raising money, that many of them thought seriously of aban
doning their lands, when Mr. Ogden consented to receive cattle as
payment on their contracts.
After this several families came to town and settled in the eastern
and western parts : Samuel Perry, David Lawyer, Harvey Hardy, Adam
Fishbeck, Jacob and Nelson Coffin, Christopher Nelson and brother, N.
F. Swain, Mr. Forbs, Mr. Hydorn, John Shepard and brother, Richard
Purmot, E. R. Turner, Alexander Chilton, Abner Armstrong, David
Scarlet, Abner Murphy, Jesse McCurdy, John Smithers, Hiram English,
Ezra Smith, Reuben Smith, John Hedge, Alanson Tuttle, Jackson and
Samuel Laughlin, John and William Fleethan, the Newcomb family,
Benjamin Eastman, Loren and John Willson, the Thornton family, the
Walker family and many others, most of whom had families. Within a
few years all the arable lands were taken up and improved. Many of
the descendants of the early settlers are now living in the town or vicin
ity, and not a few have risen to fill important places of trust in the State
and nation.
Wild animals at an early day, especially deer, were very plentiful, and
continued so for a number of years later, owing to large tracts of marshy
timber lands on the borders of the settlements connecting with woods
leading to large bodies in the back towns. Also the patches of woods

THE TOWN OF DEPEYSTER. 645
left by the settlers joining each other were such that animals could
traverse the town without crossing clearings. The deer did no damage
further than to browse or tread up the fall wheat, but the wolf would kill
or worry the sheep, and the panther or bear would occasionally kill a calf
or a yearling. About 1818 Mr. Stilwell having purchased a flock of
forty sheep yarded them near his house. He had a large dog, and
thought that the wolves would not dare venture near the premises while
they were guarded by so fierce an animal. During the following night
the family were awakened by the barking of the dog and his jumping
against the door of the house to attract the attention of the inmates.
Mr. Stilwell remarked during the uproar that there was no danger of
wolves while the dog was outside barking. Upon visiting his sheep-
yard the next morning he was surprised to find that fifteen of his flock
had been killed, showing plainly that a large number of wolves had been
present. In the early fall of 1820 several calves had been killed in the vicinity
of Mud Lake. Shortly after Mr. Parker, father of ex-Senator Parker,
of Potsdam, with others, were hunting deer in that vicinity, when they
discovered two young panthers about the size of a cat in a cavity formed
by an overturned tree. The mother not being in the immediate vicin
ity, they carried the cubs to Depeyster Corners. A general hunt was
at once organized, and after they had scoured the woods where the cubs
were taken they discovered the panther a short distance from the place
in the top of a large tree. Mansfield Bristol, one of the party, an ex
pert marksmen, was selected to shoot the animal. It required a second
shot to bring the panther down, which proved to be one of the largest
of the species, measuring nine feet and six inches from nose to tip of
tail. Late in the fall of that year William Washburn, the son of Rufus
Washburn, one of the pioneers that had settled in the Bristol neighbor
hood, then about seventeen years of age, started out in the vicinity of
Mud Lake with his dog and gun to hunt deer. He soon discovered
strange tracks in the light snow, which then covered the ground, and
his curiosity led him to follow them. He traced them a long distance,
into what is now the town of Macomb, to a place where they entered a
cave in a ledge of rocks west of the State road. The day was nearly

646 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
spent, yet he determined not to be hindered from the attainment of his
object, and finding the opening of convenient size he endeavored at first
to send his dog into the cave. His dog refused to go, so he crept in
some distance with his gun in a fixed position to fire, and his dog fol
lowed close behind him. Having reached a part of the cave where it
was quite dark he discovered at a short distance from him two large
eyes of fire-like brilliancy, which seemed to watch his movements, their
owner appearantly ready to spring upon him. Here he paused and
bringing his gun to bear upon the object deliberately fired. His dog
rushed passed him to attack the animal ; the young man now retired
and was soon followed by his dog. Hearing no noise or sign of life
within he after a short delay again ventured into the den and listened
for some time, but all was quiet, and he at length ventured nearer, and
groping in the dark laid his hand upon the paw of an animal, evidently
dead, which he with much difficulty dragged out. It proved to be a
male panther of large size. The ball had entered a vital part of the
brain and killed him instantly. This panther was supposed to be the
mate of the one killed during the early part of the fall.
The deer is considered harmless, yet a wounded buck if hard pressed
will turn upon his pursuers. A man by the name of Dake, while hunt
ing in the western part of the town near the " deer lick," in the vicinity
of the Warren farm, in the fall of 1828, shot and wounded a very large
buck, having a pair of long antlers with several spikes on each. Before
he had time to reload his rifle (the guns of that day were muzzle load
ers and flint locks), the buck turned upon him with great fury. Mr.
Dake clubbed him with his gun and broke the stock in pieces, then used
the barrel, striking him over the head until it was bent nearly double.
His gun being used up, and he not being able or strong enough to grap
ple the buck by the horns, he ran around a tree and the deer after him.
This circus was kept up until both the man and the deer were nearly
exhausted, when a neighbor, hearing Mr. Dake's cry for help, came to
his assistance and dispatched the deer. Mr. Dake's clothes were torn
in shreds, and his body badly lacerated by the deer's horns. The writer
can vouch for this, as he afterwards saw the man's wounds and the bent
gun barrel.

THE TOWN OF DEPEYSTER. 647
As late as 1835 the wild animals in Depeyster seemed to be as plenty
as ever. George Perry was hunting deer that fall, and while groping
along the foot of the ledge next to the Black Lake marsh above the
Pearson's lot just before sun-down, discovered several deer, some stand
ing and others lying down, in a clump of small hemlocks. The moist
condition of the leaves, preventing the crackling noise of his foot-steps,
allowed him to approach within a short distance without attracting at
tention. He rested his rifle on a knot of a small tree and took delib- .
erate aim at a deer and shot it dead. The reverbrating sound of the
gun so bewildered the animals that they only made a few bounds and
came within range again, when Mr. Perry reloaded and dropped another
deer. This process was repeated until he killed the whole drove of five
without moving out of his place. The writer can vouch for the truth
fulness of the above statement.
The farmers had been so much annoyed by the depredations of
wolves, that in the fall of 1836 a general hunt took place, which was
participated in by every able-bodied man and boy in town and vicinity
which drove every ravenous beast far beyond the limits of the town.
In the summer and fall of 1837 several sheep and calves were killed,
one at a time, in different parts of the town, which indicated that it
was either the work of a bear or panther. A close watch was kept,
when a bear was started near the flat rock, making his way along
the several patches of woods on the rear end of farms, endeav
oring to enter the big swamp just south of the Black Lake road.
Several men, boys and dogs were in pursuit of the bear and just as he
entered the Fleetham woods, he was shot, causing a slight wound
in the hip, yet he out-ran his pursuers and was in a fair way to es
cape. The writer, then a boy in his fifteenth year, hearing the com
motion started from his home, which was about one-fourth of a mile
from the woods, having a smooth-bore rifle loaded with shot. He
dropped a ball into the gun and with a paper wad rammed it down
while on the run to the woods. On arriving at about where the
house of Philo Hydorn now stands, he saw the bear about ten rods
away, coming down a slope directly towards him on a gallop. Being
out of breath and alone, yet nothing daunted, he endeavored to draw
a fine bead on the bear while he was passing between the trees, when

648 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
he suddenly turned to the right, leaped over a fence a few rods away,
and endeavored to reach the swamp by a flank movement. When
Bruin found that he was again confronted, he raised upon his hind
feet and wheeled to take his back track. As he turned, the gun
was discharged and the contents took effect just back of his shoulder,
which set him reeling. With much difficulty the bear scaled the fence,
knocking off a rail as he went over, and he fell to the ground and
expired before the party in pursuit arrived. His color was black, and
he weighed 420 pounds. The highly-prized gun used on this occasion
was given away the following winter by the writer's father to a party
of men whom he carried in a sleigh to " French Creek " (now Clay
ton), where the patriots assembled with the intention of making a raid
on Kingston.
During the agitation, in 1828, to remove the public buildings from
Ogdensburg, Depeyster voted in favor of High Falls on Grass River
as a county seat.
Previous to the erection of Macomb the settlers had either to go to
Morristown or Gouverneur to transact town business. In 1841 Depey
ster voted to have this territory annexed to this town.
Depeyster Corners, where a post-office was established in an early
. day, has been considered the central point for the inhabitants to assem
ble on business occasions. The former merchants were T. Morris,
Harry Smith, Hartwell & Judd, Jesse Legg, Dr. G. W. Barber, Union
Store, Ira and Frank Wheelock, Chandler & Loveland, George Fleet-
ham. The present merchants are M. C. Mason, J. D. Willson, Orr &
Day, a furniture store by Mrs. R. C. Ward, one carriage repair shop,
one blacksmith shop, one hotel kept by H. O. Mason. There is one
physician, D. M. Foss, and two clergymen.
There are nine full school districts and a joint one partly in Macomb ;
a post-office in Depeyster village, one at King's Corners (Kokomo), and
one in the Fish Creek settlement (Edenton) ; a steam saw mill at Mud
Lake, and a shingle and feed mill at King's Corners. There was for
merly a steam saw mill run by J. Curtis, T. D. Witherell and Benjamin
Eastman. The military record of Depeyster will compare favorably with that of
any other town in the county. The town was well represented in the

THE TOWN OF DEPEYSTER. 649
War of the Rebellion, having held the first regular war meeting and
sent out a large number of men considering the small town and popula
tion, as will be seen by referring to page 196, the chapter on the War
of the Rebellion. The efforts to raise volunteers, means and the neces
saries to be sent to the front for the use of the soldiers, was cheerfully
complied with by the people in general.
Religious Societies. — In the winter of 1805-6, Bela Willes, a Metho
dist, opened a school in the house of Samuel Bristol, and held religious
meetings on the Sabbath. Traveling preachers or missionaries had
occasionally held services in the neighborhood. At the first town
meeting held to organize the town, a committee, consisting of Smith
Stillwell, Nathan Dean and Philo Hurlburt, was chosen to raise a sub
scription for a town house and a union church. A special town meet
ing was called on the last Monday in June, when a resolution was passed
to erect a house at a cost not to exceed $1,500, which resulted, with
the subscription, in the erection of the Bethel Union church.
The Bethel Union society was incorporated October 23, 1827, with
Bela Bell, Luke Dean, Joseph Sweet, Zenas King, Jonathan Curtis,
Horace Plympton and Smith Stilwell as trusttees. The house (owned
in common) served the purpose of both town hall and church, it being
open to all denominations to hold religious services in. The Metho
dists, Presbyterians, Universalists and Congregationalists were repre
sented by some one of the trustees, but they were so divided in their
denominational views that no one body had a controlling influence.
Each of the bodies had paid taxes and had subscribed to the building
fund, hence were entitled to the use of the house. No regulation as to
the time that each body could claim the use of the house having been
made at the formation of the society, it happened quite often that two
of them desired to use the house at the same time, which caused no
little contention. This state of affairs continued until some of the
societies became sufficiently numerous and able to build a house of
worship for themselves. The records of the societies in those early
days were so loosely kept, that it is impossible to give exact dates of
their organizations. It is generally conceded, however, that the Meth-
dists organized a church shortly after the Bethel Union church was com
pleted, or about 1830. Three trustees of the former Bethel or Union
82

650 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
society, Bell, Dean and Sweet, later became identified with the Metho
dist organization.
In the winter of 1856-7 the Methodist and Congregational societies
held several meetings with a view of building a union church to be
occupied in common, but failed to agree, when the Methodist society
built the present frame church, late in the fall of 1857, and finished it
the following spring. In 1870 the church was raised up, a basement
finished off, and rebuilt in the present style, and the " town bell "before
mentioned hung in the tower. In 1891 the church was thoroughly
repaired and refurnished at an expense of $1,500, making it one of the
most pleasant places of worship in the county. During the past few
years the church has been greatly revived under the present pastor,
Rev. George Sharp, having a mission board, ladies' aid society, Sunday
school, etc. The present membership is about ninety ; value of church
property, $3,500.
The Congregational Society, according to the recollection of the older
members, was organized in Depeyster about the year 1832. The Rev.
J. B. Taylor assisted in the organization, and Mansfield Bristol was one
of the trustees. The Methodists and Congregationalists were the only
regularly organized Christian bodies in the town that held regular ser
vices in the old stone church and kept the house in repair. In the sum
mer of 1858 the present church edifice was commenced, and completed
the following year at a cost of about $3,000, exclusive of the bell and
furniture, which cost about $800 more. The Rev. B. B. Parson, who
served the. church at Heuvelton in 1842, reorganized the church in
Depeyster, and supplied it for a time, when Ira Day and F. G. Will-
son were chosen deacons. It was again reorganized in 1848, and the
society built the new church as before stated Chester Dyke, John
Fleetham, and Jesse B. Willson were the trustees ; having a member
ship of about eighty. Recently the church has been put in good re
pair, the parsonage thoroughly overhauled and enlarged, to keep pace
with the increased prosperity of the society, which apparently has taken
a new lease of life. The preaching services, the Young People's So
ciety, and the Sabbath-school are well attended. W. H. Way is their
present pastor.
The supervisors of the town with dates of service are as follows :

THE TOWN OF HAMMOND. 651
1825-29, Smith Stilwell; November 7, 1829-34, Luke Dean ; 1834-39, Horace Plymp-
ton; 1839-40, Jonathan Curtis; 1840-43, Abner McMurphy; 1843-44, Sylvester John
son; 1844-46, Jonathan Curtis; 1846 47, John Blaisdel; 1847-48, David Fuller; 1848
-51, Thos. D. Witherell ; 1851-52, Levi Fay ; 1852-54, Thos. D. Witherell; 1854-56,
Alanson Tuttle; 1856-59, Jessie McCurdy ; 1859-61, Benjamin F. Partridge; 1861-63,
Alanson Tuttle ; 1863-64, John B. Chandler; 1864-70, Robert Dorman ; 1870-72, John
B. Chandler; 1872-74, Thos. D. Witherell; Lewis W. Willson, to fill vacancy from
April 4 balance of term ; 1874-77, Wm. Newcomb, to fill vacancy caused by Willson's
resignation; 1877- 82, Harry N. Hardy ; 1882-88, Geo. H. Fleetham ; 1888-91, Millard
C. Mason ; 1891-92, Thaddeus L. Willson ; 1892-94, Robert D. Orr.

CHAPTER XLI.
THE TOWN OF HAMMOND— ORGANIZED IN 1827.
f^HIS is the twenty- first town erected by an act of the Legislature
passed March 30, 1827. It was formerly under the jurisdiction of
Rossie and Morristown. The town lies in the extreme western point of
the county, with the St. Lawrence River bordering its northwestern
side, Jefferson county on the west, Rossie and Black Lake on the south,
and Morristown on the east. The first town meeting was held on the
first Tuesday of May following, when Sylvester Butrick was elected
supervisor, and the balance of the town officers, whose names are not
given. On the 2d of May, 1837, >ts ^ne on tne Morristown side was
changed slightly, and on the 1 ith of April, 1842, a corner south of Black
Lake was attached to Macomb; while on the 7th of February, 1844,
the line bordering Rossie, which originally ran parallel with the origi
nal line of Somerville, was changed to its present course from the cor
ner of the old township to the head of Mile Bay. The town contains
35,815 acres, and. the surface is generally level, but broken on the north
ern and southern borders by ledges of gneiss and white limestone, which
are now being extensively quarried. A level terrace of sandstone ex
tends from the north shore of Black Lake through the center of the
town. The soil is principally clay and is productive. It was formerly a
great wheat growing country and for other grains and grass crops, but
is now devoted principally to dairying.

652 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Hammond derives its name from Abijah Hammond, of New York,
who owned the township previous to 1814. He was a New York mer
chant and a brother-in-law of David A. Ogden, but he never visited his
northern property. On the 12th of September, 18 14, David Parish
purchased of Hammond 28,871 acres On some of this tract beginnings
of settlement had been made, but no titles actually passed to settlers
until in July, 1818, when William Wiley took the first contract. On the
31st of July, 1818, Loren Bailey came in as agent and from that time,
in July, 181 8, the town was rapidly settled. Mr. Bailey was afterwards
succeeded by David W. Baldwin. The first actual resident was prob
ably William McNeil from Vermont, who was in the town previous to
18 12, and lived on Chippewa Bay. The first clearing was made in that
year by William Wiley, also from Vermont, on the site of the village.
A Mr. Barker came in the following year and settled a mile south of
Hammond, where he built and opened a tavern.
The War of 1812 affected the town only slightly, there being so very
few dwellers at that time. The gang of pirates or horse thieves men
tioned in the history of Rossie and Morristown during the War of 1812,
was very conspicuous in this town also. We are under obligation to
A. S. Partridge of Depeyster, who obtained the following incidents last
summer from N. F. Swain, his neighbor. Mr. Swain is now upwards
of ninety years old, and his memory of what transpired in his younger
days is especially good, and the incidents, together with the dates,
places and names were so impressed on his mind that they may be relied
upon as authentic. Mr; Swain's father, Abner, kept a tavern at the
time on the windfall that grew up to briers, and for this reason when
the village started it was named " Brier Hill," now in Morristown. This
was on the route of an Indian trail and was frequented by people from
Ogdensburg, Morristown, Hammond and Rossie, many of whom were
members of the gang alluded to. Young Swain, then a bright boy of
some ten or more years, had a good opportunity to become familiar
with the names and operations of the band of theives. The names of
the principal ones of the gang that operated in the vicinity of Chippewa
Bay were James Patterson, the leader ; his brother, Ned ; John Hage-
man, Darius Carpenter and his son, John ; and Zach Livingston. They
had a spy, one " Binette," a Frenchmen, who was some way related

THE TOWN OF HAMMOND. 653
to the Pattersons, and worked on the outside. The gang was well-
rigged out with scows, bateaux and small boats. They had several
places on the islands in front of Chippewa Bay to secrete their plunder.
One island near the Canadian shore could not be reached only by a
circuitous route and an obscure inlet, and there they kept most of their
horses, as they could not be seen or heard when passing by on the
water or from the shore. They had also several places up Chippewa
Creek to secrete their plunder. Their plan of operation was to send
Binette out through the Canadian settlements on a peddling tour. He
being familiar with the English as well as the French language could
easily learn where the finest horses, cattle or merchandise were kept,
and that knowledge was cautiously communicated to headquarters and
at the proper time a raid was made on the settlement thus spied out.
Their plan was to start out well-armed, with several boats and a scow,
and leave them in the bushes at different points near the place of oper
ation, so in case they were hard pressed and their retreat cut off at one
point, they could go to another and find a boat. Their plundering ex
peditions became successful and the band was a terror to the Canadians.
The British had a garrison of reserves stationed in Kingston, com
manded by one Major Carley, and the soldiers were paid every month
in specie, which was sent up in two or three divisions, by land and
water, so in case of an accident to one the other might be safe. Bin
ette, through some of his French allies, learned that a bate.au manned
by three or Frenchman and an English officer would leave Montreal
for Kingston with the specie, and would pass the Islands on such an
evening following. This news was communicated to the Patterson
gang, who went prepared and laid in wait until the supply boat came
along, when they made a bold dash, overpowered the crew and took
possession of the bateau and landed their prisoners on an island. With
the bateau and contents they made directly, under cover of darkness,
for the American shore, and thence up Chippewa Creek where the boat
and specie were secreted for the time being. When this act became
known at Kingston, Major Carley selected a squad of men and rowed
down to these islands with the fierce intent of exterminating the gang.
They soon discovered their rendezvous and every man was prepared to
fire at a moment's notice. Suddenly they came upon the pirates who

654 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
were in their boats, as they were passing around an island, and each
soldier, taking deliberate aim, fired. Four of the six pirates were
killed outright, and James Patterson was mortally wounded. Zach.
Livingston, who was in the same boat with Patterson, was unharmed,
and rowed around the island and escaped. Patterson died soon after
reaching the American shore. Mr. Swain states that on that night,
which was late in the summer of 1814, his father had a beautiful mare,
valued at $150, stolen and he believed that Livingston stole her. His
father also had eleven head of fine cattle stolen that summer.
The success of the British in breaking up this gang of pirates, en
couraged them to follow up other depredators, and a party of fifty or
more Canadians shortly after made a search for one or two refugees
who had located in the town and had made themselves obnoxious to
their Canadian neighbors by repeated depredations. The party landed
in Chippewa Bay early in the morning, but in pursuit of their object
they lost their way and did not arrive at Mr. Barker's inn until after
sunrise. One of the men for whom they were searching was there
asleep, but he was alarmed by the family and fled, half dressed, to the
woods, narrowly escaping the shots fired after him. The Canadians re
turned home discomfited.
Most of the town lying west of the village was settled in from 1818 to
1 82 1 by Scotch emigrants. They had come over and met the agents
of Mr. Parish who induced them to locate on this tract, where they be
came substantial citizens. Many of them erected stone dwellings which
are still standing. In 18 18 there came John and David Gregor (the
latter now living at the age of eighty years), John Baird, Peter Allen,
John and James Hill. Peter Allen's son, Robert, was two years old
when he came to town. He now owns the Allen's Park. He served
three years in the war of the rebellion — is now drawing a pension. He
is seventy-eight years old, hale and hearty. In 18 19 Thomas Caswell,
William Nickol, James Rogers, Robert Morris, Robert and Andrew
Shields, John Mercer, Thomas Dodds, and William Burke, an English
man, came into the settlement; and in 1821, John Brown and Lewis
Franklin, now living. Several of the latter were single men. and all
became good and useful citizens. A few years later some others came,
through the influence of those already located. To those of the first

THE TOWN OF HAMMOND. 655
and second years who required it, Mr. Parish extended similar credit to
that given to his settlers in Rossie, which had the effect of stimulating
settlement and advancing the prosperity of those who took up homes.
The southern part of the town, on the military road, was first settled
by Samuel Webster and William Tappan from Vermont, in 1819. Jon
athan King, from Herkimer county, came the next year and opened a
tavern. The military road from Sackett's Harbor to Hammond had
been cut through previous to the war, but had become impassable from
disuse. It was reopened in 1823, and soon afterward was laid out as a
highway and continued to be one of the principal thoroughfares from
Watertown to Ogdensburg.
Settlement was begun at Oak Point by George Eliot, who was suc
ceeded by a Mr. Cowan, who opened a small grocery in 1824 Earl
Atwood, Abram Schermerhorn, a Mr. Mathews and others followed to
that neighborhood soon afterward.
There are twenty five men living in Hammond at the present time
whose ages range from seventy one to ninety- five years old.
Mr. Bailey, the agent before mentioned, settled at Chippewa Bay, and
Abram Cooper soon afterward began improvements there. A substan
tial dock was erected at an early day, and for a number of years the
shipments of iron from the Rossie mines, and of lumber and other
products, were very heavy. A steam saw mill was erected there in
1844 by James E. Lyon, It was burned and not rebuilt.
In 1825 a wharf was built at Oak Point on a small island in the chan
nel, communicating with the mainland by a bridge ; this was rebuilt in
1838 and was enlarged in the winter of 1892-3. A post-office was
established in 1840, and a custom house, which latter was removed to
Chippewa Bay, but has since been taken back to the Point. W. C.
Brooks is the present postmaster and merchant there. A light- house
was built on Cross over Island in 1847, and refitted in 1855. It was
rebuilt about ten years ago and James Hammond is the present keeper.
On the 19th of April, 1834, Loren Bailey, Azariah Walton and El-
bridge G. Merrick were appointed commissioners to open a road from
the line of Clayton and Lyme to a road leading from Chippewa Bay to
Ogdensburg. This road ran through the villages of French Creek and
Alexandria Bay to Hammond.

656 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The minerals of this town have in the past attracted attention, and
in 1840 a vein of ore containing lead, copper and gold was discovered
on the farm occupied in recent years by H. S. White, in the south
western part of the town, and it was worked to some extent ; but the
shaft, which was sunk about thirty feet, showed that the vein became
narrow, and it was discontinued. Again, in 1877, valuable ore was dis
covered in that vicinity, a quantity of which was sent to New York for
assay, and was found to contain $350 of gold and silver to the ton.
Some effort was expended to organize a company for working it, but
it was abandoned and at the present time there is no mining in the
town. The lower portion of the far famed and matchless group known as the
Thousand Islands lies opposite the town of Hammond and lend their
beauty and grandeur to that part of the St. Lawrence. Many of these
islands are owned by individuals aud occupied with attractive summer
cottages. An incident connected with one of these islands in Chippewa
Bay is entitled to brief reference. In 1838 Ezra Brockway, supposed
to have been insane, settled on this island, where he lived for many
years a sort of hermit life, believing himself a son of Napoleon Bonaparte.
He imagined that he owned all of the land in the vicinity; that his
mother had been murdered in Ogdensburg and he, while an infant, set
adrift in a canoe on the river. The knowledge of his kingly connection
he said was communicated to him in a dream and afterwards confirmed
by spirits. He refused to, and never did, pay tax on his island. Early
in February, 1886, he was found ill and half frozen in his little dwelling
place by a party crossing the river on the ice. He was carried to the
shore and a physician called, but he refused to take medicine, and after
a few days of suffering passed away.
In October, i860, the Buckeye, a steamer owned by the Northern
Transportation Company struck on a rock in the channel near the vil
lage of Chippewa Bay. A large number of passengers was drowned ;
the boat was afterwards raised.
During the summers of 1857-8 the people of the town and vicinity
were greatly excited over the old tradition that a large amount of gold
had been sunk with a boat by the Patterson gang during the War of
18 1 2 in Chippewa Creek. James Sterlin, a man of commanding ap-

THE TOWN OF HAMMOND. 657
pearance, weighing nearly four hundred pounds, pleasing address, and
a good talker, secured the right from the land proprietors to search
for this treasure. The place selected was about one and a half miles
above the mouth of the stream at the foot of a hill, where a spring
flows into a deep and pond shape part of the creek. Here Mr. Sterlin
.built a coffer dam around the deep water, leaving a sluice on one
side for the current to flow by. He then placed several suction pumps
around the dam to be worked by hand, and a rotary one to be driven
by a small portable engine, then started them up to pump out the
water in the basin. During all this time the people would gather
around and eagerly watch the maneuvering. The greatest crowds
gathered on Sunday afternoon, when Mr. Sterlin would preach to them
and relate the old story how the money was taken and the incidents
leading up to the secreting of the money. He had connected with
him Mr. Thomas Hazelton, a clairvoyant, whom he would mesmerize,
then question him concerning the treasures, also allow others to do
so, and the answers elicited were usually a confirmation of the story.
He also stated that he saw buried in the mud what had the appear
ance of a boat, and many other things, which was eagerly listened to
by the excited crowd. Mr. Sterlin was bothered by the dam leaking,
and spent a large portion of the time in repairing it, but after a time,
having the pumps all worked by boys, changing every half hour (they
receiving ten cents per hour), the water was sufficiently lowered one
Sunday, so that a handspike and a rusty chain was recovered, but a
heavy leak occurring at this point prevented further search until repaired.
Mr. Sterlin claimed that he had spent all the means at his command,
therefore consented on the solicitation of his friends to start a stock
company. The books were no sooner opened than the farmers will
ingly came forward and took from one to five shares each at a $100 per
share, which amounted to several thousand dollars. During the time
that the organization was being perfected and the repairs on the dam
made, heavy rains raised the water in the creek, which prevented further
operations that season.
During the winter and spring following the ice had injured the dam
materially, when more money was called for, which was readily sub
scribed. The company commenced, under the direction of Mr. Sterlin,
83

658 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
to repair the dam soon after low water in the early part of the summer,
when pumping was resumed, which proceeded at first slowly, owing to
leaks in the dam. This soon being repaired, the water was lowered suf
ficiently one Sunday that a search produced a small rusty anchor and a
tiller, but before any other articles were reached a break occurred and
filled the basin with water. This find renewed the faith of the stock
holders, when Sterlin called for more money to make up for the losses
incurred, which was paid in and the leak repaired The stockholders
now being desperately in earnest to push the work to completion, in
formed Mr. Sterlin that the dam was not to be tampered with, when the
pumps were put to work, and shortly after the bottom of the creek ap
peared in sight of the watchful eyes of the members present. With
fierce earnestness several jumped into the mud nearly up to their waist
with crobars and shovels, thoroughly probing the bottom of the hole,
but found only mud. The boys got a few dimes for pumping, the stock
holders had a few pumps on hand, but Mr. Sterlin had several thousand
dollars, when he suddenly left for other parts.
From the time which we have considered down to the War of the Re
bellion the settlers of Hammond pursued their various avocations in
peace and with a fair degree of prosperity. Upon the breaking out of
that historic struggle the citizens of the town took prompt and efficient
steps to not only to send out in support of the Union her full quota of
volunteers, but, in common with other towns of the county, raised the
necessary funds to pay the liberal bounties very generally provided for
at intervals during the war. The town furnished to the armies of the
Union 162 men, of whom nine were wounded and seventeen died of
disease contracted in the service.
The first school in the town, it is believed, was taught in the Scotch
settlement in the winter of 1819-20. The town is now divided into
thirteen school districts, and a comfortable school-house is found in
each. In recent years a very large and prosperous quarrying business has
been developed in this town. It was begun in 1874 by H. A. Foster.
There are now five quarries being operated which employ 250 men and
turn out twenty car loads of stone per day. The firms engaged in this
business are H. A. Foster, John Finegan, at Hammond ; Fowler & Lug-

THE TOWN OF HAMMOND. 639
don, at South Hammond; the Smithers Quarry, operated by Mr. Fos
ter ; and the Finnegan Quarry at Buck Ledge. The stone thus ob
tained is a building sandstone of excellent quality, also for paving streets,
flagging walks, etc., for which there is an increasing demand.
The agricultural interests in this town, like those of most other towns
in the county, have changed in recent years from grain growing to dairy
ing. There are several successful cheese factories, the product of which
is shipped from Chippewa Bay and by rail.
Following is a list of the supervisors of the town from its formation
to the present time, with their dates of service :
1827-28. Sylvester Butrick; 1S29-31, Roswtll Ryan ; 1832, Allen Cook; 1833, Orrin
Brown; 1834-35, Loren Bailey; 1836-37, George C. Daniels; 1838, Orrin Brown;
1839-40, Enoch Taylor; 1841, Ebenezer N. Demick; 1842, Orville E. Wightman ; 1843,
E. N. Demick; 1844-47, William H. Wright; 1848-49. Henry Zoller ; 1850, Sidney S.
Wait ; 1851, Josiah Zoller ; 1852-53. Abel P. Morse; 1854, Sidney S. Wait ; 1855-62,
Jonas Moyer; 1863-64, Henry Fowler ; 1865-66, Jonas Moyer; 1867-69, Anthony W.
Sigourney; 1870-71, Jonas Moyer; 1872-78, James S. More; 1879-88, William Rod
ger, 2d; 1889-92, Samuel W. Tilton; 1893-94, G. L. Phillips.
Hammond Village. — The settlement at this point has been described
and was known in former years to some extent as " Hammond Corners."
It is a station on what was formerly the Black River and Morristown
Railroad, now leased to the New York Central. There is no manufact
uring in the place, but it is and always has been a trading center for
most of the eastern part of the town. The following persons are in trade
there now : D. E. Wilson, drugs ; A. McGruer and W. E. Forrester &
Son, dry goods ; John T. Roger, clothing ; E. J. Murphy and R. S.
Woodside, boots and shoes ; W. R. Wilson and I. Franklin, groceries ;
J. Frank Wilson, jewelry ; W. T. Stiles and Evens Brothers, hardware
and farm implements. William Soper came from the town of Theresa,
and in 1889 built a steam saw mill and grist mill, which he is now suc
cessfully operating.
There have been public houses in Hammond for many years. One
of the older hotels was the Taylor House, built about 1839 by M. G.
Phyle, and was discontinued in the fall of 1892. The Franklin House
was finished in October, 1884, and is now conducted by F. Franklin.
The postmaster at Hammond is Benjamin Franklin.

660 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
North Hammond is a small hamlet in the northeastern part of the
town. S. W. Tilton carries on a general store and is postmaster.
Chippewa is a small hamlet on the bay and near the mouth of the
creek of the same name. Allen & Denner have a general store there,
and Alexander Allen is postmaster.
A post-office is also located at Oak Point, with W. C. Brooks in the
office. A post-office was established at South Hammond in 1833 with Jona
than King as postmaster. A hotel was erected in 1848 and discontinued
in i860. The postmaster at present is D. D. Moyer.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
Early in the summer of 1827 the Rev. Hiram Johnson organized a
Congregational church with twelve members. The society was under
the pastoral care of Rev. Joseph Taylor, who served them a few years,
when the church was placed under the care of the St. Lawrence Pres
bytery through the sickness of the pastor. Soon after they united with
the Union Society (Presbyterian), which was formed a few months later,
claiming to be second cousins, hence were called for a number of years
after the Congregational-Presbyterian Society. Services were held in
school- houses for several years.
A Union Presbyterian Society was formed and incorporated Decem
ber 14, 1827, with Luther Lanphear, James Hill, and Walter Willson,
trustees. They united a few years later with the Congregational body,
retaining the Presbyterian form, which was lost by a reorganization that
took place August 1, 1831, under Rev. James Sanford, with eighteen
members, and united with the Ogdensburg Presbytery. They built a
house of worship in 1838 of stone. In 1871 the old building was torn
down and replaced with the present wood structure, costing $8,000.
They have been under the pastoral care of Revs. James Roger, John
McGregor, James Gardiner, H. B. Swift, and Andrew Milne, and is
now under Rev. D. A. Ferguson, who has served faithfully eighteen
years past. The society erected a parsonage at a cost of $3,000 some
years since, and is now in a prosperous condition.
The first Methodist Episcopal church of Hammond was organized
September 29, 1832. There had been Methodist services held in the

THE TOWN OF EDWARDS. 661
town long before that. A small building for worship was erected on the
military road about half a mile from Hammond village in 1835. This
was taken down in 1873 and the present edifice built at a cost of $7,000.
The present pastor is Rev. Mr. Phelps.
A Free Will Baptist church was formed in this town in April, 1843,
but no regular permanent organization was effected and no church was
ever built.
Trinity church of Rossie and Hammond was incorporated Decem
ber 16, 1846, with Henry W. Chapman, William Laidlaw, S. Ophir,
William Welch, Robert Morris, John Burrows, and James Hill, vestry
men. The society was in existence for some years, but never built a
church. The Universalist church was organized by Rev. J. S. Lee in October,
1870, and the present building at Hammond Corners was erected in the
same year; it cost $3,200. The first pastor was Rev. D. R. Libbey,
who was succeeded by Rev. J. M. Johns. At the present time there is
a service held once in two weeks by Mrs. D. L. R. Libbey. The mem
bership is a little over fifty.

CHAPTER XLII.
THE TOWN OF EDWARDS— ORGANIZED IN 1827.
This was the twenty-second town erected by an act of the Legisla
ture passed April 27, 1827. It was formerly under the jurisdiction of
Fowler, and at first comprised townships No. 8 and 4, or Edwards and
Fitz Williams, now Hermon. The first town meeting was held at the
house of William Martis, in the spring of 1827, and the following offi
cers were elected : Orra Shead, supervisor ; John C. Hale, clerk ; J. C.
Hale, Asa Brayton, jr., William Teall, assessors ; Roswell Lillie, Araba
Collisier, Peleg Haile, commissioners of highways ; J. C. Haile, Asa
Phelps, Wilkes Richardson, commissioners of schools ; Warren Streeter,
Guy Earl, overseers of poor; J. C. Haile, George Allen, William Teall,
inspectors of schools.

662 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The township of Fitz Williams was taken off in erecting Depeau (now
Hermon), and by an act of the board of supervisors, passed Novem
ber 17, 1852, all that part of the town of Hermon situated at the north
east corner, known as the end of the east third of township 4, of great
tract No. 3 of Macomb's purchase, being subdivision lots No. 32 to 37,
according to Ashman's old survey, was annexed to the town of Ed
wards ; the board of supervisors now having the right (since 1849) to
set off or change the town boundaries.
The main branch of the Oswegatchie flows in a general northwest
direction across the town and through the villages of South Edwards
and Edwards. In the southern part are Bonner, Beaver, Mud and Clear
Lakes, whose waters flow into the Oswegatchie, and Cedar Lake which
extends across the line into Hermon. Along the river and the branches
of Elm Creek the surface is rolling or hilly, but elsewhere it is rugged
and broken, especially in the northwestern part. The township was
patented to McCormick in March, 1795, and surveyed by Reuben Ash
man of Russsll. McCormick transferred it to Joseph Pitcairn about
1 8 16, and he upon his death, about 1844, bequeathed his interest to
Alexander Brodie. The town received its name from Edward McCor
mick, a brother of Daniel McCormick, the proprietor to whom the
original township was assigned in the division.
Before the settlement of this town the turnpike from Russell had been
laid out through it, a fact which hastened settlement. The original
course of the turnpike was across the west branch of the Oswegatchie
about three-fourths of a mile below the site of Fullerville, thence tak
ing a northeasterly course, across the island and the two channels of
the river at the site of Edwards village.
The section of the road in Edwards was built by Enos Chapman, who
begun it in 1810 and finished it in 1812. In January of the last named
year Asa Brayton brought his family into the town and made the first
settlement on the south side of the turnpike near where it crosses the
creek, about midway between the branches of the Oswegatchie. Dur
ing that season Guy Earl, Samuel Jones, John Britton, Joseph M. Bon
ner, Elijah Jones, three men named Johnson and probably a few others
came into the town and built log houses. One of them was a Mr. Par
tridge, who was killed in 1 8 13 by a falling timber, causing the first

THE TOWN OF EDWARDS. 663
death in the town among the settlers. The first birth was that of John
B. Brayton, son of Asa Brayton ; John B. lived in the town many years.
In 18 1 3 Ora Shead came in from Russell and in that and the next
year completed the first grist mill ; it stood on the east bank of the
river where the turnpike crossed. Five years later he built a saw mill
just below on the site of the Rushton mills.
About 1816 Phineas Attwater became Mr. Pitcairn's agent for the
sale of lands in this section, and was succeeded in 18 19 by George
Allen, who came in at that time and located at Shead's mills. In 18 18
and 1 8 19 the town received as settlers a number of Scotch immigrants,
who located chiefly in the northern and northeastern parts. Among
them were James Grieve, Robert Watson, John Whitehead, Alexander
Noble, William Andrew, Alexander Kerr, James Wilson, Alexander
Laidlaw, William Cleland and Robert Brown. Several of these and
their descendants were long residents of the town.
Aside from those above noted, the settlements for several years were
made mostly along the river and the line of the turnpike.
The mill building on the east side of the river that was operated at
one period as a planing mill, sash and door factory, was built for a grist
mill by Mr. Rushton, but was superseded by the present one of greater
capacity. A tannery was formerly carried on by Gilbert & Co. on the west side
of the river opposite the island, but it is now out of use. It was
built in 1864 by Gilbert & Carr; was operated by them until 1871,
when Rice & Emery of Boston leased it and carried on the business
until 1874, since which date it has been closed.
Succeeding the merchants mentioned are the following who have
stores of various kinds in the village : S. B. Raymond, W. Grant &
Son, Charles Davis, Charles Brown, James D. Tait, W. N. J. Stevens,
Eugene Cook, C. B. Watson, Charles Stevenson, Henry Webb, George
Pagett and Mrs. William J. McFarren. Cyrus Watson is postmaster.
South Edwards. — This is a small village near the southeastern cor
ner of the town, upon the Oswegatchie River. The first settler at this
point was Job Winslow, who explored the locality in 1823, and settled
there in 1824. He was impressed with the value of the immense water
power, and soon after bringing in his family, he built a saw mill, and in

664 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
the following year a grist mill, thus creating the nucleus of a village.
These mills were afterwards owned by several persons, among them be
ing John Austin, Pasco Whitford, a Mr. Woodbury, Almeron Thomas,
and Spaulding & Pratt, and were burned about 1850. The mill was
rebuilt in a better manner by Chester Van Ornum, and again burned
about 1875. A new grist mill was subsequently built and carried on
by G. & E. Lumley and others, and a saw mill, which was run by Jon
athan Hendricks ; but both have been closed for some years, and there
is now no mill at the place.
The first merchant at South Edwards was Elijah Shaw, who settled
there in 1825 with his brother Noah. The former became one of the
most prominent citizens, and the hamlet was locally known for years as
" Shawville." Mr. Shaw engaged with a Mr. Sears in the manufacture
of potash and had other various interests. Mr. Sears purchased his
partner's interest in the potash business, and Mr. Shaw retired to a farm
north of the village. Sears afterwards removed to Canton. The mer
chants of the place now are Ira Hammond and John Lumley, and the
latter is postmaster, the office having been established in September,
1828, with James C. Haile as postmaster.
A carding mill was built here in early years by Ingraham Winslow ;
but the business ultimately died out and the building burned after the
machinery had been removed. A hotel was built by Mr. Woodbury
and continued some years ; at the present time there is no public house
in the place.
In 1 87 1 Dickinson & Lawrence, from Franklin county, built and be
gan operating a starch factory, using potatoes. The business was con
tinued about ten years.
Besides these villages there are several hamlets or settlements that
have had distinctive names and small business interests.
" Freemansburg," on the main river four miles below Edwards, re
ceived its name from Capt. Alfred Freeman, who built a furnace there
in 1830. Ore was brought to it from the Little York bed, and bog ores
from this town. In 1 843 a forge was added to the plant ; but the busi- .
ness was continued only a few years, when it went the way of all the
iron industries of the county. Mr. Freeman also kept a store there.
The furnace was burned in 1847.

THE TOWN OF EDWARDS. 665
The so-called " Scotch Settlement," or " Scotland," has already been
mentioned, and was the scene of a thrifty people's labors. Many
descendants of the hardy Scotch settlers still live in the town and vicin
ity. There have been also the " Creek Settlement," about two and a half
miles southeast of Edwards village,, and the " Pond Settlement " in the
southeast part of the town ; but they are only farming neighborhoods
at the present time.
Following is a list of the supervisors of the town to the present time :
1827-28, 1830, '31, '32, '33, Orra Shead; 1829 Wm. Teall; 1834-35, Hubbard Good
rich; 1836 to 1840, inclusive, John C. Haile ; 1841-42 and 1850, J. B. Pickit; 1843,
'44, '45, and 1848, Ingraham Winslow ; 1846-47, James Noble ; 1849 and 1851, Elijah
Shaw ; 1852, Horace Barnes ; 1853-54, Mark W. Spaulding ; 1855, '56, '57, '60 and '68,
Joseph Brodie; 1858-59, 1869, and 1870, George Smith; 1861-62, Thomas Todd;
1863, '64, '65, Henry Rushton; 1866-67, L. M. Gardiner; 1871 to 1880, inclusive,
Cornelius Carter; 1881-84, Henry Webb; 1885-87, William Grant; 1887-94, Ira C.
Miles. The town of Edwards was not even inhabited by a single settler at the
commencement of the War of 1812. Yet it has a landmark that started
in that period (an evergreen grove), which is now highly prized by the
descendants of the pioneers. During that war the frontier along the
St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario was blockaded by the British.
Therefore munitions of war were sent overland by the way of Platts
burg and the old route of Oswego River to Ogdensburg and Sackett's
Harbor. The writer's father, who related many incidents of the war, was a sol
dier at the time, stationed near Plattsburg, where he became familiar
with what transpired on these routes. The route passed through the
town of Edwards, thence by way of Carthage on to the harbor. Each
soldier, apart from his accoutrements, had a certain weight to carry, and
when heavy articles were to be hauled or carried, a squad of soldiers
were assigned to the duty. Their march was slow, yet resting places
and camps were located at short intervals. This route was so frequently
used that roads were cut through the woods by the soldiers before the
close of the war.
It has been said that ropes or cables designed for the war vessel
Superior, then in process of building at the harbor, were carried overland
84

666 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
by the soldiers from Plattsburg. While this may be true to a certain
extent, the big cable, measuring twenty-two inches in circumference,
weighing 9,600 pounds, was carried from Oswego River sixteen miles
overland to the harbor on the shoulders of about 200 soldiers, arriving
on the ioth of June, 18 14.
These camping places, especially the one in Edwards, which is three
and a half miles southwest from the village, on the farm now owned by
Freeman Sprague, was located in a belt of hard wood growth, and no
evergreen growing in that vicinity. During the camping period from
one to two acres had been cut and most of the timber burned. This
place being unmolested, grew up with pine brushes, and became the
thick grove alluded to. The man that cleared this farm, finding such a
beautiful grove of pine standing in the midst of hard wood, cleared
away the timber on the outside and left them growing. The plot con
tains about one and a half acres, and the pine trees are straight and
stand so close together that it is with difficulty a person can pass be
tween them. Many of them are from twelve to eighteen inches in
diameter and from fifty to seventy- five feet high. There can be no
doubt as to this grove standing on the camping ground of the soldiers
of the War of 18 12. Mr. Asa Brayton, the first one who came there in
January of 18 12, settled near this place. Mr. Edgar Brayton, a grand
son of Asa, now living in Edwards, relates the following which was ob
tained from his grandfather. Said, that this was where the soldiers
camped in passing back and forth. Also, when they were returning to
Plattsburg after completing the road stopped here. The officers, how
ever, were entertained by him, and that his grandmother baked bread
all that night for the soldiers. Their horses during the night eat up a
stack of wheat, for which he got pay. He also related the following
story. Mr. Brayton had a boy working for him some fourteen years
old, who stole a belt, sword and pistol which an officer had hung on a
peg before retiring, and hid them in a hollow stump. In the morning
the whole posse turned out and had a long search before finding them.
This grove will become more and more valuable as time passes, espe
cially to every patriot who gazes on this historic spot.
The War of the Rebellion, the reader is referred to Chapter XV.

THE TOWST OF EDWARDS. 667
Edwards Village. — The building of Shead's grist mill in 1814 de
termined the location of a village in this town ; and tne site was a
promising one, both on account of the turnpike and the excellent water
power at that point As usual in such cases, a store soon followed the
erection of the mill, and a little later the building of the saw mill and
the establishment of Allen's land office there hastened the little settle
ment. The first store was kept by Mr. Shead, who was also the first
postmaster, the office being established January 4, 1828.
William Martin, an enterprising pioneer, opened the second store,
the first hotel, and built a distillery. J. B. Pickit was the next mer
chant, and the second public house was opened and kept in an excellent
manner by Nathan Hunt on the island. The house was afterward kept
by J. B. Pickit, Horace Barnes, W. A. Livingston, S. M. Farmer, Earl
& Allen and others, but was finally closed. The island was the scene
of much of the business of the place for many years, but the space
was too limited, and the industries gradually removed to the mainland.
The present grist mill on the island is operated by Butler & Miles.
The hotel, built about twenty years ago, is the Rushton House, and is
kept by David Noble. The entire mill property on the old site, includ
ing the grist mill, saw mill, shingle mill, etc., was built by Henry
Rushton, and is now a part of his estate. The Woodcock Brothers
earn- on a steam grist and saw mill.
Within a few recent years the talc industry in St. Lawrence county
has become a very important factor in its production of wealth. The
development of this industry has had its principal headquarters at Gov-
erneur and is quite extensiveh" described in the preceding history of
that town ; but the territory whence the crude product is derived is of-
considerable extent and reaches into the town of Edwards and vicinity.
The settlement which has been mentioned as " Freemansburg " is now
called Talcville, and in that vicinity the wonderful product is found in
large quantities. The Freeman Brothers have carried on a mercantile
business here. In 1893 a railroad was opened from Gouverneur to
Edwards, its chief object being the transportation of the talc to the line
of the main road. For further details of this great industry the reader
is referred to the Gouverneur and Fowler histories herein.

668 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The Methodists were perhaps the first to hold services in this town,
which were by Rev. Elijah Morgan in 1819. Their first class, consist-
ting of five persons, was formed by Rev. Ezra Healey of the " Creek
Settlement" in 1823. Their first preacher was Rev. E. Morgan, who
was succeeded by Rev. Hiram May in 1825. Their early meetings
were held in school-houses, barns and dwellings. The records of the
church were destroyed by the burning of the parsonage in 1852. Since
the erection of a union church in 1850, the services have been held
there, until about 1880, when the society built a small church, which
at the present time is occupied by Rev. Mr. Burns. Meetings were
held occasionally in South Edwards in No. 4 school- house.
The Baptist society organized a church in 1822 by the assistance
of Elder Stephens. Among the members were Aaron, Silas and
William Pratt and their wives. Their services at first were held in
school-houses and dwellings until the erection of the union house in
1850, when they occupied the house their allotted time, every fourth
Sabbath. Services were also held at South Edwards.
A union church was built in Edwards village by the Baptists and
Congregationalists, and the building was erected in 1850. Other de
nominations contributed to it to some extent, and it was open to all
denominations. The church is now used wholly by the Baptists.
Their present pastor is Rev. Mark Styan.
The many Scotch settlers in the town brought with them a strong
Presbyterian element, and a society was organized called " The First
Congregational Church and Society in Edwards," composed of Pres
byterians and Congregationalists. From 1830 to 1837 the society was
prosperous, but in the course of the next twenty years the organization
disappeared. A Universalist society was kept up for a number of years and its
members aided largely in building the union church, and Rev. G. Swan,
G. S. Abbott, J. T. Goodrich, Rev. Prof. J. S. Lee, D.D., supplied the
pulpit for many years. The society is now out of existence.

THE TOWN OF LAWRENCE. 669

CHAPTER XLIII.
THE TOWN OF LAWRENCE— ORGANIZED IN 1828.
THIS was the twenty- third town organized by an act of the Legis
lature, passed April 21, 1828. This town is situated in the north
eastern part, with Brasher on the north, Franklin county on the east,
Hopkinton on the south and Stockholm on the west. The territory
was formerly under the jurisdiction of Hopkinton and Brasher. It
comprises an area of 28,479 acres. The title to the town passed from
the original proprietors to Harrison, January 1, 1801, and from him to
William Lawrence, from whom the town is named, on February 17,
1820. Mr. Lawrence was a merchant from New York, and passed a
part of his time, two or three years previous to his death, on his pur
chase. He died in New York in 1824, his son, D. Lynch Lawrence,
inheriting the lands, and from him the settlers secured their titles
through agents.
The first town meeting was held on the first Monday in March, 1829,
at the house of Carlton McEuen, when the following officers were
chosen: Carlton McEuen, supervisor; Myers G. Peck, town clerk;
James Trussel, Nathaniel Smith, N. H. Lampson, assessors; Enos Burt,
collector ; James Trussel, Myron G. Peck, overseers of the poor ; Giles
Hart, David S. Murray, John Ferris,, commissioners of highways ; Enos
Burt, Warren Day, constables ; George P. Farrar, Samuel Bent, James
Ferris, commissioners of schools ; Dwight N. Higgins, David S. Mur
ray, Levi H. Powers, inspector of schools.
The surface of the town is level in the northern part, but more roll
ing in the east and south. The ridges were first to be settled, as they
were more lightly timbered and easier cleared. The soil is sandy loam
mixed with clay, and in the lower localities is rich alluvium. It is gen
erally well adapted to grazing, and dairying and stock raising are the
chief industries. The town is well watered by many small streams,

670 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
while the Deer River flows through the eastern part and the east branch
of the St. Regis bounds it on the south for several miles, affording good
water power.
The town of Lawrence was first settled by a man named Brewer, who
came in for the proprietor and located on the farm now owned by Carl
ton McEuen, where he built a shanty in the summer of 1801. In the
next summer he sold his interest and agency to Samuel Tyler. In the
fall of 1806 Joseph and Samuel Tyler, from New Hampshire, Joseph
St. Clair and Avery Sanders, from Middlesex, Vt, Ephraim Martin, of
Bradford. Vt., and Abijah Chandler, from Lebanon, N. H., came in and
selected farms, and in the following spring brought in their families.
They purchased their lands through Judge Bailey of Chateaugay, then
agent, and began the work of making homes for their families. Mrs.
Chandler was the first white woman who came to the town. Most of
the families named settled in the central and northern parts of the town,
and came first to Hopkinton in sleighs and thence to their destination
after the snow was gone. Mr. Chandler settled a short, distance from
the site of Nicholville. In May, 1807, the families of Ira Allen, James
and Jonathan Pierce and Sidney Dunton were added to the inhabitants,
and in June came Jonathan Stevens, Ambrose Lewis and their families,
and Jonathan Hartwell, without his family, who came in the following
spring. James, Jonathan and Green Saunders and D. C. Bastin came
in July, 1807, and during the same year John Howard, Asa Griffin and
John Prouty came. In 1808 9 the settlement was largely increased
and its progress continued without much interruption until the break
ing out of the War of 18 12, when, according to Dr. Hough, every fam
ily but five left the town, and most of them never returned.
This was a hard blow to the growth of the town, and recovery was
slow. The level character of much of the land, portions of it being low
and wet previous to the clearing away of the forest, was very discourag
ing to the pioneers, though such lands are now the most valuable part
of the town in an agricultural sense. The first frame house was built in
1808 by Samuel Harris, who came the previous year from Middlesex,
Vt. It was covered with basswood "shakes" and was on the farm re
cently occupied by David Harris. The first school was taught in 18 10
by Miss S. Tyler.

THE TOWN OF LAWRENCE. 671
Succeeding the cold season of 1816, which caused so much suffering
throughout the county, settlements in various parts of the town were
encouraging and the work of public improvement hassteadily continued
ever since. The cause of education has received its merited attention
in the town, which is now divided into thirteen school districts, with
excellent schools in all, and a graded school in North Lawrence. Dairy
ing has to a large extent taken the place of grain raising in this town,
as it has throughout this section, butter-making being the principal
occupation of the farmers. There are now five successful butter fac
tories in operation. The manufacturing operations are noticed in the
succeeding village history.
A few early roads had been opened previous to the formation of the
town, and a State road from Port Kent, on Lake Champlain, through
the southern part of the town, was laid out in the spring of 1827, and
was kept up by the State until the various towns were ready to care for
it, when the toll gates previously maintained were removed. Over this
highway a line of stages ran in 1833 and later. The sum of $250 was
appropriated at the first town meeting for the improvement of roads,
and the town was divided into seven road districts ; these have, of
course, been greatly increased in number since. A substantial iron
bridge was erected over the Deer River at Lawrenceville, and another
at North Lawrence in 1876. The O. & L. C. Railroad was built through
the town in 1850, and has been a source of great benefit to the inhabi
tants. In the War of the Rebellion this town followed the same line of ac
tion that governed other towns in the county. Liberal bounties were
authorized, and a committee consisting of O. F. Shepard, Sumner L.
Hazen and T. H. Ferris superintended the issue of certificates for that
purpose. Under the energetic and generous action of the electors in
special town meetings the number of volunteers demanded from the
town was secured
Following is a list of the supervisors of the town from its formation to
1894, with years of their service:
1829-32, Carlton McEuen ; 1833-34, George P. Farrar ; 1835, Carlton McEuen ; 1836,
Myron G. Peck ; 1837, Luther Whitney ; 1838-39, Walter Smead ; 1840, no choice ; J.
F. Saunders and C. McEuen each having received 140 votes, the justice appointed the
latter, who declined to serve ; and a special meeting was held March 30, when J. F.

672 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Saunders was chosen; 1841, J. F. Saunders; 1842-43, Lucius Hulburd; 1844, T. F.
Saunders; 1845, Jude Clark; 1846-48, Carlton McEuen; 1849-50, Milo L. Burnham;
1851, Peabody Newland ; 1852, Noah D. Lawrence ; 1853-54. Lyman Day ; 1855-56,
Carlton McEuen; 1857-58, John Ferris; 1859-60, William Romaine ; 1861-62, Will
iam Fortune ; 1863-64, Henry Stickney; 1865-66, George A. Burt; 1867-70, Tiras H.
Ferris; 1871-74, Rufus S. Palmer ; 1875-76, A. E. McEuen; 1877, Sumner Sweet;
1878-85, George A. Burt; 1886-88, Jerome Trussell; 1889, C. H. Babcock; 1890-91,
Silas W. Merrill ; 1892-94, Augustus E. McEuen.
*
North Lawrence. — The first actual settlement at the site of this vil
lage was made by John W. Bean, from Orange county, Vt, in 1827.
The locality was then a thick forest standing in swampy land. He built
the first frame house. Chauncey Bristol built a small shanty in 1826
and began the erection of a saw mill, which was carried away before it
was finished. He rebuilt and finished the mill in 1 831, and operated it
for a number of years ; it is not now in existence. Mr. Bristol died in
the town in 1 870, aged ninety- three years. Zebulon Moore, A. H.
Barnes, John C. Williams and Simon Austin settled here about 1832.
Mr. Barnes owned the land on which the village stands, and it was only
a small mill settlement until the building of the railroad in 1850, after
which it grew rapidly. Situated on both sides of the Deer River, manu
facturing became of some importance and there were five dams built
across the stream within a mile. A gang saw mill with thirty saws was
built in 1849 by T. P. Chandler ; it was afterwards changed to a circu
lar mill, passed through several hands and is now operated by M. D.
Quenell. A pail and tub factory was established in 1862 with a ca
pacity of 20,000 tubs and 10,000 pails a year. It was operated in 1876
by Garfield & McHollister, and is now conducted by Townsend & Burn
ham. The first grist mill was built by Amasa Townsend & Co. with
three run of stones; it was burned in 1875 and rebuilt in the same year.
It was afterwards operated by E. S. Crapser, and is now in the hands of
I. A, Sergeant, who also carries on a starch factory which was estab
lished in 1892. A starch factory was built in 1877 by E. S. Crapser
and operated a number of years; it was demolished about 1888. A
stave factory and a tub factory were in operation from about i860j but
were discontinued about 1875. A store was kept below the village
about 1847, ancl m the following year R. Barnard opened the first store
in the village. Andrew Mont rait opened a store soon afterward and

THE TOWN OF LAWRENCE. 673
continued to i860. General stores are now conducted by Trussell &
Connolly and H. E. Merrell. Drug stores are kept by John L. Brown
and J D. Hakins ; groceries by H. J. Dewey, J. Kallaher, M. Malakia,
and E. T. Dustin. A. E. Chaffee has a clothing store and barber shop ;
W. C. Williams a tin shop, and I. A. Galusha a shoe shop. Edson
Crawford opened the first hotel here in 1850, when he built a part of
the Union House ; there James Brownell acted as host for twenty-five
years. The house is now kept by A. O. Nichols, and the Commercial
House by Stephen Dunn. The post-office was established in December,
1850, with John H. Conant postmaster; it was made a money order
office in 1871. The present postmaster is C. H. Barnes. Miss S. Mix
taught the first school here in 1834. In 1869 a commodious two story
brick school house was erected.
Lawrenceville. — This pleasant village is situated on both sides of the
Deer River near the center of the town, where early improvements
were made, the first being a saw mill built by Ephraim Martin in 1809.
A freshet carried away the dam and nothing further was done in that
line until 1821 ; but Asa and Joseph Tyler had settled here in 1807, be
tween which year and 1830 the following persons located here: George
Everett, Morda Lavery, James Ferris, David C. Bastin, Luther Ferris,
Jacob and Josiah F. Saunders came soon after; Beriah M. Newland,
Amasa Harrington, Heman Shepard, Nathan Mallory, Ezra Terrell,
William Hulburd, Luther Whitney, J. C. Rockwell, George Wilber,
James Johnston, A. Reid, Carlton McEuen, George McEuen, Asa Bal
lard, Eben Mix, James Beotley, Enos Burt, P. Newland, John Shepard,
David Blish, and many others.
The early settlers in this locality were forced to go six miles to the
mill, but after 1820 the trying conditions of the pioneers were rapidly
ameliorated. In 1821 Charles Kellogg built a sawmill on the site of
the present mill, the latter being the third one erected there. A tan
nery was built by William Taylor, which was operated by various per
sons, but is now discontinued. A starch factory was built in 1847 by
L. Hulburd who was the pioneer in this kind of business in the eastern
part of the county. Three times he was burned out, and built the pres
ent factory in 1873 and still operates it and a planing mill ; he also con
ducts another factory in the town. The saw mill and grist mill are oper-
85

674 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ated by W. D. Wilder. A store was opened in 1822 by Josiah F. Saun
ders, who continued many years. In 1848 a union store was opened
by thirty members, and O. F. Shepard, James Harris and Peabody
Newland, directors. R. McEuen closed up the business in 1863, pay
ing a dividend. In 1871 a stock company was formed to carry on a
union store with twenty-one .members. O. F. Shepard and Lucius
Hulburd were made directors There are now three general stores kept
here by Dana & Ross, Roberts & Ross, and Reynolds Brothers. E. F.
Hall has a furniture store. John Shepard kept a tavern in a log build
ing about 1820 and later in a frame building. A hotel was opened in
1842 in a building which was used for the purpose for forty years, and
was kept by M. & M. V. B. Barney from 1855 until later, when it passed
to the latter, who still conducts it.
The post-office was established in April, 1829, with Josiah F. Saun
ders postmaster. The present official is S. H. Roberts. The Lawrence
ville Academy was established in March, i860, as a stock concern, the
capital to be not less than $3,000, in $25 shares. Among the promi
nent promoters of the project were P. Newland, William T. Hall, O. F.
Shepard; W. C. Blish, L. Hulburd and S. B. Goff. The first trustees
were Miller Heath, P. Newland, W. C. Blish, O. F. Shepard, L. Hul
burd, G. B.' Wilbur, J. W. Newland, Joel Hitchcock, Enos Burt, Will
iam Romaine, N R. Miller and H. J. Thomas. A three-story brick
building was erected in i860 at a cost of $4,500. An academic charter
was granted the institution in 1861, in the spring of which year the
school was opened with John B. Young principal and Mrs. Young pre
ceptress. For a few years the academy was fairly prosperous, but com
petition with more pretentious institutions elsewhere rendered it advisa
ble to close the institution. The building is now used for district school
purposes. Nicholville — This enterprising village is situated on the east branch
of the St. Regis river in the southern part of the town, where the
stream is crossed by the old turnpike, and part of the village is on the
Hopkinton side, where the first settlement was made. Samuel Wilson
built a saw mill here in 1817, and for many years that and a small col
lection of houses were known only as "Sodom." As the settlement
grew it extended across the river and was named Nicholville, in honor

THE TOWN OF LAWRENCE. 675
of E. S. Nichols, the executor of the estate of William Lawrence. Eli
Bush, Chester Armstrong, Calvin Converse and Horace Higgins set
tled here about 1820. Others who came early to this vicinity were:
Thomas Day and his sons, Lyman, Joel, Warren, Russell aud Hosea ;
Joseph Stearns, Jude Clark, Beriah Sweet, Elihu Ayers, Dennis Stacy,
Lyman Page, Abijah Chandler with six sons and six daughters, Otis
Farrar, John Thomas, James Trussel, Myron G. Peck, Royal Smith,
Andrew Squier, Elisha Spencer, Asa Miller, Hiram Blanchard, James
Sherer and John W. Witters.
The St. Regis affords good water power at this point, which led to
the establishment of several manufacturing plants. A grist mill was
built in 1822 by Samuel Wilson and was carried away by a flood in
1830. William Lawrence caused the erection of a stone grist mill in
1826, which was used until 1863, when the upper part was removed
and the building reconstructed into its present condition by A. N. and
H. N. Woodard. The mill was afterwards in the hands of B. D. Bab
cock is now operated by S. E. Babcock. Below this mill were a saw
mill, shingle mill and sash factory, which are not now in operation. A
carding and fulling mill was built early, but was abandoned long ago.
Saw mills and shingle mills here are now operated by J. H. Knowlton,
A. L. Blake and Morris Day. There are the usual number of shops
and stores..
The first store was kept by Zephaniah Piatt in 1828, and Lyman Day
began trade soon afterward. James Sherer opened his store in 1846
and continued to 1874. Sumner, Sweet & Co. began in 1857 and con
tinued many years. The New England Protective Union store was
opened in 1846 and closed out in 1867. In 1868 seventy persons
formed another Union Store Company, with Jonah Sanford, president,
and G. A. Burt, secretary. The business was successful for a number
of years, but was closed out about 1880. The present merchants in
the place are C. S. Olmstead, Henry Sweet, J. A. Martindale and J.
H. Knowlton. The first hotel was built in 1830 by James Trussell ;
this was burned in 1866 and the present house erected on the site.
The Commercial house is now kept by Henry Chandler. J. A. Mar
tindale is postmaster.

676 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The Nicholville Baptist Church was formed September u, 1808, by
Elder Samuel Rowley, with six members. Among the pioneer mem
bers were Abijah Chandler, Asa Moon, Seth Abbott, Samuel Eastman,
Seth Putnam and Thomas Remington. A society was formed a little
later with A. Chandler, Jonah Sanford, S. C. Kelsey and Samuel East
man, trustees. This society united with the Congregationalists in 181 5
in building the union house of worship in Hopkinton. In 1 83 1 a small
church was built at Nicholville, which was used until 1852, when the
present church was built. On the 5th of August, 1843, the Hopkin
ton interest was abandoned and the church permanently located in
Nicholville. About $400 have been spent on the church in recent
years, and the property is valued at $3,000. The membership is eighty-
two. The present pastor is Rev. F. L. Foster.
The Baptist Church of Lawrenceville was formed in 1827, with seven
members. Services were held in school houses until 1841, when a plain
church was built, the organization taking the name of " The First Bap
tist Evangelical Society," in 1840, and reorganizing May 14, 1842. The
first trustees were Peabody Newland, Walter Smead and Stephen
Hammond. The present church was built in 1868, at a cost of between
$3,000 and $4,000. The present pastor is Elder Harmon.
The Free Will Baptist Church was organized in July, 1838, by Elder
Benjamin Bundy and David Colby, with five members. Meetings were
held in school houses until 1867, when an interest was secured in a
church with the Congregationalists. The society was reorganized in
1867, with H. J. Perry, Ira Butler and Leman Bristol, trustees. The
membership has been small for many years. At present Rev. Mr.
Ramdell is pastor.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Nicholville was organized about
1840 with forty-two members, and Rev. Justin Allen as pastor. For
many years services were held in the union church, but in 1876 the
present edifice was erected at a cost of $5,000. This church and the
one at Fort Jackson are in one charge. The membership is 128, and
Rev. Henry H. Esselgrave is pastor.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Lawrenceville was incorporated
April 6, 1842, with David Blish, John Shepard, Charles Kellogg, Sam-

The town of Lawrence. 677
uel Meacham, Charles S. Wise, John F. Carpenter and Thomas Hale,
trustees. A frame church was built soon after, which was considerably
improved later. The present church was erected in 1887-8. The mem
bership is at present about fifty and the pastor is Rev. H. L. Campbell.
The Congregational Church of Lawrenceville was incorporated Aug
ust 3, 1840, with Heman Shepard, Avery Collins and John W. Bean,
trustees. The church was built not long after the organization and was
thoroughly repaired and refitted in 1877, at a cost of $2,000. There
is no paster at present, and the society is small.
The First Congregational Church of North Lawrence was organized
August 17, 1852. with about twenty members. Rev. George B. Row
ley was the first pastor. The church society was formed in September,
1852, with Jacob Williams, S H. Barnes and Nelson Williams, trustees.
A frame church was built in 1853, and about five years ago it was
largely rebuilt and refurnished by the Baptises, who had an interest in
it, as above stated The Congregationalists do not have regular ser
vices. The Universalist Society of Nicholville was organized about 1840,
and reorganized in 1872. The society has never been a strong one,
and from 1872 to 1876 was under the spiritual guidance of Prof J. S.
Lee of St. Lawrence University. An interest was held in the old
union church, and services were held as occasion offered.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church was formed as a mission in 1870 and
the church erected in that year at a cost of $4,200 ; the building com
mittee being Rev. Mr. Randall, William Kingston and James Whiteside.
The present pastor is Rev. A. L. Fortin.
The St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church was formed in 1875 by
Father John O'Haire. A handsome brick church was erected in 1876,
at a cost of $6,000. The society has always been a strong and pros
perous one. Rev. Father Butler is at present in charge.

678 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY..

CHAPTER XLIV.
THE TOWN OF HERMON— ORGANIZED IN 1830.
THIS was the twenty- fourth town erected by an act of the Legis
lature passed April 17, 1830. Hermon was originally organized
under the name of Depeau, after Francis Depeau, once proprietor of a
large tract of land in Jefferson county. He was also interested in the
middle third of this territory, which had passed from McCormick to
George Lewis, July 12, 1804, who sold to John and Curtis Bolton,
August 1, 1823, and they sold to Depeau, June 6, 1828. He sold to
Sarah, wife of John Bolton, May 3, 1830.
The town was formed from De Kalb and Edwards April 17, 1830.
The first town meeting was held at the school-house near Nathaniel
Kent's May 4, 1830, and the following officers elected : William Teall,
supervisor; Benjamin Healey, town clerk; Wilkes Richardson, Isaac C.
Pool, Silas Williams, assessors; Martin L. Cook, John Matoon, over
seers of the poor; Simeon Peterson, Jesse Worden, Shubael Parker,
commissioners of highways ; Wilkes Richardson, Robert Gotham, Harry
Tanner, commissioners of schools; Benjamin Healey, Aaron Teall, C.
D. Morehouse, inspectors of public schools ; Charles O. Redfield, col
lector ; Ariel Wrisley, Charles C. Redfield, constables.
The town originally embraced the township of Fitzwilliam and a
strip one mile by six from the southwest side of De Kalb. On the 17th
of November, 1852, the supervisors annexed a tract from the southeast
corner of the town of Edwards, leaving in Hermon 36,686 acres.
The name of the town was changed to Hermon, February 28, 1834,
as there was a Depeauville in Jefferson county. A post-office named
Hermon had been established in the northeastern part of the town De
cember 28, 1828.
The surface of the town is generally rolling, some parts being hilly,
particularly the northern part, where it is broken and sterile. The soil
is well adapted to grazing, and dairying is quite extensively carried on.

THE TOWN OF HERMON. 679
Some attempts at mining of iron have been made, but none of contin
ued prosperity. Elm, Tanner, and Carter Creeks are the only streams
of account. Trout Lake is in the southern part, and Cedar Lake ex
tends into that part of the town.
Many of the pioneers of this town came from Vermont and were in
dustrious and hardy people. The first white settler was James Taylor,
who made a small clearing in the western part about 1805. Philemon
Stewart, Ariel Inman and Rufus Hopkins came in soon afterwards, but
left on the breaking out of the War of 1 8 1 2 and did not return. Thomas
Tanner came in March, 1809, and spent the remainder of his long and
useful life there.
The first road leading through this town was that from Russell to De
Kalb, which was opened just prior to the War of 181 2. In 1818 the
road from De Kalb to what is now Hermon village was opened.
The first school taught in the town was kept in the house of David
McCollum in the winter of 18 17-18 by William D. Moore.
The first marriage in the town was that of Ashbel Tryon and Harriet
McCollum, July 4, 1821 ; and the first death was that of Peter, infant
son of Germain Sutherland, in 18 18.
A post-office was established at what is now Hermon village Decem
ber 20, 1828, with Benjamin Healey as postmaster. The mails then
came in from De Kalb, carried on horseback by Henry Tanner.
David McCollum settled in 18 12 and had four sons: Martin, John,
. Jefferson D. and Samuel. The latter took the homestead. Roger
Story came in 1813. Germain Sutherland in 1816; he was father of
Moses H., and one of his daughters married H. B. Hamlin, and another
Rosalve Healey.
Other early settlers were Joseph H. Baird, Orle Gibbons, William
Teall (the first supervisor), Benjamin Healey (the first town clerk, and
who left numerous descendants), Clark Main, Ralph Fisher, Lorenzo
H. Sheldon, Chester Winslow, Shubael Parker, Wilkes Richardson (one
of the first assessors and father of Ferdinand and King R.), William D.
Gilmore, William H. Underwood, Henry Reed, Orlando Babbitt, Dr.
H. Alexander, Reuben L. Willson, John Gardner, and Asa, his son,
Frank Matteson, Ransom and John Day, Noah Hamilton, Ezra Leon
ard, Alexander Brown, Almon and Amos V. Farnsworth, Silas Will-

680 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
iams, A. F. Gates, a prominent dairyman and farmer, William Ras-
back, Thomas Thornhill, Alvin A. Corey, William A. Scripter, E. J.
Stewart, son of Philemon Stewart, an early settler. Many of these men
became prominent in the community and some of them left descendants
in this section.
The early industries of this town were connected with lumbering, the
clearing of land and raising such crops as were needed by the people.
But early in the history of this locality its excellent adaptability to
grazing became apparent and more attention was given to stock-raising
and dairying, and in recent years the latter industry has given it a rank
among the best towns in the county. Cheese is the principal product.
There are large deposits of hematite iron ore in the town and early
attracted attention, and it was long believed they would prove to be a
source of wealth. Mining operations were begun on an extensive scale
in 1864, and J. W. Lowden, an eastern capitalist, also erected a furnace
at Cooper's Falls in De Kalb. Mr. Lowden invested a large sum of
money, mostly in preliminary work. In 1872 he sold out his whole in
terest to the Union Iron Company of Buffalo, John Webb of Gouver
neur acting as local agent of the company. The " hard times " of 1873-4
came on, and that fact was given as a reason for cessation of the enter
prise, which has never been resumed. Like most of the other attempts
to successfully mine and produce iron in this county, there seem to have
been conditions and circumstances which, coupled with the cheap pro
duction elsewhere, rendered it impossible to profitably pursue the in
dustry here.
The dairying interest, which has been mentioned, has been rapidly
developed in the past twenty years.. In 1877 the product of cheese had
reached about 700,000, and in that year the following factories were in
operation :

Factory.

Owner.

No. of Cows.

Pounds of Cheese.

Hermon Village

Charles Risley

750

200,000

Hermon Center

A. F. Gates

500

140,000

West Hermon

Baker & Pickard

450

120,000

South Hermon

George La Lone

400

110,000

Porter Hill

John Foster

375

100,000

Parker Factory

Asa Parker

100

30,000

2,575 700,000

THE TOWN OF HERMON. 681
The present condition of the industry is no less encouraging. In
Hermon Village there is a butter factory o'wned by Lewis Knox; and.
at Hermon Center is a cheese factory, by Baker & Pickard ; at West
Hermon another by Morrow Brothers ; and at Porter Hill, one by John
Foster. A factory was in operation in the southern part of the town,
but was burned. The Parker factory was discontinued about ten years
ago. Hermon Village. — This village is pleasantly situated in the northeast
part of the town, near the Canton and De Kalb lines, and is a thrifty
place. The first settlement was made at this point by Roger Story in
1816, who at once built a log house. In the same year Germain Suth
erland came. Other settlers on the site of the village were Alexander
Brown, Nehemiah Barker, Thomas Gilmore, Elisha Burnham, David
Wesley, Samuel McCollum, William D. Moore and William Martin, the
latter opening the first store in the place in 1823. From that year until
the present time, the village has continued to grow in population. Its
prosperity was temporarily checked by a disastrous fire April 27, 1875,
the loss by which was about $100,000; but the energy of the citizens
enabled them to promptly recover from the disaster, and new and hand
some blocks of buildings arose on the sites of the former ones. Some of
these are noteworthy examples of business architecture, among them be
ing the old and the new Lynde blocks, the block of Dr. G. G. Seymour,
the J. B. Ryel block, the building erected by George Johnson and J. B.
McLean, the W. G. Popple block, the new Baptist church, etc.
The village was incorporated in 1887 and the first election of officers
was held November 17, following, at which were chosen : W. W. Mat-
teson, president; Elisha Burnham, Martin R. Folsom, William M.
Green, trustees; James K. Hale, treasurer ; John J. Haile, collector.
Waterworks were established in 1891, at a cost of $7,000, and give the
village a good supply of pure water.
Since the opening of the first store in the village there have been vs-
rious persons engaged in mercantile business here, for longer or shorter
periods. Those now engaged in business are E. B. Hatch and Conant
& Beswick, general stores ; Johns & Newell, groceries ; James K. Hale,
groceries and boots and shoes ; W. G. Popple and J. B. McLean, hard
ware ; James Robinson, drugs; Isaac Gibbons, liquor store; G. W.
86

682 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Johnson has a meat market ; Daniel Booth and Robert Davidson are
blacksmiths ; L. M. Fuller and Green & Babcock, furniture, the latter
firm also undertakers. The hotel is kept by S. H. Ladd. J. E. Rob
inson is postmaster.
The various industries of the village have kept pace with the other
interests. A tannery was established here early and operated until re
cent years, but the business was finally abandoned and the old building
is empty. James Kelly has been engaged in carriage making since
1856, doing a large business in that line. The first grist mill was
erected by Milton Johnson in 18 19, and stood about opposite the site
of the present mill on the east side of Elm Creek ; he also built a dis
tillery at the same time, both of which were long ago abandoned. The
present mill was built by John Stokes, who sold it to T. W. Sheldon in
1865. The mill is now operated by James Brown. There is no saw
mill in operation here now, though there was, of course, one for many
years. A beautiful cemetery has been laid out near the village, the officers
of the association being Z. W. Babcock, secretary and treasurer ; W. W.
Matteson, president ; and W. M. Green, James Keiley, H. C. Maine,
Joseph Firth, trustees.
The Observer is a weekly newspaper started by G. T. Chaney in
1888. It is Republican in politics and is successfully published by
Hamilton & Demmons.
The first school taught in this town has already been mentioned ; it
was followed by another in the second winter (1819-20) in the same
place by Wesley McCollum. In 1826 a school was taught at the site of
the village by Miss Huldah Wickerson. The first district established
after the formation of the town was No. 1, June 10, 1830, and embraced
a wide extent of territory. This has been succeeded by various divi
sions and there are now thirteen districts in the town. In 1868 a de
partment school was organized in the village, the first board being as
follows : A. M. Spalding, Otis Earle, Harris Bartholomew, W. W. Mat
teson, and Z. W. Babcock ; the present board is composed of E. B.
White, H. C. Main, Benjamin Cleghorn, John C. Gibbons, and W. W.
Matteson.

THE TOWN OF HERMON. 683
The present commodious school building was erected in 1885. The
school has now four departments with four teachers, and the languages
are embraced in its course. The Board of Education for 1893 is Dr. C.
E. Northrup, clerk; Z. W. Babcock, president; E. A. Conant, H. C.
Maine, E. O. Reynolds.
Marshville. — This is a hamlet situated on Elm Creek about one mile
south of Hermon village. The early settlers at this point were Clark
Main, William H. Dodge, L. W. Campbell, J. M. McCollum, and Amos
Marsh, father of Horatio Marsh ; from the former the place received its
name. About the year 1825 Abram Fisk built the second saw mill in
the town here. Amos Marsh bought this property and erected a grist
mill. These mills were subsequently burned.
The Marshville Cemetery Association was incorporated in March,
1850, and the cemetery established; but the association was allowed to
die out in a few years.
Following is a list of the supervisors of the town from its formation
to the present time :
1830-32, William Teall ; 1833, Reuben L. Wilson; 1834-36, Harry Tanner; 1837,
Silas Williams ; 1838-39, Henry P. Cook; 1840, Nathaniel Kent ; 1841-42, H. P. Cook ;
1843-47, Silas Williams; 1848-51, Seymour Thatcher; 1852-53, David W. Weeks ;
1854-55, William E. Tanner; 1856-57, Orlando Babbitt; 1858, Horace Barnes; 1859-
60, Clark Maine; 1861-64, William E. Turner; 1864-67, Alanson A. Matteson ; 1868-
70, Dolphus G. Lynde; 1871, Otis Earle ; 1872-73, A. A. Matteson ; 1874, Z. W. Bab
cock; 1875-79, A. A. Matteson; 1880-84, Z. W. Babcock; 1885-87, D. S. Lynde;
1888, H. C.Maine; 1889, W. A. Leonard; 1890, George Babbitt; 1891-94, W. W.
Matteson. The War of the Rebellion, see Chapter XV.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The first religious meetings held in town were by Rev. Wm. Wright,
a Congregational missionary, in 1814-15, who paved the way for other
religious bodies to follow, but did not organize a church. The first
Methodist church was formed about the year 1820, but preaching had
been enjoyed in the house of Roger Story as early as 18 16. The so
ciety was incorporated November 1, 1847, with Samuel I. Bingham,
Seymour Thatcher, Joseph H. Baird, Lorenzo H. Sheldon, Orin Nich
ols, Timothy H. Hatch, and Daniel Mclntire, trustees. In the next

684 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
year they built a handsome church, which is still in use, but has been
at various times greatly improved and modernized. The society is now
prosperous under the charge of Rev. W. H. Kanoff.
The first Baptist church at Hermon village was organized in January,
1818, and the society was incorporated December 3, 1845, with the
following as trustees : Horatio Marsh, Daniel K. Babcock, Edward Mad
dock, William E. Tanner, Theodorus Frisby, and Orle Gibbons. The
house of worship was built in 1849. This church was burned March I,
1 89 1, and a new and very handsome modern edifice erected. The pres
ent pastor is Rev. S. Mills.
A Congregational church was formed at Marshville in 1835 by Rev.
Mr. Eastman. Among the early members were Wilkes Richardson and
wife, Ezra Leonard and wife, John Matoon and wife, and others. The
first named men were trustees. In 1840 they built a church at a cost
of $2,500. The membership has never been large, between forty and
fifty. They are now supplied by Rev. W. G. Roberts, pastor of the De
Kalb church.
A Universalist church was organized March 8, 1858, at Hermon vil
lage, and continued in existence something more than twenty years, but
finally died out.
The Christian church was formed by Elder Spooner in 1826. The
society flourished for a time, and in 1859 erected a wood meeting-house
in Marshville, having at one time upwards of 200 members, but by
death and removals a few years later dropped to about thirty. Their
services have been irregular since.

THE TOWN OF PITCAIRN. 685

CHAPTER XLV.
THE TOWN OF PITCAIRN -ORGANIZED IN 1830.
THIS was the twenty-fifth town erected by an act of the Legislature
passed March 24, 1836. It was formerly under the jurisdiction
of Fowler and Edwards, containing the township No. 1 1, or Portaferry,
excepting a triangular tract on the west corner, which was retained by
Fowler. The town borders on Lewis county, and lies in the rear of
Fowler and Edwards, and joins the town of Fine in the southwest part
of the county. The first town meeting was held at the house of David
Brown and the following officers elected : John Sloper, supervisor ;
Stephen Seabury, town clerk; Levi W. Gleason, Sylvester Bacon, and
Aaron Geer, justices of the peace; Samuel Gustin, Almond Howard,
and Robert Leach, assessors ; Matthew M. Geer, collector ; John Will
iams, George P. Burdick, and Levi Gleason, commissioners of high
ways ; George P. Burdick and Almond Howard, overseers of the poor;
Matthew M. Geer and Constant Wells, constable.
The township was assigned to Daniel McCormick and transferred by
him to Joseph Pitcairn, from whom it received its name. The town is
well watered by the south branch of the Oswegatchie and numerous
smaller streams of pure water. The surface is chiefly rough and rocky,
but in some of the narrow valleys the land is very productive. The
first clearing in the wilderness of Portaferry was made in 1824 by James
Streeter, who brought in his family the following year. Quite a num
ber of other settlers came in 1824—5 and made small clearings, among
them being Nathaniel, Elisha and Joseph Lanphear, Joshua Sloper,
Aaron Geer, Dayton Merrell, George Peabody, Levi W. Gleason, Na
thaniel C. Scovil, Nathan Dickenson and his five sons; and a little later
these were followed by Samuel Gustin, George P. Burdick, Samuel Wal
ling, Freeman Anderson, Stephen Seabury, and others. In succeeding
years settlers slowly spread themselves over the territory, the forbid-

686 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ding character of which seemed to offer them little inducement in the
way of sites for homes.
The first white male child born in the town was Calvin, son of N. C.
Scovil, June, 1825 ; the first female was Harriet, daughter of Levi Glea
son, born September 24, 1825. The first marriage was Aaron Bing
ham to Miss C. Dickenson in 1826. The first school was taught by
Miss Caroline Dickinson in 1826. The first saw mill was erected in
1 828 by Major P. Jenne (or Jenny) upon the creek that bears his name,
and another was built a little later in the eastern part ; both of these
sites were long occupied by mills. At the present time N. H. Carter
operates the mill at Pitcairn village on Jenny Creek and also a feed mill.
At East Pitcairn is a steam, lumber and shingle mill operated by Wright
Mason. There are two steam mills in the western part, one operated
by Stephen Davis, built about five years ago ; and one by Eli Pettis,
built about two years ago. At Jayville, a hamlet in the southeast cor
ner of the town and a station on the Carthage and St. Lawrence Rail
road, there are two steam mills owned by Post & Henderson and J. S.
Demott, respectively, of Oswego. Other business enterprises of the
town are the store and hotel of John L. Guiles, and the store of V. J.
Van Ornum at Pitcairn; the cheese factory and store of L. W. Hub
bard at East Pitcairn ; the cheese factory of Wilson Wing at Pitcairn ;
and store of A. H. Andrews at Jayville. The agriculture of the town
consists mainly of the production of excellent butter and cheese, and the
raising of grain and particularly of potatoes. In the latter industry H.
C. Pearson has accomplished results that have given him a very ex
tended reputation. He supplied no less than thirty two varieties to the
State exhibit for the World's Fair. Quite extensive iron mining oper
ations have been carried on for several years at Jayville in the valuable
magnetic ore of that locality; but at the present time the works are
idle. Traces of lead has been discovered, but not in sufficient quanti
ties to warrant mining. There are three post-offices in the town : Pit
cairn, with E. B Shipman, postmaster ; East Pitcairn, with Simeon
Wells, postmaster ; and Jayville, with A. H. Andrews, postmaster.
The following incident happened near where Green's mill now stands
about 1820, while the territory belonged to Fowler. Mr. James Streeter
was out hunting deer in February, when there was about three feet of

THE TOWN OF PITCAIRN. 687
snow on the ground. He came on to panther tracks and traced them
across the ice, and found a place where they had pawed away the snow
to the leaves and where five had nested the night previous. Following
on the tracks he soon overtook a male panther, which his dog treed,
and which he killed by a single shot. A few rods beyond a young
panther was treed, when it required a second shot to dispatch him, and
shortly after another young one was treed and killed by a single shot.
The three were beheaded and taken to the camp. The next morning
Mr. Streeter returned with a companion, when the female panther was
killed. A large male panther was treed soon after and killed after be
ing shot several times. This one, however, evinced much venom, keep
ing his eyes fixed on the hunters, disregarding the dog, gnashing his
teeth, growling, spitting after the fashion of a cat, and would run up and
down the branches as if about to attack them, then seating himself
would purr also like a cat. The bounties were twenty-five dollars each,
a good day's work.
Following is a list of the supervisors of the town, with their years of
service. John Sloper, from the first election to the year 1840, inclusive ; Sylvester Bacon, 1841-
42; Horatio N. Dickenson, 1843-44; Asaph Green, to fill vacancy in 1844, '45, '46,
'47, '51, '52. '53 and '54; Eli R. Paul, 1848, '49, '50, and 1855; Lorenzo D. Geer, 1856,
'57, and 1869; Volney M. Carter, 1858, '59, and 1870 to 1877, inclusive; G. M. Glea
son, 1800, '64, '65, '67, '68; Joel Manchester, 1861, '62, '63; Thomas P. Geer, 1866:
L. D. Geer, 1878, 1881; E. W. Gleason, 1879-80,; Safford Royce, 1882-3; S. B. Van
Patten, 1884-89; Frank Manchester, 1890; John Geer, 1891-3.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The Baptist church was the first society organized in the town, which
was formed in 1826, with nine members and "Rev. Jonathan Paine, pas
tor. The organization continued about seven years. Another Baptist
society was organized in Pitcairn in 1842, with six members and Elder
E. J. Davis as the first preacher. For some twenty years after 1855
Rev. C. H. Dyke ministered to the congregation with churches at Ed
wards and Fine.
A Congregational church was organized by Rev. James Murdock, of
Gouverneur, at Pitcairn about 1829, with Constant Wells and fifteen

088 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
others, but in course of time the death and removal of most of the mem
bers caused its discontinuance.
A Methodist class was formed about 1830, and has been kept alive,
service being held in the Union church mentioned below.
There was no house of worship in the town until 1875, when Con
stant Wells, one of the pioneers, erected and donated a building which
he named " The Union Church of East Pitcairn." It cost $1,000. The
lot was donated by Charles H. Bowles. Six dollars were donated by a
man in Brooklyn. The building has since been used by the various de
nominations as occasion offered. Previous to this all denominations
held services in barns, dwelling and school houses.
A society known as Disciples was formed in the west part of the town,
under the preaching of Rev. Mr. Cooper, about 1872, with several
members. They increased to about sixty at one time but decreased
later. The Free Will Baptists formed a small society and held meetings oc
casionally in town.

CHAPTER XLVI.
THE TOWN OF MACOMB-ORGANIZED IN 1841.
THIS was the twenty- sixth town erected by an act of the Legisla
ture passed April 30, 1841. The territory was formerly under the
jurisdiction of Morristown and Gouverneur, from which it was taken,
and embraces that part of Morristown laying south of Black Lake and
that part of Gouverneur north of Beaver Creek, from the De Kalb line
to the Ogden tract, which it follows to the Oswegatchie, and then up
that river to the boundary of Rossie. A small tract south of the lake
was left in the town of Hammond, but it also was attached to Macomb
on the nth of April, 1842. The formation of the town was the result
of a long existing feeling of seclusion on the part of the inhabitants of
the territory finally set off. With the long and almost impassable lake
on the north, and Beaver Creek on the south, also the poor roads that

THE TOWN OF MACOMB. 089
existed until comparatively recent times, rendering it difficult to reach
Morristown and Gouverneur for the transaction of public business, it is,
perhaps, to be wondered at that the citizens did not protest against
their situation earlier than they did. In 1837 the people of Morristown
expressed their willingness for a division whenever the settlers south of
the lake should desire it ; and shortly afterward a similar sentiment was
expressed by the inhabitants of Gouverneur. A special town meeting
was held in Morristown, at which the vote for the division was taken
and carried with only one dissenting voice.
The first town meeting in the new town was held at the residence of
David Day, 2d, on the 1st of July, 1841, and the following officers
elected : Supervisor, David Day, 2d ; town clerk, Eliphalet S. Pope ;
assessors, David B. Woodworth, William Whalin and William Hough
ton ; commissioners of highways, Timothy Pope, Daniel Tully, Denni-
son Coates ; collector, Charlemagne Pope ; overseers of the poor,
George Kennan, Josiah Sweet ; school commissioners, David Day, 2d,
John S. Kinda, Morgan Starks, jr. ; justices, William Mills, C. Pope and
David Tully.
The surface of the town is much broken by ridges of gneiss, sand
stone and white limestone, lying parallel with the lake and covering a
large part of the town. Between these ridges are narrow intervales
with rich soil. As a whole the town is much better adapted to grazing
than to tillage. Fish and Birch Creeks flow into Black Lake and are
the principal streams. Located on Birch Creek is a large tract through
which the stream has little fall and over several thousand acres of which
the waters formerly spread. Pursuant to a law, the enactment of which
was procured, the channel of the creek through that section was opened
and improved, and nearly 3,000 acres of valuable land were reclaimed.
The cost of this improvement was about $6,000, for which the bene
fited lands were taxed. Pleasant Lake, a beautiful sheet of water, a
mile long, is in the western part. It has no visible inlet and is not af
fected by freshets, and the water is clear, pure and cold. Hickory Lake
is situated near the eastern bounds of the town and is the source of
Fish Creek. There are valuable minerals in the town, such as galena,
mica, copper, pyrites, etc., and considerable effort has been expended
in the past in mining operations, as explained further on.
87

690 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The first settlements in what is now the town of Macomb were not
made as early as in many other sections of St. Lawrence county, and
the fact that the town had no civil existence until 1841, makes its his
tory brief, while the names of many of the pioneers of the present town
have found mention in the histories of Gouverneur and Morristown.
There was not much settlement in what is now Macomb before 18 10.
The first settlement was made in the town by Samuel Bristol, who was
one of the earliest settlers in Depeyster and removed to Macomb. Capt.
Rufus Washburn, originally from Connecticut and later from Otsego
county, was one of the first settlers, and located where William Beard
slee now lives. He was drowned in the Oswegatchie April 28, 18 17,
while returning from town meeting in Gouverneur. It was his son who
killed the panther in his den, noted in the history of Depeyster. Samuel
Wilson, E. Wilson and Samuel Peck were early settlers. For many
years the settlements were limited to small neighborhoods on the State
road ; and no schools were opened until 1818.
Timothy Pope moved into the town from Oswegatchie in 18 18, and
built mills at the point which became and still is called Pope's Mills.
He was originally from Otsego county and settled in Oswegatchie in
1804. He was an enterprising citizen and with others of his family
accomplished much for the good of the community. He built a dam
across the creek, forming a large pond, and mills have continued in
operation there to the present time. The present saw mill is on the
original site of the first one and is operated by L. E. Pope, a grandson
of Timothy. In 1828 Timothy Pope built a distillery, which was oper
ated for a time, and changed to a tannery and finally abandoned. Mr.
Pope was killed, November 7, 1835, with Solomon Shaw, by the burst
ing of a defective mill stone. A steamboat was built in 1837 at Pope's
Mills, by Henry Hooker and Erastus W. White, and was in use for five
years in carrying pig iron and lead from the furnace in Rossie to the
Narrows and at the foot of the lake, from where it was carted to the
St. Lawrence to be shipped to the market at Oswego. The post-office
was opened in 1859 with Russell Covel as postmaster.
The dam at this point (Pope's Mills) was carried away in 1862, since
which time a large part of the tract formerly overflowed was sold to
farmers and has produced valuable hay crops. The water power, by

THE TOWN OF MACOMB. 691
reason of doing away with this large pond, is limited to a portion of
the year.
There has for many years been a small mercantile business carried
on at Pope's Mills by various persons. At the present time gen
eral stores are kept by Woodworth Bros. (V. E. Woodworth being
postmaster) and Frank Hastings. Hotels are kept by E. H. Perry (the
Fish Creek House), and Frank Hastings (the Hastings House). The old
school house at this place was removed and used as a blacksmith shop,
and on the site was built the one now in use. There are now sixteen
school districts in the town and the education of the young receives
that liberal support that is given it in all progressive communities. In
1889 a fire visited Pope's Mills and burned the store and dwelling of F.
S. Coats and the dwelling of Timothy Pope. Pope's Mills is now the
site for the transaction of the town's public business.
Macomb Post-office is a small hamlet on the State road in the eastern
part of the town. A small store is now kept here by Fred. Sterling,
who is also postmaster. A steam saw mill with a capacity of 5,000 feet
per day was operated here a number of years. It was burned in 1889.
Brasie Corners is a hamlet and post office in the western part of the
town, which takes its name from the Brasie family, who settled there.
The present postmaster is N. H. Parker, and stores are kept by Brasie
Brothers and Jacob Thomas. John Charter is proprietor of a public
house. A post-office was opened in this town in 1888, and was named
" Hickory," Vilas Ingraham is postmaster and keeps a store.
As before stated, considerable effort and large sums of money have
been expended in Macomb in attempts to develop a successful mining
industry. About the year 1836, a vein of lead, zinc, blende and cal
careous spar was discovered near the shore of Black Lake, at a place
since named Mineral Point, and somewhat extensive mining operations
were commenced.
The " Mineral Point Lead Manufacturing Company " was organized
February 25, 1839, with a capital of $96,000, in 384 shares, of $250
each. The affairs of the company were to be managed by five trustees.
The first trustees elected were Silvester Gilbert, James Averill, David
C. Judson, Lewis Moss and John W. Grant. The business of the com
pany was to be carried on in Morristown and Brownville.

692 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
A company styled the " Morris Mining Company " was incorporated
May I, 1839, with James Averill, David C. Judson, Silvester Gilbert,
John W. Grant, Lewis Moss, Thomas L. Knapp and Edwin Dodge,
trustees, for the purpose of mining in Morristown and Oswegatchie, to
continue twenty-five years; capital, $50,000. 500 shares of $100 each,
and to be managed by seven directors.
About the year 1836 a vein containing galena was discovered on the
land of Robert Wilson, near the old State road ; a company was formed
and a shaft was sunk to the depth of about sixty feet. A few years
after lead ore was discovered on the same range, near the road leading
from Washburn Settlement to Gouverneur; and in 1850 small mining
operations had been commenced. In 185 1 aright was purchased by
parties in New York, and a company formed, styled the " St. Lawrence
Mining Company," which became incorporated under the general min
ing law of February 17, 1848. The articles of association were filed
September 16, 185 1, in the clerk's office, and Thomas Addis Ement,
Stephen Crocker and John L. Gratacal were elected trustees ; capital
$72,000, in shares of $200 each ; duration limited to fifty years. At a
meeting of the stockholders in New York, May 17, 1852, the capital of
the company was increased to $360,000.
In 1852 a vein of lead ore was discovered between the Clute and the
Macomb mines, which was opened and worked quite extensively by
private parties. John Canfield of Morristown, who was present at the
time of the discovery, removed with a pick nearly fourteen hundred
pounds of pure galena.
Shortly after this the mines were purchased by R. P. Remington, who
organized a company for the purpose of working them. Work was
carried on for about five years under the supervision of an experienced
miner. Nothing has been done at the mines since they were abandoned
by the Remington company. It may be safely stated that $100,000
has been expended for machinery and improvements at each of the mines
which have been worked in the town.
It has been the history of these mines that when first discovered upon
the surface they presented an inviting appearance, the veins being in
some instances several feet in width. Upon leaving the surface, how
ever, they were found to become narrower, until, at the depth of a few

THE TOWN OF MACOMB. 693
feet, they were nearly lost. A smelting furnace was built at an early
day, and considerable ore was smelted and the product marketed while
the mines were operated, but without remunerative profit.
Slight shocks of earthquake in this locality are of frequent occurrence.
One occurred in the fall of i860, more severe than usual. A well,
twenty feet deep, on Timothy Pope's farm at the mills, affording abun
dance of water was dry the next morning after the shock. He dug a
new well a short distance from the former one and obtained water only
after passing several feet below the bottom of the first well. A similar
incident occurred on the farm of Edwin Dodge about two miles and a
half north of Pope's Mills. Water from a flowing spring was carried
several rods in pump logs to the dwelling house and barns. On the
morning of the earthquake of November 4, 1887, the water- works
failed. On investigation it was found that the spring was dry and a
new one was flowing about one hundred feet from the original one.
Since the period of the civil war, during which the people of this
town showed a commendable patriotism in furnishing men and money
in support of the Union, the population of the community has increased,
and the prosperity of the people from an agricultural point of view has
improved. Dairying, and especially the manufacture of cheese, has
largely superseded grain raising, and there are now four factories in
operation in the town.
Following are names of supervisors of the town with years of service :
1841-2, David Day, 2d; 1843, John Parker ; 1844-6, Enoch Taylor; 1847-50, Will
ian Houghton ; 1851-3, David Day, 2d ; 1854, Timothy Pope; 1855, Joshua F. Hough
ton; 1856-7, John S. Snider; 1858, David Day, 2d'; 1859, John S. Snider; 1860-1,
John Whitney; 1862-4, David B. Woodworth; 1865-8, David Day, 2d; 1869-71,
Horace L. Woodworth; 1872-6, E. R. Turner; 1877-81, Harren Hastings ; 1882-5,
John H. Graves; 1886-88, Fred S. Coa's ; 1889-90, Elisha R. Turner; 1891, John W.
Manson ; 1892-4, John V. Clark. RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
For a number of years previous to the organization of the town,
meetings were held at- various places, both in school houses and dwell
ings, by Congregationalists, Lutherans, Universalists, Mormons and
Methodists. A Methodist Episcopal church was organized at Macomb
with five members, in 1841, by Rev. D. Ferguson, who was its first

694 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
pastor. The church, which is still in use, was built in 1 870, and has a
seating capacity of 300 and cost $3,000. Rev. C. A. Miller is ihe pres
ent pastor, and also serves a small church at Brasie Corners.
The First Wesleyan Methodist church of Macomb, located at Pope's
Mills, was organized with nine members June 9, 1857, by Rev. R. E.
Johnson, its first pastor, Previous to 1872 the meetings were held in
the school house; but in that year a neat church, costing $1,200, was
built, having a seating capacity of 300. It was extensively repaired
and improved in 1891, at an expense of $600. The present pastor is
Rev. C. E. Hill.

CHAPTER XLVII.
THE TOWN OF COLTON— ORGANIZED IN 1843.
THIS was the twenty- seventh town erected by an act of the Legis
lature passed April 12, 1843, formerly under the jurisdiction of
Parishville, and embraces Matildaville, Granshue, Harewood and Sher
wood townships, the territory extending from the southern line of the
county with unvarying width to the Parishville line. In November,
185 1, that part of Parishville known as Mile Squares 1, 6, and 12, was
taken from that town and annexed to Colton ; and in February, 1876,
townships of Hollywood, Jamestown and Oakham were taken from the
town of Hopkinton and annexed to Colton, making it the largest town
in the county and embracing 220,084 acres. The first town meeting
was directed to be held at the tavern nearest the post-office in Matilda-
vill, which act was to take effect February 1, 1844, and Paine Converse
was appointed to preside at the said meeting where the following officers
were elected : Supervisor, Paine Converse ; town clerk, James H-
Bridge ; justices, Zina Hepburn, Silas Hawley, Hiram Pierce ; inspec
tors of election, S. Hawley, J. C. Higley; assessors, J. C. Higley, J. S.
Ellis, C. D. Norris ; superintendent of schools, J. C. Higley ; commis
sioners of highways, Israel C. Draper, Pliney Hepburn, H. Gibbins ;
overseers of poor, Zina Hepburn, Hiram Pierce ; constable and col
lector, Hiram Leonard ; sealer of weights and measures, Wait Perry.

THE TOWN OF COLTON. 695
In the southern part of the town lies Cranberry Lake, into and out
of which flows the Oswegatchie River. Around and near this body of
water considerable improvements have been made with a view of
rendering it a popular summer resort, as before explained. The Ra
quette River flows across the eastern part of the town. While the
northern part of the town is quite well adapted to grazing, by far the
largest portion is sandy, hilly and rocky, much of it covered with forest,
and very sparsely settled. Abel Brown and his son James were the
first settlers in the town, coming in from Parishville in March, 1824;
tliey located in the township of Matildaville about a mile above what is
now the village of Colton, on the west side of the Raquette River.
Asahel Lyman, from Vermont, came soon afterward and settled on the
east side of the river. A little later William Bullard came in from
Potsdam. Pliny Hepburn settled in the town in April, 1825, and his
brother, Zina, came about the same time and located near by. He was
the father of Hon. A. B. Hepburn and Hawley S. Hepburn, prominent
citizens of the town. Jesse Colton Higley was another pioneer of 1824
and another was Abial Smith. Hiram Pierce came in 1826 and became
prominent in the town. Paine Converse was another early settler who
was prominent. Silas Hawley settled here in 1832, as a blacksmith.
He was a magistrate for a number of years, supervisor and a charter
member of the lodge and was buried with Masonic honors when he died,
being in his ninetieth year. Ezekiel French was a pioneer at South
Colton, locating on Cold Brook in 1836, Silas Wait, R. C. Miles, Simon
D. Butler and Hiram Leonard were all comparatively early settlers and
leaders in the affairs of the town.
The principal industries of the town at the present time are lumber
ing and dairying. There is one cheese and one butter factory now in
operation. Other industries of the past are noticed further on.
Following is a list of the supervisors of the town from the first with
the years of their service :
Paine Converse, 1844;. James S. Ellis, 1845, '46, '47; James H. Bridge, 1848-49;
Silas Hawley, 1850-51; L. Chamberlain, 1852-53; H. Averell, 1854-55 ; M.F.Collins,
1856; J. F. Bugbee, 1857, '58, '59; E. H. Butler, 1860-0] ; George T. Stuart, 1862,
'63, '04, '65; William N. Jaquis, 1866-67; E. H. Butler, 1868, '69, '70; Silas Hawley,
1871-72; C.B.Fisher, 1873-76. 1877-82, Morell D. Beckwith ; 1883-84, Joseph A.
Ayres; 1885-86, James Spears ; 1887-88, Frank F. Flint ; 1889-93, Morris B. Hawley ;
1893-94, C. T. Ferris.

696 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Colton Village. — This thriving little place is situated on the Raquette
River ten miles south of Potsdam, in the northwest corner of the town,
in which vicinity many of the early settlers mentioned located. The
river has a fall of about sixty feet at this point in forty rods and is said
to have 200 feet within a mile, supplying excellent water power. James
Brown built the first frame house here at the west end of the bridge ;
Hiram Pierce built the second one on the opposite side of the river. In
1825 Horace Garfield, from Potsdam, purchased the land at the Falls
on the west side of the river, laid it out into lots and built a saw mill.
In 1828 Jonathan Culver erected the first grist mill, which long ago
disappeared. Samuel Partridge, also from Potsdam, built a forge at the
head of the falls in 1828, with two fires. Hiram Pierce purchased it in
1829, and it was operated until 1840, chiefly in the production of bar
iron from magnetic ore. In 1844 Mr. Pierce started the first potato
starch factory in the State, which he operated a few years, producing
about thirty tons annually. Another factory was started about 1875 by
non-residents. The business has been abandoned. With the opening
of the Northern Railroad active development of the lumber interest be
gan. In 1850 a gang mill with seventy saws was built on the east bank
of the river, and two years later a similar one was started on the west
side ; the latter was burned and the former long ago stopped. In 1852
a gang mill was built two miles above the village ; this is also
abandoned. The lumbering business finally decreased largely on ac
count of the long distance which the manufactured lumber had to be
hauled. A large tanning interest was established by Col.  Hall,
who built one of the largest tanneries then in the State, with a capacity
of 40,000 hides of sole leather per year. It was successfully carried on
for some years, but finally passed into the hands of a receiver for the
benefit of creditors. The second grist mill erected has been operated
by D. J. Richards, and burned in the winter of 1892-93. It is to be
rebuilt. A veneer mill has been in operation some ten years and is now
in the hands of Mrs. S,. D. Goodwin. In the spring of the present year
(1893) the Raquette River Pulp Company started a pulp mill with a
capacity of thirty tons daily, which promises to add materially to the
productions of the town. M. B. Hawley carries on the manufacture of
furniture, which he has done for the past thirty years. He was a super-

THE TOWN OF COLTON. 097
visor of the town and a son of one of the early settlers. George Bick
nell operates a saw mill on the west side of the river.
There has always been considerable mercantile business done at
Colton and many different persons have been engaged in the business.
At the present time E. H. Harvey, S. J. Hosley, Spears Bros., Freder
ick Wilson, L. S. Currier, Frank Potter, William Eacutt, Olmstead &
Co., and M. B. Hawley sell the various kinds of goods and provisions
needed. Pliny V. Hepburn is postmaster.
South Colton. — This is a hamlet situated about five miles above Col
ton village on the Raquette River. The village site was first purchased
by Christopher Ripley. In 1837 Edward Crary, from Pierrepont, built
the first saw mill. Nelson Gurley was the first school teacher about
1 841, and J. C. & J. Irish built and kept the first store, in which was
located the post-office, with Thomas Magary as postmaster. Scott S.
Irish is the present postmaster, and also keeps one of the stores. Other
stores are conducted by Henry Close, L. L. Robinson, W. J. Horton,
L. L. Mattie, and George Snell. There are now two saw mills at South
Colton, one on each side of the river, Irish Delosh operating the one on
the west side, and Lindsay & Young on the east side. Another mill
about three miles above is operated by J. W. Bruce.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The first religious meetings held in town is said to be by the " Chris
tian " sect at the house of Ashel Lyman. At an early day a Mormon
missionary held meetings in the town and baptized several converts.
The first church organized at Colton was a Universalist, in Decem
ber, 185 1, with Alonzo Squires, E. H. Butler, and J. S. Ellis, trustees.
In 1852 the society built a church, but its numbers decreased and ser
vices were discontinued and the building sold.
About the year 1852 a Methodist society was formed, and in that
year a house of worship was erected, costing about $2,000, in connec
tion with the Parishville circuit. In July, 1856, the two separated,
when the membership was about seventy. Rev. Alfred E. Page is the
present pastor. The membership is 1 16. A Methodist society was or
ganized some years ago at South Colton, and a building was erected as
a Union church. Services are now held there by Mr. Page.

698 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The Baptist church at Colton was organized in February, i860, with
J. H. Dorothy, Abel Turney, and J. Reynolds, jr., trustees, and fifteen
members. A church edifice was built in 1870 at a cost of $2,500. The
society is practically out of existence.
St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church was organized with 144 mem
bers in October, 1864. The society purchased the church of the Uni-
versalists, and since that time has grown in prosperity. The present
priest in charge is Father Plunkett.

CHAPTER XLVIII.
THE TOWN OF FINE— ORGANIZED IN 1849.
THIS was the twenty-eighth town erected by an Act of the Legis
lature passed March 27, 1849. This territory was formerly under
the jurisdiction of Russell and Pierrepont, and embraced No. 14, or
Bloomfield ; No. 12, or Scriba, ; and the south half of No. 9, or Sarahs-
burgh, in the former town; and No. 15, of Emilyville, of the latter.
The town was named in honor of John Fine, of Ogdensburg, who was
interested in an extensive tract in the town, and under whom the first
settlement was begun. The first town meeting held at school- house
No. 20 on June 18 of the same year, and the following officers elected:
Supervisor, Joseph A. I. Brown ; town clerk, J. M. Beckwith ; asses
sors, J. M. Beckwith, James Marsh, Elijah C. Hill ; collector, John K.
Ward ; commissioners of highways, John Marsh, George Young, and
William H. Perkins ; justices, A. I. Brown, J. M. Beckwith, and Elijah
C. Hill.
The first settlement was begun by Elias Teall, who made a contract
on the 24th of October, 1823, with the proprietors of the east half of
Scriba, and undertook to secure settlers on the tract. He built a mill
on a branch of the Oswegatchie and made some small improvements ;
but his undertaking failed. September 6, 1828, James C, Haile made
a contract with the proprietors, and built a saw mill and a small grist

THE TOWN OF FINE. 699
mill on the Oswegatchie; he induced other settlers to come in. In
May, 1833, he also left the town, his settlers having abandoned him.
In February, 1834, Amasa I. Brown contracted with the owners for the
Haile improvements and an additional tract of land, and in March of
that year moved his family in ; his nearest neighbors were ten miles
away. A few others soon joined him, and in 1843 there were forty-
three or forty- four voters. Among those who lived in the town in 1858,
chiefly along the Oswegatchie River, were the following: S. Maltby,
M. Rose, A. Guiles, R. Finley, E. Guiles, N. H. Jones, W. E. and E.
Jones. Farther eastward were : G. Titus, W. P. Smith, M. O. Carr, A.
Hazleton, W. F. Haskell, B. Marble, O. Hutchins, F. Austin, R. Scott,
C. Scott, W. Cochrane, H. B. Fairman, J. Fairman, W. Kerr, A. H.
Knapp, N. I. Morse, S. Stowe] 1, E. C. Hill, J. and C. Marsh, A. Cleve
land, C. A. Scott, J. I. Lansing, R. Durham, E. Churchman. Farther
south were : B. Brown, W. Miller, G. W. Evans, D. Briggs, E. Vilas,
D. Kilburn, B. Bebee. Others have come in later.
The little village of Fine is on the Oswegatchie River about five miles
southeasterly from South Edwards. It has been locally known as
"Smithville" from William P. Smith, who was an early resident there.
The first improvement here was the building of a saw mill by William
Horsford. In 1853 it was purchased by William P. Smith, who also
opened a store, and here the post-office was established in 1853, with
Mr. Smith as postmaster. The present postmaster is Charles Ayres.
Marcus O. Carr built the first dwelling in the village in 1855, who came
from Russell as agent for Spalding & Butterfield, proprietors of a large
tract of land in the town. A saw mill and oar factory was started in
1858 by Spencer, Anderson & Co., who built four dwellings in connec
tion. A gristmill was built about 1858 by Henry Rushton, which was
afterwards sold to Zacheus Ladd, and burned in 1875. In 1871 Rice,
Emery & Co., of Boston, purchased from Joseph Anderson twenty-six
acres of land in the eastern part of the village tract, with a saw mill,
butter tub and last factory. In 1872 they demolished all but the saw
mill and built an extensive tannery, where 50,000 sides of sole leather
were turned out annually. This tannery is still in operation. A pub
lic house was opened and kept by Charles Scott, and after him by
various others. George Hatch is the present landlord. A shingle mill

700 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
is operated by Joseph Anderson, and a saw and feed mill by George
Cardiff & Son. Dowling Brothers, Charles Ayres, T. F. Conboy, J.
N. McLeod, are merchants in Fine ; and Thomas Miller deals in furni
ture. A considerable village has sprung up since the opening of the Carthage
and Adirondack Railroad at its terminus, and is called Oswegatchie. A
post-office was established here and it has become important as a gate
way into the wilderness from that direction. G. H. Newcomb is post
master and has a store ; and Colton & Son, A. D. Fie, and A. L.
Greenfield are other merchants. Joseph Hulbert keeps a public house,
and at Starr Lake, a short distance beyond, Lyman & Foley keep a
summer hotel. A pulp mill was established by the Standard Pulp Com
pany in 1893 ; John Irving runs a saw mill ; W. S. Coffin & Son a saw
mill and tub factory, and the Northside Lumber Company has a steam
saw mill of large capacity.
The town has settled slowly, yet public improvements are being
made, and with the many good roads and the opening of the Carthage
and Adirondack Railroad through the town a good degree of prosperity
is enjoyed by the inhabitants.
Jayville is a hamlet and post-office on the railroad, a few miles west
of Oswegatchie, where there has been a large lumber business carried
on. Thomas Richardson is postmaster and has a store, and there are
now two saw mills in operation.
The supervisors of the town with the years of their service have been
as follows :
Amasa I. Brown, 1844-45; Daniel Truax, 1846-48; Arnasa I. Brown, 1849-50;
Daniel Truax, 1851-53 ; Michael Griffin, 1854; Wm. P. Smith, 1855-60; Joseph An
derson, 1861-67 ; H. E. Anderson, 1868-69 ; F. L. Whittier, 1870-72 ; Archibald Muir,
1872-77; Joseph Anderson, 1878-79; Archibald Muir, 1880-81 ; E. H. Dowling, 1882-
1893 ; George Hatch, 1894. RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
A Methodist class was organized at Fine about 1845, and for many
years services were held in school houses. A neat church was erected
a few years ago.
A Baptist society was organized at Fine in October, 1874, under
Rev. C. H. Dike. Services are now held by Rev. Clemmons Shaw,

THE TOWN OF WADDINGTON. 701
who also preaches to the Union organization in Oswegatchie, which
built a church three years ago costing about $2,000.
The Catholics have a church also at Fine.

CHAPTER XLIX,
THE TOWN OF WADDINGTON— ORGANIZED IN 1859.
THIS town was taken from Madrid by consent of the people (see
page 398, Madrid), and authorized by an act of the Board of
Supervisors of the county, November 22, 1859, being the twenty- ninth
town erected. This new town embraces about half of the territory of
the northwestern portion of the original township No. 4, Madrid, lying
on the St. Lawrence, and includes Ogden's Island. There are many
things, such as soil, timber, etc., of the early history of Madrid (see
Chapter XXIII), which will apply to this part of the territory, and
which is unnecesary to repeat, only so far as certain incidents call for.
The new town was fully organized in March, i860, and the following
officers elected : Supervisor, Walter Wilson ; town clerk, Thomas Pea
cock, jr. ; assessors Charles D. Bartholomew and Joseph Dalzell ; jus
tices, Robert Martin, C. C. Montgomery, and Isaac Bartholomew ; over
seer of the poor, Robert Dezell ; collector, Charles McRostie ; con
stables, Gideon Rutherford, Charles McRostie, Richard Dalton, and
Wm. H. N. Lewis ; inspectors of election, George Oliver, Andrew Dal
zell, and Henry W. Pratt.
The first permanent settlement in the territory of this part of the
town was made by Samuel Allen in March, 1797, (see page 392), though
he is said to have found a Dutch family occupying a hut on the site of
the village, all dressed in skins. On the 14th of November of that year a
son was born to Mr. Allen and named William L. Allen, who was the
first white child born in that section. While it is probable a few
others came into the town in 1797, no lands were sold until the next
year.

702 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The title of Waddington, excepting the islands (which were purchased
by D. A. and G. Ogden in 1823), with the remainder of the survey
township of Madrid (see land titles in an early chapter), became vested
about 1798 in David A. and Thomas S. Ogden, of New York city. The
principal island, " Isle au rapide plat " (now Ogden's Island), lying for
three miles along the river, was fronting Waddington. The narrow part
of the river flowing between Ogden's Island and the southern shore, op
posite Waddington village, drops some eight feet in a distance of about
fifty rods, which was called by the French " Le petit saut," meaning the
little jump.
This point where the village of Waddington, formerly called " Hamil
ton," now stands was early an attractive one to settlers, chiefly perhaps
on account of its water power, that was expected to be utilized, is evi
denced by the fact that about a dozen families had settled here in 1798,
as shown by records of a celebration of the Fourth of July in that year,
held at the extreme end of Point Iroquois. Jacob Redington read the
Declaration of Independence, made an address, and the day was made
jubilant by the firing of muskets and closing with a ball.
Joseph Edsall was given the agency of the survey- township of Madrid
in 1798, and the only persons taking land contracts that year were
Barton Edsall and John Sharp; there were, however, other residents
as has been shown. Sharp lived on the river above the village site.
The lands were surveyed by Benjamin Wright and in the following year
were opened for sale. Lots were laid out along the river one sixth of
a mile wide and running back from a mile to a mile and three-quarters;
the first price of these was $2.50 per acre. The lots back of these were
surveyed a mile square each and sold at $2 per acre. In June, 1800,
the following persons contracted for land: John Tuttle, Benjamin Bart
lett, Godfrey Myers, Benjamin Campbell, Elias Dimick, Reuben Fields,
Asa Freeman, Samuel Allen, Edward Lawrence, Asa and Jason Fen
ton, Alexander Brush, James Kilborn, Jacob Carnes, Allen Patterson,
Jacob Redington, Robert Sample, Caleb and Cornelius Peck, Henry
Allen, William Osburne, Ira Paine, Oliver Lindsley, Joseph Orcutt,
Henry and Joseph Irwin, John Montgomery. Of these five or six
located south of the present town of Waddington in Madrid. In the
next year the only recorded purchases were those of Isaac Bartholomew

THE TOWN OF WADDINGTON. 703
and Simon Lindsley. Among other settlers of that year, whose pur
chases were doubtless riot made till later, were four brothers from Scot
land, Andrew, Walter, Thomas, and Richard Rutherford, who settled a
little to the southwest of the village, a locality that has ever since borne
the name of " Scotch Settlement." These men and some of the others
mentioned became influential citizens of the town, as will be seen, and
descendants of many of them are now resident in this and adjoining
towns. As the settlers began clearing their farms and making improvements
at the village site, the necessity of roads became paramount, and during
1802 the commissioners laid out what they called the " Great Road,"
running across the town in a northeasterly direction ; and the " upper
and lower perpendicular roads " running at right angles to the former.
In this year also came in a number of settlers from Vermont and other
New England States From year to year immigration steadily in
creased, the larger number coming from Vermont and from Scotland.
Numerous friends of the Rutherfords came from their former home and
added to the population and prosperity of the Scotch settlement.
In 1803 the Ogdens, David A. and Thomas L., conveyed to Joshua
Waddington an undivided one-third of their lands here, and for a num
ber of years these three men were owners of the territory of Wadding
ton. In the early part of this year a difficulty arose with the St. Regis
Indians, who claimed what is now Ogden's island and had cut many
valuable pines which abounded on the island. These Mr. Edsall for
bade them from removing The Indians were angry and made ominous
threats, but Nathan Ford, that energetic and diplomatic pioneer, whose
operations in the northern part of the county have been traced in an
early chapter, called the Indians to account and ended the difficulty.
An amicable arrangement was made by which the Indians relinquished
claim to the land and standing timber, while Edsall agreed to pay sixty
cents for each tree that had been cut down, if it should ultimately be
decided that the island belonged to the Madrid proprietors. In the
latter part of 1803 Alexander Richards became agent for the proprie
tors in place of Judge Edsall, and in 1803-4 a small grist mill and saw
mill were built on the village site, the water being turned into a race by
a wing dam.

704 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The first physician in Waddington was Dr. Allen Barber, who came
in 1802, and was drowned on the 6th of January, 1806, while crossing
the St. Lawrence. He was succeeded in 1812, by Dr. James A. Mott,
who passed his long life here in active practice. The first attorney in
the town was Gouverneur Ogden, if we except Col. Mathew Myers, who
was admitted in 1 809, one year before Mr. Ogden. It was in Mr.
Ogden's office that William Henry Vining studied and was admitted in
1820; he began practice in Waddington and his eloquence and schol
arly attainments made him at once conspicuous. Elected to the As
sembly the next year, his failing health prevented him from taking his
seat and he died in 1822. It was in Mr. Ogden's office, also, that
George Redington studied during the period of Mr. Vining's studies,
the two becoming intimate friends. Mr. Redington practiced in con
nection with his other extensive business interests, until about 1832,
then he gave his attention more to real estate operations, the building
of mills, etc. He was in every sense a leading citizen, and became
prominent in politics and public office. He died March 14, 1849.
In the early years of the town' of Madrid, the business of the northern
part centered at' the site of Waddington village, where the excellent
water power was made tise of in various industries, as related a little
further on. The place was named " Hamilton." in honor of Alexander
Hamilton, the famous statesman. The fact, however, of there being
one post-office of that name in the State already, the name was changed
in December, 1807, to "Madrid" with Alexander Richards as post
master. Mr. Richards was appointed in the following year an associate
judge of the Common Pleas, and was otherwise a prominent citizen.
Settlement of the old town of Madrid progressed so rapidly that in
1810 there was 1,420 inhabitants, two-thirds of whom probably lived in
what is now Waddington. Among the latter maybe mentioned besides
those already given, George Rutherford, Benjamin Raymond, Christian
Carnes, Jonathan Carter, Nicholas C. Raymond, Amos Wells, Andrew
Benton, Joel Woodworth. Joseph Woodworth, Josiah Wright, Amasa
Pratt, Ebenezer Lyman, Philo J. Tuttle, Moses McConnel, John Selbs,
Samuel Browning, James Martindale, Clement Tuttle, Luman Barthol
omew, John Moffett, Charles Richards, John Baird, Abiram Hulbert.
These men and their descendants have been prominent in promoting

THE TOWN OF WADDINGTON. 705
the settlement and growth of the town, and conspicuous in the officia
and industrial life of the community.
In 1808 a law was passed authorizing the proprietors to build a dam
across the St. Lawrence here, with a lock in it of fifty by ten feet dimen
sions which would permit passage of vessels with two feet draft. The
builders were authorized to collect toll of fifty cents a ton for small
boats and twenty-five cents on vessels of over two tons. Three years
were given for the completion of the work. A stone dam with a wood
lock was started, but the undermining of the lock before it was finished
caused the work to be abandoned. In 1811 the time for construction
was extended, but the war of 18 12 caused a further postponement of
the project. " Hamilton " was made a port of entry in 18 10, with Col.
Mathew Myers as deputy collector.
In 181 1 a partial division of Madrid was made among the three pro
prietors (the two Ogdens and Mr. Waddington), David A. Ogden re
ceiving, with other lands, a tract of 1,130 acres embracing the site of
Waddington village and including the mills, dam, water privilege and
the large island now bearing his name. The title to the latter, however,
was not then fully settled between the United States and Canada. It
was about the year last named that Mr. Ogden gave up his law practice
in New York, with a view of coming to Waddington to live ; but the
opening of the war postponed his plan. He was appointed associate
judge of the Common Pleas in 181 1 and held the office four years.
According to Spafford's Gazetteer, in 18 12 there were at the village
135 houses, two saw mills, a grist mill, a fulling mill, a trip hammer
and several shops. The history of the war of that period is given in
Chapter XI. As far as it relates to this immediate locality, it may be
said that while the excitement was naturally intense, the residents of
Wadddington and Madrid suffered little from it Settlement ceased for
a time and a number of families left the town, some of whom did not
return. A company of militia was stationed at the village several
months, and at one time a skirmish took place on the island. It was in
one of the raids made in this vicinity that Jacob Redington (father of
Geotge and James), who had fought in the Revolution, was wounded.
With the close of the war in 1815, prosperity again reigned, as further
detailed in the account of the village industries. The treaty of peace
89

706 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
established the Canadian boundary line on the northwest side of Og
den's Island, and Mr. Ogden thereupon began the improvement of that
beautiful tract. After making considerable clearing he erected the large
stone dwelling, with its three -foot walls, which still stands, though
much improved, and now occupied by Ebenezer S. Crapser. The lat
ter purchased the island, less 160 acres at the foot, of the estate of Isaac
Ogden. The island contains 750 acres. When the boundary between
Canada and the States was established by a commission in 18 19, this
island and several smaller ones in this vicinity were formally assigned
to the United States. Mr. Ogden represented his district in Congress
in 1817-21.
In 1 8 16 in order to secure better means of communication with sur
rounding localities, commissioners were appointed to lay out a road
from Ogdensburg through " Hamilton " to Massena, and another from
" Hamilton " through Columbia Village to Russell. The name " Ham
ilton " being the same as that of a village in Madison county, caused
much confusion, and in a town meeting held in March, 1818, it was
voted to change it to Waddington ; and a few years later the name of
the post-office here was changed to Waddington in honor of one of the
land proprietors. The name of Madrid was given to what had been
called " Columbia Village."
A number of Irish settlers came in and settled about this time in the
eastern part of the town, where the descendants of many still live.
Churches had been organized, the first one being St. Paul's, in 18 18 ;
schools were established and the extensive manufacturing operations in
augurated at the village gave the town an era of prosperity not enjoyed
by many localities in the county.
The next event of importance in which the whole town was inter
ested was the erection of the separate town of Waddington. The in
habitants of the northern part of the old town finally became weary of
traveling to " Columbia Village," a distance of nine miles, to attend
town meetings and elections every alternate year, and the town was
erected as stated in the commencement of its history.
Waddington Village. — We left our account of the little hamlet called
" Hamilton " in 18 1 2-1 5, with its two saw mills, grist mill, trip hammer
and fulling mill, with the several small shops found in such settlements.

THE TOWN OF WADDINGTON. 707
The various industries established in the succeeding years, and which
could be successfully maintained as long as they were not forced to
compete with those of localities favored with railroad connections, will
show the early importance of the water power and the causes for a
hopeful future for the town.
In early years Sylvanus Pratt, son of Amasa Pratt, established a shop
with a trip hammer and other necessary machinery, and there made
the first scythe and axe made in the country by machinery. The works
were burned.
The saw mills and grist mills built in the early years continued in
operation with some changes until the village entered upon its period of
greatest activity, when they were superseded by larger establishments.
In 1832 the lock in the dam and a portion of the dam itself were de
stroyed ; but they were promptly repaired, and soon afterward Isaac
Ogden, who had come into possession of the island, built a new bridge
on stone piers, with openings for the passage of boats, the other spaces
being filled in with stone. It is upon this same foundation that the
present structure stands. In 1832, also, was erected a stone flouring
mill which was operated as such until about 1840. Some years later
H. R. James came here and purchased the property, made a large ad
dition to the building and fitted it up with improved machinery for the
manufacture of paper. He also carried on a flax mill from the time of
his arrival until 1876, when the building was devoted to the paper in
dustry. He carried on the business until his death, when the property
passed to D. S. Lyndes of Canton. The mills were subsequently
burned. A paper mill had been in existence previous to this one, and
just before 1830, which was started by a firm from Vermont, Messrs.
Whitcomb, Thayer & Wales. It was in operation about twenty years
and produced wrapping and writing paper. It long since went to
decay. Judge Jason Fenton erected a stone tannery in 1827, which was oper
ated by him and his heirs for nearly thirty years. It was purchased in
1855 by Peter Dalton, who made additions to it and operated it more
than twenty years, when it was burned.
Samuel Doran, father of Edward, had a carding mill, built about 1827.
It was demolished and just after the war Edward Doran established an
other, which he carried on a number of years and it burned.

708 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
In 1834 the Ogdens established a furnace, as noted in Madrid his
tory, in which bog ore from near the Grass River was smelted, and pig
iron and castings made. The hard times of 1837-8 rendered it unprof
itable, and in 1840 it was closed out.
A. T. Montgomery established an oat meal mill here in 1838, which
he operated nine years, when it was burned. Benjamin Bentley was in
charge of a small foundry after about 1840, which was burned in 1874.
It was rebuilt and operated by different persons since, turning out
plows, stoves, etc.
In 1850 Capt. Nathaniel Taggert built for Howland & Aspinwall of
New York, the large stone grist mill now occupied by L. J. Proctor.
They leased it to J. V C. & H. S. Northrop of Waddington. Mr. Proc
tor purchased the mill in 1866 and has greatly improved it by putting
in roller machinery. In i860 Horace Montgomery built a saw mill of
large capacity. It is now idle. About 1863-4 Richard Harrison built
a saw mill which passed to the possession of J. T. Rutherford, who, in
1873, built a flouring mill. These were on the island side and were
sold to Richard Harrison, and are now owned by E. S. Crapser
Dalzell & Hill carried on the manufacture of sash, doors, etc., and
and a planing mill, in a mill built by them between 1840 and 1850,
which was afterward operated by Joseph McDowell. It is now carried
on by Amos Price. Stephen Burdick carried on the manufacture of
butter tubs for some years, and is now engaged in shingle sawing in
the same place. Alexander J. Lord of Ogdensburg carried on a cabi
net shop a few years, but for the past five years it has been closed.
It will be seen from the foregoing that the extensive manufacturing
operations of the place have been diminished by fire and the business
conditions are a fraction of what they once were, leaving the spectacle
of a safe and costly dam, with water power second to none and suffi
cient to carry a hundred wheels, comparatively idle. An effort is now
being made to create a boom in Waddington. The scheme is to form
a stock company with a large capital, secure lands on which to build a
city, improve the water power, erect factories and generate electricity
to be used throughout the country. How far this scheme will be carried
remains to be seen.

THE TOWN OF WADDINGTON. 709
Among the merchants of early times were Deacon Thomas Ruther
ford, S. J. Dewey, Henry Church, Silver & Gilbert and William Light-
erness. There are now in the place three general stores, two drug
stores, two groceries and flour and feed stores, one hardware store, one
boot and shoe store, one millinery store and various shops.
One of the early hotels was kept by Martin Brydges. The first pub
lic house on the site of the present Clark House was built by William
Clark in 1835. It was a wooden building and was destroyed by fire,
to be succeeded by the present building of brick. The Clark House is
now (1893) kept by Robert Thompson, and owned by Dr. S. J. Bower.
The other hotel of the village was built by Ira G. Taylor and is still
conducted by him.
The incorporation of the village was effected in 1839, with the follow
ing officers :
Trustees, Walter Wilson (president), A. T. Montgomery, Lewis Stowers, Seth J. Dew
ey, Thomas Rutherford, jr.; assessors, Robert Tate, Nathaniel Taggert, Samuel H.
Dearborn ; clerk, Stillman Foote ; treasurer, John S. Chipman ; constable and collector,
Robert Hatch.
The succession of presidents of the village have been as follows ;
Walter Wilson, 1839 ; Nathaniel Taggert, 1840 ; Richard Edsall, 1841 ; Alexander
Mills, 1842; Norman Sturtevant 1843; Horace Montgomery, 1844; Seth J.Dewey,
1845; Albert Tyler, 1846; Lewis Stowers, 1847 ; James Redington, 1848 ; Walter Wil
son, 1849; Francis Fenton, 1850-51 ; John Peacock, 1852; Francis Fenton, 1853 ; Lew
is Stowers, 1854; John Peacock, 1855; John V. C. Northrup, 1856-8; John Peacock,
1859; James Redington, 1860 ; J. V. C. Northrup, 1861-2; Henry W. Pratt, 1863-5;
Richard Harrison, 1866; Walter Wilson, 1867 ; John T. Rutherford, 1868; William Jar-
din, 1869 ; James Graham, 1870 ; Loomis S. Wright, 1871 ; Samuel Clark, 1872-3 ; Rob
ert Dalzell, 1874; James Graham, 1875-6; Robert Thompson, 1877; Samuel Clark,
1878 ; P. S. Wilson, 1879 ; William Jardin, 1880-1 ; Joseph McDowell, 2d, 1882 ; Charles
E. Clark, 1883; J. McDowell, 1884; A. L. Chamberlain, 1885-7; Duane Hooper, 1888;
Robert Thompson, 1889 ; Samuel B. Doran, 1890; Archibald Sampson, 1891; Henry
Martin, 1892.
The present (1893) officers are :
President, Robert Thompson ; clerk, F. A. Sweet ; trustees, William C. Jardin, Alex
ander McBrien, Walter Caruthers; assessors, Irwin Jardin, L. J. Proctor, G. 0. Wilson ;
collector, J. W. Robinson ; treasurer, L. J. Proctor.
Wallace W. Harper is postmaster in Waddington (1893). About a
year previous to this date a second post-office called Sucker Brook was
established,

710 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The collectors of the port here have been as follows : Mathew My
ers, Harvey Lyon, Ira Collin?, Richard Edsall, Thomas Short, Lewis
Stowers, Alexander Mills, William C. Pierce, Samuel Doran, J. T.
Rutherford, C. C. Montgomery, Henry W. Pratt, Robert Martin, Sam
uel B. Doran.
The village long felt the need of a town hall, and finally in 1884 the
present handsome aand commodious stone structure was erected at a
cost of nearly $15,500.
In the fall of 1883 a stone arch bridge was built by the two towns,
Waddington and Madrid, across Grass River, known as the Chamberlin
crossing, on the site of the old bridge. It is similar in its construction
as the Madrid stone bridge and cost about the same, to which the rea
der is referred on page 399.
Agricultural Society, see page 216.
The common district schools of this town have been liberally sup
ported, and the number of districts is now 14. In the village a Union
Free school was organized in 1866, with a Board of Education consist
ing of three members. A school graded in four departments was be
gun, and has since been efficiently conducted.
Following is a list of supervisors of the town from the time of its or
ganization :
Walter Wilson, 1860-64, inclusive; Charles C. Montgomery, 1865-74, inclusive;
Robert Dalzell, 1875-6; John T. Rutherford, 1877 ; Robert Dalzell, 1878-9 ; Luther B.
Wetherbee, 1880-81 ; John Morrison, 1882-84; George R. Wright, 1885-6 ; John A.
Dalzell, 1887-89 ; Ebenezer S. Crapser, 1890-95.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
Religious services were held in Hamilton by the Congregational mis
sionaries as early as 1807, as also by several other denominations there
after. St. Paul's Episcopal society was organized in 1818. The church edi
fice, of stone, was begun in 18 16 and finished in 18 18, and was built at
the expense of the Trinity church of New York and of David A. Ogden.
Its walls are three feet thick, and the building stands to-day substan
tially as at first erected. It was consecrated by Bishop Hobart, August
22, 18 1 8, and was the first church dedicated in the county. The society

THE TOWN OF WADDINGTON. 711
was incorporated October 19, 18 18, with David A. Ogden and Gouver
neur Ogden as wardens ; and Jason Fenton, Robert McDowell, Thomas
Short, Thomas Archibald, John Dewey, John S. Chipman, Thomas
Rutherford, and Elisha Meigs as vestrymen. Hon. John Ogilvie, then
commissioner for Great Britain, in establishing the boundary between
that country and the United States, presented the new Waddington
church with a bell in June, 18 18. The most remarkable fact, perhaps,
in the history of this church is that it has withstood the ravages of time,
the promptings of pride and the natural desire for the new and the beau
tiful, and stands to-day as it did seventy-five years ago. The member
ship of the society is 120, and Rev. Angus C. McDonald is the rector
in 1893.
The society commonly known as the Scotch Presbyterian church was
organized in the interest of the large Scotch settlement in this town, as
the "First Associate Reformed Church of Madrid," on the 17th of Sep
tember, 1 8 19, with Richard Rutherford, Mark Douglas, John Moffat,
John Rutherford, and Robert Rider as trustees. In that year a frame
house of worship was erected two and a half miles southwest of Wad
dington village, with Rev. William Taylor as pastor ; he was succeeded
in three years by Rev. John Morrison, who remained with the church
nearly sixty years. The present pastor is Rev. James Robertson. In
1837 the society was changed from Associate Reformed to Presbyterian
and connected with the Presbytery of Canada. About 1847 a second
church was erected near the Madrid line, and Mr. Morrison officiated in
both. In 1864 a substantial brick church was built, which has recently
been demolished and rebuilt in wood in modern style. The society is
largely constituted of descendants of Scotch settlers.
The Congregational society has held services in school houses at Wad-
dtngton from the first settlement, but did not organize a church proper
until January 12, 1828, when with the assistance of Rev. Joseph Hul-
burt and twelve members the church was formed. In October, 1841,
Rev. L. A. Weeks held revival meetings there, and thirty-nine were
added to the church. A frame church was commenced in 1844, com
pleted and dedicated in 1849. In 1853, having employed a Presby
terian, Rev. J. N. Whitfield, they became spiritually weak, when they
were led to believe that a change in denomination would result in finan-

712 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
cial help, at least from that quarter, voted in 1858 to connect itself with
the Presbyterian body, which action was confirmed by an act of the
Legislature. The first Presbyterian church of Waddington was formed from a
change of the Congregational body in 1858. The church building was
remodeled in 1881, and burned July 20, 1887, and within the succeed
ing year the present beautiful stone edifice was erected, which has a
value of $25,000. The society is now (1893) under the pastorate of
Rev. Randall Pease, who came in April, 1879. The church is flourish
ing and has a membership of 250.
Methodist Episcopal Church — The first Methodist class organized at
Waddington was, about 1826, by Rev. Mr. Sawyer. His circuit ex
tended from Ogdensburg to Raquette River bridge In the early years
of the church in this section meetings were held at various points in
school houses and private dwellings. In 1849 a small brick church was
begun in Waddington, and finished and dedicated in 1854. Two years
later another class was formed and a small church erected in the west
ern part of the town near the Lisbon line, while another class met at
Chase's mills in Louisville, the three constituting the Waddington cir
cuit and being supplied by the same pastor. In 1892 the church in
Waddington was rebuilt, in brick, in modern style. Rev. F. L. Knapp
is the pastor in 1893.
St. Mary's Catholic Church. — As early as the year 1825 the Catho
lics built a church about four miles from Waddington on the Norfolk
road, where services were held by missionaries, and the faithful attended
from a wide area of country. During the twelve years previous to 1848
Father James Mackey was in charge of the church and greatly pro
moted its interests. During the latter part of his pastorate the stone
church was erected. The society also owns a pleasant brick parsonage.
Rev. Edward B. Murphy is the present priest. There are 130 families
in the church.

THE TOWN OF CLIFTON. • 713

CHAPTER L.
THE TOWN OF CLIFTON— ORGANIZED IN 1868.
THIS is the thirtieth town erected, which was authorized by an act
of the Board of Supervisors on April 21, 1868. It was taken from
the town of Pierrepont, and embraces the township of Clifton and Chau
mont, containing 61,930 acres. Its surface is largely forest covered,
and is a popular resort for the sportsman and health- seeker. It is
watered by the Oswegatchie and Grass Rivers, which with their tribu
taries, fed by numerous springs, are famed for trout, while Star Lake in
the western part has several hotels near its shores, which are filled with
guests in summer.
The first town meeting was held in a school house owned by the Clif
ton Iron Company, in accordance with the provision of the act, on the
first Tuesday in June, 1868, and the following officers elected : Justice,
Eneas Ingerson ; assessor and collector, John Negus ; constables, John
Baker and Alexander Ellwood ; poormaster, Wm. R. Bishop ; inspec
tors of election, Walter Robb, P. H. Kennedy, and Wm. R. Bishop.
On account of a tie vote a full board of officers was not elected, and
on June 30, 1868, a meeting was held for the appointment of the re
maining officers. The following justices were present at the meeting :
Benjamin Smith and Wm. E. Boyd, of Russell ; and Eneas Ingerson,
of Clifton. They appointed the following officers : Charles C. Snell,
supervisor ; Hugh M. Gordon, town clerk ; Charles C. Snell, Wm. D.
Murray, and Chas. R. Brundage, justices ; John Lalancett and Chas. R.
Brundage, commissioners of highways.
The first white settlers in the town were brought in by the Clifton
Iron Company in 1866, to work their iron mines The first to take up
farms were Joseph Carlyle and Charles Gotham in 1866, and the first
frame house was built in that year. The first saw mill was also built in
that year on Grass River near the furnace, having fifty feet head and
fall. The first iron furnace was built by the Clifton Iron Company in
90

714 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
1866, and was operated until 1870, when it was shut down on account
of business depression. The operations of the company were confined
largely to the production of iron from the ore which is found in large
quantities on or near the surface of the ground of the magnetic charac
ter. In the mean time a large quantity of iron was made. The company
built a wooden railroad from East De Kalb to their mines, which was
completed in 1865, but proved a failure. There is a small village at the
furnace called Clarksboro, from which the post-office is named. The
first stores were kept by H. M. Gordon, (who now keeps a hotel), Hub
bard & Snell, and Charles R. Thompson & Co. The first hotel was
kept by Guy Dunham. The first blacksmith shop was built by the
Myres Steel and Wire Company. The first physician was Dr. L. B.
Baker. There has always been a good school kept most of the years
since the district was organized.
The plant passed to the Clifton Mining Company, and within the past
five years extensive operations have gone forward for the production of
iron at what are known as Benson's mines, from the name of the
proprietors. The business has been carried on by the Magnetic Iron
Ore Company. Just at the present time operations here are suspended,
but it is believed they will be resumed. Around the mines a little ham
let has sprung up, which is situated on the line of the Carthage and
Adirondack Railroad; this road has in 1893 passed into control of the
New York Central. A post-office named "Benson's Mines" exists,
with H. E. Esler as postmaster. Charles Bellinger and the Iron Com
pany have stores here and a hotel is kept. There are also two saw
mills, operated by James Rhodes and William Humes. The only other
hamlet in the town is Clarksborough, which is a post-office. Alva Al
len is postmaster and a merchant, and Charles Burt conducts a hotel.
There is no organized church of any kind, but religious services are fre
quently held in the school house by the Methodists, and occasionally
by others.
The supervisors of the town from its organization to the present, with
years of service, are as follows :
Frank S. Bond, 1869; C. R. Thompson, 1870; James Sheridan, 1871-82; Charles R.
Brundage, 1883-86 ; James Sheridan, 1888-91 ; Charles R. Brundage, 1892-93 ; James
L. Humes, 1894.

THE TOWN OF CLARE. 715

CHAPTER LI.
THE TOWN OF CLARE— ORGANIZED IN 1880.
THIS was the thirty- first town erected, which was authorized by the
Board of Supervisors, December 2, 1880, pursuant to Chapter 194,
laws of 1849, an act amendatory thereto, section 1, All that part of
Pierrepont, in the county, known as the township of Clare, situated be
tween Pierrepont, Clifton, Russell and Colton, containing 30,295 acres.
The first town meeting was ordered to be held at the school house in
said territory, nearest the dwelling of George Billings, on the second
Thursday of February, 1881, and William Dean, James Colton, and
Franklin Gill were appointed to preside at the meeting, when a full set
of town officers were elected. The new town was to assume and pay a
proportionate share of the indebtedness then existing in the town of
Pierrepont, and all the funds of said town unappropriated at this date of
organization shall be proportionally divided.
Most of the history of Clare previous to the date of its erection is
comprised in the town from which it was taken. A large part of Clare
is still forest covered, and in the southeastern part it is hilly and moun
tainous. A road extends along the western part north and south, and
on this most of the earlier settlers lived. Two branches of the Grass
River flow across the town, and a tributary drains Horse Shoe Pond,
which is nearly in the center of the town. There is almost no business
of any kind carried on within the town limits, nor is there, so far as
known, a church organization. Among those who have lived in the
town are C. Fountain, J. Fountain, W. H. Brown, H. Gallinger, J. Er
win, J. Bartleman, E. Martin, C. Dewey, L. and C. Simmons, A. H.
Griswold, N. Isham, H. Sharpstine, G. Billings, H. Barber, and others
of later times. The only post office is Clare, where there is a little ham
let ; Mrs. H. C. Miles is postmistress and has a small mercantile busi
ness, as also has Matthew Bird. There are four school districts in the

716 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
town. There were but nineteen votes polled at the fall election of 1 88 1.
and in 1882 there were forty-five votes cast.
The supervisors of the town have been as follows :
1881-86, Franklin Gill; 1887-88, Charles H. Isham ; 1898-91, James Colton; 1892-
94, John Bird.
Following are the officers of the town for 1893 :
Supervisor, John Bird; clerk, Luther J. Adamson ; assessors, William Bird, Charles
Isham, and Mathew Farley ; justices, Munson VV. Russell, Alfred H. Dewey, William
M. Dean, and John Bird ; commissioner of highways, Charles Isham ; collector, Jere
miah Leyhan.

ADDENDA.

[Omitted from history of Lisbon.] — St. Philip and James Catholic
Church was erected of brick in the summer of 1874 at Lisbon Centre,
at a cost of $3,500. The first trustees were Bishop Wadhams, Rev.
James Mackey, V. G., and Rev. E. O. Hare (pastor) of Ogdensburg,
also John McCarrier and Owen Meehan, laymen of Lisbon.
The membership is about 200, who are supplied by Father Varrelly,
of Madrid, most of the time.

[Bench and Bar.J — J. M. Kellogg was born in Cortland county, N.
Y., August 28, 185 1. He was educated in the common schools in Cin-
cinnatus and at Cazenovia Seminary, then taking a course in Cornell
University and a law course in the Albany Law School, where he grad
uated LL.B. in 1873. In 1874 he began the practice of his profession
in Ogdensburg as partner with Stillman Foote, which partnership con
tinued until 1883, the date of Mr. Foote's death. In 1881 Mr. Kellogg
was elected city recorder, and was appointed county judge by Gover
nor Cornell in January, 1882. He still holds the office of county judge.
In 1875 Judge Kellogg married Henrietta Guest Matthews. They have
one son, Walter Guest Kellogg. Judge Kellogg is vice- president of the
Ogdensburg National Bank.
E. L. Strong was born in Detroit, Mich., December 17, 1859. He
was educated in Ogdensburg, and studied law here' in the office of A.

ADDENDA. 717
E. Smith. In 1882 he was admitted to the bar and has practiced in this
city since that time. He has been United States commissioner since
1885. Mr. Strong's mother was Elizabeth Fine, daughter of Judge
Fine. His father was Edward K. Strong.
Nathaniel Wells was born in Pierrepont, August 26, 1837, an^ was
educated in the Canton Academy- He studied law with W. H. Saw
yer, of Canton, and was admitted to the bar in 1859. In 1869 he came
to Ogdensburg and has conducted a law practice here since that time.
In 1862 he married Tirzah C. Flack. They have two sons: Leslie
Wells and J. F. Wells, the former an attorney and partner with his father
in the firm of Wells & Wells.
Frank L. Bell, born in Crown Point, Essex county, N. Y., October 8,
1867. Parents were Philo H. and Elizabeth (Bemis) Bell. Early edu
cation at Sherman Academy, Moriah, N. Y., afterwards Middlebury Col
lege, Vt. Read law with Waldo & McLaughlin, Port Henry, one year,
and in 1891 entered the office of Swift & Sanford, Potsdam. Admitted
to the bar in December, 1894, and at once entered into partnership with
Theodore H. Swift, which partnership still continues under the title of
Swift & Bell. Married, February 14, 1894.
William M. Hawkins, of Potsdam, born in Vienna, Oneida county,
July 8, 1852. Parents were Rev. William H. and Prudence (Miles)
Hawkins. Early education at Potsdam State Normal School and Michi
gan University at Ann Arbor. Graduated in 1875. Read law with
Hon. John A. Vance and Judge Henry L. Knowles, of Potsdam. Ad
mitted to the bar in 1879. Was in partnership with William H. Faulk
ner about one year, until Mr. Faulkner's death in 1881. Since then he
has practiced his profession alone. He has been justice of the peace of
the town of Potsdam two consecutive terms and declined a third nomi
nation. He served as one of the trustees of the village in 1881. Mr.
Hawkins has taken a prominent part in politics of the county, and is an
earnest and forcible speaker on the Republican side.
Edward A. Everett, was born in the town of Lawrence, September
18, i860, son of George and Mary (Abram) Everet He received his
education at Lawrenceville Academy, the State Normal School at Pots
dam, and pursued his legal studies at Albany Law School. He read

718 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
law in the office of Dart & Erwin, was admitted to the bar in 1889, an(^
formed a partnership with William A. Dart. Since the death of Mr.
Dart in 1890, Mr. Everett has continued the practice of law alone, al
though associated at times with Hon. George Z. Erwin. Mr. Everett
is a Republican in politics. He was married, December 28, 1890, to
Susan T. Weed, daughter of W. W. Weed of Potsdam, and they have
one child, a daughter.
A. Z. Squires, Canton, was born in Canton, May 17, 1847, and was
educated at St. Lawrence University. He was mathematical professor
in his alma mater for eight years. He studied law in the offices of Mr.
Sawyer and Judge Russell and was admitted to the bar in 1869. He
was special surrogate for ten years. In 1874 he married Emma M.
Moxley. They have one son, Robert Squires.
James F. Aiken was born in Ogdensburg, February 5, 1869, and was
educated in the schools of the city. He studied law with Mr. O'Brien
and L. Hasbrouck. In the spring of 1892 he entered the law school of
Albany, N. Y,, was admitted to the bar May 10, 1893, a"d graduated
on the 17th following, and has since followed his profession in Ogdens
burg. In the fall of 1893 he was nominated for district attorney by the
Democratic convention. He was five years in the 35th Separate Com
pany, and is now a member of the 40th, just organized.
James H. Martin was born in the town of Waddington, September
1 r, 1863. He attended the public schools and during vacations assisted
his father on the farm. He completed his education at the St. Law
rence University at Canton, and graduated in the class of 1890. He
studied law with C. A. Kellogg, was admitted to the bar in September,
1892, and commenced the practice of law in Ogdensburg. Mr. Martin
was a delegate to the Democratic State convention at Saratoga in 1891,
was elected city recorder for two years in May, 1893, and the following
fall he was the Democratic candidate for member of assembly. His
father, Patrick Martin, died about fourteen years ago, leaving him alone
to work his way up to his present position. His mother now resides
with him in Ogdensburg.
Charles G. Idler was born in Ogdensburg, February 3, 1850, and was
educated in the schools of the city. He studied law with Brown &

ADDENDA. 719
Hasbrouck, and was admitted to the bar in 1871. He opened an office
in Ogdensburg, where he has followed his profession most of the time
since. He has been a member of the board of education for the past
nine years, is now supervisor of the Second ward, an office which he
has filled for several terms, and was special deputy collector in the cus
tom house here for two years, under Cleveland's first term.
Martin O'Brien was born in Ogdensburg, December6, 1852, and was
educated in the public schools and the academy in this city. He studied
law in the office of Hon. D. Magone, and was admitted to the bar in
1879, and has since followed his profession in Ogdensburg. He has
been a member of the board of education for the past twelve years.
A. T, Johnson was born in Colchester, Vt., March 12, 1859. He
was educated in Gouverneur and studied law with Conger & Gleason.
He was admitted to the bar in 1886 and in the same year the law firm
of Gleason & Johnson was formed. In 1889 Mr. Johnson married Car
oline Gleason, daughter of G. M. Gleason.
H. G. Aldrich was born in Luzerne, Warren county, Ohio, December
3, i860. He was educated in Hamilton College and at the Harvard
Law School from which he graduated in 1888. He read law in Canton
and was admitted to the bar in 1889, since which time he has been
practicing his profession in Gouverneur. In 1890 he married Jennie A.
Louks of Lowville.
Vasco P. Abbott was born in Fowler, May 20, 1847. He was edu
cated in the Gouverneur Seminary, St. Lawrence University and the
Albany Law School, from which he graduated in 1868. He was ad
mitted to the bar in 1868 and has practiced continuously since. He
was elected special county judge in 1875, sitting on the bench five
years. In 1 880 he was made surrogate and served until 1893. Dec
ember 21, 1872, he married Anna E. Farmer. They have two sons and
one daughter.
C. Arthur Parker was born November 7, 185 1, and was educated in
the schools of Gouverneur, his native place. He studied law with his
father, Cornelius A. Parker, and was admitted to the bar in January,
1875. He is in partnership with his father in the law firm of Parker &
Parker.

720 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
P. R. McMonagle was born in New Brunswick, May IO, 1856, and
studied law in Ogdensburg and in Judge Russell's office. He was ad
mitted to the bar in 1881, since which date he has been official stenog
rapher of the St. Lawrence County Court. For the past two years he
has been official stenographer of the Supreme Court also. He was jus
tice of the peace for a time. He resides in Canton.
George H. Bowers is a native of Vermont and studied law with Led-
yard P. Hale in Canton. He was admitted to the bar in September,
1862, and on October 1 in that year the present partnership of Hale
& Bowers was formed.
A. W. Orvis was born in Jefferson county, February 18, 1859. He
was educated in the Watertown High School and the Albany Law
School, from which he graduated in 1886. He studied law with Judge
Conger and was admitted to the bar in May, 1886, the partnership of
Conger & Orvis being formed in June of that year. Mr. Orvis was
deputy county clerk from 1889 to 1892. In 1889 he married Hattie
Church. Cornelius A. Parker was born in Gouverneur, May 11, 1821, and was
educated in the seminary here. He studied law here and was admitted
to the bar in January, 1847, since which time he has been practicing his
profession in Gouverneur. They have two children, C. Arthur Parker
and Sarah Helen- Adams Parker.
G. M. Gleason was born in Pitcairn, September 16, 1829. He taught
school and worked at farming for some time, and in 1861 enlisted in
Company D, 60th N. Y. Vols., serving fifteen months. He returned to
farming and in 1865 was elected to the Legislature, serving six years.
In 1869 he came to Gouverneur. In 1875 he commenced the study of
law and was admitted to the bar in 1878. In 1881 he organized the
National Bank and has been its president ever since. He has been a
member of the board of supervisors seven times and a magistrate for
twelve years ; was delegate to the national convention that nominated
Harrison and was collector of the port of Oswegatchie from 1 890 to
1892. Few men in the county have been honored with public prefer
ment as much as Mr. Gleason.

PART II.

BIOGRAPHICAL

Biographical.

EDWIN A. MERRITT.
Edwin Atkins Merritt, the subject of this sketch, traces his ancestry back to
Henry Merritt, who was born in Kent county, England. Henry had a son John,
who was born in New England about the year 1635 and died in Scituate, Mass. , after
1679, succeeding to his father's estate. John had a son of the same name, who was
born in Scituate in 1669 and died there June 5, 1749, leaving a son Jonathan, born in
1702 and died at Hebron, Tolland county, Conn., October 27, 1758. Noah was son
of Jonathan, born at Scituate in 1739 and died March 24, 1814, at Templeton, Worces
ter county, Mass. He settled there as early as 1753. He left a son Noah, born in
October, 1758, at Templeton, who died August 21, 1843, at Sudbury, Rutland county,
Vt. He married Eunice Metcalf, removing to Brandon, Vt. , about 1785. He was
father of Noadiah, the father of General Edward Atkins Merritt. Noadiah was born
in Templeton, December 3, 1782, and died at Pierrepont, N. Y., January 1, 1854.
His wife, mother of the subject, was Relief Parker, daughter of Jeremiah and Relief
Parker, who came to Leicester from Roxbury, Mass. , before the Revolutionary war.
Noah Merritt, the great-grandfather, was one of the minute men who went to
Lexington at the first call of arms. On the morning of the 19th of April, 1775, Mr.
Merritt, according to tradition, was harrowing in the field, when the courier arrived
soon after noon, with the news of the incursion of the British troops, and before night
a company of thirty-seven men started for Cambridge. A tablet inscribed with the
names of this company has recently been presented to the town of Templeton, by
Hon. C. C. Merritt, of Springfield, Mass. His grandfather, Noah Merritt, jr. , served
as a soldier during the Revolutionary war, and participated in the battles of Bunker
Hill and Saratoga ; he was at one time an orderly for General Washington and was
present at the execution of Major Andre, the British spy.
Taking up the life record of Edwin Atkins Merritt, who was born in Sudbury, Vt. ,
February 26, 1828, we learn that he left Vermont when he was ten years of age and
went to live with a married sister who resided at Westport, Essex county, N. Y. In
1841, with his father's family, he emigrated to St. Lawrence County, where he has
since resided. He taught school several years, and having resolved to become a sur
veyor and civil engineer, he qualified himself for that business and pursued that
profession for several years, mainly in the Adirondack wilderness. He published
the first map to guide tourists to this great resort. He also as engineer had charge
A

2 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY
of the location and construction of the eastern portion of the Rome, Watertown and
Ogdensburg Railroad.
In 1858 he married Miss Eliza Rich, and by her had five children, all of whom died
young except Edwin A. Merritt, jr. , a graduate of Yale College of the class of 1884,
now of the firm of Merritt & Tappan Potsdam Sandstone Company. In 1854 General
Merritt was unanimously elected supervisor of the town of Pierrepont, and re-elected
the two following years. In 1857, '58, '59 and '60 he was clerk of the Board of Super
visors, and in 1859 was elected member of assembly from the Second District of this
county by 1,302 majority, and re-elected in 1860 by 2,259 majority.
In that body his directness and honesty of purpose, his sound judgment and prac
ticability gave him a commanding place and large influence. At the opening of the
war General Merritt became actively interested in raising troops and went to the field
as quartermaster of the 60th N. Y. Vols. He was for some time with the army of the
Potomac, and after the battle of Gettysburg went west and participated in the battles
about Chattanooga and in Sherman's ' ' march to the sea,'' as far as the Altoona moun
tain, near Marietta, Ga. While in the field at this point he received from President
Lincoln a commission as commissary of subsistence with rank of captain, and was order ¦
ed to Washington, D. C. , and stationed on the Potomac River, north of Washington, to
supply reinforcements proceeding to join Sheridan s army. At the close of the
campaign he was stationed at Annapolis, Md. , to pay commutation of rations to the
soldiers returning from rebel prisons. While on this service he was appointed
quartermaster-general on the staff of Governor Fenton, and entered upon the duties
of the office January 1, 1865, and held the position during the governor's two terms,
until January, 1869.
In 1867 he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention, in which body
he held the important position of chairman of the Committee on Organization of the
Legislature. He was also a leading member of the Republican State Committee, for
several years.
In March, 1869, he was appointed Naval officer of the port of New York, by Pres
ident Grant, and held that position sixteen months. He was removed to make room
for Moses H. Grinnell, who was previously a prominent merchant and was collector
at the time. In 1875 the Republican State Convention, without solicitation, nomi
nated him for state treasurer, with Frederick W. Seward for secretary of state, Gen
eral Spinner for comptroller, and Judge Danforth for attorney-general. Though
beaten at the election, it was indisputably one of the strongest tickets ever made in
the State
In 1877, there being a vacancy in the office of surveyor of the port of New York
through the expiration of General Sharp's term, General Merritt was nominated to
that office by President Hayes and unanimously confirmed by the Senate, Roscoe
Conkling reporting favorably on the nomination and voting for confirmation. At the
same time the nominations of Messrs. Roosevelt and Prince for collector and naval
officer, in place of Arthur and Cornell, were rejected, principally for the reason that
there was not a vacancy in those offices as there was in the surveyorship.
General Merritt's administration of the surveyor's office was so successful that the
president determined to promote him to the collectorship, which was done July 11,
1878, and he was confirmed by the Senate February 3, 1879. It may be noted that

-rK Cuj-np b

,,i S'^Y

BIOGRAPHICAL. 3
General Merritt is the only man who ever held the three offices of surveyor, naval
officer, and collector of the port of New York. Among the first nominations made
by President Garfield on assuming the duties of his office in 1881 was that of General
Merritt for consul-general at London. The nomination was unanimously confirmed
by the Senate, and the record made by him was the same there as it had been in all
the positions he had previously held. He was superseded after the election of Presi
dent Cleveland in 1885 by Thomas M. Waller, ex-governor of Connecticut.
By his untiring industry, accessibility, impartiality, sound sense and firmness of
character, he earned not only in many cases the gratitude of his countrymen visiting
the British metropolis, but also the approbation of the United States government.
General Merritt is a man of great ability and possesses alarge store of practical sense.
He rarely makes mistakes, as he does not assume a position until he thoroughly un
derstands it, when in his mind there is but one course to pursue, and that is to move
onward. General Merritt was for many years an intimate personal friend of Horace Greeley,
and earnestly supported his candidacy for the United States Senate in 1861, as well
as that for the presidency in 1872.
After his retirement from the Naval Office in 1871, he was offered the position of
United States Minister to Brazil ; this was done through Hon. William A. Wheeler,
then a member of Congress, and afterwards vice-president of the United States. The
position thus tendered he felt constrained to decline. His intimate association with
Hon. John Sherman, while the latter was secretary of the treasury, made him a warm
friend and supporter of that distinguished statesman.
General Merritt has always taken an active interest in the cause of education, and
especially was influential in the location and management of the State Normal and
Training School at Potsdam. He is at present (1894) president of the Local Board,
as well as president of the corporation of the St. Lawrence University, located at
Canton, N. Y.
Since his retirement from public life he has led a quiet one at Potsdam, and enjoys
the esteem of his fellowmen. His public career has been an exceptionally active one
and has no doubt been sharply antagonized by those who did not agree with him as
to men. and measures. It has not, however, interfered with friendly and personal
relations with those with whom he has become associated in the ordinary affairs of
life. His record is one of which he may be proud and his friends unqualifiedly
approve.

CARLTON E. SANFORD.
Carlton E. Sanford was born in Hopkinton, St. Lawrence county, December 31,
1847. He is a son of Hon. Jonah Sanford, who by his own energy, business sagacity,
and native ability became one of the prominent men of this county. He was hon
ored with various public offices; was supervisor of his town for many years, and
member of the Legislature in' 1874 and again in 1875.
His father, Col. Jonah Sanford (grandfather of Carlton E.) was one of the early set
tlers of the county, a man of fine presence, great native ability and indomitable will.

4 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Without schooling, by intense application and study, he became a law practitioner of
considerable note, member of the Legislature in 1829, member of the Twenty-first
Congress 1829-31, filling out the unexpired term of Silas Wright, brigadier-general
of the State militia, colonel of the 92d Regiment N. Y. State Volunteers, which he
raised and organized in 1861 and took to the seat of war on the James River.
The children of Jonah 2d were Carlton E., Silas H., now living on the homestead,
Herbert J., a resident of Parishville, and Alice C, who married L. C. Shepard.
Carlton E. remained on his father's farm until he was twenty-one, aside from
the time spent at school at Lawrenceville Academy and one term at St. Lawrence
Academy at Potsdam. In the fall of 1869 he entered Cornell University, class of '73.
He only completed his sophomore year, getting an honorable discharge. In August,
1871 , he entered the law office of Tappan & Erwin, at Potsdam, as a student, and
graduated from the Albany Law School in 1873. He again entered the office of Tap-
wan & Erwin where he remained as clerk till December, 1874, when the law firm of
Swift & Sanford was formed. In the summer of 1876 the firm by mutual consent was,
dissolved, and Mr. Sanford continued the practice of law alone at Potsdam till June,
1888, when the firm of Swift & Sanford was again formed. This firm continued till the
summer of 1892, when, owing to Mr. Sanford's outside business engagements, it was
amicably terminated. Since then his law practice is principally confined to that of
attorney for the business enterprises with which he is connected.
Mr. Sanford is a staunch Republican in politics, and has always taken an active
part in political matters. He has never been a candidate for, nor sought office.
However, in 1888, his Assembly District presented him as a delegate to the National
Republican Convention, but he was beaten in the Congressional Convention after a
two days' contest, getting the compliment of alternate delegate. In 1892 he was again
presented and this time elected delegate.
As a lawyer Mr. Sanford has the reputation of being careful and painstaking in his
work, conservative in counsel and diligent in his attention to his duties. His work
is principally as counsel and office work, not liking the trial of actions. In the case
of Riggs against Palmer, which he brought, the principle of law, that a beneficiary
under a will who takes the life of his benefactor for the purpose of coming into pos
session of the property, cannot take as devisee or as heir, was first brought out and
established in our jurisprudence. Judge Leslie W. Russell was counsel in the case
and argued it— Mr. Sanford only claiming credit for conceiving the principle and
bringing the action.
Interwoven with his practice of the law Mr. Sanford has written a good deal for
the local press on political, municipal and other matters. As a writer his style is easy
and clear.
He was treasurer of the Raquette Valley and St. Regis Valley Agricultural and Hor
ticultural Society for eight consecutive years, from 1881 to 1888. For the year 1889
he held the presidency of the society, and was re-elected, but declined the position.
He contributed by his Zealand energy much to the success which the society achieved
during those years.
Mr. Sanford takes great pride in his village and in all that tends to its development
and the prosperity of its people. In all public matters and movements he takes an
active part, and is in every sense a public spirited citizen. In the movement to put
in a system of public sewers and drains, which was done in 1886, he took an earnest

BIOGRAPHICAL. 5
interest and aided materially by voice and pen in its accomplishment. He never
ceased his efforts until it was an accomplished fact.
In 1889 he was the chief factor in the organization of the People's Bank, a very
successful and promising institution, an account of which is given herein. He be
came its president on its organization and still holds that position.
In 1890 he conducted the movement which resulted in the organization of the Pots
dam Savings, Loan and Building Association, and aided in its establishment. The
association has met with great success. Mr. Sanford has been its attorney from the
start. He also assisted in the organization of the Thatcher Manufacturing Company, be
ing one of its promoters and directors. He was one of the principals in the organi
zation of the Raquette River Paper Company, an enterprise of some magnitude, hav
ing a weekly pay-roll of over $700, and serves as its vice-president and attorney. He
was also secretary of the High Falls Sulphite Pulp and Mining Company, the works of
which are at High Falls in the town of Canton, from the organization of the company
in June, 1892, till January 1, 1894. He is a director in the Potsdam Milk-Sugar
Company, and acts as its attorney. In addition, he is sole executor of his father's
will and has had entire management of his estate.
In all of these various positions Mr. Sanford has displayed exceptional business ca
pacity, and won the confidence and respect of the community. He has ever shown
an active public spirit, and few men have contributed more for the advancement and
general prosperity of Potsdam.
Mr. Sanford married, December 21, 1893, Miss Frances G. Merritt, daughter of
George Merritt, of Auburn, N. Y.

GEORGE W. SISSON.
George Wing Sisson was born at Glens Fall, Warren county, N. Y., December 19,
1828, son of James Sisson, a merhant of Glens Falls, one of the earliest in mercantile
business in that town, and is of English descent. His ancestors on his father's side
settled on the Island of Nantucket and near New Bedford, Mass. , at an early date.
Upon his mother's side, whose name was Gulia Elma S. Wing, he is descended from
John Wing, who came to America in the ship William Francis, arriving at Boston,
June 5, 1632, and resided in Sandwich near Cape Cod, Mass.
George W. Sisson lived with his parents in Glens Falls until his nineteenth year,
receiving his education at the Glens Falls Academy, after which he lived with a lead
ing merchant of Schenectady, N. Y., in the capacity of clerk. In the spring of 1849
he started in the general drug business at Coxsackie, N. Y. , an active town on the
Hudson River, remaining there eleven years and building up a lucrative business.
In 1860 he removed to Glens Falls, N. Y., and there established a large and success
ful drug and mercantile business, which he sold January 1, 1867, for the purpose of
locating at Potsdam, N. Y., in the manufacture of lumber, having purchased a half
interest in the saw mill property known as the Pomeroy & Pierson mill. This mill
was at once replaced with a large new mill and a large planing mill was built and
equipped, and the manufacture of lumber projected on a large scale. The mill prop-

6 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
erty with its hamlet of tenement houses, shops, etc., became widely known as Sisson-
ville. In the business reverses of 1873 Mr. Sisson met with financial disaster. Mr.
Augustus Sherman, a wealthy lumber manufacturer of Glens Falls, N. Y., joined Mr.
Sisson in business January 1, 1875, their firm being called The A. Sherman Lumber
Co., of Potsdam, N. Y., Mr. Sisson being the resident and active managing partner.
Mr. Sherman died in the fall of 1884, and January 1, 1886, his grandsons, William R.
and Frederic A. Weed, succeeded him in the copartnership. The A. Sherman Lumber
Co. has become owner of large tracts of timber lands, and their business one of the
most extensive in Northern New York, to which has been added a steam saw mill
at Tupper Lake village, Franklin county, N. Y. , to utilize a portion of their timber.
This mill is connected with the Mohawk and Malone Railroad.
Mr. Sisson was one of the projectors, and largely instrumental in establishing the
Raquette River Paper Company of Potsdam, and is its president. The plant is situ
ated on the Raquette River, three miles north of Potsdam village and near the line
of the R. W. and O. R. R. , and is of the most modern construction for the production
of both ground wood and chemical pulp or fiber, by the sulphite process, and the man
ufacture of news, book, and wood manilla papers.
Mr. Sisson has been an active Republican, but in no sense a politician. He has de
voted his life and energies to business pursuits, compelling success. He is a mem
ber of the Presbyterian church and liberal in its support, as he is to all home enter
prises. He married in 1854 Sarah A. Hamilton, who was born in Kingston, Ulster
county, N. Y. They have six sons and two daughters, all of whom are of age and
several of them are heads of families, and prominent citizens of Potsdam.

LOUIS HASBROUCK.
Louis Hasbrouck was born in Ogdensburg, June 5, 1840, and is a scion of one of
the oldest families of St. Lawrence county or of the State. The family originally
came from Hazebrouck, France, in 1675, and settled in Ulster county. Mr. Has-
brouck's father and grandfather were both eminent members of the New York bar,
and his grandfather, Louis Hasbrouck, was the first county clerk in St. Lawrence
county. The Hasbroucks have long been noted for their superior intelligence and
success in life, and they have done not a little towards making the history of St. Law
rence county. Mr. Hasbrouck early in life commenced the study of the profession
in which his father and his grandfather had distinguished themselves, and began the
study of law in the office of Brown & Spencer, in March, 1859, and was admitted to
the bar in 1861. He then formed a law partnership with Judge Brown, which con
tinued from 1865 to 1870, in which year Judge Brown died. Since that date Mr. Has
brouck has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession without a partner,
and is recognized as one of the ablest lawyers of the county. He is also intimately
connected with the commercial and financial affairs of Ogdensburg. He is a director
in the St. Lawrence Wholesale Grocery Company, director and secretary of the
Ogdensburg Transit Company, director and secretary of the Ogdensburg Terminal
Company, director and secretary of the Saratoga and St. Lawrence Railroad Com-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 7
pany, and a director of the Ogdensburg and Lake Champlain Railroad Company, for
which he has been attorney for years; and socially is a warden of St. John's church,
and secretary and manager of the Ogdensburg Club. Mr. Hasbrouck has served as
assistant United States attorney for Northern New York, and is admitted to all the
State courts, and to the United States District and Circuit courts. He has held
important city offices, such as alderman, president of the Board of Education, etc.
Notwithstanding his many important interests and positions of public trust, Mr. Has
brouck is unobtrusive and quiet in his bearing to such a degree as to enlist the
highest esteem and warmest appreciation of his fellow men.
In 1866 he married Miss E. E. Knap, and they have six children, four are living.
The only son, Mr. Philip Bevier Hasbrouck, is now attending Cornell University.

WILLIAM J. AVERELL.
W. J. Averell was born November 23, 1821, and is a scion of the best and most
widely known names of St. Lawrence county. He inherited all the ability and busi
ness acumen of his father, and to those added the advantages of a splendid education,
acquired under the tutorship of Lewis Taylor, one of the most eminent Greek schol
ars as well as one of the ablest writers of his day in America aud at Union College.
He entered college in 1839, at seventeen years of age, and graduated in 1841 at the
early age of nineteen. In 1842 he went into business in Troy as a wholesale dealer
in groceries and liquors. After two years of business life in Troy, Mr. Avei ell went
to New York and engaged in the importing trade for eleven years, when he came to
Ogdensburg in the year 1855. He has resided here ever since that date, and has tak
en a deep and intelligent interest in the affairs, not only of the city, but of the coun
ty and State, and has taken an active part in public life, while declining all proffered
honors in the way of office, even to the nomination for lieutenant-governor. The
high esteem and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen are, however, an honor that
has ever been accorded him, and which his upright and successful career fully justi
fies and merits. Every proposed improvement, every worthy enterprise in connec
tion with this city has always met with his hearty support, and his advice and coun
sel have been sought both in the lines of business and political exigencies.
He has been both supervisor and mayor, and was the only Democratic supervisor
elected in the county after the formation of the Republican party. In 1861 Mr. Ave
rell entered the banking business and has been connected with it ever since. As a
financier he has long been regarded as an authority.
In 1848 Mr. Averell married Mary Lawrence Williamson, of New Jersey, daughter
of Commodore Williamson. Two children, Mrs. E. H. Harriman, of New York city,
and William H. Averell, of Rochester, N. Y., survive by that marriage. This wife
died, and in 1880 he married Mary Perkins. They have one son, Chester Dewey
Averell.

8 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
THE CORBIN FAMILY.
Amasa Corbin was born in Champlain, N. Y. , in 1802. His father was killed by a
fall from a horse while at the head of a military company at Plattsburg, of which he
was captain, during the war of 1812-14, and when the subject of our sketch was
twelve years of age. Soon after, with his mother, he removed to Hancock, Berk
shire county, Mass. , where at the age of twenty-two he married Phebe Maria Foster.
In 1830 he settled upon a large farm four miles from Gouverneur village, on the De
Kalb road, and with his wife lived thereon until his death at the age of seventy-six
years. His wife survived him but two years.
Amasa Corbin was a man of peculiar temperament. An ardent hater of shams,
fearless in the expression of his opinions, even when, in 1861, to speak them was tan
tamount to social ostracism and personal danger ; a Democrat of Democrats ; a be
liever that the sons of Ham were predestined hewers of wood, and consequently a
cordial opponent of the theory of equality which for forty years enthralled the sym
pathies of the vast majority in the Northern States; honest in everything; a man of
marvelous memory and able to marshal and express his opinions forcibly ; quick at
repartee and withal genial and sociable with everybody whether of high or lowly
station. His wife was indeed a helpmeet to him. His sometime prodigality was offset by
her calculating economy ; his tendency to let the burden of life rest easily upon him
was balanced by her untiring industry. She was largely the builder of the competence
with which both were blessed as the days of their lives came to a close.
Eleven children were born to this worthy couple, of whom at this writing (June,
1893) five survive.
The road leading from Ogdensburg to Antwerp and passing the farm of Mr. Cor
bin was, at the time of his settlement, bordered by dense woods for the greater part
of its length. Wolves were plenty, and once he was compelled to protect his flock of
sheep from their ravages by throwing firebrands in the air throughout the night.
Eight were killed however.
Mr. Corbin made the first cheese in St. Lawrence county, and at one time had the
largest dairy, numbering sixty cows. His first season's make of cheese was marketed
at Montreal, to which point he hauled it on a sleigh, selling it at three cents per pound.
Afterward for a number of years he sent his product in barrels to Boston and New
York commission houses. He and the late Milton G. Norton, a brother-in-law, in
1851, brought the first reapers into the country, driving eighty miles for them.
The oldest surviving son, Charles M., born November 25, 1838, is a farmer and
dealer in cattle, and has probably imported a larger number from Canada than any
dealer in St. Lawrence county.
JayS., born December 31, 1840, is an inventor and manufacturer at present in
Prescott, Ontario, where he owns and operates an extensive factory. His inventions
relating to disk harrows are in use all over the civilized world. An estimated output
of 20,000 of his harrows annually is at this time being made at five factories.
Amasa, jr., born December 31, 1843, is a breeder of fine horses and a dealer in real
estate, in both of which callings he is eminently successful. He enjoys the distinction
of being the first to organize capital on a large scale for the development of the great

BIOGRAPHICAL. 9
talc industry of Gouverneur. He was president and manager of the Adirondack
Pulp Company, with a capital of 8750,000, and effected the first consolidation of talc
interests by obtaining control of the Gouverneur Pulp Company and uniting it with
the former. This combination has been further perfected recently by the New York
Central magnates, Depew and Webb. He is president of the Thousand Islands In
vestment Company and actively interested in promoting the interests of Murray Isl
and as a summer resort.

BLOOMFIELD USHER.
Bloomfield Usher was born in the village of Herkimer, January .">, 1814. He had
the benefit of the best schools in that place, and his native intelligence enabled him
to secure a fair education.
When he had reached the age of seventeen years his father died and the son at
once took charge of the business, conducting it successfully in his mother's name un
til he reached his majority, when he continued it in his own name. The family con
sisted of four boys and four girls. Their care and education fell upon the shoulders
of Bloomfield, and they were all enabled to obtain educations suitable to fit them for
the duties of life, one of the sons, Luke Usher, graduating as civil engineer.
Having the promotion of all worthy public affairs at heart, Mr. Usher eventually
took a warm interest in politics, and was on several occasions an active delegate in
the State conventions of the Whigs. His influence in this field led to his appointment
as one of the superintendents of the canals, which office he filled acceptably for three
years. He was subsequently elected justice of the peace and administered the duties
of the office with ability and integrity.
But it was in connection with the banking business that Mr. Usher made his most
conspicuous success in life, a business wherein his sound judgment, prudent fore
sight and unyielding integrity conspired to rapidly advance him to the front rank as
a financier. He was chosen a director of the Agricultural Bank of Herkimer, where
for several years his duties enabled him to acquire considerable knowledge of the
business, and turned his attention to that field for his after life. In company with
Col. H. P. Alexander, president of the Herkimer County Bank, and J. C. Dann, then
of the Sackett's Harbor Bank, he negotiated the purchase of the Frontier Bank from
the late Henry Keep, and located it at Potsdam. Of this institution the following
was printed in a local newspaper about the year 1875:
"On the 1st day of May, 1851, the officers of theFrontierBank of Potsdam opened
their doors for doing and conducting a banking business in this village. The stock
holders, three in number, were the late Col. H. P. Alexander, then president of the
Herkimer County Bank, and was so for thirty years; J. C. Dann, then cashier of the
Sackett's Harbor Bank; and Bloomfield Usher, formerly of Herkimer, now of Pots
dam, were the owners and proprietors of said bank, with a capital of §50,000. On the
1st day of May, 1854, it was reorganized and made an association under the laws of
this State, increasing its capital to §100,000. This corporation continued in their
business with reasonable success until October 22, 1866. In the blue time of the
B

10 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY
great civil war the government, to help preserve its own existence, organized the na
tional banking system, and that act, in its operations, wiped out all the State bank
notes, substituting national currency in its place. The Frontier Bank passed away,
and at the date mentioned its capital was merged in and transferred to the National
Bank of Potsdam. At the same date, October, 1866, the capital was increased to
$162,000, and so continued until March 1, 1871, when the capital was again increased
and made $200,000. In the years 1870 and 1871, on a capital of §162,000, and 1872 and
1875, on a capital of §200,000, the National Bank of Potsdam paid to the United
States government $10,621.39; to the State, county and village §7,069.54— total taxes
in four years, $17,690.93. * * * The capital stock of the bank at present is main
ly held by the proprietors of the Frontier Bank and their descendants. * * * As
will readily be observed from what precedes, Potsdam has been favored with a reli
able, efficient and pre-eminently sound banking institution for the past twenty or
more years, and it has added no small amount to its healthy and steadfastly growing
interests. The Messrs. Usher are skilled and experienced financial managers, as
their well earned reputation and their labors of a quarter of a century fully attest.
No bank or banking house in the State of New York stands better to-day in the finan
cial world than does the National Bank of Potsdam."
As before indicated, the above account was printed nearly twenty years ago, and
it need only be added in relation to the financial institution to which Bloomfield Usher
gave so much of his life work, that its reputation as one of the most prudently man
aged and successful banks in the interior of the State was maintained down to the
date of Mr. Usher's death, and still is continued under direction of other members of
the family. A further account of the bank will be found in the history of Potsdam
village, in earlier pages of this work.
In the year 1851 Mr. Usher first removed to Potsdam, and in 1857 he was elected
by the Republicans to the State Senate. Here he represented the interests of his
constituents with his characteristic fidelity and energy, giving intelligent and unre
mitting attention to such measures as would promote their welfare, while at the same
time he gave freely of his aid to the advancement of all beneficent legislation for the
people of the State at large. But his natural taste was not for politics or public posi
tion, and upon the expiration of his senatorial term he retired from that field and
subsequently gave his entire attention to the affairs of the bank.
While thus buildiug up this staunch institution Mr. Usher did not fail in his duties
as a citizen of Potsdam and of St. Lawrence county. In every movement that tend
ed to the promotion of the interests of the village he was foremost. The Bayside
Cemetery was organized by him, he having purchased the land, and he was its pres
ident until his death. For three years he served efficiently as president of the vil
lage. During almost the entire period of his residence in Potsdam he was warden
and vestryman of Trinity Episcopal Church, and contributed liberally to its support.
In the discharge of all his duties as a public spirited citizen, Mr. Usher was never
found wanting, while his kindly nature, his integrity and conscientiousness, made for
him a large circle of friends. Mr. Usher died April 10, 1893.
He was married first in 1836, to Ann Usher, of New York city. They had several
children, five of whom are living. Mrs. Usher died in 1865. He married second
Grace M. Laflin, of Pittsfield, Mass., who with their daughter Grace, survives.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 11
C. W. BAYLEY, M.D.
Dr. C. W. B aylev was born in Massena, October 6, 1845, and was educated at Fort
Covington Academy in Franklin county. He then took his medical course in Bur
lington Medical College, graduating with honors in 1876. In 1880 he took a post
graduate course in the University of New York. In 1876 he settled in Rensselaer
Falls, where he now conducts the leading drug establishment of the place besides at
tending to a large medical practice.
Dr. Bayley is a Mason, a member of Blue Lodge Fellowship No. 749, and was a
member of Company F. 106th New York Volunteers.
In 1880 Dr. Bayley married Carrie Cooper ; they have one daughter, Ada Lucretia
Bayley. Mrs. Bayley's father and the celebrated novelist, J. Fenimore Cooper, were
cousins. Dr. Bayley's father was Cyrus M. Bayley, and his mother was Mary (San
born) Bayley. The doctor is a member of the St. Lawrence County Medical Society.

DAN SPAFFORD GIFFIN.
The subject of this sketch is a descendant of Simon Giffin, one of the pioneers of
Nova Scotia, born in 1711.
Simon Giffin, jr., son of the above, born in 1740, was a quartermaster of the Third
Connecticut Regiment in the war of the Revolution. A diary and quartermaster's
record of rations issued, kept by him at that time, is still in existence. His brother
John, born in 1748, was in the battle of Bunker Hill.
David Giffin, son of Simon, jr. , above, born in 1766, was a captain in the War of 1812.
His commission as such, dated April 30, 1811, signed by Daniel B. Tompkins, governor,
is in the possession of the subject of this sketch.
Nathan Ford Giffin, born in 18(15, was a son of above David. He located at Heu
velton in 1830 and was a successful business man at that place for over sixty years.
When he was about sixteen years of age he and his brother William dug the grave
and buried the body of one Truax, who was one of the party that threw overboard
the cargo of tea in Boston harbor. Truax was drowned in the St. Lawrence River.
The above Dan S. Giffin is the fourth child of the above N. F. and Mary Galloway,
his wife, born May 19, 1838. He was educated at the district school of Heuvelton,
Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary, and Union College. He was admitted as attorney
and counselor at law in 1861 ; married, March 3, 1862, Mary C. Shepard, daughter of
Rev. Hiram Shepard, a pioneer Methodist preacher of Northern New York, grand
daughter of Gideon Shepard, a major in the War of 1812, and grandniece of General
William Shepard, who was active in suppressing Shays's Rebellion after the Revolu
tion. Dan S. Giffin enlisted as private in Company G, 142d N. Y. Vol. Infantry in the
War of the Rebellion, was promoted to first lieutenant and captain in said company,
and was discharged for a wound received in action at Drury' s Bluff, Va. Since his
discharge from the army he has resided at Heuvelton, where he first engaged in
merchandise and manufacturing and now has a law office. He has been active in pub-

12 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
lie matters pertaining to his town and county, and has held several minor official po
sitions. He has three children — Gertrude T., Clarence S. and Nathan F.

HENRY L. KNOWLES.
Liberty Knowles was born in Woodbury, Conn. , November 5, 1784. He was a
graduate of Williams College and studied law with Dorance Kirtland, in Coxsackie.
He was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court in 1809 and in the same year set
tled in Potsdam. In 1812 he was married to Melinda Raymond, of Richmond, Mass.
Although he was successful in his law practice, he was forced to abandon it in middle
life through ill health. He was one of the earliest to interest himself in the Potsdam
sandstone for building, and was prominent in the affairs of the village and county.
He belonged to the Presbyterian church, and in politics was a Federalist and a
Whig. For thirty years he was president of the Board of Trustees of the St. Law
rence Academy, and was a munificent supporter of the institution. Mr. Knowles
left a record of a useful life, and died January 7, 1859.
Henry L. Knowles, born in Potsdam, June 23, 1815, was a son of Liberty Knowles.
His early education was obtained in the academy, which he left in December, 1831,
when sixteen years old. After a period of study in Burlington University of Ver
mont, he entered Union College and graduated in 1836, at the age of twenty-one.
His preparatory study of law was prosecuted in Potsdam and he finished in New York
city, being admitted in 1839. He cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison and
his last for Benjamin Harrison. Returning to Potsdam he began his long and hon
orable career with high ideals and a determination to succeed upon the principles of
justice and right.
By continued diligent study he acquired a knowledge of law that was second to
that of no other person in Northern New York, and his ability and integrity were
such that had he been more self-reliant and self-assertive he might have attained to
almost any public station. Without these qualities to a paramount degree, he won a
position of eminence in his profession, and without solicitation on his part and solely
because of his fitness, he was in 1863 elected judge of the county, and held the office
until 1872. The duties of this office he discharged with ability, fairness and impar
tial justice to all. He was an earnest and practical Christian, united with the Pres
byterian church at the age of sixteen, and during the sixty year of his after life he
never regretted nor dishonored his profession. In 1867 he was elected a ruling elder
of the church and held the office until his death. He often represented his church in
the Presbytery and the General Assembly, and it is as an enthusiastic worker in the
cause of Christ that he is most remembered. His death occurred in March, 1892.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 13
ABRAHAM X. PARKER.
Abraham X. Parker was born in Granville, Addison county, Vt. , November 14,
1831, and has been a resident of St. Lawrence county since 1839. His great-grandfa
ther, Joseph Parker, was born in Andover, Mass., October 9, 1735. He served in the
provincial army during the Revolutionary War and was in camp at Cambridge May
24, 1775, as his "powder horn record," duly made and preserved, attests. At the
close of the struggle for independence the family went to New Hampshire, and later
to Vermont.
Isaac Parker, the father of Abraham X. , was a farmer of means and respectability
and at one time a member of the Vermont State Legislature. In 1839 he removed
to St. Lawrence county where he became a leading farmer ; was a trustee of St. Law
rence Academy, a school superintendent, and supervisor of the town of Potsdam.
His death took place March 4, 1856.
Until he reached the age of eighteen years young Parker worked upon his father's
farm, attending the common schools in the regular seasons. He finished his education
in the St. Lawrence Academy, and during two winters taught a common school.
Active and intelligent, he took a prominent part in local affairs from early life, doing
his full share of such unpaid labor as usually falls to the lot of those to whom a com
munity looks for leadership and direction. He was repeatedly made chief of the lo
cal fire department, president of the village of Potsdam, and president of the Raquette
River and St. Regis Valley Agricultural Society.
As was, perhaps, natural under the circumstances of his early career, he turned
his attention to legal study, and after prosecuting it under favorable auspices in Pots
dam for about a year, he attended the Albany Law School and in 1854 was admitted
to the bar. In 1856 he began practice in Potsdam, having occupied the intervening
two years in close study, first under Cook & Fithian, of Buffalo, and subsequently
with the late Judge Noxon, one of the foremost attorneys of Syracuse, N. Y. In 1861
Mr. Parker resigned the office of justice of the peace, which he had held since 1858,
and in 1863 took a seat in the Assembly, having been elected the preceding autumn
by the Republican party, of which he made himself a conspicuous member. In the
Assembly he served as chairman of the Committee on Claims, which, under the con
stitution then in force, had a laborious and responsible task in hearing and passing
upon the numerous "canal claims" which came before it. A report at length — which
became a permanent printed document — was made by Mr. Parker in this capacity as
to every claim, save one, that came before the committee in that year, and his report
was almost universally concurred in by the action of both houses. Re-elected to the
Assembly, he served in 1864, as chairman of the Committee on Commerce and Navi
gation, and as a member of that on Federal Relations, doing important work upon
both. Towards the close of this term he was unanimously renominated to the As
sembly, but declined to accept the candidacy. In 1865 President Lincoln appointed
him postmaster at Potsdam, but as he publicly opposed the "policy" of President
Johnson, he was superseded in the fall of 1866. A year later he was elected to the
State Senate and serv.ed during the 91st and 92d sessions of that body, as chairman
of the Committees on Insurance and Public Health, and as a member of the Commit
tees on Finance, Engrossed Bills and Railroads. In the Senate Mr. Parker made few

14 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
set speeches, but he took an active part in all important debates, was regarded as a
skilled parliamentarian by his colleagues, and, when Judge Folger left the Senate for
the Bench, he was generally accorded the delicate position of leader of his party m
the Senate. In the presidential campaign of 1876 he was first " elector-at-large " up
on the Republican ticket. In 1880 he was unanimously nominated by his party to
represent the 19th district in the XLVIIth Congress, and was elected by about nine
thousand votes over the Democratic nominee. The Nineteenth, or St. Lawrence
district, then comprising the counties of Franklin and St. Lawrence, has long
been famous for its large majorities. Among the famous men who. have represented
it in Congress are Silas Wright, Preston King, Francis E. Spinner, William A.
Wheeler, and many others. Mr. Parker's term began on the 4th of March, 1881. A
change in this Congressional district gave it the XLIXth session, Jefferson county,
with St. Lawrence. Mr. Parker was re-elected in 1882, and his rapidly-rising rep
utation in that body of eminent men and the conspicuous position taken by him in
the proceedings, gave him a re-election in 1884 and in 1886 — a continuous service in
Congress of four terms, which closed in 1889. In the XLIXth Congress he was a
member of the Judiciary Committee and of the Committee on Private Land Claims,
and of the committee which investigated and terminated the great southwestern
railroad strikes. In the Lth, he was a member of the Judiciary Committee and of a
special committee for the investigation of the labor difficulties which were then con
vulsing the coal region. The investigations of the labor troubles were personally
pursued in four different States and were of great public interest.
During his congressional service Mr. Parker was also one of the foremost in initiat
ing and carrying through the legislation relating to the control of the production
and sale of oleomargarine, a measure of great benefit to the agricultural interests of
the country. He obtained apporpriations for deepening the steamboat channel in
the Grasse River: and secured important improvements in Ogdensburg harbor; and
provided for the fine United States Public Building which now ornaments the city of
Watertown. Returning to Potsdam at the close of his long public service, Mr. Parker resumed
his law practice, which he continued until his appointment as assistant attorney-gen
eral for the United States by President Harrison, for which high office he qualified
September 8, 1890. This office was created by an act passed in July, 1890, and Mr.
Parker was therefore the first incumbent. Its duties involved tne study and prepa
ration of cases and their argument before the United States Supreme Court, when
brought before it on appeal or writ of error ; and the preparation of opinions for sub
mission to the attorney-general in response to requests from the heads of departments
made by authority of statute, and from the president. The office is one of the staff-
positions with the administration in power. As is well known, the administration
changed on the 4th of March, 1893. One who prepares legal opinions upon pending
governmental questions submitted upon written inquiries by the heads of the great
departments, has, necessarily, the policy and purposes of the administration before
his eye; this made it incumbent upon Mr. Parker to tender his resignation, which
he promptly did on the 13th of March. It was as promptly accepted, and his suc
cessor was appointed on the 15th in the person of Edward B. Whitney, of New York.
It is extremely complimentary to Mr. Parker that he was requested by the attorney-
general to remain in the office until May 1st, 1893, to complete the important work

BIOGRAPHICAL. 15
necessary before the adjournment of the Supreme Court. Mr. Parker returned to
Potsdam at the close of his official labor in that position and resumed his law practice.
Mr. Parker has been an active member of the Republican party since its formation
in 1856, and prominent in its ranks for twenty-five years. He has been what may be
termed a "regular", never swerving from his support of its principles, its policy and
standard-bearers. His labors in its behalf have been able and persistent, and place
him among the few conspicuous political leaders of Northern New York. He has
been upon the platform in nearly every important political campaign from 1856 to the
present time, and his views upon current public issues are always listened to with re
spect Mr. Parker takes a deep interest in educational matters, and was for several years
secretary of the State Normal School in Potsdam ; he was also a trustee of the St.
Lawrence Academy for some years. In 1880 he was honored with the degree of Mas
ter of Arts by Middlebury College. Living in the valley of the beautiful Raquette
River, which laps the Hudson and reaches far into the depths of the wonderful Adi
rondack region, he has made a close study of the vast wilderness, is familiar with
its physical characteristics, its routes and waters, and a lover of its solitudes.
Mr. Parker is a working member of the County and State Bar Associations, has,
when relieved from public duties, been actively and successfully engaged in practice,
which has called him into every grade of court from that of justice of the peace to
the Supreme Court of the United States.
In 1857 Mr. Parker was married to Mary J Wright, of Potsdam, daughter of Al
pheus Wright, late of Heuvelton, N. Y. She still lives to share his labors and his
fortunes ; they have four children living.

CHARLES W. McCLAIR.
Charles W. McClair was born in the town of Macomb, March 26, 1847. He re
ceived his early education in the district schools, and during his boyhood and youth
gave evidence of the modest worth and sterling qualities, that have marked his riper
years and made him a successful business man.
At the age of fifteen he began his commercial career as a clerk in a general store,
and worked in this capacity till the fall of 1863, when he enlisted in the 11th New
York Cavalry and served till the close of the war. Returning home he took a course
in the Gouverneur Academy and then resumed his mercantile career as a clerk in
the store of Nathan Frank. He worked for this house seven years, and became thor
oughly familiar with all the details of the business, and popular with a large class of
customers. In the spring of 1876 he formed a partnership with R. L. Seaman, and embarked
in the dry goods business under the firm name of Seaman & McClair. This part
nership continued for thirteen years. In the spring of .1889 Mr. McClair purchased
his partner's interest, and since then the business has been conducted under the firm
name of C. W. McClair & Co.
In addition to raising himself to the position of one of the leading merchants of St.
Lawrence county, Mr. McClair has found time to devote his abilities and energies to

16 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
public and social affairs, and few men have been able to secure the confidence and
esteem of their fellowmen to the high degree that he has.
A Republican by education and war experience, he adhered to that party till 1884,
when he voted the Prohibition ticket for president, and since that date he has been
actively associated with this party.
In 1892 he was elected mayor of Ogdensburg, and his incumbency of the office was
marked by that cleanness and thoroughness which characterize the able executive of
ficer and the upright man.
Socially Mr. McClair is known as an active member of the Presbyterian church, of
which he is an elder; an earnest worker and supporter of the Young Men's Christian
Association, always manifesting a lively interest in every effort to help young men
to a higher and truer life.
In 1872 Mr. McClair married Rachel J. Pollock, an estimable lady, whose excellent
business abilities are rarely equaled. Mrs. McClair has conducted the millinery de
partment of the business all these years with marked success, and in no small degree
helped to build up the reputation of this popular and prosperous firm.

THOMAS B. STOWELL.
Thomas Blanchard Stowell was born in the town of Perry, Wyoming county,
N. Y. , March 29, 1846. He is a son of David P. Stowell, who has been a farmer by
occupation and a native of that county. He is at the present time the oldest living
resident of Wyoming county. His wife was Mary Ann Blanchard ; she is also living.
Thomas B. Stowell was given opportunity to obtain an excellent education, graduat
ing from Genesee College (now the Syracuse University) in 1865. Since that time,
during a period of twenty-eight years, he has been a teacher, and to-day is in the
front rank of public educators. His professional life began with one year of service
in the Addison (Steuben county) Academy. This was followed by a year in the Un
ion School at Morrisville, Madison county, and one year in teaching mathematics in
the Wesleyan Seminary at Lima. He then went to Leavenworth, Kansas, and con
ducted the High School one year. His next change placed him in a position of im
portance and influence, which he filled with eminent success for twenty-one years and
down to 1889 ; this was the chair of natural sciences in the State Normal School at
Cortland, N. Y. From that position he came to accept the principalship of the Nor
mal School in Potsdam. Here he has met the highest expectations of his friends
and the State authorities, and the school has became one of the most prosperous in
the State. In 1868 the degree of A. M. was conferred upon him by the Syracuse
University, and in 1881 the degree of Ph. D. , by the same institution, on examination.
Dr. Stowell has performed a vast amount of work, both in the direct line of his pro
fession and in branches analogous to it. He has long been an ardent worker in
teachers' institutes and associations, before which his addresses have been too nu
merous to mention, and embracing all phases of educational problems. His work in
microscopy has also been extensive and conscientious, and in the field of neurology
few men have performed more valuable labor. In that connection his study and pub-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 17
lications (the latter embracing eight separate pamphlets illustrated by his own draw
ings) upon the origin of the cranial and special nerves of the domestic cat, with ref
erence to making this mammal the standard of study of comparative neurology, have
commanded wide-spread and favorable attention, and his conclusions are adopted by
advanced students and thinkers. Dr. Stowell' s position in the educational world is
an enviable one. He is a member of the American Society of Microscopists ; a mem
ber and fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which
he joined in 1879. and was made a fellow in 1885; an original member of the Ameri
can Society of Anatomists, in which connection he has done a vast amount of work ;
a member of the National Educational Association and the New York State Teacher's
Association. Dr. Stowell married in 1869,, Mary Blakeslee, of Lima, N. Y. They have one son.

WILLIAM A. DART.
Hon. William A. Dart was born at Smith's Corners, now known as West Potsdam,
October 25, A. D. 1814, and died at Potsdam on the 8th day of March, A. D. 1891,
having resided in that town the whole of his long and useful life.
His father, Simeon Dart, came of sturdy New England stock. He emigrated from
Hartford, Conn., to Williston, Vt. , where he married a Miss Allen and resided until
he moved to Potsdam in 1808. He was one of the earliest pioneers of that town.
He lived many years on his farm at West Potsdam and died there at the age of more
than ninety years. He was a farmer in fairly comfortable circumstances, with a fam
ily of six children, of whom William was the youngest. During his boyhood he
worked on the farm, attending district schools in the winter, until he was seventeen
years of age, when he attended the St. Lawrence Academy in Potsdam, boarding him
self in his room in the institution, supplying eatables from home. In the early part
of his academical studies he taught school, winters to obtain money for tuition, and
a few articles of clothing that home could not supply. This continued until the spring
of 1834, when he entered the law office of the late Hon. John L. Russell, at Canton,
where he remained a year. In the spring of 1835 he entered the law office of the late
Hon. Horace Allen, at Potsdam, then first judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and
surrogate of the county. He remained with him until May, 1840, when he was ad
mitted to the bar of the Supreme Court, and opened an office in Potsdam.
In September, 1841, he married Judge Allen's only daughter, Harriet S. Dart.
About that time the judge withdrew from practice, and Mr. Dart succeeded to his
business, which was large for a country business.
In the spring of 1845 he was appointed postmaster at Potsdam, and district attorney
of the county. The latter appointment then came from the judges of the Court of
Common Pleas of the county. The constitution of 1846 made the office of district at
torney an elective office. Mr. Dart declined to be a candidate.
In the fall of 1849 he was elected to the Senate from the then 15th district, com
posed of the counties of St, Lawrence and Franklin, to succeed Hon. John Fine, of
C

18 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Ogdensburg, and took his seat January 1, 1850, and served in the Senate during the
years 1850 and 1851.
He took active part in the proceedings of that body, and was one of the celebrated
twelve Democratic senators who resigned in order to prevent a quorum, thus for the
time defeating a bill to enlarge the Erie Canal on credit, which they deemed uncon
stitutional, and which was afterwards declared so by the Court of Appeals.
Mr. Dart's position was sustained by his constituents, and he was re-elected by more
than double his former majority. He declined to be a candidate in the fall of 1851,
preferring to follow his profession, in which he had gained a high position, and an
extensive practice.
In February, 1853, he entered into copartnership with Edward M. Dewey and
Charles O. Tappan, the firm name being Dart, Dewey & Tappan. Mr. Dewey with
drew in August, 1856, and established himself in law practice at Chicago, where he
died in 1860. The partnership with Mr. Tappan continued until 1869.
In early life Mr. Dart's affiliations were with the Democratic party. He always de
tested the institution of slavery, and was among the earliest of the younger Demo
crats in this State to join the Barn-burners, whose creed was "no more slave States,"
and acted for a number of years as a State committeeman of that organization, which
embraced the late Samuel J. Tilden, Andrew H. Green, John Bigelow, William Cas-
sady, Peter Cagger, Sanford E. Church, and almost every prominent young Demo
crat in the State.
The young Whigs, in hopes, through the split in the Democratic party, to elect a
Whig president, refused to join the Barn-burner Democrats. After their defeat with
General Scott in 1853, and the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, during the admin
istration of President Pierce, the anti-slavery men in both parties were willing to
unite, and a meeting of committees representing the Barn-burners, and the Woolly-
head Whigs, was held at Albany and a union agreed upon ; the late Chief Judge Folger
and Mr. Dart drawing up the articles for the Barn-burners, and Edward Dodd, of
Washington county, and others acting for the Whigs.
At that time the name "Republican Party" was adopted. At each presidential
election since that time, during his life, Mr. Dart labored actively for the success of
the Republican nominee.
In April, 1861, he was appointed by President Lincoln attorney for the Northern
District of New York, which embraced the whole State except the counties of New
York, the counties on Long Island and Staten Island and the Hudson River counties
south of Albany, and Rensselaer.
With the War of the Rebellion came the enrollment and internal revenue laws, and
laws authorizing United States notes, and fractional and national bank currency, which
greatly increased the duties and responsibilities of the office. Under the Internal
Revenue Bureau there were created eighteen assessment boards and as many collect
ors' offices, with their numerous deputies and assistants, and the War Department
created eighteen enrolling boards, all within his district.
The reader can form an estimate of the business of that office when he recalls the
fact that almost every business required a, United States license. That notes, bank
checks, receipts, deeds of conveyance, and agreements had to be stamped, and that
omitting a stamp thereon when issued was a misdemeanor. That spirituous and fer
mented liquors and tobacco were heavily taxed, and that the violation of the law in

BIOGRAPHICAL. i&
regard to the payment of such taxes was severely punished, and that the United
States district attorney was charged with the enforcement of these laws, by the re
covery of penalties and criminal prosecutions.
The frontier line of the district extended from Rouse's Point to Dunkirk, and had
to be watched to guard it against smuggling.
Clay, Saunders, and Thompson and many other leading confederates were refu
gees in Canada, fertile in expedients to injure the government and people of the
United States. The district attorney's office, in connection with the Secret Service
Bureau, watched them and took measures to guard against their incursions from
Canada for robbing banks, and committing other depredations in the United States.
It took the government some time to understand and get used to the increase in the
business of the office that the war had made. For the first three years Mr. Tappan
was the only assistant allowed in the office. For the remainder of the time, an addi
tional assistant was allowed.
Before the war the United States Courts in the district usually sat from one to five
days, but while it was in progress they sat from two to six weeks, with seven terms
a year. It often became the duty of the district attorney to advise the government as to the
propriety of sending citizens, who were by their influence doing injury to the Union
cause, from their home to Fort Lafayette ; such removals were sparingly advised,
and never where the persons offending had a mere local influence. Many citizens
through the influence of Mr. Dart were saved that humiliation.
Applications for habeas corpus to discharge soldiers from service in the army, were
made to, and granted by State judges.
A test case was made before Mr. Justice Bacon at Utica. Mr. Dart procured the
late Roscoe Conkling to assist him in the argument. Judge Bacon in an elaborate
opinion held that a State judge had no jurisdiction in such cases. For this service
the War Department paid Mr. Conkling, and that was one of the points Mr. Blaine
made against him, in their set-to in the House of Representatives, that alienated
those two eminent men forever.
Mr. Dart was reappointed United States district attorney at the close of his term,
April, 1865. Having no competitor for his place, the nomination was confirmed
without a reference.
Early in April, 1866, he was directed, with the aid of the marshals, to ascertain and
report to the government whether the Fenian organization really intended to make a
demonstration into Canada. It was evident they did so intend, and that Buffalo
would be the point from which the first demonstration would be made. The entire
chrage of suppressing this invasion was placed in Mr. Dart's hands, and in this he
succeeded so well that he received the warm thanks of the government. He was
however a few months afterwards removed from office by President Johnson, partly
because he refused to follow Mr. Johnson over into the Democratic party, and part
ly in the hope of conciliating the Irish Democrats, who were indignant at the action
of the government.
Upon the succession of General Grant to the presidency in April, 1869, Mr. Dart
was appointed consul-general for the British Provinces of North America with con
sulate at Montreal. Then there was but one consul-general in those Provinces, now
there are three such officers. This office he held from the spring of 1869 until March,

20 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
1878. He then returned to Potsdam and resumed the practice of the law, entering
into a partnership with his son-in-law, Hon. Geo. Z. Erwin, which was continued to
within a few weeks before his death, when Mr. Erwin withdrew and was succeeded
by Mr. Edward A. Everett. Mr. Dart was a lawyer fifty-one years, and when at
practice resided at Potsdam.
He was a vestryman of Trinity Church, Potsdam, in 1844, and continuously held
that office from Easter Monday, 1879, until his death.
The rector, warden and vestrymen of that church, and the members of the bar of
the village of Potsdam, at meetings held after his death, passed resolutions to per
petuate the memory of his worth as a man and the value of his professional and pub
lic services.
Mr. Dart was pre-eminently a social man. He loved the society and companion
ship of his fellowmen and was beloved by them. He enjoyed encounters with keen
bright minds. He loved a good story and was apt and witty in responding with a.
better one, pat to the occasion. He was a busy, industrious man, diligent in accu
mulating general knowledge, and he imparted it to his friends most delightfully.
He was faithful to duty in every relation in life, and died without a stain upon
his record as a man, a citizen or a public officer, with the love and respect of all who
knew him. He ranked among the solid men of St. Lawrence county in respect to
ability, strength of character and excellence of judgment.
Mr. Dart's wife, Harriet S. Dart, and his two daughters, Mrs. Geo. Z. Erwin and
Miss Harriet F. , survived him. Mrs. Dart died December 17, 1893.

GEORGE ZALMON ERWIN.
This distinguished citizen of Potsdam was born in the town of Madrid, St. Law
rence county, January 15, 1840. He was descended from Irish ancestry, his great
grandfather having emigrated from Ireland to become a settler in New Hampshire,
where he had a son born, named Joseph Erwin, who settled at what has been known
as Trout Brook, in the town of Madrid, when the surrounding region was a wilder
ness. There George Erwin, father of our subject, was born, September 21, 1813.
He was a man of more than ordinary native ability, a man of considerable note in
in the community, and whose intelligence was in advance of his surroundings. He
obtained an education, in spite of serious obstacles, sufficient to enable him to teach
school in his younger years, while in later life he devoted himself to farming. He is
now a resident of Potsdam, and at more than eighty years of age, is active in body,
clear in intellect and enjoys the respect of the community where his long life has been
passed. The mother of George Z. Erwin was a descendant of General Bayley of
Revolutionary fame, who distinguished himself in the New England States during
the struggle for independence.
George Z. Erwin' s early life was spent on his father's farm and in attendance at the
district schools. When he was fourteen he went into a drug store in Madrid village,
where he served as clerk two years. He then entered St. Lawrence Academy at
Potsdam and gave four years to assiduous study, at the expiration of which he began a

BIOGRAPHICAL. 21
course at Middlebury College, Vermont, where he graduated in August, 1865. In or
der to aid in defraying the expense of his college course he taught school winters, thus
laying the foundations of an independent spirit and confidence in his own powers
which characterized his later life. Long before his graduation from college Mr.
Erwin had determined to make the legal profession his life work, and accordingly
he spent a year and a half directly after leaving school in the office of the United
States district attorney for Northern New York, which was then in the hands of that
eminent attorney, William A. Dart, with whom was associated Charles O. Tappan.
Mr. Erwin was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1867. On the 1st of January, 1868,
he became a partner with Samuel B. Gordon, in Potsdam, which connection contin
ued one year. In the spring of 1869 he took the vacated place of William A. Dart in
the firm of Dart & Tappan, succeeding which the firm of Tappan & Erwin continued
ten years. Mr. Tappan was elevated to the bench in 1878, retiring from the law firm ;
meanwhile Mr. Dart returned to Potsdam and joined Mr. Erwin in the formation of
the firm of Dart & Erwin, which continued until Mr. Erwin's withdrawal from active
practice. It need hardly be said that it was eminently complimentary that Mr. Er
win was called to associate himself so early in his professional career with such men
as Charles O. Tappan and William Dart — men who then and later stood in the front
rank of the profession in Northern New York.
The two firms of Tappan & Erwin and Dart & Erwin commanded an extensive
practice, much of it in the higher courts and in cases where large interests were at
stake, and they were more than ordinarily successful.
As a lawyer Mr. Erwin was indefatigable, and his efforts to master his profession
and to secure every possible advantage for his clients by untiring industry and the
most careful preparation before going into court, were never relaxed. Before court
or jury he was a forcible speaker and possessed in an unusual degree the power to in
fluence men towards his line of thought, as well as to control their subsequent ac
tion. This faculty made him conspicuous a few years later in the halls of State gov
ernment. In Novenber, 1881, he was elected to the Assembly from the Third District of St.
Lawrence county, and was re-elected for five successive terms. In his first term,
though in a. Democratic Assembly, his ability as a legislator was recognized by his
being placed on the Ways and Means Committee and also on several investigating
committees. Before the close of his first session, his well ordered mind, knowledge
of political history and his natural aptitude as a leader of men had gained for him a
very creditable and prominent position as a legislator.
In the session of 1883 he served on the Ways and Means Committee ; also on that
of Railroads and Privileges and Elections, and by his tact, ability as a debater and
indomitable energy gained still greater prominence as a party leader and legislator.
In 1884 he was a strong candidate for the position of speaker, but was defeated by
the Hon. Titus Sheard. He was again placed on important committees ; and during
the session, on a special committee to investigate the Public Works Department of
New York city, in which he acquitted himself with great credit as a cross-examiner
and investigator.
In 1885 his ability as a legislator and party manager was recognized throughout
the State, and he was easily elected speaker of the Assembly. In this position he
presided with great fairness and impartiality. His tact, knowledge of parliamentary

22 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
law and fertility of resources enabled him to conduct the deliberations of the Assem
bly with much credit to himself.
In the sessions of 1886 and 1887 he was recognized as the Republican leader in the
Assembly, in which position he achieved still greater distinction. Mr. Erwin was a
born leader. Sagacious in determining the policy his part}' should adopt, the course
it should pursue, he was fearless in accomplishing the end once settled upon. No
thing could or would swerve him from this.
In 1887 he received the unanimous nomination in the Republican Senatorial Con
vention for senator from the Twentieth District, and was of course elected. For
three terms, from 1888 to 1893, he was a distinguished member of the State Senate,
and had no Democratic opponent when a candidate for his third term. His ability
as a legislator and leader gained during his six years' service in the Assembly well
fitted him for the duties of senator. During his service in the Senate he was the peer
of any of his colleagues, and in the sessions of 1892 and 1893 was the Republican lead
er of the body. His native pugnacity, his unswerving persistence in any course once
determined upon, and his coolness and magnetic influence in debate gave him a high
position as a leader, legislator, and in the State councils of his party.
The career of Mr. Erwin as a legislator was one of much honor to himself, credit
to his constituents and usefulness to the State. During the last eight or ten years of
his service in the Legislature he was one of the ablest, strongest and most influential
of its members. Few, if any, members during that time did more to enact beneficial
laws. To him is principally due the credit of organizing the Dairy Department, for
suppressing the manufacture and sale as butter of oleomargarine ; also the bill pre
venting the sale of liquor in quantities of five gallons in towns which had no license.
He was also active in overhauling insurance receiverships and in the reduction of re
ceivers' fees. He also rendered notable service as a member of the Chapin Commit
tee in 1883, which investigated the matter of receivers of insurance companies, the
sheriff's office and Police Department of New York city. Again, in 1882, as a mem
ber of a special committee to investigate the sheriff's office of New York, he ably sec
onded the efforts of the Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, chairman of the committee.
Perhaps in no one instance during his whole legislative career did he exhibit his
wonderful powers as a leader more conspicuously than in the candidacy and election
of the Hon. Frank Hiscock to the United States Senate. In that contest he was
the leader of his forces and displayed great skill and great tact, holding his forces in
line to the end. His leadership in that struggle was Napoleonic in its originality
and dash.
In 1891 he was chairman of the General Laws Committee, and made interesting in
vestigations into the subject of electricity for lighting and power purposes. During
the same session he was chairman of a special committee to investigate the sugar
trust, and the results of the investigation attracted widespread attention.
One of the most notable of Mr. Erwin's achievements as a legislator was in securing
the passage of the act in 1888 creating and locating the new and modern Asylum for
the Insane at Ogdensburg, N. Y. Its location at this place was strongly and ably
opposed, other places seeking it. Mr. Erwin's great skill, influence in the Legisla
ture and indomitable energy finally prevailed. The asylum is now nearly completed,
is one of the finest institutions of its kind in this country, and will stand as a monu
ment to Mr. Erwin's power as a legislator, and influence in the Legislature.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 23
In the session of 1S!)2, when Republican leader, he made a gallant but unsuccess
ful fight against a reapportionment of the State, and for his refusal to vote on an
enumeration bill appropriating almost a half million dollars and with the provisions
of which no senator was or could be familiar, he, with Senators Saxton and O'Conner,
was declared guilty of contempt by Lieutenant-Governor'Sheehan, and his name tak
en from the Senate roll. The Judiciary Committee, to which the matter was referred,
passed a resolution of censure, and the three senators who had unflinchingly stood by
their convictions were purged of contempt and their names restored to the roll.
One of the latest acts of Senator Erwin affecting Northern New York was the se
curing in five days of an appropriation, in 1893, of §181,000 to restore the asylum
buildings at Ogdensburg, burned March 4, 1893.
To get a full history and knowledge of what he did in his twelve years of legisla
tive life one must consult the journals of the Legislature. During his legislative ca
reer he was able to, and often did, render not only his native village, but many other
communities in Northern New York, valuable assistance in legislation. In all his
varied and multiplied duties he never forgot to look after his constituents and people.
It is quite safe to say that the people of Northern New York have not had in years a
representative at Albany so capable in securing their rights and protecting their in
terests as was the subject of this sketch.
Aside from his labors as a legislator, Mr. Erwin took a deep interest in the welfare
and prosperity of the village where he resided. In the struggle to locate the State
Normal School at Potsdam he labored assiduously. He was made a member of the
Local Board, and for years had been its treasurer. He aided the school often in se
curing appropriations and in other needed legislation. He assisted in organizing the
Fair Society at Potsdam, was for several years one of its board, and one year was
president of the society. He was a member of the Fire Department and one or more
terms its chief. He was one of the leaders in putting in the water supply system in
1870, and in the building of the Opera House in his village. He also took an active
part in the sewering and draining of his village in 1886, securing necessary legislation,
etc. Ever ready to help any public movement he was equally ready to help with purse
and hand any private enterprise or business which bid fair of success. He was one
of the promoters and chief organizers of the Thatcher Manufacturing Company, and
had been, up to the time of his death, the vice-president of the company. He
also took an active part in the formation and promotion of the High Falls Sulphite
Pulp and Mining Company and was the president of the company. Much of the
success of the enterprise was due to his labor and efforts. He was also connected
with several other industrial enterprises in other sections of the State.
And withal he was an especially social person. He was fond of sports and games
of all kinds, hunting, fishing, athletic sports, etc. No one excelled him in generous,
hearty good nature. He had a kind word and a warm word for all. There was no
thing of the snob or aristocrat in his makeup or nature. He would step out of his
way to greet a poor, struggling old friend as readily as he would to meet those in the
upper walks of life, aud do it with equal warmth and goodfellowship. Into whatever
set, gathering or party he came he brought good cheer and good nature and was al
ways most welcome. And what is more, perhaps, than all the rest, no whisper
against his personal and political integrity has ever been heard,

24 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Mr. Erwin joined the Episcopal church in 1891, and was confirmed on Thanksgiv
ing Day, 1893, by Bishop Doane.
His illness was due to a heart trouble which at times caused him intense suffering.
The end came suddenly and peacefully, January 16, 1894. The news, of his death
rapidly spread over the State, and heartfelt sorrow was expressed in the entire press
of the State.
The Senate and Assembly each passed appropriate resolutions on his death, and
appointed committees to attend his funeral. Lieutenant-Governor Sheehan and other
prominent men from abroad accompanied the committees to Potsdam. The leading
men from every village in St. Lawrence county were present at .the funeral, as also
delegations from Franklin and Jefferson counties. The bar of the county attended
in a bod}-, the faculty of the Normal School, the Masons, the firemen, and other mi
nor organizations. On his death resolutions of respect and sorrow were passed by
the Common Council of the city of Ogdensburg, by the bar of Gouverneur, by the
bar of Potsdam, by the Raquette River Lodge, by the Local Board of the State Nor
mal School, by the Fire Department, by the Thatcher Manufacturing Company, and
by the High Falls Sulphite Pulp and Mining Company.
Mr. Erwin married Miss Caroline C. Dart, daughter of William A. Dart, in 1868,
who survives him.

CHARLES O. TAPPAN.
Charles O. Taitax was born in Addison, Vt., on the 17th of April, 1831. In the
same year his parents removed to Essex county, N. Y. , where the son grew to man
hood. His grandfather, Silas Tappan, removed from New Jersey about the year
1800 and settled in Panton, Vt. , where he passed his life and died at the age of nine
ty years. He was for many years a magistrate of that town and was frequently sent
to the Legislature by his fellow citizens. He was a farmer by occupation, plain, un
assuming, possessed of good judgment and sterling common sense, of unquestioned
integrity, and much respected by all who knew him.
Jacob Tappan, father of Charles O., was born at Panton, Vt., October 23, 1801,
and died there August 22, 1864. He resided in Essex county from 1831 to 1855, when
he returned to Panton and lived there the remainder of his life. He also represented
his town in the Vermont Legislature several years. He was a farmer and stock-raiser,
to which occupation he was much devoted and which he thoroughly understood.
Charlotte Adams, his wife, was a daughter of Benjamin Adams, at one time judge of
the County Court of Grand Isle county, Vt. , and was born at South Hero, in that
county, October 6, 1802, and died at Essex, Essex county, N. Y., December 23, 1839.
Mr. Tappan's father was determined that his son should have a good English edu
cation, and after the boy had passed the primary stages in the public schools of the
district, sent him for several successive terms to the Moriah Academy, a well known
and reputable institution of learning in Essex county. After leaving that school Mr.
Tappan took up the study of law, entering the office of John F. Havens at Moriah in
the spring of 1851, and sustaining himself during his studies by teaching school.
While thus engaged, and for some time afterward, he devoted his leisure to the study

BIOGRAPHICAL. 25
of the sciences and Latin, taking lessons on these subjects from his friend and fellow
student, Edward M. Dewey, who was a graduate of Middlebury College. After
three years of studying in summer and teaching in winter he had made such progress
in the law that on the 4th of July, 1853, he was admitted to the bar at the General
Term of the Supreme Court at Plattsburg, N. Y. In the following month he formed
a partnership with his friend Dewey and together they entered on the practice of the
profession in Potsdam. In the next year the young firm formed a connection with
Hon. William A. Dart, then a prominent lawyer of Potsdam, who was very favorably
impressed by the ability and industry of its members, the style adopted being Dart,
Dewey & Tappan.
This business arrangement continued until 1856, when Mr. Dewey withdrew from
the firm and sought a wider field of practice in the rising city of Chicago, where he
died October 18, 1861. His former partners continued business in Potsdam with ex
cellent success. Mr. Tappan, like his partner, Mr. Dart, was an early and zealous
Republican, and when the latter was appointed United States district attorney for the
Northern District of New York, in 1861, he made Mr. Tappan assistant district attor
ney, which position he held until the retirement of Mr. Dart in the autumn of 1866,
when he was for a short time acting U. S. district attorney for that district. In 1861
he was appointed United States commissioner for said district. In 1862 he was
admitted to practice in the United States Circuit Court, and in 1864 in the United
States District Court of that district.
The firm of Dart & Tappan remained actively in practice until 1869 when Mr, Dart
was appointed United States consul-general to Canada. Mr. Tappan then associated
himself with George Z. Erwin, and under the name of Tappan & Erwin, the firm be
came widely and favorably known and continued business down to January 1, 1878.
Although busied with a large practice, Mr. Tappan never lost sight of his duties as
a citizen and a neighbor. In educational affairs he has been especially active. He
served as a member of the Board of Trustees of St, Lawrence Academy for many
years. He was zealous in the work of securing the location of a State Normal School
at Potsdam. In 1866 he advocated the levy of the taxnecessary to erect the buildings,
before the Board of Supevisors of St. Lawrence county and meetings of the tax-pay
ers of. the town and village of Potsdam. He attended to and defeated the object of
the litigation by which it was sought to prevent the location of the school there, and
drafted Chapter 6 of the Laws of 1867 under which taxes were levied, the buildings
erected, and the school established at Potsdam. He was also one of the commission
entrusted with the superintendence of the construction of the building, acting during
its existence as its secretary. He was a member of the first Local Board, was its
first secretary and continued to act in that capacity until January 1, 1878, when he be
came ineligible through assuming the office of justice of the Supreme Court. He was
conspicuous in forming the Raquette Valley and St. Regis Valley Agricultural So
ciety in 1870 and was its president during the first three years of its existence. He
was the first president of the St. Lawrence County Bar Association, organized in
1876, and continued such president until 1878. In the spring of 1886, the village of
Potsdam where he resided, was in great need of sewers and drains. For want of
them the removal of the State Normal School from that place was being agitated.
At a meeting of the corporation called for the purpose of taking action upon that
D

26 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
subject, he presented and advocated the passage of a law which he had drafted, for
a system of drains and sewers, which was approved by the meeting, and afterwards
enacted by the legislature into the law, chapter 374, of the laws of 1886, which gave
that village its present complete and effective system.
In the fall of 1871 Mr. Tappan was elected county judge for the term of six years.
As his term approached its close he was nominated by the Republican party for jus
tice of the Supreme Court of the State, and being elected, took his seat on the bench
January 1, 1878, and served the term of fourteen years. He proved himself in
every way fitted for this high judicial position.
At the bar lie was characterized by industry and carefulness in preparing his cases,
and by a logical and candid presentation of them, rather than by any of the sharp
maneuvering and questionable methods in which some counselors delight and on
which the success of too many is based. The same attributes of candor, industry
and sound judgment were steadily manifested in the office of county judge, which he
filled with honor to himself and entire satisfaction to his fellow citizens. In the high
er tribunal of the Supreme Court he exhibited the same ' qualities which marked his
earlier career, and became distinguished for the soundness of his legal views and the
justice and impartiality of his rulings. At the close of his term as justice of the
Supreme Court, on January 1, 1892, he returned to the practice of the law at Potsdam,
and has since continued actively engaged in such professional work. In 1880 Mr.
Tappan became a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, and of Trinity Parish
at Potsdam, and since then has been one of the vestrymen of that parish.
Mr. Tappan was married, February 24, 1857, to Miss Sarah A. Hewitt, daughter of
Dr. Henry Hewitt, of Potsdam. They have four children now living.

EDGAR A. NEWELL.
Edgar A. Newell was born in Ogdensburg, May 10, 1853. He was educated in
the public schools of his native place, and graduated from what is now the academy
at the early age of sixteen. JHe then took a business course in Bryant & Stratton's
Business College, and at the age of twenty-one went on the road as traveler for a New
York advertising agency. In 1877 he returned to Ogdensburg, and from that date to
the present has been an active and important factor in the progress of the city.
On his return he first entered the employ of H. F. Lawrence, wholesale and retail
dealer in books, stationery and notions. The death of Mr. Lawrence in 1878 left the
business on the market, and Mr. Newell formed a partnership with his father and
Eugene Smith, purchased the business and continued it under the firm name of
Newell, Smith & Co. Under Mr. Newell'sable management the business grew rap
idly, and at the expiration of three years he bought out both of his partners and con
ducted the business alone till 1891, when the name became " The Edgar A. Newell
Co.," (incorporated) with Mr. Newell its president and manager. The fact that the
house does a business of $200,000 a year is a practical illustration of Mr. Newell's busi
ness abilities, as by his own energy and superior management he has built up the
trade of the house from a very small beginning to these magnificent proportions,

%aeida^2-&

BIOGRAPHICAL. 2?
This achievement, while it is sufficient to stamp any man as a leader in commercial
affairs, is but a part of the success which has crowned Mr. Newell' s efforts.
He has been in business only fourteen years, and yet there is scarcely a prominent
project in the city with which he is not connected. He was one of the founders of the
Loan and Savings Building Association, was its first president and is president at
present. He is a director of the First National Bank ; secretary of the Ogdensburg
Street Railway Company ; vice-president and director of the Ogdensburg Wholesale
Grocery Company; treasurer of the Ogdensburg Agricultural Society, and a director
of the Masonic Tier Mutual Aid Association.
In recounting these enterprises, the activity and value of Mr.' Ne well's life are well
indicated, and no words can add to the high encomiums of practical achievements.
His executive and financial abilities, his ready and liberal support of all projects
tending to the advancement of his native city, and his sterling character have all
all combined to win the highest esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens. This
appreciation has manifested itself in a practical way, particularly in his election to
the mayor's chair in the years 1889 and 1890, and again in tb.3 spring of the present
year 1893. In dealing with public affairs Mr. Newell has always exhibited the same
zeal and careful management that characterizes him in his private enterprises, and
his discharge of all public duties is dignified and able.
In 1879 Mr. Newell married Addie B. Priest, of Potsdam. They have two bright
and promising sons.

M. W. SPAULDING.
M. W. Spaulding was born in Rutland, Jefferson county, N. Y. , April 27, 1819. His
father was a farmer, and the first seventeen years of his life were spent on the farm.
At that age he began teaching school, and taught for three years, when he took a course
in the Black River Literary and Religious Institute. His last teaching was at the
village of Johnsonsburgh, Wyoming County, N. Y. Was four years engaged in the
manufacture and sale of L. B. Walker's Patent Smut Mill, at Henderson, N. Y.,
which had a large sale. Spring of 1848 moved to Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County,
N. Y ; was in a general trade four years.
In 1852 he purchased a large tract of timber land and other property for milling
purposes in Edwards, and remained there seven years. It was about this time that
he began to take an active part in politics. He was a strong anti-slavery man, but
notwithstanding this he was elected supervisor in 1853, and re-elected in 1854. When
the first move was made toward the formation of the Republican party, he took a
large delegation to Canton to the first convention held in St. Lawrence county, and
was elected clerk of that convention.
Three years later he was elected county clerk, and subsequently he was appointed
by the supervisors school commissioner for the Second District. He moved to Can
ton in 1859 and lived there for twelve years.
In 1869 he purchased property in Rensselaer Falls and rebuilt the saw and grist mills,
established the bent works, and did a great deal toward building up the business in
terests of the village. After five years in the bent works, he turned his attention to

28 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
mineralogy, and has been identified with the mining and marble business of the
county ever since. He is now opening a talc mine in Fowler, which promises to be '
very valuable and is located in a part of the county hitherto overlooked by prospectors.
He has served four successive terms, sixteen years, down to 1892, as justice of the
peace. In 1845 Mr. Spaulding married Venila Armsberry. They have had nine children,
five of whom are living, four daughters and one son. Their names are: M. Warren,
who resides in Larimore, N. D. ; Mrs. H. R. Burrington, of Franklin, Mass. , her
husband being principal of the Dean Academy; Mrs. Chester Buck, of Harrisburg,
Pa. ; Mrs. William C. Ghering, of Orr, N. D. ; and Mrs. W. H. Blodgett, of Worces
ter, Mass.
Mr. Spaulding has lived a long and honorable lrlfc, all of which has been identified
with St. Lawrence county, throughout which he is well known and highly esteemed.

CHARLES WILLIAMS.
Charles Williams was born in Franklin county, Mass., January 29, 1833. In 1834
his parents came to St. Lawrence county and settled on the farm where Mr. Williams
now lives, near Richville, in the town of De Kalb. The subject of this sketch was
consequently reared a farmer and has been connected with agricultural pursuits all
his life. In 1870 he embarked in the lime business, of which he has made a great suc
cess. The firm is now Williams & Johnson, the latter being Mr. Williams's son-in-law.
The partnership was formed in 1892.
In 1857 Mr. Williams married Bethia W. Leonard, daughter of C. C. Leonard. They
have four children living, one son and three daughters, namely : Mr. H. N. Williams,
Mrs. N. P. Holland, Mrs. M. E. Johnson, and Mrs. E. S. Jones.
Mr. Charles Williams is one of the prominent Prohibitionists of St. Lawrence coun
ty, and is the chairman of the Prohibition County Committee. Previous to 1884 he
was a Republican and voted for all the Republican candidates from Fremont to
Blaine. He also takes an intelligent interest in educational matters, and has been
trustee of the school district in which he resides.
In his earlier days Mr. Williams taught school several terms, but ill health forced
him to give up this vocation and return to the farm. His business career has been
very successful, and he. is regarded by all as one of the leading men of the town of
De Kalb.

AMOS S. EGERT.
Amos S. Egert was born in Trenton, Oneida county, N. Y., October 2, 1826. His
father was of Holland Dutch descent, his mother, English. He was educated in the
district schools, and at the age of fourteen came to Ogdensburg with his uncle, C. P.
Egert, who was engaged in mercantile business with James G. Averill. Here Amos
S. Egert learned the principles of thorough business so soundly and developed so

BtOORAPHlCAL. 29
much ability that he subsequently became one of the partners. He moved to Gou
verneur and looked after the interests of the concern there for many years, and
afterwards formed a limited partnership with J. P. Weiser, in Prescott, Ont., and
lived there for a short time, still retaining his Gouverneur interests. Returning to
Ogdensburg, he purchased a grain business from Mr. Bean, and this he conducted
successfully up to within two years of the date of his death in 1887.
In 1852 Mr. Egert married Lois A. Rhodes, of Gouverneur. They had two children :
William, and Harriet (now Mrs. C. S. Westbrook of the St. Lawrence Wholesale Gro
cery.) William died a few months before his father.
Amos S. Egert was one of the leading men of Ogdensburg, highly respected and
much admired for his sterling integrity and business success. He was frequently
importuned to accept public office, -but always refused. His business interests occu
pied his life, and he died leaving a large property. He was one of the most amiable
and well-balanced men that one could meet, and truthful almost to a fault (if this
were possible), and rather conservative, especially as to political questions. He was
a Democrat and was always interested in his party's success and voted its ticket.

ALONZO A. SMITH.
Alonzo A. Smith was born in the town of Canton, St. Lawrence county, N. Y.,
November 7, 1855. He was educated in the schools of his native place, and was
graduated from St. Lawrence University in 1875. He engaged in editorial work on
the St. Lawrence Plaindealer, and in 1876 went to Albany as legislative reporter
for the New York Daily Witness and the Albany Morning Express. After an
experience of three years in the capital as correspondent for various papers he came
to Ogdensburg in August, 1879, and began editorial work on the Ogdensburg Daily
Journal and the St. Lawrence Republican.
Upon the death of Col. S. P. Remington in 1880 Mr. Smith became editor of both
papers, which position he has since held. In 1882, upon the organization of the
Republican and Journal Company, he became a part owner of that institution.
The utterances of the editorial columns of these papers on political issues and
secular questions attracted attention, and he was soon taking an active part in the
politics of the county and State. The Republicans of St. Lawrence county, recog
nizing his capacity as an organizer, elected him chairman of the County Committee
in 1883, which position he filled with marked ability until 1891, when he resigned
because of his appointment, in April of the previous year, as postmaster at Ogdens
burg. As postmaster Mr. Smith was efficient, courteous and obliging, surrounding him
self with the best assistants in his power and sparing no effort or labor which could
conduce to the accommodation of the public. In the appointment of subordinates he
recognized merit and ability, and retained the services of several of the most efficient
carriers and clerks who had been placed in the office by his predecessor. This feat
ure of civil service reform has since been applied by law to the administration of this
office. During his term the work of the post-office was systematized and perfected ;

30 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
the carrier service was extended, by the employment of a mounted carrier, to include
the entire city; the office was made the depository of postal funds for Northern
New Yrork, and numerous minor changes and improvements were consummated.
Mr. Smith has been a member of many Republican gatherings and conventions
since 1880, and has a wide acquaintance throughout the State.
In addition to his regular newspaper work, he has acted as writer on special
subjects for different New YTork papers, making tours of selected districts of this
countrv and Canada, and contributing articles of merit on various topographical and
other subjects.
During his residence in Ogdensburg he has taken a deep interest in educational
matters, has been a member of the city Board of Education for twelve years, and
also president of that body. He is in sympathy with progressive movements, and
in harmony with the best principles of public and social life. He is a member of
the State Press Association, vice-president of the Republican State Editorial Asso
ciation, and allied with other institutions.
In 1884 Mr. Smith married Mary Louise Pettibone, daughter of Rev. Ira Pettibone,
of Winchester, Conn. Mrs. Smith was a teacher of wide experience and eminent
success. Thev have one daughter, Louise Pettibone Smith.

GEORGE F. DARROW.
George F. Darrow was born in West Eaton, Madison county, N. Y., June 18, 1854.
His father was an extensive farmer, and his early days were spent on the farm. He
attended district school in his boyhood, and afterward entered Cazenovia Seminarv,
whence he graduated in 1873. He entered Syracuse University the following fall
and graduated in the centennial year of 1876.
After leaving college he took Horace Greeley's advice and went west, locating at
Fort Scott, Kans., and purchased an interest in the Monitor Publishing Company.
The business, however, did not develop as anticipated and he sold out and returned
to his eastern home.
In May, 1877, he came to Ogdensburg with a brother-in-law and purchased the
Advance and St. Lawrence Weekly Democrat. They continued in partnership till
January, 1878, when Mr. Darrow became sole proprietor. Since that time the Ad
vance has grown largely in circulation and business, and now stands second to no
other newspaper in St. Lawrence county.
Mr. Darrow has been the pioneer in many successful features of journalism in this
section. He was the first to make most prominent the local and town news of the
county, and to introduce the eight page form, folded, pasted and trimmed by ma
chinery. He has to-day the only web perfecting press in the whole northern section.
Mr. Darrow has made a specialty of printing almanacs and pamphlets in large edi
tions, and with special machinery secures customers from different parts of the coun
try. His annual output is between fifteen and twenty millions.
In 1879 Mr. Darrow was united in marriage to Mary Louise, daughter of the late
Hon. Charles G. Myers. To them one daughter, Georgiana, was born in 1S82. They
occupy a pleasant home on the corner of State and Greene streets.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 31
Mr. Darrow has always been a warm supporter of every interest designed to pro
mote the welfare of Ogdensburg, and is connected with many of its business and
public enterprises. He is a member of the Board of Managers of St. Lawrence State
Hospital, a director of the National Bank, and a trustee of the City Library. All
positions of trust have been administered with integrity and ability. As an editor,
his work has been influenced by a conscientious regard for the public good. He holds
the duties of his profession to be something above a mere party advocate, and his
editorials are clear and convincing, and the issues are stated fairly and honestly.

WILLIAM L. PROCTOR.
In a comprehensive history of St. Lawrence county special mention is due to -the
subject of this sketch, both because of his business success and his valuable public
services. The son of a farmer, born in East Washington, N. H. , March 26, 1837,
the first twenty years of his life were passed upon his father's farm, where he acquired
the physical and mental vigor that are peculiarly the gifts of rural life and good pa
rentage. At the age of twenty years he went to work at the'lumber business with his uncle,
Lawrence Barnes, in Burlington, Vt. , where he remained until June 3, 1859, when
he was entrusted with tlu management of the Ogdensburg branch of the business,
then recently established under the firm name of C. & D. Whitney, jr. , & Co. , his
uncle being one of the partners. In 1875 Mr. Barnes withdrew from the firm, which
became Skillings & Whitney Bros., and continued under this style until 1878, when
it was incorporated as "The Skillings, Whitneys & Barnes Lumber Company," with
a paid up capital of $1,000,000. Mr. Proctor is still a prominent factor in the com
pany, having been a director and quite a considerable stockholder from the first, and
for some time its president and at the present time its manager. The business is
very extensive and has been managed with gratifying success.
Outside of his large business interests, which constitute an important feature of
the commercial life of Ogdensburg, Mr. Proctor is recognized in the community
where he lives for his spirit of public enterprise, and is highly esteemed for his acts
and influence in support of all public measures that promise the promotion of the
welfare of the city at large. In connection with Col. E. C. James and Silas W. Day,
Mr. Proctor acted as the people's executive in carrying out their will and erecting
the new town hall, which is to-day the pride of the city and town.
He has been repeatedly elected mayor of the city, and has held many minor of
fices, in all of which he has displayed a degree of executive ability and public spirit
most commendable. At the present time (1893) he is president of the Board of Pub
lic Works, vice-president of the superintendents of the poor of the town of Oswe
gatchie, and one of the managers of the St. Lawrence State Hospital.
Politically Mr. Proctor is a Republican, and his standing in his party is indicated
by the fact that he was made one of the presidential electors in 1888, and has been
officially connected with the State Committee for many years.

32 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
On February 12, 1861, Mr. Proctor was married to Dolly P. Howard, daughter of
Rev. J M. Howard, deceased, of Ogdensburg. Mrs. Proctor is a woman of gener
ous impulses and interested in all good works. She takes a deep interest in the Bap
tist Church, of which she and her husband are valued members. Their children are
William H., Lawrence M., Mary Isabel, Nancy Grace, and Mabel Jane.

ZENA B. BRIDGES, M. D.
Zena B. Bridges was born in Massena, N. Y., December 29, 1826. He was the
fourth child of a large family, and consequently owes his advancement in life to his
own indomitable energy and tenacity. He early displayed those qualities of supe
rior ability and foresight which eventually placed him at the head of his chosen pro
fession, and made him a power in our body politic.
Dr. Bridges received his rudimentary education in the local schools and the old
Potsdam Academy, and after a preliminary course of study, entered Bellevue Hospi
tal Medical College, from which he graduated in 1849. He immediately thereafter
came to Ogdensburg and entered upon the active and most successful practice of his
profession, acquiring a very large practice and becoming in due time, as befitted his
acknowledged abilities, one of Ogdensburg's leading citizens, and one whose advice
and counsel was eagerly sought for upon all matters of local importance.
Dr. Bridges never sought political preferment, but considered that every true cit
izen owed somewhat of his time and attention to public matters. He therefore ac
cepted the election to the mayor's chair, and other public offices. He was town su
perintendent of schools for many years, was president of the Board of Education, of
the Board of Water Commissioners, State Medical Society, and identified in a marked
degree with all local social and political affairs.
Dr. Bridges was married on the 10th of December, 1865, to Mrs. Harriet M. Lowell,
an accomplished and talented lady of New England parentage.
After a life of such usefulness and honor, it is no matter of surprise that this com
munity was shocked when called upon to pay the last sad rites to Dr. Bridges, so
loved and respected for his gentle qualities of heart, his open hand, and his profess
ional skill ever at the service of the needy and suffering. Dr. Bridges died Sunday
night, July 16, 1893. His death was deeply regretted by the whole community, and
many were the expressions of appreciation of his high character, fine learning and of
his public worth, although his private life exhibited to them who knew him best even
greater lustre and nobleness of character.

DAVID McFALLS, M. D.
David McFalls was born January 10, 1822, at Morristown, St. Lawrence county,
N. Y., and died at his residence in Gouverneur, April 6, 1891, aged sixty-nine years,
two months and twenty-seven days.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 33
The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days on the farm with his parents in
the town of Morristown, after which his father moved to the town of Rossie. Young
McFalls being of an ambitious turn of mind and believing himself capable of winning
success in some field of usefulness which promised greater rewards for industry and
ability than were usually found on the farm, chose the medical profession as the field
which best suited his boyish desires ; and his long and honorable life of success and
splendid usefulness more than justified his laudable ambition.
He began his medical studies with Dr. Slade in the village of Rossie, and subse
quently entered the College of Medicine at Castleton, Vt. , from which he graduated
with honor, June 30, 1848. Being one of a family of eight children, and his parents
being unable to give him a thorough mental training he was compelled to start upon
his professional career with only the meager educational advantages offered by the
country schools of that day. But by native ability and persevering pluck he readily
surmounted all obstacles and far outstripped in the race of life many competitors,
who at the start were far better equipped than he ; and the ripe years of his mature
manhood gave no sign of that lack of early advantages which would have defeated
many men of his heroic mould.
Upon receiving, his diploma, Dr. McFalls returned to Rossie, and at once entered
upon his profession, which resulted in the building up of a large and lucrative prac
tice. Having established a successful business, he sought and found a desirable wife in
the person of the talented and accomplished Miss Cornelia Pierce, of Rossie, to whom
he was married May 10, 1854. Their matrimonial union was blessed by the birth of
three children, two of whom survive, namely: David, who is practicing law at Ellins-
burg, Wash. , and Miss Alida, now with her bereaved mother.
Dr. McFalls proved his patriotism during the war by giving up his medical prac
tice, and enlisting as a soldier in the defense of his country. He was commisioned,
August 25, 1862, as surgeon of the 142d Regiment N. Y. Vols. , and served ably and
faithfully in that capacity until the cessation of hostilities, when he was appointed
to the responsible position of medical purveyor of the Andersonville prisoners of war,
at Wilmington, N. C.
Returning to Rossie, he resumed and continued his profession until 1873, when he
moved to Gouverneur. His good name as a man and a physician having preceded
him, he was warmly welcomed by his new neighbors and continued an uninterrupted
career of success until the fall of 1876, when he was elected member of assembly
from the first St. Lawrence county district. Discharging his legislative duties to the
satisfaction of his constituents, he was re-elected, and having acquitted himself with
honor and fidelity, he resumed his medical profession in Gouverneur.
In the spring of 1880, induced by a most tempting offer for his services, he went to
Park City, Utah, where he practiced his profession. Although his services were
meeting with a splendid financial reward, he returned to and resumed his practice
in Gouverneur, after an absence of about four years.
Dr. McFalls merited and achieved success in every undertaking upon which he
entered and deserved the friendship and confidence of those who knew him, by a
faithful discharge of all duties.
Among his many public duties he served his Rossie townsmen as supervisor for
several terms ; occupied the position of one of the Board of U. S. Examiners for
E

34 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
St. Lawrence county. He held high rank as member of the St. Lawrence County
Medical Society; was frequently called as counsel by his medical brethren in difficult
and important cases'; was an esteemed member of the G. A. R. ; in fact, a complete
history of his nearly seventy years would be the account of a long life crowded with
important duties, faithfully performed, and crowned at last with the deserved plaudit,
"Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
He was the friend of the poor and will be sadly missed and sincerely mourned by
many whose ill success in gathering and laying up golden treasures on earth made it
impossible to pay for medical assistance.
During the four weeks' sickness that preceded his death the doctor was constantly
attended by his devoted wife and daughter, who administered every comfort that
willing hands could afford, and was cheered in his dying days by every token of filial
affection that a life of unselfish devotion could inspire in the human heart.
The funeral services were held at his late residence, and were attended by a host
of friends and the members of Barnes Post, his comrades of the Grand Army of the
Republic. He was a man in the best and highest sense of that term ; his death is a sad loss
not only to his family but to this entire community ; he will be greatly missed and
sincerely mourned by all who appreciate the sterling qualities which constitute true
manhood. The tireless hands which have wrought so much for the good of his fellows are now
folded forever upon his faithful breast. His world-weary spirit has pushed ajar the
gates of life and a right royal soul has passed in peace beyond earth's strife and en
tered the shadowy portals of eternal rest. Thus we must bid a final farewell to a
true man and faithful friend.
We subjoin a few remarks from the funeral address by the Rev. Mr. Skinner;
" At 11 o'clock Rev. Mr. Skinner introduced the services and delivered the address,
and was followed briefly by Rev. Dr. Miller, of Ogdensburg, who spoke of the de
ceased in terms of the most affectionate personal appreciation.
"Two reasons combine to make this an exceptional occasion, and to make us all
mourners. The first reason is, a good man has been taken away. The second rea
son is, this good man belonged, in a very exceptional degree, to us all. This
makes our sorrow personal as well as sympathetic. We mourn with those who
mourn. We mourn a loss which is our own. We are often called to pay the last
honors to respected fellow citizens. We are not often called to mourn the loss of a
good man whose going leaves such a sense of personal loss in so many lives and so
many homes."

THE CLARKSON FAMILY.
The Clarksons, of Potsdam, are descendants of the Clarksons of Bradford county,
York, England. From Mrs. Lamb's History of the City of New Y'ork we sketch the
early history of the family :
Matthew Clarkson, son of the Rev. David Clarkson of Bradford, landed in New
York January 28, 1691, and was made secretary of the Province of New York. He,

BIOGRAPHICAL 35
had three sons and two daughters. In 1718 the three brothers, David, Levinus, and
Matthew, were established as merchants in London, Amsterdam, and New York re
spectively. David in six years returned to New York. He had six children, three of
whom left issue. Matthew married Elizabeth De Peyster ; David married Elizabeth
French ; and Levinus married Mary Van Home. Shortly after the war — perhaps
about 1820 — Matthew's grandson, John Charlton Clarkson, came to Potsdam as man
ager of the lands, but returned to New York in 1835. His son, David M., now living
in Texas, is his only surviving child.
David and Elizabeth French had eight children. The issue of these only are con
nected with our sketch, viz. : Matthew, born in 1758, served in the army throughout
the war, and died in 1824; Thomas Streatfield married Elizabeth Van Home, and
died in 1844; Levinus married Ann Mary Van Home, and died at Potsdam in 1845.
As has already been stated in these pages, these three brothers owned large tracts of
land in Potsdam. Shortly after 1821 Matthew conveyed his share to the others. His
grandson, T. Streatfield, married his cousin, daughter of Thomas S. Clarkson and
Elizabeth, and in 1852 moved from New York to Potsdam, and is the present owner
of the house erected by John C. Clarkson in 1821, now known as "Holcroft." The
socond brother, Thomas Streatfield, had two children, who removed to Potsdam:
Frances Selina, who married Augustus L. , son of Levinus and Ann Mary Van Horne ;
and Thomas S. , who married Elizabeth, daughter of Levinus and Ann M, Van Horne.
He came to Potsdam in 1840, having previously erected the stone house, known as the
"Homestead," which is now occupied by his children, Thomas S. and his three sis
ters. Levinus, the third brother, removed in 1840 to the estate now known as " Hol
croft," where he passed the remainder of his days. His death occurred in Septem
ber, 1845, in his eighty-first year. Mrs. Clarkson outlived her husband eleven years
and died at Potsdam in her seventy-ninth year. They had four sons and three
daughters: Lavinia, who passed the greater portion of her time at Potsdam, and
died in 1881 ; Ann Mary, died unmarried ; a son died in infancy. Augustus Levinus
married first Frances Selina, moved to Potsdam in 1825, and built the stone house on
the estate known as "Woodstock." His wife died in 1829. In 1852 he married Emily
C. McVickar, by whom he had one daughter, Mrs. Frances McClean, now living at
Halstead, England. He died in Florida in 1855. David L. , the fifth child of Levi
nus and Ann Mary Van Horne, came to Potsdam with his brother, Augustus L.,
purchased the estate of William H. Le Roy, and after the burning of the old mansion
erected the stone house still standing on Le Roy street. Elizabeth, the fourth child,
married Thomas S., of whom mention has already been made. Levinus, the young
est, moved to New York in 1849 and married Mary, daughter of Edward P. Livings
ton, and died in 1861, leaving two sons, Edward L. and Robert L., who still ownland
in Potsdam between Canton Avenue and Pine street.
Members of the family, as the readers of these pages may learn, have contributed
effectively in many ways to the growth and prosperity of the town and village of
Potsdam.

36 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
LOUIS De VILLERS HOARD.
Louis De V. Hoard was born in Antwerp, Jefferson county, April 10, 1824.
While he was yet young his father died and the family moved to Ogdensburg, and
here he received his education. When fourteen years old, in the spring of 1838, he
went to Chicago with his uncle, Samuel Hoard, who was then editor of the St. Law
rence Republican. Returning here for a short time, he went again in 1842 to Chi
cago, where he took an active part in public affairs, and his success is indicated by
his having been clerk of the Circuit Court and county recorder of deeds. These
offices were continued under his incumbency in 1856. He was the first Republican
elected to this office. He occupied the position for eight years, when he returned
to Ogdensburg in 1864. Soon after he again went to Chicago and lived there for
ten years, returning to Ogdensburg in 1874, and making it his permanent home
from that time. It was during Mr. Hoard's third period of residence in Chicago that
the historic fire occurred. Mr. Hoard conducted an Abstract of Title office, and as
the public county records were all destroyed the abstracts possessed by his firm
became of great value.
After his return to Ogdensburg Mr. Hoard did not engage actively in business, but
gave his time, attention and liberally of his large means to the promotion of benefi
cent movements. A quiet and unostentatious man, deep in his heart was planted the
sentiment of love for his fellowmen, and many were the noble deeds of charity that
gilded and distinguished his life. So high did he stand in the esteem of his towns
men that when he died, March 4, 1893, a special meeting of the City Council was
called by Mayor McClair to take action in relation to fitting recognition of the demise
of so good a citizen, and to do public honor to so grand a man. At this meeting the
following resolution was passed:
"Resolved, That in the death of Louis De Villers Hoard, Ogdensburg has lost a
citizen always earnestly devoted to its best interests; whose open hand ever promptly
responded to the generous impulses of his heart ; while we, his friends and neighbors
are deprived of one whose advice in counsel, whose vigor in action and whose intel
lectual ability and genial courtesy in daily intercourse have won our esteem and ad
miration. " Mr. Hoard was known among us as a wise and prudent man, whose wide sym
pathies and public spirit reached out in many directions to promote the welfare of
his fellows. While shrinking from publicity and always preferring the path of quiet,
unrecorded service, yet he never flinched from the calls of duty nor shrank from the
burden of responsibility.
" In the State his energy and influence were exerted with unwearied patience and
marked success for the preservation of our fisheries and game ; and in civic life,
whether in the public care of the poor, gifts for the adornment and enrichment of
our city and town, or in private benefactions innumerable, we knew him always as
the wise, conscientious administrator, the generous, sympathetic helper, and the ten
der-hearted, loyal friend. An honest, upright, benevolent man, we honor his mem
ory, and to the family we extend our sympathy in the hour of their affliction."
Earnest eulogies and high tributes were also paid to the memory of Mr. Hoard by
prominent gentlemen of the city. So public a mode of expressing grief for the loss

0?^ocy

-#¦

BIOGRAPHICAL. 37
of a citizen, and the sincere regret of the whole community were striking evidences
of the appreciation of the noble life he led and the exalted esteem in which he was held.
To Mr. Hoard the city owes the splendid bell in the city hall tower, and the chapel
at the cemetery, while his memory lives green in the hearts of many for his kindly
deeds. He wore the white flower of a blameless life and he wore it well. Neither
the sculptor nor the historian can add to his honest, manly fame, but to these preser
vers of worth it is a pleasure to write his name and record his deeds.

SAMUEL H. PALMER.
Samuel H. Palmer was born in the village of Colton, August 12, 1837. Soon after
his birth his parents moved to Madrid, and there his youth and early manhood were
passed. He was educated in the village schools and at the Potsdam and Gouverneur
Academies. He taught school for several years, and then studied law in the office
of Hon. Daniel Magone, where he remained for upwards of three years. He was
admitted to the bar, but took up the insurance business. After some time he gave
this up, and at the solicitation of the late H. R. James, purchased an interest in the
St. Lawrence Republican January 1, 1874. He is manager and treasurer of the
Republican and Journal Company, and owns a major portion of the stock.
Mr. Palmer has been actively connected with public affairs in the past, although at
present he gives most of his attention to the affairs of the .S7. Lawrence Republican
and Ogdensburg Journal. He was supervisorof the town of Oswegatchie forthirteen
years, and was chairman of the board for three years. He was town clerk for five
terms, and was chairman of the School Board when the project of establishing the
academy in Ogdensburg was carried through. Projects of merit have always met
with his hearty support, and his intelligent advocacy has secured the success of many
worthy undertakings.
In 1867 Mr. Palmer married Martha Packard Wright. They have hadfive children,
four of whom are living.
The Palmer family is of English descent. Walter Palmer, the first of the race in
America, came over with Endicott in 1629, and, after remaining in Salem and Reho-
both, Mass., settled in Stonington, Conn., in 1653. His old residence still stands in
that town.

HORACE D. ELLSWORTH.
Horace D. Ellsworth was born in Granville, Washington county, N. Y. , Decem
ber 4, 1834. His father was Lyman Ellsworth, who was of the old Connecticut fam
ily of that name that had been settled in Windham county of that State for several
generations ; the grandfather of the subject of this sketch early in the present century
removed with his family to Granville, and there Lyman Ellsworth lived for some

38 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
years. He married Amanda Barnes, and removed with his family 1" St. Lawrence
county in the year 1835, where Mr. Ellsworth has resided since.
At the breaking out of the war he was a law student in the office of Judge W. II.
Sawyer; he enlisted in Scott's 900 Cavalry, and served with his regiment from Nov
ember 1861 to July 1805. Mis record as a soldier is indicated by the fact that, going
into the service a private, he was mustered out a major.
Major Ellsworth is a representative of a family that has been identified with the
three national wars of this Republic. His grandfather fought in the Revolutionary
War; his father was a soldier of the Warof 1H12. He was also related to the famous
Colonel Elmer Ellsworth, the first martyr of the war, who was shot at Alexandria,
Va., in May, 1861.
Mr. Ellsworth was admitted to the bar of his native State in 1870, and has been
engaged in active practice since. He has been assistant district attorney for nine
years, and special surrogate six years, besides filling several minor offices, and in all
his public services his career has been marked by ability in the discharge of duty.
Politically Major Ellsworth is a Republican and has been repeatedly a delegate to
the conventions of his party, county and State, lie is a line public speaker, forcible
and convincing, and is v cry popular throughout this part of the Stale.
He commands an excellent legal pratice, and is interested ill many of the most im
portant cases before the courts. Socially he is a close friend, a kind neighbor, and
a good citizen, and deeply interested in the welfare of the town and community
where he resides.
In 1871 Major Ellsworth married Fannie M. Collins, of Canton, N. V. They have
one child, Rich ard Collins Ellsworth, and live in a pleasant resilience in Canton, a
noteworthy feature of which is a valuable library, embracing both law and secular
departments.

HIRAM W. DAY.
Major Hiram W. Day was born in Hermon, N. Y., March 13, 1835. His parents
were John and Jennie Day, who settled in the Day neighborhood in 1 825, and were
among the pioneers of the town. Hiram W. attended the (louvorncur Wesleyan
Seminary, where he paid for his tuition by acting as bell ringer, and at the Potsdam
Institute, where he also worked his way. He studied law in the office of Judson &
Powell, Ogdensburg, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1859.
In 1862 when President Lincoln issued his call for 300,000 troops, Colonel Judd,
Captain Paine and Mr. Day enlisted a large part of the men who composed the
108th N. Y. Infantry. Mr. Day went out as first lieutenant, of Company A, August
27, 1862, but had command of the company and continued to command it until com
missioned as captain, March 3, 1803.
Captain Day speedily showed himself to be a man of resolution, ability to command
and brave almost to recklessness. The most notable instances of his service in the
field were as follows :
His capture of the celebrated guerrilla Sam Hi and his gang, and of a captain of
the Confederate Black Horse Cavalry with nineteen of his recruits, both of which ex-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 39
ploits were effected with a small number of men. At the celebrated Martinsburg af
fair, where Lee's army was checked by a few companies under Colonel James, Cap
tain Day with his company was in the front and bore the heavy work of the day.
Captain Day joined the Army of the Potomac just after the battle of Gettysburg.
In November, 1863, he was detailed as acting assistant inspector-general, Third Brig
ade, Third Division, Third Army Corps.
At Locust Grove Captain Day prevented a general stampede of the brigade by
holding two companies in check, revolver in hand, and with Lieutenant Judson de
ployed and opened fire on the enemy, eventually holding the left of line and winning
the day. He participated in all the battles of the Wilderness, and bore his full share
of the honors that gave the 106th so terrible a name to the rebels. At the Slaughter
Pen and Cold Harbor his company was in the front of the battle, and while losing
many men, covered themselves with glory. At the battle of Monocacy, Md., July
9, 1864, also, the 106th took a prominent part— the hardest battle of the war and the
one that saved Washington. During the latter part of this battle Captain Day, the
inspector general of First Brigade of the Third Division, Sixth A. C. , which fought
that battle, was the only living non-disabled staff officer on the entire line, and, con
stantly on horseback and exposed to the close musketry fire of 5,000 rebels, he assisted
Colonel Truax to retire the army in good order after General Lew Wallace had
ordered a surrender.
He also participated in the battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Run, and
other notable engagements, and while miraculously escaping without a wound, his
old war scabbard shows the dents of several bullets. At Sailor's Creek Captain Day
received the flag of truce from Major Pegram of Genearl Pegram's South Carolina
Division, surrendering Major General Ewell, Major General Curtis Lee, Major Gen
eral Pegram, General Burbridge, Commodore Tucker, and the army of 10,000 men of
Ewell's command, and the entire Richmond reserve troops, the flower of Lee's army.
Captain Day was present at the surrender of Lee to Grant. At the battle of Cedar
Creek, October 19, 1864, he was commissioned brevet major and acting assistant
inspector-general, staff department, Army of the Potomac, for brilliant and merito
rious service during the war, and especially in the Shenandoah Valley. He twice
saved the regimental colors at Cedar Creek and at the assault on Petersburg, where
he led First Brigade of the Third Division, Sixth A. C, on the left of the assaulting
line. During the war Major Day was appointed judge advocate at different times for
special exigencies. He is a prominent Grand Army man, has been post commander
and is a member of the St. Lawrence County Veterans' Association. He is a warm
and true friend to every honorably discharged soldier.
After the war Major Day married Emma A. Budlam, daughter of Edward Budlam,
af Ogdensburg. Mrs. Day is a lady of much culture and one of the finest amateur
painters in Northern New York.

HENRY RODEE.
Henry Rodee was born in Plattsburg, N. Y., September 29, 1829. He received a
good common school education, and early in life entered a grist mill in his native

40 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
town, where he thoroughly learned this branch of industry. Upon the completion of
his apprenticeship, he established himself in business in Morley, where he remained
for three years. He then rented a mill in Canton and conducted business there for
two years.
Mr. Rodee then purchased a mill property in Potsdam, and shortly afterwards
opened and operated two more mills in Plattsburg, which he conducted for nine
years ; at the expiration of this period he moved into Ogdensburg and purchased the
Front Mill, and subsequently the Parker Mill, all now constituting the Rodee prop
erty. This latter venture was destined td be his most successful one, gradually ne
cessitating increased facilities, and more mills, until at present writing his mills con
tain four stones and sixty-six rolls, employment being furnished therein to twenty-
five millers, besides coopers, clerks, etc. , being one of the largest milling houses in
this State, and whose products reach all parts of the country. Mr. Rodee's large
business interests command his entire attention, so that of late years he has found no
time to accept public office, although some years ago he served as supervisor and in
other local offices. His advice and counsel are, however, eagerly sought in the in
terests of local and political affairs.
Mr. Rodee married, in 1856, Elvira McCantey, of Potsdam, and they have two
children — a son and a daughter. Mr. Rodee is so well and favorably known through
out Northern New York that it seems superfluous to add that he is also much re
spected and esteemed for his kindly, generous nature, as well as for his unusual busi
ness qualifications.

CHARLES A. KELLOGG.
Charles A. Kellogg was born in Massena, St. Lawrence county, November 30, 1850.
He was educated in the Massena Academy and Fort Edward Institute, and in 1874
began the study of law in the office of L. C. Lang: subsequently he entered the office
of L. E. Wadleigh, of Potsdam, and was admitted to the bar of the State of New
York in 1877.
In 1878 he began the practice of law in the town of Russell, but moved to Ogdens
burg in the fall of 1881, and here he has been actively engaged in the practice of his
profession ever since.
In 1887 Mr. Kellogg was elected district attorney and took the office January 1,
1888. He was re-elected in the fall of 1890 and held the office up to December 31,
1893. He has also been supervisor of his ward in this city two years, and is known
throughout the county as an able lawyer and a strong Republican. He is promi
nently identified with the Masonic fraternity, is a member of the Blue Lodge, chap
ter and commandery in Ogdensburg.
In 1881 Mr. Kellogg married Flora Barnes, of Russell. They have two children—
a son and a daughter.
Mr. Kellogg's father was Chester Kellogg, who was also a native of the county.
His mother was Lucinda M. Seaton, and daughter of Willard Seaton, who was a
prominent man in this county in its early days. Mr. Kellogg's ancestors on both
sides came to the county about the year 1800, and on both sides the family has been

BIOGRAPHICAL. 41
prominent in the affairs of the county from that time down to the present. Mr.
Kellogg is a member and also manager of the Ogdensburg Club, the leading social
organization of the city.

HENRY R. JAMES.
Henry Ripley James, son of Judge A. B. James, was born in Ogdensburg, February
3, 1839. He completed his education at the old Ogdensburg Academy, and graduated
at the age of fifteen years. He early developed wonderful business talents and a
taste for journalistic work, which led him with two others to start The Boy's foitr-
nal, of which the first copy was issued August 26, 1854. Two years later, through
his influence, The Boy' s Journal was changed to the Daily fournal, and in 1858
the company purchased the St. Lawrence Republican and published it in connection
with the Haily Journal. Within the year Mr. James became the editor and sole
proprietor of both papers, and continued the publication up to 1874, when he sold a
portion of the business to others.
Mr. James was a man of untiring industry and had an almost unlimited amount of
"push and energy." In addition to publishing the two papers he dealt quite exten
sively in stocks and had an interest in several manufacturing establishments. He al
so built and successfully ran a large paper mill at Waddington, and used a portion of
its product to supply the paper for his printing house.
He was patriotic in his views, a staunch Republican and a politician, but not an
office seeker. He could have had the nomination for a State or United States office
had he desired it, but preferred to dictate who should fill such places. As a leader in
political movements he was unexcelled ; in fact, he was a power in the accomplish
ment of any purpose which he believed to be for public or local benefit. He took
great interest in St. John's Episcopal Church and was one of the most active mem
bers of the congregation, sparing neither time nor money to further the interest and
prosperity of the society.
Mr. James, at the time of his death, had accumulated a handsome property, and
had his life been spared a few years longer, he undoubtedly would have become one
of the richest men in Northern New York.
The close attention he gave to political matters in the county and State, besides
attending to his large correspondence and all the affairs of his increasing business,
without the assistance of even a private clerk, obliged him to work as it were day and
night, which proved too much for human endurance, and the golden bowl was bro
ken in the prime of his life.
He attended church as usual on Sunday evening, January 30, but on returning home
he was suddenly stricken. He died Monday morning, January 31, 1882, leaving a
widow, one son, two daughters, and a host of friends to mourn his untimely death.
' ' The great mountain must crumble,
The strong beam must break,
The wise man must wither away like a plant.'

42 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
REV. E. P. WADHAMS.
Very Rev. Edgar Philip Wadhams, first bishop of the Diocese of Ogdensburg,
was the son of General Luman and Lucy Wadhams, who came from Goshen, Conn. ,
in 1803, and settled in the township of Lewis, Essex county, N. Y., where they reared
a family of six children.
Edgar P., the youngest of the family, was born May 21, 1817. He had the good
fortune to be raised in a Christian home (Presbyterian), receiving his early education
in the district and select schools of his native town. He entered Middlebury College
at an early age, and graduated with distinction in 1838. Having a desire for the
clerical profession, he entered the Episcopal Theological Seminary at New York to
prepare himself for the ministry of that denomination. He was ordained deacon in
1844, and was appointed to do missionary work for that body in Essex county, N. Y.
During this time the famous Oxford movement was making itself felt in this coun
try, and Rev. E. P. Wadhams and others became favorably impressed with the
teachings of Catholicism, withdrew from the Episcopal body and joined the Catholic
Church in 1846. He was encouraged to continue his theological studies, and entered
St. Mary's Seminary at Baltimore, and in due time was ordained a priest at Albany.
by Bishop McCloskey, January 16, 1850.
He was first sent as assistant priest to the Pro Cathedral at Albany, and afterwards
psssed thirteen years as assistant rector at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Concep
tion in the same city. In 1866 he was appointed rector of the Cathedral and vicar-
general of Albany Diocese, acting as such until February 15, 1872, when he was ap
pointed to preside over the new See erected by Pope Pius IX. He was consecrated
at the cathedral at Albany, May 5, by Most Rev. John McCloskey, archbishop of
New York, assisted by several church dignitaries of high rank.
He came to the newly formed Diocese of Ogdensburg on the 16th of the same month,
where he was met at the depot by a large concourse of people of all denominations
and made welcome to his new field of labor.
The bishop entered with cheerfulness upon his arduous duties, pursuing with un
tiring energy the work of looking up the indifferent and extending the cause of
Christianity. The bishop in the discharge of his official duty visited Rome in Jan
uary, 1877, and again in the spring of 1887.
For nearly twenty years he labored with all sorts of people — the religious and the
irreligious, the cultivated and the rude, the famous and the commonplace ; but his
manner always and with all was the same, a living witness to the truth that "the
life is more than meat," and the end more than the means. He commanded from
all alike confidence and that kind of respect which at the same time heightens one's
own self -respect and manliness of spirit.
In any community the influence of such a person and of such a life is beneficial.
And the memory of them remains a power for good long after their familiar forms
have disappeared from view.
He died in Ogdensburg at the episcopal residence, December 5, 1891, aged seventy-
four years, and his remains were deposited in a recess of the crypt beneath the sanc
tuary of the cathedral.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 43
LESLIE W. RUSSELL.'
Hon. Leslie W. Ruslell was born in Canton, St. Lawrence county, N. Y. , April
15, 1840, and was the only son of John Leslie and Mary Wead Russell. He was edu
cated in the common schools and the academy at Canton, and from sixteen to eight
een years of age he taught a district school. He then took up the study of law in the
office of Nicholas Hill, Peter Cagger and John H. Porter, of Albany. He remained
with these celebrated attorneys until 1859, when he went to Milwaukee, Wis., and
entered the office of Carey & Pratt. In 1861 he returned to Canton, on account of his
father's death, and on May 7 of that year he was admitted to the bar of New York
State. He opened a law office in Canton in 1861, and in 1862 formed a partnership with
William H. Sawyer, which continued until December 29, 1876, when Mr. Sawyer was
appointed to the Supreme Bench. Since that date he has had no partner.
In 1867 Mr. Russell was elected to the Constitutional Convention, of which Horace
Greeley was chairman. In 1869 he was elected district attorney. From 1869 to 1872
he was law professor of St. Lawrence University. In 1876 he was nominated for su
pervisor of Canton by both political parties and was, of course, elected. In 1876 he
was one of the presidential electors on the Republican ticket. In 1877 he was elected
county judge. In November, 1881, he was elected attorney-general of the State,
serving with honor to himself and satisfaction to the people the term of two years.
Removing to New York he practiced law there from January 1, 1884, to January 1,
1892, when he began his duties as justice of the Supreme Court. In November, 1890,
he was elected representative in Congress, but before he took his seat he was nomi
nated by both the Republican and Democratic parties for justice of the Supreme
Court, to which position he was elected and in which he is now serving.
On October 19, 1864, Judge Russell married Harriet, daughter of Rev. R. F. Law
rence, a Presbyterian minister of Malone, N. Y.

JAMES AVERELL.
James Averell was born at Cooperstown, N. Y. , in 1790, and passed his youthful
days at his native place. He married at an early age and came with his young bride
in the spring of 1809 to the western part of De Kalb, which place was afterwards set
off and became a part of Depeyster.
Mr. Averell with his wife came by the way of Plattsburg over the newly bushed-out
State road, which was at the time impassable for wagons, and he was therefore obliged
to employ pack horses to convey his party and their goods to their forest home.
He settled on a tract of 3,000 acres of timber land which his father had purchased
from Mr. Cooper, the father of the novelist. The house they first occupied was of
the primitive style, situated on the State road about a mile south of Depeyster Four
Corners, where they remained about one year and where their first child, a daughter,
was born, being the second white child born in that town, and cradled in a dug out

44 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
log put on rockers. He then removed to Ogdensburg and soon became identified
with the young and growing place.
Mr. Averell was possessed of more than ordinary executive ability and forethought.
He managed his various enterprises as a lumber dealer, merchant and general trader
with such economy, that every movement in those lines turned to his benefit. He
was also for several years associated with Sylvester Gilbert and Amos Bacon in the
lumbering and general mercantile business. He was identified more or less with the
various improvements, such as steamboats and railroads, that were calculated to ad
vance and promote the prosperity of the place.
In politics Mr. Averell first acted with the Whig party during its career, then he
gave his support to the Republican party. He was not a politician, yet was often
called upon to accept positions of trust, but preferred to remain in a more quiet
sphere, to which his business called him. He did, however, accept the presidency of
the Ogdensburg Bank, which position he held for a number of years ; and in 1840
was appointed judge of the Court of Common Pleas.
Mr. Averell was a believer in the old adage, "Take care of the pennies and the
pounds will take care of themselves." He could not endure waste, even in the small
est things; yet no man could bear greater loss with more equanimity. On one oc-.
casion he reprimanded a servant sharply for throwing away a small quantity of flour.
He mentioned the matter several times, and it seemed to trouble him; but on the
same evening he was informed that a large raft of his, valued at §50,000, was
wrecked in the Lachine Rapids, and was a total loss. He only said, " Well, it can't
be helped," and apparently never gave "the matter another thought.
Mr. Averell died at his home in Ogdensburg, July 8, 1861, leaving a large estate to
his two sons, our esteemed fellow citizens, James G. , and W. J. Averell, and the
property has increased in value under their management. Mrs. Averell survived her
husband nearly twenty-four years, and died February 27, 1885, in her ninety-second
year.

FORREST K. MORELAND.
Forrest Kellogg Moreland is a native of St. Lawrence county, of Irish-American
parentage. He was admitted to the bar in 1878. and has since his admission been
in active practice except during a period from 1886 to 1890.
From early boyhood he had been a frequent writer in leading journals upon agri
cultural topics, and had in this manner acquired an enviable national reputation as an
advanced agriculturist. In 1886 he, in connection with other leading agriculturists
interested in the dairy industry, becoming alarmed at the injurious results of coun
terfeiting dairy products, attempted to secure national legislation controlling oleomar
garine, and for that purpose Mr. Moreland prepared the necessary bills and went to
Washington to secure their passage. In the interest of the dairy Mr. Moreland ad
dressed the House Committee on Agriculture, and also the Senate Committee on Ag
riculture. These addresses, models of research and convincing logic, were published in the
proceedings of the House and Senate Committees for 1886, and the result was the
passage of the bills which had been prepared by Mr. Moreland.

BIOGRAPHICAL. 45
In 1887 he spent three months in Europe, principally in Stockholm, where he had
gone in the interest of New York city clients.
In 1888 he served the Republican State Committee on the stump in the southern
part of the State, later in the same year going to Mexico in the interest of a syndi
cate interested in Mexican lands.
In 1889 he again went to Europe on legal business, spending about five months,
and becoming conversant with the Swedish language.
In 1890 Mr. Moreland returned to Ogdensburg and has since devoted himself stead
ily to the practice of his profession. He has frequent calls from this and other States
to deliver addresses before agricultural societies, and his addresses in the past may
be found in the published proceedings of such societies in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Ver
mont and other States. He has never sought or held a public office.

JOHN D. JUDSON.
John D. Judson was born in St. Lawrence county, September 28, 1811. His pa
rents moved there when the place was a wilderness, and had to endure the hardships
incidental to that early period, when the only ambition of the pioneer was to convert
his new farm in the forest into a comfortable home, and to raise and educate his
young family to habits of industry, economy and integrity. Such a life though full
of hardships, is well calculated to rear men and woman able to fight the battle of life
successfully. The subject of this sketch was raised on his father's farm, receiving during the
winter months the advantages of the common schools of that locality, by walking
eight miles each day through the woods. While yet quite young he lost his father,
after which he removed to Ogdensburg where he continued his schooling. After
wards, through the kindness of his elder brother, David C. Judson, he went to the
academy at Potsdam, where he finished his education; he then returned to Ogdens
burg and entered the store of G. N. Seymour as clerk, where he remained for six years,
losing only three days from business during that time. In June, 1831, he entered his
brother's bank in Ogdensburg, and was connected with that institution while it exist
ed, filling every office from that of clerk to that of president.
His wife was Harriet A., daughter of G. N. Seymour. Mr. Judson died December
27, 1891. He was an able man of excellent business abilities, a good husband and
father, and was much respected and esteemed during his life.

LEDYARD P HALE.
Ledyard P. Hale was born in Canton, two miles south of the village, May 17, 1854.
He was educated in the schools of Canton and graduated at St. Lawrence University
in 1876, and the law department of the University of Wisconsin in 1878. He was

40

HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.

admitted to the bar of Wisconsin in the year 1877, and to the bar of the State of New
York in 1881. In 1881 Mr. Hale began his law practice in Canton, and has risen
to a foremost place in the bar of St. Lawrence county. He also has been actively
associated with the public affairs of his town for the past twelve years, having
been president of the village of Canton in 1886, and supervisor of the town from
February 1890, to February 1894. He served on the Canton School Board from 1881
until 1890, excepting one year, and has been a trustee of the St. Lawrence Univer
sity since 1884. Mr. Hale was assistant district attorney from 1881 to 1888, and was
elected district attorney in the fall of 1893, which position he now holds.
In 1879 Mr. Hale married Georgiettie Bacheller, and they have two children — Ir-
ma and Horace C. Hale.
Mr. Hale is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the Beta Theta Pi
College Society.
Mr. Hale's father was Horace W. Hale, a native of Orwell, Vt. He was born in
1810, and came to Canton in 1835. His mother was Betsey Russell Lewis, a native
of Cornwall, Vt.

PHILETUS G. CARR.

Philetus G. Carr, the subject of this sketch, was born in Fowler, St. Lawrence
county, N. Y., January 31, 1842. Having received a common school education.only,
at the age of seventeen he began work in a
grist mill one mile from Antwerp village in
Jefferson county. This occupation he has
followed more than twenty years, having
worked in Copenhagen, Lewis county, and
in Plattsburg, Clinton county.
In April, 1864, Mr. Carr came to Russell
from Plattsburg and commenced the milling
I business for Hiram Bartlett, where he served
I faithfully for eleven years. He afterwards
I rented the same mill seven years.
Mr. Carr is a staunch Republican, his first
/;'', ^^. vote f°r president being cast for Abraham
¦" fe^ Lincoln for his second term. This fact he
I states with pride. He has always been a
strong advocate of the temperance cause,
a'nd says he wants "to live to see the right
of suffrage extended to women, then the
I temperance millenium will come." He is a
member of Russell Lodge No. 566 F. and
A. M. , of which he was one of the organizers and in which he has held all the offices
except tyler.
He has served one term as town clerk, and has receutly been elected to the office
of justice of the peace. Since Mr. Carr quit the milling business he has been sev-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 47
eral years in life insurance work— an agent for the Connecticut General Life Insur
ance Company of Hartford, Conn.
In the fall of 1892 he engaged in the boot and shoe trade in Russell, and is so fav
orably impressed with the business he expects to make it a life work.
Mr. Carr married Marion A. Clark, daughter of Augustus Clark*, in Canton, June
18, 1873. Mrs. Cam's grandfather, Hubbard Clark, was one of the early pioneers of
this county; he with his brothers, Elisha, Shubel, Augustus, Zenas and Amos, com
ing from Washington, Berkshire county, Mass., and settling in Canton. Her great
grandfather, Amos Clark, died in Washington, Mass., August 3, 1795. Her grand
father, Hubbard Clark, died in Canton, October 15, 1824, and her father, Augustus
Clark, died in Canton, November 6, 1877.
Mr. and Mrs. Carr have had two children— Eddy Sumner, born February 12, 1875,
and a daughter who died in infancy. Eddy S. , after receiving a common school ed
ucation in Russell, entered the State Normal School at Potsdam in 1891, where he is
now studying and where he intends to graduate. He is a young man of more than
ordinary ability. Mr. and Mrs. Carr are Universalists in belief.
At this point we give the genealogy of Mr. Carr from his first known- ancestor,
which is as follows :
I. Benjamin Carr, born in London, Eng. , August 18, 1592; married Martha Hard-
ington in London, September 2, 1613. They had four sons. He died in London in
1635. II. Robert Carr, born in London, Eng., October 4, 1614; came to Rhode Island in
1635, married and had six children. He died in Newport, R. I., in 1681.
III. Caleb Carr, born in Newport, R. I., married Phillis Greene, had six children.
He died in Jamestown, R. I., in 1690.
IV. Caleb Carr, born in Jamestown, R. I., March 26, 1679, married Joanna Slocum;
second wife, Mary  ; had seven children. He died in West Greenwich, R. I. ,
in 1750.
V. Caleb Carr, born in Jamestown, R. I., November 6, 1702, married Mary  ,
in West Greenwich; had thirteen children. He died there in 1798.
VI. Caleb Carr, born in West Greenwich, R. I., June 19, 1744, married Abigail
Very and settled in Stephentown, N. Y. , about the close of the Revolutionary War.
He had eight children, aud died May 16, 1789.
VII. Gideon Carr, born in Stephentown, N. Y. , November 7, 1785, married Phebe
Northrop and had eleven children. He moved with his family to Edwards, St. Law
rence county, in 1828. He was an ardent Freewill Baptist. He died in Edwards,
January 16. 1875.
VIII. Gideon R. Carr, born in Stephentown, N. Y., May 26, 1811, came to Ed
wards with his parents in 1828. He married Amanda M. Hodgkins in Gouverneur,
October 23, 1838. He had seven children. He now lives in Michigan.
IX. Philetus G.*Carr, our subject.
X. Eddy Sumner Carr.
This line is further traceable back to the Norman Conquest in 1066. The names of
the followers of William I are still preserved in the records of Battle Abby, and
among them is one Karr. This was in times when but few had only one name, and
from this came the name Carr and Kerr,

48 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
The crest of the coat of arms belonging to this family was a stag's head, and the
shield was emblazoned with chives with three stars. There was one brought to this
country in the "Mayflower," and is now in the possession of Mr. Edson I. Carr, of
Rockton, 111.
The mother of our subject was a daughter of Hezekiah Hodgkins, who was a son
of Henry Hodgkins, who was a son of John Hodgkins, who came to this country from
England with his brother Henry about the year 1680. They both settled in New
London, Conn. The name is spelled by some of the family Hodskin. This name
was also taken to England by William the Conqueror, and was then spelled Hodg
kins.

ELBRIDGE G. SEYMOUR, M. D.
The subject of this sketch was born in Antwerp, N. Y., October 30, 1835. After
receiving a thorough public school education he took a three year course in the College
of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city. His course there was marked by un
usual ability and enthusiastic love for his profession. He graduated March 8, 1860.
Dr. Seymour began the practice of medicine at Redwood, but when the 94th N. Y.
Volunteers were organized he enlisted as a private soldier, but was soon tendered the
position of assistant surgeon, which he accepted, remaining with the 94th through
out nearly all its service.
In 1862 Dr. Seymour married Clara I. Stevens, daughter of Osmond Stevens, of
Redwood, and at the close of the war of the Rebellion they located in Hermon, where
he resumed his medical practice. Here his genial and attractive nature soon won
him many friends, and his great success as a physician and surgeon drew a large
practice, extending all over this part of the country. He was often called upon to
perform difficult operations, and his counsel was sought by the best physicians in
the county.
In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Seymour carried on a drug store, and was
also interested in other business affairs. In many ways he did a great deal for Her
mon, his handsome residence and the fine Seymour Block being notable additions to
to the architecture of the village. His fine intelligence and sterling principles won
for him the esteem and fullest confidence of all, and among other marks of apprecia
tion, he was elected president of the village, which office he held at the time of his
death. The large amount of work entailed by his large practice affected his health while
he was yet in the prime of life, and he died May 4, 1892, mourned by all people who
had the good fortune to know him. In his death Hermon lost one of her best and
grandest citizens, and the medical profession of St. Lawrence county one of its bright
est members.
His estimable wife was untiring in her devotion to him during his fatal illness.
She still resides in Hermon, in the fine old home that commemorates in its own way
the successful life and domestic culture and qualities of one of the best, truest and
ablest men of our county.
Dr. Seymour was a self-made man. He educated himself and was always self-
reliant, which characteristic was unquestionably the secret of his success.

-6. ^ S?

v

?9^&-<*--L

BIOGRAPHICAL. 49
GEN. ROSCIUS W. JUDSON.
Gen. Roscirs W. Judson is worthy of more than passing mention in a comprehen
sive history of St. Lawrence count}-, both because of his long residence in Ogdens
burg, and the active and honorable life which he has lived. Roscius W. Judson was
born August 17, 1810, in the town of Louisville, St. Lawrence county, X. Y. , and in
that part of it which became Norfolk when the town was divided. His father was
Eben Judson, a native of Vermont, and the first supervisor of the town of Louisville ;
and his mother was Elizabeth (Winslow) Judson, a native of Connecticut, where the
family is well known, his father dying June 29, 1814.
Young Judson worked on his mother's farm, going to school in the winter, until he
was eighteen years of age, when he entered the old St. Lawrence Acaiemv. He at
tended this institution for five years, teaching sometimes in the winter, and finally
graduating in July. 1834, winning the first prize for orator}- in a class of thirteen.
In the year 1834 he came to Ogdensburg as a private tutor in the familv of Henrv
M. Fine, brother of Judge Fine. In 1835 he entered the old Ogdensburg Academv
as assistant principal, and at the same time took up the study of law in the office of
Judge Fine. He finished his legal studies with Hon. Ransom H. Gillett and Attor
ney-General Charles G. Myers, and was admitted to the bar January 17. 1839.
Since that date he has been engaged continuously in the practice of his profession
in Ogdensburg. with the exception of a break when he was rendering efficient mili
tary service in his country's cause during the War of the Rebellion.
His services to his country when it was called upon to go through the baptism of
fire were so patriotic, so unselfish, so zealous, so distinguished, as to entitle his name
to be placed side by side with the honored names of the best and truest patriots that
have ever risen up in this or any other country in the world
He was on his way from New York to Boston on a steamer when Fort Sumter
was fired upon. He left Boston at once on hearing the news, and as soon as he ar
rived home took an active part in the exciting war meetings held in Ogdensburg,
acting as one of the chief speakers at all and presiding at many of the meetings.
To him belongs the credit, in a large degree, for the large number of men which St.
Lawrence county sent to the front during the Rebellion. He made the first volun
tary contribution of money in Ogdensburg to assist the cause, and the incident is
worthy of mention, showing as it does his zeal for the cause of the Union.
It was at a war meeting of which he was the presiding officer, and after swearing
in some volunteers, he said: "Gentlemen, it remains for us who cannot go to the
front to say how much we love the cause. I love it 8100 worth to-night," and accom
panied his words with the money which he threw in a roll upon the table.
The result of this piece of practical patriotism was a subscription hst amounting to
85.000, and raising forty-four men before the meeting adjourned,
Mr. Tudson aided in raising the 16th. 18th. 60th, and 106th Regiments, and raised
the 142d, numbering 1024 men, of which he was colonel until his health broke down
and he was no longer able to keep the field. In recognition of his services he was
commissioned brigadier-general.
But although debarred from participating in the actual struggle to the glorious
end, General Judson's svmpathies and support have always been with the veterans,
G

50 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
and he is a staunch G. A. R. man; he has deliveredno less than twenty-five different
Fourth of July orations, a statement which cannot be made of any other man, living
or dead. These orations have been not mere speeches, but ably prepared and elo
quently delivered discourses on the national theme, without one word of party, sect
or creed in them .
As a lecturer the general has attained a high standard and wide reputation, and
has filled many important engagements in New York city, Brooklyn, New Jersey,
Vermont, Missouri, Iowa and other Western States, besides a large number in New
York State. He is a historian of close reading and deep research, and has accum
ulated a great deal of valuable manuscript on the history of our own land, as well
as a large collection of rare and curious relics.
As a lawyer, General Judson has for over half a century held a conspicuous place
in the bar of St. Lawrence county, and has been commissioner of deeds, master in
chancery, and special county judge, but sought no office. Educational matters have
always been interesting to him, and he has been a member of the Board of Educa
tion and chairman of that body.
His social and family relations have always been the most pleasant and commend
able. On January 5, 1842, he married Sarah A. Collins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sei
dell Collins, of Lewis county. On January 5, 1892, General and Mrs. Judson cele
brated their golden wedding, upon which occasion they were the recipients of many
fervent congratulations. To commemorate the occasion, General Judson's son, Sel-
den C. Judson, designed a very pretty souvenir invitation card, having the photo
graphs of the celebrants as they appeared when first married at the top, and their pic
tures as they were at their golden wedding beneath. The design was unique, beau
tiful, and probably without a parallel in America,
The children of General and Mrs. Judson are Capt. Selden C. Judson, who com
manded a company in the 106th Regiment during the Rebellion; Winslow Judson,
a celebrated railroad attorney, who died in St. Joseph, Mo., April 7, 1890. He was
an able and eloquent advocate and orator ; Frank R. Judson, of St. Joseph, Mo. ;
and John J. Judson, of Salt Lake City. They also had one daughter who died in
infancy. To-day there is probably no better known man in St. Lawrence county than Gen
eral Judson. He is universally esteemed for his integrity of purpose, his genial
disposition and his untiring zeal in support of every worthv project, while he is ad
mired for his sterling patriotism and genial disposition that even now at his advanced
age is as bright and cheerful as ever. He has always been an active temperance
man and has delivered many orations in this cause.

, CURTIS.
William Curtis was born in Essex county, England, in 1595. He married Sarah
.Eliot, sister of Rev. John Eliot, who came over to Boston in 1631, to labor with the
Pilgrims in christianizing the natives, and became widely known as the "apostle of
the North American Indians."

BIOGRAPHICAL. ol
William Curtis with his wife and four children came over in the ship ' ' Mary Lion, ' '
and landed in Boston, in October, 1632. He settled in Roxbury, where four more
children were born to them. The English family "coat of arms," under Puri
tan influences, was not continued by his descendants. His homestead was inherited
by his youngest son, Isaac, and was occupied in 1858 by Isaac Curtis, the fifth gene
ration, who also had a son Isaac.
John, the eldest son of William Curtis, at his majority settled in New Bedford,
where he and four generations of his family were engaged in the whaling industry.
John's eldest son was named Jonathan, and the eldest son for six generations in
succession bore the same name.
Jonathan the sixth was born in Raynham, Mass., January 13, 1788. He left home
in 1807, lived one year in New Hampshire, one in Vermont, and went to Essex
county, N. Y., in 1809. He married Phebe Rising, January 13, 1811, and soon after
moved to Chateaugay, Franklin county. He served in the war of 1812, was in the
battle of Plattsburg, and was one of Captain Tilden's company captured in the
blockhouse at French Mills, now Fort Covington.
In May, 1822, he with his wife and family, consisting of four children — Milansa,
Miranda, Albern and Sabrina (two sons and a daughter having died in infancy) —
moved to St. Lawrence county, and settled in the southerly part of Oswegatchie,
now Depeyster, where five more children were born to them — Gates, Susan, An
drew J., Pamelia L., and N. Martin. His principal occupation, except a few years
in lumbering, was farming.
At the organization of the town in 1825 he acted as chairman, and afterwards held
several offices of trust, as the town records show. He died at Depeyster, March 20,
1861. Phebe, his widow, died at the home of her daughter, Pamelia Flack, in Og
densburg, September 20, 1868.
Milansa married Ira Washburn, May 22, 1831, to whom were born six children —
Curtis, Ann, Gilbert, Ruby, Adelia and Gates. She died October 5, 1890. Miranda
died August 8, 1834. Albern was born October 4, 1817. He married Angeline Hare,
October 19, 1847, and to them were born three children — William H., Alfred B. and
Millie. Albern enlisted as an artificer, September 12, 1861, in Company C, 1st Mich
igan Engineers; he was present with his company from date of enlistment until
mustered out of service October 31, 1864, at Atlanta, Ga. Sabrina died February
7, 1849.
Gates was born October 17, 1822. Having a natural inclination for mechanism,
in the spring of 1848 he established himself in the foundry business, and manufac
tured plows and threshing machines in Bertheir, Canada. Here he married Roxana
J Clement, March 12, 1849, and where Albert J. and Amelia R. were born. In 1855
he with his wife and two children returned to the old homestead in Depeyster, and
engaged in farming, and where Cora A., their youngest child, was born.
In the spring of 1867 he with his family moved to Ogdensburg. He is the invent
or and patentee of several models of steel plows ; a turbine water wheel and shingle
machine, which with agricultural implements he manufactures in connection with a
general foundry business.
Susan married Horace N. Clark, April 8, 1851. She died at Depeyster, September
5, 1854, leaving a daughter, who died in childhood.

52 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Andrew J. was born August 8, 1827. At his majority he went to Vicksburg, Miss.,
where he engaged in the grain and milling business. He returned to Depeyster,
and died at his father's residence, July 5, 1858.
Pamelia L. married George W. Flack, June 12, 1866. They have one child, Ella
P. C.
N. Martin was born in Depeyster, May 21, 1835. He was educated in the district
schools and Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary. On the surrender of Fort Sumter he
raised a company and was mustered into the United States service, May 15, 1861,
as captain of Company G, 16th N. Y. Infantry. He was promoted to the lieutenant-
colonelcy of the 142d Infantry, October 27, 1862, and to the colonelcy, January 21,
1863. He married Emeline Clark, of Springfield, 111. , March 23, 1863, while on leave
of absence. He was promoted to brevet brigadier-general, October 27, 1864, brigadier-
general, January 15, 1865, and brevet major-general. The last two promotions were
for gallantry displayed in leading the troops in the capture of Fort Fisher, January
15, 1865, where he lost his left eye. He was several times wounded previous to this
date. The Legislature of New York passed resolutions, April 5, 1865, thanking General
Curtis and the officers and men of his command (who were all New York troops) for
their achievements on that occasion. At the close of hostilities General Curtis was
assigned to the district of Southwestern Virginia with headquarters at Lynchburg,
Va., where he was mustered out of service January 15, 1866.
On his return to civil life he was appointed, August 14, 1866, collector of customs
for the District of Oswegatchie, and March 4, 1867, special agent, Treasury Depart
ment. He was chosen to represent the First District of St. Lawrence county in the
State Assembly, in 1884, and served seven years in succession. In 1890 he was elect
ed to represent the Twenty-second Congressional District in the LHd Congress, and
is now a member of the LUId Congress. Mrs. Curtis died August 4, 1887, leaving
four children — E. Phebe, Mary W. , Florence R., and Eliza C. , two having died in
infancy.

RT. REV. DR. HENRY GABRIELS.
Henry Gabriels was born at Wannegem-Lede, in the diocese of Ghent, Belgium,
in 1838, and was educated in the colleges of Audenarde and St. Nicholas. He made
his theological studies in the seminary of Ghent and the University of Louvain. He
was ordained to the priesthood in 1861, and was one of the four Belgian priests, who,
with two American priests, founded St. Joseph's Provincial Seminary in Troy, N. Y. ,
in 1864. In that year he received the degree of Licentiate in theology from the Uni
versity of Louvain with Bishop Spalding, of Peoria. From 1864 to 1871 he was pro
fessor of dogmatic theology in the seminary, and since 1871 was president of that in
stitution and professor of church history and Hebrew. In 1882 he received from the
University of Louvain the honorary degree of Doctor of Theology. He was one of
the secretaries of the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore in 1884. He was also one
of the vicars-general of the Dioceses of Ogdensburg and Burlington, diocesan exam-

BIOGRAPHICAL. 53
iner for the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Albany, and one of the dio
cesan consultors of the Diocese of Albany. For nearly thirty years Bishop Gabriels
lived in Troy, doing in a very quiet and unobtrusive manner a work that has made
him celebrated throughout the Catholic world. So modest has he been in his bear
ing, so retiring in his methods, that a great many people will be surprised to learn
that in the highest and most scholastic circles of his church Bishop Gabriels is re
garded as a profound theologian and an authority on intricate ecclesiastical law prob
lems. In general knowledge his attainments are wide and varied. Master of several
languages, a writer with the simplicity of erudition, acquainted with many branches
of science and still eager to learn, he is regarded by those who are privileged to know
him as a marvel of knowledge. Living in retirement from the ambitions of the
world, seeking no promotions, Bishop Gabriels believed that his life work was at St.
Joseph's Seminary. Neither his own acts nor ambitions, but the work that he has
done in preparing young men for the priesthood, not only as an instructor, but as ex-
amplar in simple living and lofty faith, brought about his elevation to the episcopate
as a successor to the late lamented first bishop of Ogdensburg.
On the 5th of May, 1892, Bishop Gabriels was consecrated in the cathedral at Al
bany, by Archbishop Corrigan, of New York, in presence of twenty-four archbishops
and bishops of the United States and Canada, and about six hundred clergyman and
seminarians. He was solemnly installed in his cathedral at Ogdensburg, May 11, 1892, in pres
ence of all the priests of the diocese and a large concourse of the laity.
He held his first diocesan synod, October 26, 1892, at which were present about
seventy priests of the diocese.
He made his first visit ad liniina to Rome in November, 1893, on which occasion
he had several audiences with Leo XIII, who inquired carefully into the state of re
ligion in Northern New York.
The elevation of Bishop Gabriels to the Diocese of Ogdensburg has proved to be a
wise step for the church. The diocese is composed of two different races — English
speaking and French speaking. By birth and education Bishop Gabriels is in sym
pathy with the latter, while having become thoroughly American in ideas and adher
ence to our national institutions, he is respected and reverenced by the former.

JAMES S. BEAN.
James S. Bean was born October 6, 1824, at Meriden, N. H. In 1848 he engaged
in the mercantile business in his native town, and continued the same until the spring
of 1853, when he came to Ogdensburg, N. Y. , as an agent for John G. Prentiss & Co. ,
in the flour and grain trade. Shortly after Mr. Bean started in the same business for
himself and successfully continued the same for nearly twenty years.
On March 17, 1858, he married Mary A. Deane, of Weathersfield, Vt.
In December, 1875, Mr. Bean became associated with the Ogdensburg Bank. His
connection with this institution, of which he was vice-president and the chief busi
ness manager, continued until his death, which occurred July 10, 1883.

54 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
In the course of his active business life Mr. Bean had acquired a large fortune,
which made him intimately interested, and an important factor in the financial affairs
of the city. He won, by his honor, integrity and good judgment, the confidence of
the young business men of the community, whom he was always ready to assist,
either by his means or counsel. He possessed those qualities which were pre-emi
nently required of a man in the position which he occupied. Of kindly manner, a
pleasant man to meet, with interests interlocked with many of the institutions of the
city of his home, he merited and won the kindliest feelings of all with whom he came
in contact.
Mr. Bean possessed a charitable disposition, giving in a quiet way freely to worthy
objects and to the deserving poor. He donated liberally towards the erection of a
church in his native town in New Hampshire, one in Virginia, also to the various
church organizations of this city ; but more especially to the Presbyterian church of
which his wife is a member and which he attended, and in which held the office of
trustee for many years.
Mr. Bean was not a politician, though he held clear views on political economy,
which always governed his action in the matter of right and wrong, and led him to
speak his mind freely on all matters of importance.
Mrs. Bean survives her husband, and has endeavored to carry out his wishes in all
things as far as possible.

WILLIAM RICHMOND WEED.
William R. Weed was born at Glens Falls, Warren county, N, Y., July 5, 1860,
and received his education at a district school and at the Glens Falls Academy. At
the age of sixteen he entered the First National Bank of Glens Falls as a clerk,
where he served for five years, when he accepted a position as bookkeeper in the
First National Bank of Saratoga Springs, which he held for two years.
He then formed a partnership with Mr. William Waterbury at Saratoga Springs
in the hardware business, conducting a prosperous and enterprising establishment
for several years.
Mr. Weed is a grandson of Augustus Sherman, the millionaire lumberman who
died at Glens Falls in December, 1884, leaving large lumbering interests in several
places and notably at Potsdam. In March, 1886, Mr. Weed moved with his family
to Potsdam, and with his brother Frederic, took Mr. Sherman's late interest in the
extensive lumber business conducted by the A. Sherman Lumber Company, which
is now one of the largest and most important lumber companies in Northern New York.
Mr. Weed at once took an active interest in all the affairs pertaining to the busi
ness, social and religious success of his adopted town, and has been ever found ready
to help with his time and his money any enterprise for the benefit of the village of
Potsdam. He is a thoroughly public spirited man and is prominently identified with
most of the larger business enterprises.
He has been secretary of the Potsdam Electric Light and Power Co. since its organ
ization ; he is a director in the Thatcher Manufacturing Co. , a flourishing concern man
uf acturing butter color and milk dealers' supplies ; he is a director in the High Falls

fy. /oTa^-^^/i_

BIOGRAPHICAL. 55
Sulphite Pulp and Mining Company, one of the most thoroughly equipped plants of
its kind in the country ; he is a member of the Local Board of the State Normal School
at Potsdam, an institution of learning in which he takes great pride ; a prominent
member of the Fire Department and of the Masonic organization ; and as an active
member of the Methodist Episcopal church, he is enthusiastic in all church and re
form work.
He is a great fancier of blooded cattle, and with his father and brother owns the
Raquette Valley Stock Farm, on which is raised some of the finest high bred regis
tered Jerseys to be found in the State.
Mr. Weed's interest in lumbering led him to acquire a large amount of valuable
knowledge and information of the vast Adirondack region, and in April, 1893, he was
appointed by Governor Flower a member of the State Forest Commission. He is
heartily in favor of the establishment of a great State Park, and since his appoint
ment to the commission has devoted a large amount of time and energy to the work of
the commission in caring for the State s interests in the great wilderness.
Mr. Weed is a thorough and enthusiastic Republican, and although he has held no
political office, he enjoys the acquaintance and personal friendship of all the prom
inent representatives of the other party. He is not a candidate for any office, but is
most energetic in the political arena of his town and county, and his work and vote
are always for the best element and the purest government.
In 1892 he was an alternate delegate at large to the National Republican Conven
tion at Minneapolis which nominated Harrison and Reid.
Mr. Weed is always active, genial, courteous and generous, his sympathies can al
ways be enlisted in any worthy cause, and his heartiest co-operation is ever ready for
the assistance of worthy enterprises.
He is quick in resources, fertile in expedients, ready, open hearted and willing to
act — traits which make him one of the most prominent and popular men of the com
munity in which he resides.
On March 29, 1883, he was united in marriage to Miss S. Ella Waterbury, daughter
of his former partner, and now has two bright children, Hazel and Woolsey. His
home, although of modest exterior, is a model of taste and elegance, and his friends
have frequent occasion to accept the genial hospitality of his handsome home and in
teresting family.

Z. W. BABCOCK.
Z. W. Bapcock was born in the town of Russell February 15, 1830, and learned the
trade of carpenter and joiner and cabinet maker with his father. In 1852 he left
home and sailed for California, callod at Rio Janeiro, went through the Straits of
Magellan and visited nearly all the principal seaport towns on the western coast of
North and South America. He left California for Australia, touching the Society Isl
ands on his way. He remained in Australia until 1859, and came home by way of
England. In 1867 he married Nellie Acres and their living issue is two children ;
Juan A. and Murray A. Mr. Babcock is regarded as one of Hermon' s representative

56 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
men. He was supervisor six years, member of the Board of Education nine years
and justice of the' peace six years, and is now secretary and treasurer of the Hermon
Cemetery Association and is interested in every project that helps to build up and
benefit the town.

J. W. MUSGROVE,
The subject of this sketch was born in Ottawa, Ont., July 1, 1867. He was edu
cated in the Ottawa High School and in the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery,
Philadelphia. He graduated from this college with the degree of L. D. S. in 1890.
Dr. Musgrove first began practice in Toledo, but came to Ogdensburg in 1892, and
has rapidly advanced to be the leading dentist of the city, making specialties of
crowning and bridging.
Dr. Musgrove is a member of several of the leading social orders; is a. Mason, u.
member of the I. O. O. F., and of the Encampment of that order, as well as of the
Canadian Order of Foresters, and several other organizations.
In 1888 Dr. Musgrove married Carrie Dunn Hayilen. They have one son, Milton
Musgrove. Dr. Musgrove's father, John M. Musgrove, is a professor in the Inter
national College of Toronto, Ont. His grandfather was Rev. James Musgrove, a
Methodist minister and also a Canadian. His mother was Charlotte Thackery, of
Cobourg, Ont.

DAVID H. LYON.
David H. Lyon was born in the city of Brooklyn, October 21, 1845. When he was
about three years of age his parents came to Ogdensburg, and here he was educated
in the public schools and by private tuition. On October 27, 1861, he enlisted in
Company C, 60th N. Y. Vols., and served with his regiment until after the battle of
Lookout Mountain in 1863. He then re-enlisted for three years more, December 24,
1863, and served till the close of the war, participating in twenty-six general engage
ments and being wounded once.
After the war he took a course in Eastman's Business College, and in 1866 went
into partnership with his father in the lumber and saw mill business. In 1871 he
sold out his interest in this business, and formed a partnership with C. S. Phillips
in the old Furness mill.
In 1874 he disposed of his share in this enterprise and went into the steamboat
business, of which he has made a signal success. He purchased the steamer New
York on the ferry at Ogdensburg, and gradally extended his operations, until in 1886
he organized the Canadian Pacific Car and Transfer Company, of which he was
manager until 1893, when he resigned, retaining the office of managing director.
-This company has facilities for transferring 780 cars every twenty hours, and they
keep the transfer going in winter as well as summer, keeping the ice cut and an un
interrupted traffic the year round.

Wst/Pl&n

BIOGRAPHICAL 57
Captain Lyon is also interested in farming, real estate, woolen mills, and manu
facture of agricultural implements here and in Brockville, and in cotton mills in Can
ada. He is also a stockholder in the Carthage National Bank.
In 1866 Captain Lyon married Ella M. Potter, of Philadelphia, a niece of Bishop
Potter. They have one son, Charles Potter Lyon, who is secretary of the Transfer
Company. The Lyon family dates back to the Lyon's Farms Settlement, near Morristown, N. J. ,
formed in the early part of 1700. Several of them were charter members of the
Presbyterian church organized in Morristown in 1743. John Lyon and wife united
with that church in 1776. He and family came to Ogdensburg with Nathan Ford in
July, 1796. Charles Lyon, grandson of John and father of David H., was for many
years a prominent business man of Ogdensburg and held several offices of trust.
He was commissioned by Governor Marcy in 1832, lieutenant in the 89th Regiment
Infantry, and in 1834 paymaster in the Third Brigade of Cavalry ; also, in the same
brigade he was commissioned hospital surgeon.

HON. DANIEL MAGONE.
Daniel Magone, born in Oswegatchie, St. Lawrence county, N.Y. was educated
at the Ogdensburg Academy, and taught school and studied law from 1850-53 ; he
was admitted to the bar in 1853. He began the practice of his profession in Og
densburg in 1854. He has always been a Staunch Democrat.
Mr. Magone has been prominent in his party. He was chairman of the Democratic
County Committee of St. Lawrence for many years ; a member of the Democratic
State Committee, and its chairman in 1875-76 ; delegate to the Democratic National
Convention at St. Louis in 1876, and to the Chicago Convention in 1884, when he
was on the committee that nominated Samuel J. Tilden ; he was appointed by the
Legislature a member of the committee to investigate canal frauds. He was super
visor of the town of Oswegatchie, 1882-83. From 1886-89 he was collector of the
Port of New York ; and was appointed by the secretary of the treasury a. member of
the Commission to investigate the methods of doing business in the New York Custom
House in 1894. In 1892 Governor Flower appointed him a member of the Commission
to revise the Statutes of the State of New York, and he is still a member of that
commission.

THOMAS SPRATT.
Thomas Spratt was born in Rossie, St. Lawrence county, December 12, 1848.
He received a thorough education in the schools and academies of this county, after
which he commenced the study of law in the office of Foote & James, and later on
was admitted to the State bar, from the office of Hon. Daniel Magone (about 1870).
Shortly after Mr. Spratt was admitted to practice in the District and Circuit Courts
H

5S HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
of the United States, and in 1886, before the Supreme Court of the United States.
He has always been actively engaged in his professional duties, and is one of the
foremost lawyers of the State. Mr. Spratt was a member of the Democratic State
Committee from 1884 to 1885 ; a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
which nominated Grover Cleveland at St. Louis in 1888, and has held other impor
tant public offices.
He married Emma J. , daughter of Nathan J. Lytle.

GUSTAVE S. DORWIN.
Gust ave S. Dorwin, son of S. A. Dorwin, was born in Hammond, St. Lawrence
county, June 26, 1862. When fifteen years of age he entered the State Normal School
at Potsdam, X, Y. , and after three years' attendance, taught school for one year,
after which he entered Union College from which he was graduated in 1886. Having
decided to enter the legal profession, Mr. Dorwin studied law for a year in the office
of Hon. Daniel Magone, at Ogdensburg, and after taking a course in the Albany Law
School was admitted to the bar May 15, 1888
He then entered the law office of Hon. J. M. Kellogg, county judge, and in 1890
opened an office alone in Ogdensburg, where he has ever since practiced his profess
ion. In 1889 he was elected Recorder of the city on the Republican ticket, and was
re-elected in 1890 by the largest majority ever given for Recorder. Mr. Dorwin
takes great interest in political matters and has taken an active part in every cam
paign since 1888.
He is also interested in the commercial affairs of Ogdensburg. He is a director in
and attorney for the St. Lawrence Wholesale Grocery Co. , president of the Mann
Mfg. Co., and attorney for and a stockholder in the Co-operative Builders' Bank,
and is interested in other minor business operations. Mr. Dorwin is at present vice-
president of the Ogdensburg Club and a Knight Templar and a member of the 40th
Separate Co. of the N. G. S. N. Y. Mr. Dorwin's family is of English origin and his
ancestors came to America in 1789 and settled on Long Island. June 19, 1889, Mr.
Dorwin married Mary L. Allen, daughter of the late W. B. Allen of Ogdensburg and
has one son.

GERRIT S. CONGER.
Gerrit S. Conger was born in Canandaigua, Ontario county, N. Y., September
25, 1847. He was educated in the Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary and the University
of Michigan, and studied law in Gouverneur with the late Charles Anthony, D. A.
Johnson and E. H. Neary. He was admitted to the bar in 1871, and has resided in
Gouverneur ever since.
On Februaryv4, 1864, he enlisted in Battery D, 1st New York Light Artillery, and
served to the close of the war, participating in seventeen general engagements and

BrOGRAlUIICAL. 59
was wounded once at Cold Harbor. He organized Barnes Post No. 156, G. A. R. , and
was its commander for several years. This was the first post organized in Northern
New YTork. Judge Conger was also vice-commander of the Department of New
York. December 4, 1880, Mr. Conger was appointed special couuty judge by Governor
Cornell, to fill a vacancy, and in the fall of 1881 he was elected to the same position,
which he has held ever since, his present term expiring December 31, 1896.
In 1884 he was attorney for the Legislative Committee appointed to investigate the
armories and arsenals of New York State. He has also been president of the village
of Gouverneur.
In 1873 Judge Conger married Martha A. Church. They have two children, a son,
Alger A. Conger, now attending Cornell University, and a, daughter, Mary A. Con
ger.

F. E WILLIAMS, M. D.
F. F. Williams was born in Stockholm, St. Lawrence county, July 10, 1857. He
was educated in the district schools, of Bicknellville and Potsdam Normal School.
He taught the district school at Bicknellville while attending the Normal School,
and after his graduation, July 1, 1879, he was principal of the Union Free School at
Heuvelton for two years.
He began the study of medicine while teaching, and in the fall of 1881 he entered
the New Y'ork Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, and graduated March 15,
1883. After practicing nine months with Dr. Brown, of Potsdam, with whom he had
previously studied, he came to Canton January 15, 1884, and opened his present office.
His practice was gratifying from the first, and he is now in the enjoyment of a very
large professional clientage.
Dr. Williams is a member of the St. Lawrence and Franklin county Homeopathic
Medical Society, and is one of the censors. He is also a member of the Homeopathic
Medical Society of the State of New Y'ork. the American Institute of Homeopathy,
and of the American Association of Orificial Surgeons. He is also a Mason of high
degree, being past master of St. Lawrence Lodge No. Ill F. and A. M. ; is a mem
ber of St. Lawrence Chapter No. 132 R. A. M. ; St. Lawrence Commandery No. 28
K. T. ; of Media Temple, Mystic Shrine, located at Watertown ; of St. Lawrence
Lodge of Perfection ; and a present patron of the Empire Chapter Eastern Star No.
68. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Canton Lodge
No. 635, and is examining surgeon of the Foresters at Canton. He is also a member
of the Social Club of Canton.
Dr. Williams married Lilla A. Thornton, eldest daughter of Alonzo Thornton,
formerly of Heuvelton, August 12, 1884. They have two sons living; one daughter
deceased. Dr. Williams's father is Selden Williams, who is a native of the town of Jamaica,
Vt. He was born March 21, 1828, and has resided in Stockholm since five years of
age. His mother's maiden name was S. Jane Sumner. She died January 30, 1877.

60 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
WILLIAM H. DANIELS.
William H. Daniels was born in Ogdensburg, N. Y. November 3, 1840. He is a
descendant of old Revolutionary stock, his paternal grandfather, Samuel Daniels,
being a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He is a son of M. S. Daniels and Fanny
Stephens. M. S. Daniels was born in Woodbury, Conn., and came with his father's
family to St. Lawrence county, N. Y., in 1806. He also served his country in the
second war with Great Britain. Fanny Stephens was born in Fairfield, Vt. , where
she resided until her marriage.
William H. Daniels received his education in the common schools of Ogdensburg.
From 1855 to 1801 he was employed as a clerk in the grocery business. In April, 1861,
he was among the first to enlist in the first company that was raised in Ogdensburg ;
in fact, it was the first company that left Northern New York for the seat of war.
The company was mustered into service as Company A, 16th N. Y. Vols. He served
as a corporal in his company until March, 1862, when he was promoted to quarter
master-sergeant of his regiment, and in July of the same year was promoted to cap
tain and assistant quartermaster U. S. Vols. In 1864 he was commissioned major
and quartermaster U. S. Vols. He served, in the Army of the Potomac from the day
it was organized until it was disbanded.
At different periods during this time, he was on the staffs of Generals Bartlett,'
Slocum, Upton, Seymour, Ricketts, Wright and Sedgwick. He was with the Sixth
Arm}- Corps when it was with General Sheridan in his Shenandoah Valley campaign,
and at one time had charge of Sheridan's entire supply train.
In May, 1865, he was offered the commission of lieutenant-colonel and quarter
master to accompany Sheridan to Texas, which he declined. He was then placed
on waiting orders and returned home, but was soon after ordered to Fort McPherson,
Neb. At that time the Union Pacific Railroad was not built, and to reach the fort
he had to ride six hundred miles in a stage coach.
Shortly after his arrival there he was offered a commission in the regular army,
which he declined. He remained at Fort McPherson until August, 1866, when he
resigned his commission and returned to his home in Ogdensburg, after a service in
the army of nearly five and a half years. His position and long service brought
him in personal aquaintance with many of the leading generals of the war.
On his return home he engaged in the grocery business for a short time, when he
purchased the old Ogdensburg Bakery, and engaged in the wholesale' bakery busi
ness with which he has since been identified.
Major Daniels married, in 1864, Annie E. Chatterton, daughter of Hiram Chatter-'
ton. To them were born three children, two daughters, who died in childhood, and
one son.
Major Daniels was collector of customs for the District of Oswegatchie from April,
1880, to June, 1888 ; for a number of years was president of the Oswegatchie Agricul
tural Society ; for two years he was president of the Ogdensburg Club, and it was
under his administration and due almost to his personal efforts that the present
beautiful club house was erected, which is such an ornament to the city. He is a
member of the Board of Water Commissioners, is also one of the Fair Ground and
Town Hall Commissioners, and for a number of years has been chairman of the Re
publican County Committee, and a member of the G. A. R. He is known to all as a

BIOGRAPHICAL. 01
man of superior business ability, possesses fine social qualities, liberal and broad
minded and full of the spirit of enterprise, both public and private.

HON. GEORGE HALL.
George Hall was born in Sackett's Harbor, N. Y. , March 11, 1847. He resided
there until 1861. He then took up the trade of telegraph operator and was employed
at various places in this State until 1865, when he settled in New York city. He
came to Ogdensburg in 1871 and was employed by the firm of Hall & Gardner, coal
dealers and forwarders, of which his brother, Henry Hall, was a member. In 1872
his brother died and he became a member of the firm, and continued with it until
the winter of 1880, when it was dissolved.
Then Mr. Hall, in connection with J. S. Bean and W. L. Proctor, purchased the
business under the firm name of Geo. Hall & Co. Under Mr. Hall's management
the business rapidly increased and prospered. In 1893 it was incorporated under
the name of The George Hall Coal Company, with a capital of 8650,000. A large
number of men are employed, and the annual business of the firm runs into the mil
lions. Mr Hall has always taken a deep interest in public affairs. He has been alderman
of his ward several times, and in 1887 and 1888 was elected mayor of Ogdensburg,
and his administrations were eminently successful. Upon the establishment of the
State Hospital for the Insane he was selected by Governor Hill as a member of the
Board of Managers, and in 1892 he was elected president of the board.
Mr. Hall was married, June 3^), 1873, to Helen Brown, of Watertown. Two chil
dren have been born to them, a daughter and a son. They occupy a handsome res
idence on State street.
Mr. Hall is highly esteemed as a citizen and business man. He is public spirited
and always willing and anxious to advance the interests of the city in which he lives.

G. W. REYNOLDS, M. D.
Gerald Whitney Reynolds, M. D. , was born in Isle La Motte, Grand Isle county,
Vt., June 12, 1844, a son of Martin Van Buren Reynolds, a native of Vermont and a
farmer. The boyhood of the subject was spent in the town of his birth, and his first
education was received at a select school under the tutorship of Prof. Nathaniel Gale,
a graduate of Albany State Normal School. At fifteen years of age he entered
Plattsburg Select School, where he prepared for college. From 1862 to 1865 he was a
teacher in the common schools of Clinton, Franklin and St. Lawrence counties, and
also a select school in the autumns during this time.
He began the study of medicine under Dr. H. H. Hogan, at Bombay, while teach
ing, and after giving up teaching he entered the medical department of the Univer-

G2 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY
sity of Vermont at Burlington, from which he graduated with the degree of M. D.,
June 10, 1866. He began the practice of his profession the same year at Morley, St.
Lawrence county, where he ministered to the wants of the people for seven years, and
August 1, 1873, came to Madrid and bought the property and took the place of Dr.
John Pierce, where he established a. very extensive practice and enjoys an enviable
reputation as a successful physician.
Dr. Reynolds is a member of the M. E. church, in which he was for a few years a
steward and district steward one season. He is* also a member of the Masonic fra
ternity. He married, in 1868, Lottie A. Hoyt, of North Lawrence, who died in 1878,
leaving two children: Clarence Ira, head attendant of the St. Lawrence State Hos
pital ; and Jessie Marcia, a student of Ives Seminary, Antwerp. He married second,
in 1879, Amanda M. Erwin, of Madrid, and they have four children: Georgia D.,
Martin V. B. , Charlotte, aud Caroline.

JOHN H. AUSTIN.
John Howard Austin was born in Waddington, St. Lawrence county, July 2, 1835.
Fie received his education in the public and select schools at Morley in this county.
He was connected with two mercantile houses. In 1868 he established himself in his
present business in Ogdensburg. His ancestors came from England before the Rev
olution. They distinguished themselves in the War of the Revolution, also in the
war with Mexico. The city of Austin, Texas, was named for Provisional Governor
Stephen Austin, who died in a Mexican prison.
Mr. Austin married Ellen R. Lee in 1861, daughter of John Lee, whose father,
Thomas Lee, came to this county as one of the first settlers. They have had two
children, only one living — John J. Austin, who assists his father in his mercantile
business.

REV. L. MERRILL MILLER.
Rev. L. Merrill Miller, Ogdensburg, was born in Rochester, October 13, 1819.
He received his early education in that city, preparing for college at the old " High
School," in charge of Rev. Dr. Chester Dewey, and was graduated from Hamilton
College in the notable class of 1840. At the age of thirteen he united with the First
Presbyterian Church of Rochester, and early made choice of the ministry as his life
work. He began his theological course at Princeton Seminary, passing the exam
inations of the first year and completing much of the second year's work before ill
health compelled him to leave the seminary. Later he continued his theological
studies while teaching, and in November, 1843*was examined and licensed to preach
by Steuben (O. S.) Presbytery. In May, 1844, he' was called to the Presbyterian
church of Bath, Steuben county, and in October of that year was ordained and in
stalled as pastor of the church. In October, 1846, he married Lydia R., daughter of

BIOGRAPHICAL. 63
Hon. David Ramsey, of Bath. After a service of seven years with that church,
filling the offices of stated clerk of Steuben Presbytery and permanent clerk of the
Synod of Buffalo, preaching and lecturing much outside of his own church, and act
ing as trustee of Geneseo Academy, he accepted a call to the pastorate of the First
Presbyterian Church in Ogdensburg, in February, 1851. He arrived at his new
field of labor suffering from a broken leg, in consequence of an overturned stage
coach on the way, and entered his pulpit on crutches. His installation took place
June 25, 1851. Repeatedly declining invitations to larger churches or to other de
sirable fields of service, he still remains, and is now entering upon the forty-fourth
year of his pastorate in Ogdensburg. His untiring labors here with his own church
and for other churches have been interrupted only by two or three brief illnesses,
and by his travels through Europe, Egypt and Syria in 1869-70.
He received the honorary degree of S. T. D. from his alma mater in 1865, and was
elected a trustee of Hamilton College in 1869. Dr. Miller has been secretary of the
St. Lawrence County Bible Society for more than a quarter of a century, and inti
mately connected with various ecclesiastical and benevolent associations of the
county. After the union of the old and new school branches of the Presbyterian
church, the Synod of Central New York was formed, of which he was elected mod
erator at Utica in 1873, and afterward, when the several synods of the State were
combined, he was, in 1885, elected moderator of the Synod of New York.
A citizen of Ogdensburg for almost half a century, Dr. Miller has won a high
place in the esteem of its people. Wise, public-spirited and energetic, he has effect
ively aided in all enterprises for the public welfare, and has furthered the city's
material as well as its spiritual interests. While his wide sympathy and his genial
.kindliness have made him the personal friend of his fellow citizens without limit of
creed or church, he has been unflinching in his support of whatever he believed to
be right.
In the dark days of '61, after the fall of Fort Sumter, when to " preach politics "
in this community required a courage no less genuine than to charge a battery, his
pulpit gave forth no uncertain sound. From the church tower floated the LTnited
States flag, while the patriotic eloquence of the preacher stirred men's souls and had
no small part in rousing that enthusiasm which carried into the ranks of the Union
Army ninety men from that single church.
When, in 1891, Dr. Miller's church arranged to celebrate the fortieth anniversary
of his pastorate, the entire city joined with them to do him honor, and church aud
parsonage were thronged with those who knew and loved him.

CAPTAIN H. HOLLAND.
Capt. H. Holland was born at Rouse's Point, N. Y., of Irish parentage. He at
tended the local schools till he reachec. the age of sixteen, when he entered the large
publishing house of John W. Lovell. Here he remained three years, during which
time he became thoroughly acquainted with the art of printing in all its branches.
Meanwhile he pursued his studies every evening with the aid of a private preceptor,

04 HISTORY OK ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
and at the early age of nineteen he was appointed inspector in the Vermont customs
service, an office which he creditably filled for two years. Later on he engaged in
the insurance business in connection with the management of the popular Hi illand
House, which he built and still owns. On completion of the hotel he strove in vain
to induce the town authorities to introduce a system of water works for the benefit of
the village ; on their refusal he erected, at considerable cost, a private system, which
supplied his hotel and other property with water from Lake Champlain. Following
his example, the village fathers have since supplied the entire village with water.
Notwithstanding his extensive business he found time to correspond for two daily
papers, the Troy Times and the Plattsburg Telegram.
The phenomenal success of his hotel and the large profits accruing therefrom failed
to counteract his natural dislike for the business. A prominent insurance company
offered him special inducements to remove to Ogdensburg. He acquiesced in the
proposal and purchased the business of Geo. B. Shepard, which extended along the
entire line of the Ogdensburg and Lake Champlain Railroad, and conducted it until
1892. Soon after his arrival in the Maple City he organized the Thirty-fifth Separate
Company, of which he was appointed first lieutenant by Governor Hill, and on the
resignation of its first captain, was raised by the vote of his companions in arms to
the office of commander.
On April 13, 1889, Captain Holland established the Ogdensburg Courier, a Cath
olic weekly paper, and ran it so ably as to raise its circulation to a larger figure than
that of any paper in the county or Northern New York. On September 1, 18112, he
organized the Courier Publishing Company, of which he was manager. December
1, 1893, the company leased the paper to an individual publisher.
July 1, 1890, Captain Holland purchased the Ogdensburg News plant and also the
Ogdensburg Star, and February 2, 1891, he merged both papers into the Ogdens
burg Daily News. Finally the Ogdensburg News Company was organized Sep
tember 7, 1893, with Capt. Holland as manager, editor and treasurer. Capt. Holland
conducted the / ally News as an independent paper politically until the fall of 1892,
when he espoused the Democratic cause and Cleveland, and since that time the
paper has been Democratic. He has been a delegate to several conventions and also
interested in social organizations, having been president of the Y. M. C. U. for four
years and of the C. M. B. A. for two years. He is also' a member of the Ogdens
burg Club.
Captain Holland is an energetic business man as well as an able editor, and is
affable and courteous in all his relations of life.

BIOGRAPHICAL 05
JOHN STEBBINS LEE. D.D.
John Stebbins Lee, the eldest son of Eli and Rebecca (Stebbins) Lee, was born in
Vernon, Vt-, September 23, 1820. His early education was obtained in the common
school, where he began preparation for college. He pursued the study of Greek and
Latin at Brattleboro' , Vt., Deerfield and Shelburne Falls, Mass., and entered Am
herst College in 1841. He was graduated in 1*45. receiving the degree of A.B.
In August, 1845. he took charge of Mount Caesar Seminary in Swanzev, X. H.
This was a denominational academy under the auspices of the Universalists. and
from that time to the present he has been a teacher, mostly in institutions under the
care of this denomination.
In July, 1846, he commenced his theological studies with Rev. Dr. Hosea Ballou
2d, Medford, Mass. He was ordained in West Brattleboro'. Vt, in June, 1847, and
in August following he took charge of Melrose Seminary, a new academical institu
tion which had been established there. For two years this institution was largely
patronized, and many of its students took prominent positions afterwards in business
and professional circles.
In 1849 Mr. Lee removed to Lebanon, X. H., and became the pastor of the Uni
versalist parish. During the two years he remained here he taught for a portion of
the time in Lebanon Liberal Institute. In 1851 he resigned his charge and removed
to Montpelier, Vt. , and became assistant editor of Tlie Christian Repository, a
paper in charge of Rev. Dr. Eli Ballou, and he also continued to preach. In March,
1852, he accepted an invitation as principal of Green Mountain Institute in South
Woodstock, Vt. , where he taught twenty-one terms in succession. The number of
the students continued to increase until they reached to one hundred and fif tv a
term. He had, some terms, half a dozen teachers under his control. He preached
nearly every Sunday, also, in Woodstock and the surrounding towns. Wearied out
by constant labors, in May, 1857, he resigned his position, and was pastor of the
Woodstock parish for two years. He was elected town superintendent of schools, a
position which he had previously held in Lebanon.
In April, 1859, he accepted an invitation as professor of Greek and Latin lan
guages in St. Lawrence University, a college then established in Canton, X. Y. . in
connection with a theological school. Dr. Lee had charge of the college for nine
years as acting president, and also performed the special duties of his department
and taught the Greek Testament a portion of the time in the Theological School.
He was aided by Professors John W. Clapp, A.M., and Nehemiah White, Ph. D.,
afterwards president of Lombard University. With the aid of these professors, and
the theological professors, Revs. Dr. E. Fisher, M. Goodrich and O. Cone, D.D., he
succeeded in evolving the college out of the crudest materials, building it up and
putting it on a permanent foundation. Four classes under him were graduated from
1865 to 1868, inclusive.
In July, 1878, worn out by severe and unremitting labors, the trustees granted him
nine months' leave of absence, which he improved in foreign travel in Europe, Egypt
and the Holy Land, and returned in March, 1869. greatly improved in health and
knowledge. His joumev was rapid, but he reaped rich fruits from it by reason of
his extensive reading previously in history and the classics. He lectured extensively
I

60 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
in New York and New England, and in January, 1871, at the request of friends, he
published "Nature and Art in the Old World." This volume has been extensively
read and universally commended. He also published " Sacred Cities," which treats
of Bible lands. He has written elaborate articles for " The Ladies' Repository,"
" The Universalist Quarterly," " The Miscellany," "To-Day," and other periodicals.
He has collected a library of four thousand volumes, which has been constantly used
by students as well as members of his family.
He has been zealous in the cause of education, and has done much to promote its
interests. For six years, from 1862 to 1868, he was president of the St. Lawrence
County Teachers' Association, and frequently gave lectures to teachers.
In 1875 Professor Lee received the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from
Buchtel College, Akron, O, having previously received that of M.A. from his alma
mater. In 1875 he was elected president of Lombard University, which position he
declined. February 22, 1848, he married Miss Elmina Bennett, of Westmoreland, N. H.
Their domestic life has been eminently serene and happy. Of six children born to
them, five, three sons and two daughters, are still living. They all are graduates of
St. Lawrence University, and now occupy distinguished positions in the educational
institutions of the country.
February 22, 1873, Dr. and Mrs. Lee celebrated their silver wedding in their
pleasant home in Canton, and they have already passed the forty-sixth anniversary
in the enjoyment of health and a well earned reputation.

PART III.

PERSONAL SKETCHES.

Personal Sketches.

Anderson, Duncan, Ogdensburg, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, May 5, 1833. He
received his education in the schools of Scotland, and came to this country in 1850. He
has always followed flour and grist milling, holding a number of very important posi
tions in different large mills, and also owning interests in this line of commercial industry
himself. He is superintendent of the Rhodee & Bill mills of Ogdensburg. He married
in 1862 Hattie E. Cheney, and has three sons. He is » member of the Masonic Order
No. 128, and is a sound and substantial business man and citizen.
Austin, S. H., Little York, was born in Fowler, July 23, 1844. He has been more
or less engaged in farming until recently he has embarked in the manufacture of
pulp, and is secretary of the Raquette River Pulp Company. They are building a mill
with a capacity of thirty tons per day. Mr. Austin has been supervisor of Fowler
and has also held other offices. He has married twice, first Althea Hazelton, by
whom he had two children : Clarence J., and Jessie P. He married second Ella T.
Sterling, and had one child, Pauline Sterling. Mr. Austin is a son of Samuel A.
Austin, one of the most highly respected citizens of the county.
Austin, Edward J., Potsdam, was born where he now resides, February 22, 1854.
Phineas Austin, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Vermont and was the
father of six children. Oliver Austin, father of subject, was born in Rochester, Vt.,
July 22, 1809, and was only six years of age when his parents moved to St. Law
rence county. Phineas Austin bought a farm in Potsdam, where he died. Oliver
Austin was educated in the common schools, and at the age of twenty-four was
married. For two years previous to his marriage he drove stage in Canada. In 1833
he bought a small piece of land of ten acres, which he increased by purchase to 165
acres, and he also owned another piece of land of thirty-two acres. Mr. Austin was a
staunch Republican, but was never an aspirant for public office. He was a member
of the Methodist church in Potsdam, and was for a number of years a class leader.
He married in Canada, in 1833, Harriet Sarah Sealy, born in London, Eng., who came
to Canada when five years old. They had seventeen children, ten now living, five in
Michigan (three being physicians and one a minister) ; and five are living in New
York State. Oliver Austin died March 22, 1893, and Mrs Austin February 22, 1893.
The youngest of the children were twins, Edwin H, and Edward J. Edward was
educated in the common schools and Potsdam State Normal school. He acted as

2 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
clerk in E. D. Brooks' and M. Ives' store in Potsdam for a short time, and his father's
health failing, he came back on the farm which he now has the contract of, and con
ducts a dairy farm with about twenty-four cattle. He married in 1879 Annie,
daughter of John T. and Jane A. (Harder) Lee, of Syracuse, formerly of Troy. They
had three children : Frank Lee, born March 30, 1882 ; William Edward, born May 29,
1886 ; and John T. Lee, born November 6, 1892.
Ames, Fisher F., Norfolk, was born in Keene, N. H., June 6, 1814, a son of Jacob
Ames, also a native of Keene, N. H., where he lived and died. His wife was Martha
(Woodcock) Farnsworth, widow of Moses Farnsworth, by whom she had five daughters
and three sons. Mr. Ames and wife had one child, our subject. Mr. Ames was a
harnessmaker by trade and had a large business in Keene, N. H. He spent his last
days on a farm and died in 1816, and his wife and family came to Norfolk in 1823, and
lived with her son Joel Farnsworth until her death. Fisher Ames was educated in the
common schools, and was nine years of age when he came to Norfolk with his mother.
He and his half brother, Joel Farnsworth, worked in the saw-mill and grist-mill for
Mr. Culver. After five years the family settled on a farm and the boys cut the first
tree and built a log-house. They cleared the farm and afterwards built the house that
now stands on the farm and is owned by Mrs. Harris and Frank Farnsworth, niece and
nephew of Silas J. Farnsworth, a noted civil engineer of St. Lawrence county. The
family kept hotel for several years. Mr. Ames remained on that farm until twenty-
three years of age, when he went to Michigan. Illinois and Wisconsin, and worked
in mill and lumber business, and after two years returned to Norfolk. He purchased
fifty acres of land which he still owns. He first lived in a log-house, but soon built a
good frame building, and there resided until 1877, when he built the finest residence
in Norfolk. He added to his real estate until he now has about 600 acres of land.
Dairying is his principal business, keeping fifty cows. Mr. Ames married in 1838 Lucina
Johnson, a native of Vermont and daughter of Leland Johnson, who at one time resided
in Norfolk. He went to Cotou, Canada, where he died. Mr. Ames and wife have had
three sons: Allen F., a farmer of Norfolk; Alonzo L., married Annie Baker, a native
of Canada ; and Silas T., who married Ella Farnsworth, a native of Norfolk, and they
have one child, Fisher. Mr. Ames has always been a Democrat in politics, and was
assessor one term. He is a member of the Congregational church of Massena, and his
wife was also a member.
Aust, Henry A., Ogdensburg, was born in England, September 25, 1842. He came
to this country in 1856, and worked at the machinist trade for two years. He then
learned the dying business at which he was employed until the outbreak of the war,
when he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Regiment N. Y. Vol
unteers, and participated in numerous engagements. He was at the battles of Chan-
cellorsville, at which time he received a very severe wound in his right arm, causing a
compound fracture, from which Mr. Aust now suffers. After the war he returned
here and engaged in the tin, glassware and-jewelry business, in which industry he re
mained for over fifteen years. After a visit to Europe Mr. Aust again entered business
circles, this time establishing a grocery store in State street, which he is still conduct
ing. He married in October, 1861. His wife died in 1892. Mr. Aust is adornment

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 3
member of the G. A. R. and A. 0. U. W., of which he is Past Master. He has one
son, Jesse S., who was born in Philadelphia in January, 1865, and who is a machinist
by trade, also has one grandchild.
Austin, S. A., Gouverneur, was born in Lewis county, April 28, 1815, and has always
been a farmer. He lived fifty-three years in Fowler and settled in Gouverneur in 1892,
retiring from active life. In 1840 he married Eliza M. Hazleton, who died in 1890.
His children are : Anna E. Kelley, Simon H. Austin, Lyman L. Austin, Viola I. Griffin,
Rosalie M., and Allora E. His father was Isaac Austin, a native of Massachusetts, and
one of the early settlers of Lewis county.
Abbott, Rev. Henry Crounce, M.A., Potsdam, was born in the town of Gallopville,
Schoharie county, November 23, 1830, a son of Henry, who was a farmer and native of
Schoharie county. Subject was only four years old when his parents moved to Clay,
Onondaga county, where Henry received his education. He afterward attended Falley
Seminary at Fulton, from which he graduated in 1854. In 1855 he entered Wesleyan
University at Middletown, graduating with the degree A. B. in 1859, and immediately
entered the conference of the M. E. church. His first charge was at New London,
Oneida county, N. Y., where he was located for one year, and has since been located
at Constantia, Florence, Sandy Creek, Rodman, Turin, Butler, Fleming, Hannibal,
Heuvelton, Buck's Bridge, Massena, Black River, Hermon, Butler Centre, Norfolk, Lis
bon, and was appointed in 1892 agent for the St. Lawrence County Bible Society, and
is serving his second term. He has been twice married. His first wife was Mary
Fletcher, daughter of Rev. Thomas Newman of the New York Conference. Mrs. Ab
bott died February 2, 1874, and he married second, in 1877, Leonora Norton, of Can
ton. He is the father of seven children : George Irving, a general clerk in Kingsford
Foundry at Oswego ; Anna Laura, wife of Hugh Flack, a leading clerk in Manchester,
R. I ; Grace Mary, of the town of Van Buren, Onondaga county ; Dora Norton, Leon
Charles, Lou. Doucolion, and Lena Newman, students of Norwood Academy. Mr. Ab
bott is a staunch Prohibitionist.
Archer, William, Morristown, is the third son of David Archer, who was born at
Negorton, Scotland, August 17, 1803. He was a descendant of an ancient " clan," or
family, who obtained the name by being skilled in the use of the bow. In early life he
was employed in guarding cows, and later as a weaver, which occupation he abandoned
for the farm and became an expert plowman, a skill inherited by his sons. At his ma
jority he emigrated to the States and took up a farm in Pennsylvania, but soon returned
to Scotland and engaged with the Earl of Knooul, serving him seven years as carter at
eighteen pence per day. In the meantime he married Miss Ceciall Cuthbert, of Methven,
April 4, 1834. He worked a farm for a few years, which gave small returns, when
he emigrated to America with his wife and four children, as follows: David, jr., Ceciall,
John and Cathrine. They landed at Quebec about the 1st of June, 1843, and proceeded
up the river by way of Ottawa and Kingston, thence down to Oak Point, and settled
on the shores of Chippeway Bay. At this place William and Anna was born. After
remaining some four years he removed to Morristown. His effects consisted of a few
household goods, two yoke of steers, and seven dollars in cash. He took a contract of

4 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
106 acres of land, to which he afterwards added 167 acres more. At the homestead
Agness, Ellen and James were born. About 1857 the family circle was broken by
David marrying and leaving home. Ceciall died November 9, 1860 ; Cathrine died
April 21, 1864 ; the mother followed April 30, 1881 ; and the father was called January
28, 1887 ; also John d:ed at Manitoba, January 21, 1892. Mr. Archer, from small be
ginnings through a long life of industry and frugality, brought up a large and respected
family, besides accumulating a handsome property, and died at the ripe age of eighty -
four years in the faith of a Christian's hope.
Ames, Frank W., Morristown, was born in Morristown, July 24, 1864. September
9, 1885, he married Vira, daughter of Edward Russell, and they have two sons. Mr.
Ames' father was Jeremiah Ames, his grandfather was of the same name. They came
to Morristown from the Mohawk valley. Mr. Ames, although a young man, has for
some time been prominent in Morristown. He is a staunch Democrat, has been inspec
tor of elections, served on the Democratic town committee, and May 22, 1893, was ap
pointed deputy collector and inspector of customs at Morristown. He keeps some fine
horses and is interested in the French Coach Horse Company of Hammond and Morris
town, N. Y.
Adams, Charles F., Potsdam, was born in the town of Stockholm on a farm February
17, 1840. Washington Adams, father of our subject, was a native of Vermont, born in
1804, and came to St. Lawrence county about 1830, and' bought a farm of seventy-five
acres in Stockholm, where he made his home. The first residence was a log-house,
which in 1855 was superseded by a frame house. He died in 1882. The mother of
our subject, Sabria Streeter, was also a native of Vermont. She died in 1867, aged
sixty years. Charles F. was the third son in a family of nine children. He followed
farming until he was twenty -six years of age. In 1867 he came to Potsdam, locating
in Norwood, where he engaged in the meat business, which he followed until 1876,
and then engaged in stock dealing, about 1887 going into the horse trade. The present
trade is the importing of horses from Canada into this section, where he finds a ready
market among the farmers. He is the most extensive dealer in horses in Northern
New York, handling at least 300 horses per year. Mr. Adams moved to Potsdam in
1869, where in 1886 he purchased the old Joseph H. Sanford homestead on Elm street,
which was built in 1842. He married in 1866 Sarah Heard, of Alleghany county, and
they had three children, all deceased. Mrs. Adams died in 1872, and he married sec
ond, in 1873, Ellen Hawley, of Potsdam, and they had two children, both deceased.
They have an adopted son, Earl Adams, and an adopted daughter, Mildred.
Allen, Freeman H.. Potsdam, was born in Copenhagen, Lewis county, October 22,
1862, a son of Dr. Ebenezer Allen, now in his eightieth year. Dr. Allen has been
practicing medicine in Copenhagen for over forty years. During the life of Dr. Lyman
Stanton they practiced together. The mother of our subject was Susan, sister of Dr.
Lyman Stanton. Dr. Allen has had seven children, five of whom are now living : Al
bert D., at one time principal of Ilion and later of Trenton High Schools, now a com
mercial traveler ; William, formerly a teacher, also on the road ; John E., who served
as paymaster sergeant in the regular army, discharged on account of having suffered a

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 5
stroke of paralysis, is now living retired at Copenhagen ; E. Stanton, the youngest
brother, conducting a garden farm at Martinsburg, Lewis county ; and Freeman H.
Our subject was educated in the common schools and Potsdam Normal School, gradu
ating from the latter in 1885. After his graduation he accepted a position as teacher in
the Normal School. He is a member of the State Teachers' Association, and has been
of the National Association. He is a member of the Baptist church of Potsdam, of
which he is clerk and leader of the choir, a Mason, and a member of the Reohabites and
Temple of' Honor. He married in June, 1890, Rose, daughter of Capt. Luther Priest,
of Potsdam.
Atwater, Edwin H., Norfolk, was born in Norfolk, April 30, 1834. His father.
Hiram Atwater, a native of Williston, Vt., was born January 1, 1802, a son of Jonathan
and Sarah (Badger) Atwater, natives of Connecticut, who settled in Vermont in an
early day. In 1828, at the age of twenty-six, Hiram came to Norfolk and taught sev
eral terms of school. He then went to Vermont, and February 8, 1830, married Han
nah Miner, a native of Williston, by whom he had three sons: Henry M., Edwin H.,
and Lucius L. Henry M. went to California in 1881, and died in April, 1883. Lucius
L. died in his home in Norfolk, September 11, 1892. In 1830 Mr. Atwater returned
to Norfolk, where he spent the remainder of his days. He engaged in the lumber busi
ness in connection with farming and mercantile business until 1856, when he built a
tannery. In 1863 he retired from business, and died June 23, 1871. He has witnessed
all and borne a part in many of the local improvements of the last half century. He
served in nearly every position of honor and trust in his town. In business matters he
was honest, reliable and straightforward, and was a man of strictly temperate habits
and liberal Christian sentiment. His son, Edwin H., was reared on a farm and edu
cated in the common schools. At sixteen years of age he engaged as clerk for a short
time. His father starting in business in 1851, the son engaged as clerk for him until
1856, and then entered the mercantile business for himself, in partnership with his
brothers, and in 1863 this partnership was dissolved and another formed with G. E.
Holbrook. In 1865 this was also dissolved and the business sold to Sayles & Sumner.
In 1867 Mr. Atwater formed a partnership with A. E. Sayles, which has been con
tinued to the present time. He is interested in real estate in Norfolk and adjoining
towns. He is independent in politics, and was justice of the peace for several years,
supervisor nine years, and was also supervisor in Ogdensburg ' for one year, having
resided in that city from 1886 to 1889. October 22, 1860, Mr. Atwater married Lavina
C. Yale, a native of Norfolk, and a daughter of Lloyd C. Yale of that town. They
have had three children : Horace G., Grace Y., and Lucia H.
Abernethy, Cyrus C, Madrid, was born in Waddington, February 22, 1839. His
father, Calvin, was the eldest son of Cyrus and Sallie (Doolittle) Abernethy, natives of
Vermont, who emigrated to Madrid in 1802, and here spent ihe remainder of their
days. Calvin Abernethy was born at Cornwall, Vt., in 1797. He was five years of
age when his parents came to Madrid. He was reared on a farm and educated in the
common schools. He engaged in farming, first purchasing a farm on Grass River,
where he lived a short time, when he located in Waddington on the farm our sub
ject now owns. In 1821 he married Lura, daughter of John McKnight, a native of

6 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Massachusetts. Mr. Abernethy and wife have had these children: Sarah, Levi 0.,
Susan H., Monroe, Helen, Pauline and Cyrus 0. Monroe enlisted in Company G, One
Hundred and Sixth N. Y. Infantry, and died at Martinsburg, Va. Mr. Abernethy
was formerly a Democrat, but in later years a Republican and held the office of highway
commissioner two terms. He and wife were members of the Universalist church in
Madrid. He died March 1, 1890, aged ninety-three years. Mrs. Abernethy died June 7,
1876. Cyrus C. was reared and educated in Waddington. He has always been
engaged in farming, and at present owns 116 acres of land and follows general farm
ing. In 1860 he married Samantha, daughter of Stowell Brigham, a native of Ver
mont, who came to Madrid, and then removed to Canton, where he died in 1873. Mr.
Abernethy and wife have had one son, Warren, who has spent eleven years of his life
railroading in Illinois, but at present is engaged in farming at Waddington. He mar
ried Ida Esslinger, a native of Ohio, and they have one daughter, Dawn. In 1864 Mr.
Abernethy enlisted in Company I, Ninety-first N. Y. Infantry, and served until the
close of the war. In politics he is a Republican, has held the office of assessor thirteen
years, and is one of the present assessors. He and wife are members of the Univer
salist church of Madrid.
Allen, Peter, Hammond, was born in Hammond, October 15, 1841. His father was
William Allen, a Scotchman by birth, who came to America in 1818, and settled on the
Bay road, Hammond. In 1865 Mr. Allen married Emma Hicks, and they have five
children : William H., Erwin P., AnnaE., Nellie J., and Ada R. William H. married
Laura Hewitt. Mr. Allen gives intelligent attention to stock breeding in Jersey cattle,
Oxforddown sheep, Cheshire hogs, and Clydesdale horses, White Plymouth Rock and
White Leghorn fowls. Fine separator butter a specialty.
Allen, Alexander, Hammond, was born in Hammond, January 22, 1846. He was
educated at Gouverneur Seminary, and taught school four years. He has been in mer
cantile business twenty-two years. Mr. Allen has been three times married, first, in
1871, to Elizabeth Battell, by whom he had three children : Roy G. and W. Clyde. In 1880
he married Elizabeth Kenyon, and in 1884 Hattie Higby, who has three children:
Stephen Alexander, Emma Maude and Harold Beckwith. Mr. Allen was appointed
postmaster at Chippewa Bay in 1880, and held the office until 1893. His father was
William Allen, a native of Scotland, who came to America in 1818. His mother was
Anna (Hoag) Alien.
Amo, Alexander, Ogdensburg, was born in Canada, October 4, 1839. He came to
Ogdensburg when about fifteen years of age and engaged with Thomas Atchinson, with
whom he remained two and one-half years; then for two summers he was in the em
ploy of M. Page, father of the present firm of Page Bros., brick makers, and then for
nineteen years following he faithfully served the C. L. & C. railroad. He worked in
Rosseau for two years in an iron foundry, at the expiration of which he bought a farm
in St. Lawrence county, which he conducted for four years, and then came to Ogdens
burg and started a grocery store and began speculating in cattle, etc., which occupation
he followed for a number of years. Two years ago, 1891, he built the hotel which he
is now conducting with the assistance of his son. Mr. Amo has four children living.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 7
He has been a prominent member of St. John the Baptist Society for the past twenty-
five years, and is much respected and esteemed.
Aitchison, Robert, Waddington, was born in Scotland, November 24, 1829. His
father, James, was a native of Scotland, and there married Ellen Robson, a native of
Scotland, by whom he had six sons and two daughters. In 1831 Mr. Aitchison and
family came to Waddington, settling on the farm where the family of George Aitchison
now resides, and there they lived and died, he October 18, 1842, and his wife May 22,
1884. Robert Aitchison was an infant when he came to Waddington. He was reared
on a farm and at twenty years of age learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed
most of the time, but for the last fifteen years he has been a farmer. He now owns
190 acres in Waddington and twenty acres in Madrid. His principal business is dairy
ing, and the farms are carried on by his son-in-law, Frank Stearns, and son James. Mr.
Aitchison married February 4, 1858, Mary A. Fisher, of Madrid, a daughter of Robert
Fisher, and they have had two children : James and Mary E. He is a Republican and
has been assessor three years. He was elected highway commissioner in 1893, also
held that office one term previously. Mr. Aitchison, with John McDowell, were the
commissioners to build the town hall in Waddington. He is a member of the Scotch
Presbyterian church of Waddington. Mrs. Aitchison died in March, 1881.
Anstead, Alvin, Parishville, was born in Manheim, Herkimer county, August 10,
1830, a son of Jacob, a native of the same place, born June 6, 1791. The latter was a
soldier under General Burgoyne in the British army, and — the father of the latter —
was taken prisoner at Saratoga. He then enlisted in the American army and served
three months, for which he received a pension. In 1841 Alvin Anstead came to Par
ishville with his father, and settled on the farm now owned by our subject. He mar
ried Elizabeth Wolever, who was born March 14, 1794, and they had seven sons and
two daughters. He died September 17, 1877, and his wife March 18, 1885. Alvin
was reared on a farm and educated in the St. Lawrence Academy. He was ten years
old when he came to this town. His farm consists of 330 acres of fine land, and he
keeps about fifty-five head of cattle. Mr. Anstead has been thrice married, first in
1869 to Lucy A. Cox, by whom he had three children : Herbert, Edna and Lucy A.
Mrs Anstead died in 1869, and he married second Mrs. Lovioa Gleason, who died in
April, 1889. His present wife was Mrs. Cornelia Timerman, a native of Lisbon, and a
daughter .of Samuel McCrea, a native of Essex county, and an early settler of Lisbon,
who was in fhe war of 1812. Mr. Anstead is a Republican, and has been assessor six
years, and for the past five years has been highway commissioner. He is a member of
P. of H., No. 542, of West Parishville, and he and his wife are members of the Free
will Baptist church of that place.
Bonney, George W., Potsdam, was born in Hadley, Mass., November 23, 1825. His
father was Oliver Bonney, a native of Hanover, Mass. George W. received an aca
demic education, and at the age of about twenty went to New York to study painting.
He became an artist of considerable repute. In beginning his work as a painter he
first spent three weeks at Northampton, Mass., with an artist by the name of Billings,
and then painted an excellent portrait of his mother, which is the original of all the

8 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
pictures of her now in the possession of the family. He spent three seasons painting
in the Southern States, and in 1849 removed to Vermont, where he followed his profes
sion till 1853. He then removed to Potsdam, and there did some painting and also
conducted a boot and shoe business. After a few years he sold the latter and engaged
in the clothing trade, which he conducted but a short time. Early in the sixties he es
tablished a market for the wholesale dealing in oil (the business now known as the
Standard Oil Co.), and continued in this until his death April 9, 1887. He married in
1851 Helen S., daughter of Horace Wilcox, of Pawlet, Vt., and they had two children :
Arthur L., cashier of the Standard Oil Company's station at Potsdam, and Mrs. Frank
P. Matthews.
Baird, Robert J.. Stockholm, was born in Lawrence, N. Y., November 25, 1856. He
is a son of Henry Baird, who was born in Ireland in 1826. The latter emigrated to
Burlington, Vt, and after two years settled on the farm in Lawrence now owned by
subject. In 1872 he bought an adjoining farm in Stockholm, and there spent the re
mainder of his life. Mr. Baird was twice manied, first to Margaret Baird, a native of
Ireland, by whom he had one son and two daughters. She died in June, 1869, and he
married second Sarah J. Robinson, of Madrid, N. Y., who at present resides in Stock
holm with her son. Mr. Baird died November 23, 1891. Robert J. was educated in
the common schools, and is a progressive farmer, owning 265 acres in Stockholm and
Lawrence, and keeping thirty-five cows and six horses. He has on his farm two silos,
holding fifty tons each. He makes a specialty of breeding improved Chester white
swine. In politics he is a Republican, and at present holds the office of assessor. He
is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., Winthrop Lodge, No. 620, and P. of H., of Winthrop.
In 1881 our subject married Ettie A. Meacham, a native of Stockholm, and they have
one child, Ernest H. Mrs. Baird is a member of the Freewill Baptist church of Ft.
Jackson, N. Y. She was a school teacher, and taught eight terms before her marriage.
Ballou, Hiram H., Stockholm, was born December 12, 1845, in Stockholm. His
father was Amos Ballou, a native of Crown Point, Essex county, born December 24,
1811. Amos married Delia Chiloott, a native of Crown Point, born August 1 1812.
They reared nine sons and five daughters. In 1844 Mr. Ballou and family came to
Stockholm with an ox team, and settled on the farm now owned by Hiram H. Mr.
Ballou was a man of great energy. He cleared his own farm, and assisted in clearing
farms for his neighbors. He was a Republican in polities. His death occurred Jan
uary 26, 1876, and that of his wife March 31, 1884. Hiram H. Ballou was reared on a
farm and educated in the public schools. His principal occupation has been farming
and dairying. He owns 212J acres and keeps twenty-five cows. When a young man
Mr. Ballou went to Wisconsin, and there followed carpentry for a short time. He
spent seven years in that State, where he married November 23, 1874 Jennie E. Fos
ter, a native of Stockholm, N. Y., and daughter of Henry Foster (son of Henry Fos
ter, one of the early settlers of Stockholm). Mr. Ballou and wife have six children ¦
George, Frank W., Vernie H., Hattie M., Addie D. and Ettie M. Mr. Ballou is a Re
publican. He is a member of P. of I, of Buckton lodge, No. 226, and he and wife are
Universalists,

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 9
Brown, A. P., Fowler, was born in Pitcairn, September 16, 1846, and began cheese-
making in 1884, which occupation he still follows. He had previously been a farmer.
He owns the factory at Litt'e York with adjoining lands, and operates the factory him
self. Mr. Brown has been twice married, first to Manie Clelland, and second to Sarah
Grant. He has one son, Sherman, by his first marriage, and three children, Manie,
Rose and Harold, by his second wife. Mr. Brown is of Scotch-American descent.
Bergeron, J. B., Ogdensburg. The subject of this sketch was born in Canada, Janu
ary 4, 1855, and received a thorough rudimentary education in the French schools of
his native place. In 1872 he came to Ogdensburg and was employed for two years at
the depot. He then clerked for Gibbs about seven years and for Wilson about six
years and in all of these positions acquired the confidence and esteem of his employers
and gave evidence of that energy and business ability which characterize him in the
conduct of his own business, in which he embarked in the year 1889. He conducts a
general mercantile business at No. — Ford street, and is highly popular with his cus
tomers and the public generally. In 1882 Mr. Bergeron married Maggie Amo, and
they have two bright children. Mr. Bergeron is a member of the order of St. John
the Baptist, and was one of the organizers of the Ogdensburg Democratic club, of
which he is a staunch supporter. He is what might fittingly be called a thorough rep
resentative of the younger circle of Ogdensburg's enterprising and leading men.
Babcock, Sheldon, Gouverneur, was born January 27, 1817, and is one of the lead
ing farmers of Gouverneur. He came here in 1839 and in that year he married Lydia
Mason, by whom he had three sons and one daughter, all deceased but one son, Frank.
Mr. Babcock's father, Perry, was a native of Pittsfield, Mass., and his mother was born
in Hartford, Conn., where his grandfather also lived. Our subject has been assessor of
this town twenty-five years, and is the owner of 650 acres of fine dairy land.
Beach, James, Ogdensburg, was born in Canada, October 20, 1840. He received his
early education in that country, after which he was located in Chateaugay for some
time, and learned the shoemaker's trade. After the completion of this he returned to
Canada where he worked at his trade, and in 1871 moved to Ogdensburg and engaged
in following this branch of business, also gradually adding as circumstances permitted a
line of boots and shoes. He married in 1865 Margaret Worsley, and they have four
children. Mr. Beach is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, a staunch Republican,
and is one of Ogdensburg's most energetic and worthy citizens.
Bailey, Joseph A. (deceased), Potsdam, was born on the Bailey homestead in Pots
dam, June 5, 1818, the oldest son of Ansel and Sarah (Akin) Bailey. He was educated
in the old St. Lawrence Academy, and engaged in mercantile business in company with
his cousin, William S. Akin, in Cardinal, Canada. He was there eleven years and then
returned to the farm where- he spent the balance of his days. He died February 7,
1885. His wife was Margaret, daughter of Peter Adams of Canada, who still survives
him. They had nine children, six living: Ansel, a farmer of Potsdam; Sylvester, of the
American House, Norwood ; Bertha, wife of Herbert Thompson of Potsdam ; Hattie.
wife, of F. J. Higley; Eva and Anna who live at home. Mr. Bailey always took
b

10 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
an active interest in the Republican party, but never aspired to public office. The
farm now conducted by his widow contains 160 acres of land, devoted to dairying.
Allen, Thomas, Hammond, was born in Hammond, January 28, 1839. He has been
a farmer all his life and is to-day one of the largest land owners in the town. In
1867 he married Catherine Rodger, and they have two sons and two daughters:
Horace, William, Mrs. Almon Chase, and Mrs. James McGregor. Mr. Allen is inter
ested to some extent in the breeding of Holstein cattle. He is a prominent member of
the Presbyterian church. His father was William Allen and his mother Annie (Hoag)
Allen. They settled in Hammond in 1818.
Allen, R. T., Gouverneur, was born in Gouverneur, May 8, 1859, and began as a clerk
at the age of fourteen. This he continued until 1886, in which year he married Adelaide
McAllister and became associated in business with his wife's father, J. E. McAllister.
In 1884 Mr. Allen established a business in North Dakota, which he conducted seven
years. In 1891 he returned to Gouverneur, and has charge of the dry goods store of
J. E. McAllister & Company.
Brouse, Wesley, Norfolk, was born in Dundas county, Williamsburg, Canada W.,
May 30, 1837. His father, Peter, was a native of Iroquois, Canada,who married Mary
Bouck and had six sons and five daughters. He was a sergeant in the regular army,
and he and his wife died in Canada. Wesley was educated in the common schools and
and married in Canada, Mary J. Henderson, a native of Ireland, and daughter of Isaac
Henderson, who lived and died in Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Brouse have had five children :
John S., born in Canada, married a Miss Crander, and has two children; Wellington,
born in Norfolk, an engineer running from Yellowstone Park to Livingston ; May A.,
who resides at home ; Jessie and Hessie, twins. Mr. Brouse came to Norfolk in I860,
and purchased a farm in the wilderness, having only 180 acres of cleared land. He
owns 216^ acres of land and is engaged in dairying and sheep raising, having twenty-
four cows. Mr. Brouse is a Republican, and has held the office of trustee in the
district. He has been a, member of the Good Templars, and he and wife are members
of the M. E. church at Massena.
Baum, Fred E., Potsdam, was born in Potsdam, January 5, 1861, a son of Joseph
H., a native of this State, born in Columbus, Columbia county, July 24, 1833. He
learned the trade of harness maker and moved from his native town to the village of
Pamelia, Jefferson county. He was there several years and then moved to Potsdam,
where he established a harness and boot and shoe store. About 1875 he gave up the
harness business and gave his attention exclusively to the boot and shoe trade. He was
an active member of the Universalist church, of which he was one of the founders. He
was clerk of the board at the time of the building of the new edifice, and his reputation
as a business man was of the best. Honorable and always courteous, he made for
himself a large circle of friends, and always interested in every enterprise tending to
improve the village. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Baum had
four children, three of whom are living : May Elizabeth, wife of C. H. Kernan, of
Orient, L. I. ; Schuyler L., and Fred E., the oldest son. The latter has always made
his home in Potsdam. He was educated in the Normal school, and in 1885 became a

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 11
partner with his father in the shoe business. Since the latter's death, April 4. 1890, he
has conducted the business alone. He married in 1888, Genie S. Dayton of Potsdam,
who died December 6, 1892. Mrs. Baum, mother of our subject, died December 23,
1882. Berry, Jno. H., Gouverneur, was born in Canada, March 4, 1862, coming to the
United States with his parents when two years of age. He is a practical cheese maker,
having made cheese for twelve seasons, ten of which have been spent in the Sprague
ville factory, which he now operates. He has taught school fourteen terms, being
principal of Spragueville Graded School for two years. In 1891, Mr Berry married
Miss Isahelle N. Tenney of Spragueville.
Benson, S. Ellis, Potsdam, the subject of our sketch was born in Potsdam, November
12, 1855, on the farm where he now lives, was educated in common schools, and has
spent his whole life, with the exception of one year, in Manchester, N. H., on the same
farm, and was the son of Ellis Benson who also was born on the same farm, August
20, 1820, and lived with his father until he reached his majority, he left the old farm
to start for himself. He worked as millwright twelve years erecting numerous mills
in the forests of the Northwestern States and Canada, and in his own town. Then
finally purchased the old homestead of his father, and settled down and gave his whole
attention to farming, and in 1854 married Harriet P., daughter of Harvey Knox, of
Canton ; this union was blessed with four children : S. Ellis, the subject of our
sketch, being the oldest ; Edmee J., widow of S. O. Loucks ; Hattie J., wife of F.
E. Brand, of Findlay, Ohio, and Nettie J., the youngest; Ellis Benson, falher of
our subject, died October 20, 1883, in Algona, Iowa, while on a visit to friends.
His widow survives him and still resides on the old farm with her son, who now
has a farm of 200 acres devoted to dairying, at present there are thirty-one
cows and five horses. He supports the Universalist church, but is not a member.
He married in 1878, Miss Martha J. McCormick, daughter of Joseph McCormick, of
St George, New Brunswick, their union has been blessed with three children ; Harvey
King, born June 29, 1879; Fred Charles, born May 28, 1883, and Edmee Genevieve,
born July 29, 1885. Seth Benson, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of
Benson, Vt, and was born in Benson, May 7, 1798. He married Sally King, daughter
of Eli King, of Benson. He was married March 31, 1819, and came to Potsdam in
1820, took up a large tract of land which was a dense forestj but by hard labor and
perseverance he cleared and cultivated, and by his hands and hard labor, and those of
his son and grandson it has come to be one of the finest farms in the county, if not in
the State.
Baldwin, Henry K, Potsdam, was born in Hinesburgh, Vt., August 4, 1825, a son of
Frederick W., who was born in Connecticut in 1797. His parents moved to Vermont
in 1800, where Frederick was reared and spent his life. He learned the tanner's and
shoemaker's trades, which he followed a number of years and then added farming, at
one time owning 700 acres of Vermont land. In 1844 he engaged in mercantile
business, all three of which he followed until his death in 1876. He was thrice
married ; his first wife, the mother of our subject, was Amanda Bostwick. The early

12 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
life of Henry K. was spent in his native State. He was educated at Hinesburgh
Academy and spent two years in partnership with his father in the mercantile business.
In 1850 he moved to Potsdam, where for fourteen years he owned a farm in the
eastern part of the town. In 1864 he sold this, and engaged in the grocery and meat
trade in Potsdam, conducting a store for five years, and during this time gradually
gaining a trade in the flour and coal business, which he made exclusive in 1869 by
removing to his present location. Mr. Baldwin is an active member of the Baptist
church, and has been trustee for about twenty years, being chairman of the board a
good share of the time. He married in 1849, Constance A. Cobb, of Coventry, Vt,
and they have had four children : Frederick W., a bookkeeper with the Standard Oil
Co.; Minnie E., wife of E. B. Bayley, of Burlington, Vt. ; Frank H., a partner with
H. K. Baldwin & Co., and Charles E., who died very suddenly of rheumatism of the
heart at the Niagara Falls House, Niagara Falls, N. Y., July 30, 1893, aged twenty-six
years. He was a student of the Normal School up to the time the Potsdam sewers
were put in, and having a taste and aptness for mathematics, left school to work under
the engineers. From this on, promotion was rapid, and the future was hopeful.
Since May 11, 1891, he worked for W. C. Johnson, now Johnson & Porter, and took
charge of the engineering work, having the entire charge of the Niagara Falls sewers,
electric street railways, N. Y. C. R. R. subway, and a pulp and paper mill at Niagara.
Mr. Baldwin also made a survey and plans and estimates for the Buffalo Electric Light
& Power Co's. plant, which is yet to be built. He had also recently made a survey of
Buffalo harbor for an enterprise not yet developed. Frank H. Baldwin was born in
Potsdam, June 19, 1862, was educated in the Potsdam State Normal School, and for six
years was engaged in the dry goods business, three years with J. G. Cook, and three
years with H. M. Story. In 1893 he joined with his father. In 1888 he married
Maud L. Moore, of Potsdam, and they have one child, William M., now in his fourth
year. Mr. Baldwin is one of the village trustees, elected in 1893 on the Union ticket.
He is also a member of the Fire department, in the Hook and Ladder Company.
Babcock, A.. A., Ogdensburg, was born at Felts Mills, Jefferson county, September
11, 1827. His grandfather, Jeremiah, settled early in the present century in Madison
county, having removed there from Rhode Island, where A. A. Babcock's father was
born. The latter's name also was Jeremiah, and he was engaged until his health
and age prevented, in blacksmithing. With him A. A. Babcock learned the trade,
at which he worked for a number of years. Mr. Babcock eventually drifted into
the hotel business, conducting a bouse at Black River four or five years. He then
removed to Rome, where he conducted a hotel until 1855, when he came to Ogdens
burg and engaged in the business of pump making, with which he has since been
identified, being thoroughly acquainted with it in every department, having in his
youth learned the trade of carpenter and joiner as well as blacksmith. Mr. Babcock
married in 1849 Miss Sarah Treadway, and they had one son. His second wife was
Miss Crittenton, and they have had seven children, five of whom are living. Mr. Bab
cock is a Master Mason, and enjoys the esteem of the community.
Buck, Alfred G., Potsdam, was born at Buck's Bridge in Potsdam, February 3, 1828.
Isaac, grandfather of our subject and the original settler of this place, was a native of

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 13
Connecticut and eame to St. Lawrence county in 1806. He was then forty-three years
of age. He took up a tract of 1,300 acres in the northwestern part of Potsdam, and
built a saw-mill on the banks of the Grass River. He also started a store on the west
side of the river and a potash establishment, clearing land and beginning the cultivation
of the soil at the same time. Orrin Buck, father of our subject was the oldest
son ;,Isaac, died in 1841, aged seventy-eight years. Orrin always made his home at
Buck's Bridge, after he came here with his father, 1806. He conducted a store here
from 1838 to 1848, and then retired from mercantile business. He was born in
Addison, Vt., in 1739. In 1868, Alfred established a general store on the east side
of the river and in 1884, was appointed postmaster of Buck's Bridge. Mr. Buck
has always been a Republican. He is a member of the Methodist church and is a
steward and trustee of the society. Isaac Buck was a soldier in the Revolutionary
war Batchelder, Benjamin F., Potsdam (deceased), was born in Danville, Vt.. May 14,
1813. He was the son of a farmer, but at an early age learned cabinet making and
worked in different places at his trade — St. Johnsbury, for Fairbanks & Co., at Bos
ton for the same company and at Woodstock, Vt, where he married in 1839 Mary
Rugg. In 1841 he came to Potsdam and established a furniture manufactory in com
pany with M. Badlam, and they were the first to manufacture pianos in this part of the
State. He was a Whig and afterwards a Republican, but never an office seeker. He
was among the pioneers of business men of this town, and it is said of him he was
too honest to become a wealthy man. He lost his buildings by fire many times, but in
spite of that he prospered, and in that of more value than worldly good, the honor and
respect of all who knew him. He was the father of eight children, five of whom are
living. He died September 24, 1881. Henry G. Batchelder, second son of Ben
jamin, was born in Potsdam, October 13, 1844. He was educated at St. Lawrence
Academy and taking up the trade of his father, became a partner in the busicess, and
has charge of the manufacturing department. He is a strong Republican, but has
never held political office. He married December 12, 1872, Frances A., daughter of
Melissa D. Brown, of Potsdam, and they have three daughters : Mary T., Edith G., and
Sue F. Mrs. Batchelder died May 14, 1892. Charles E. Batchelder, youngest son of
Benjamin, was born in Potsdam, July 11, 1847. On leaving school he went into his
father's factory. In 1865 he entered the employ of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdens
burg Railroad Company for six year?, as conductor. In 1871 he went to Missouri,
where he was conductor on the St. Louis and Iron Mountain Railroad, and was so em
ployed for three and one half years. Returning to Potsdam in 1874, he went into
partnership with his father and brother in the furniture business and has ever since been
a member of the firm, now having charge of the furniture store. He has served
two terms as a trustee of the village, but is not an active politician. He has been
treasurer of Raquette River Lodge F. & A. M.. for seventeen years and of the St.
Lawrence Chapter the same length of time. He is also treasurer of the Potsdam Fire
Department He married in 1876 Marion E., daughter of Norman Swift of Potsdam,
and they have one son and two daughters: Anna L.. Benjamin F., and Elizabeth Jane.

14 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Bartholomew, Jerome, Madrid, was born in Waddington, November 10, 1848. The
first ancestor of whom we find trace is Isaac, his grandfather, a native of Vermont,
who uame to this country when a young man, locating on a farm in the town of Wad
dington. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and one of the earliest settlers of the
county. James, father of Jerome, was the oldest son. He was born in Waddington,
June 11, 1820, and has always lived in this county. He followed the blacksmith's
trade for a number of years in this section, and over a year in California during the
gold excitement. He is now a resident of the town of Potsdam. He married in
1845 Polly, daughter of Zurah Wells of Morley, and they had four children : Oscar,
a farmer of Canton ; Alma T., wife of Warren Mead of Potsdam; Mary Eugenie, and
Jerome. The latter was about six years old when his parents moved into this town,
and he has ever since been a resident here. He was educated in the common schools
and as soon as he was old enough took up farming, which he has ever since followed.
He lived with his father on the old place until twenty-four years old. In 1872 he bought
afarm of 116 acres, on which he has made many valuable improvements, rebuilding the
residence into a pleasant home, repairing the barns, etc. He conducts it as a dairy farm
with fourteen head of cattle and selling milk to the butter factory. Mr. Bartholomew
has always been an active Republican, and has been a member of the Scotch Presby
terian church of Waddington for ten years. He married March, 12, 1872, Susan,
daughter of Robert and Mary (Todd) Fisher, and they have one son, George, a student
of Potsdam State Normal School.
Butler, John F., Potsdam, was born in Stockholm. St. Lawrence county, October 28,
1861, a son of David, a native of Ireland, who came to this country about 1850, and
died in 1883. He had six children, of whom our subject was next to the youngest.
He was only three years old when his parents moved to Potsdam. He wa3 educated
in the common schools, and at eighteen years of age went with Mr. Welch to learn the
jeweler's trade. In 1889 he attended Dr. Bucklin's School of Optics, graduating Octo
ber 29, 1889, and since that time has been at the head of the optical department of the
store. At the present time he has full charge of both jewelry and optical business, Mr.
Welch, his partner, having given the care of all the business over to him. Mr. Butler
married in 1889, Etta A. Bradley, of Potsdam.
Benton, Knowlton, Stockholm, was born in Stockholm, September 15, 1858. His
father was Elihu Benton, a native of Stockholm, and son of Warham Benton, a native
of Connecticut, born May 4, 1781. Warham Benton when a young man went to Ver
mont, and there married Sarah Smith, a native of that State, and had two sons and one
daughter. About 1813 Mr. Benton settled on a farm in Stockholm, where he remaired
a short time and then went on the farm now owned by subject. Mr. Benton and wife
were members of the M. E. church. He died July 25, 1874, and his wife in 1869.
Elihu Benton was born in Stockholm, March 4, 1822, reared on a farm and educated in
the public schools. He followed farming, and .owned 300 acres. Mr. Benton was
twice married, first June 6, 1848, to Fannie Perkins, by whom he had one daughter,
Fannie. Mrs. Benton died October 27, 1851, and March 25, 1856, Mr. Benton married
Mary A. Arquit, a native of St. Lawrence county, one of eight children of Michael and
Melinda (Chubb) Arquit, of Canada and Vermont respectively. Mr. Arquit died in

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 15
Stockholm July 18, 1875, and his wife in Diokerson in 1849. Mr. Benton and wife had
two children : Knowlton E. and Elon W. Mr. Benton died June 12, 1868. Mrs. Ben
ton married for her second husband Amos Chubb, a native of Lawrence, N. Y. Mr.
Chubb was a farmer and miner. He spent eighteen years in California, and died Jan
uary 9, 1881. Mr. Chubb and wife had one daughter, Agnes M., who married August
2, 1893, Frank Benjamin, of Stockholm. Knowlton Benton was reared on a farm and
educated in the public schools. He is a general farmer and dairyman, and owns 300
acres of land. Mr. Benton has been twice married, January 16, 1878, to Kate Gary, by
whom he had two sons : George S., born June 13, 1878, and Carlton G., born Septem
ber 14, 1880. Mrs. Benton died October 10, 1880, and May 2, 1888, Mr. Benton mar
ried Eva M. Fuller, a daughter of John and Justina (Perry) Fuller. Mr. Benton had
two sons by his second wife, Gerald F., born August 10, 1889, and B. Lloyd, born
April 9, 1891. Mr. Benton is a P. of I., Riverside Lodge, No. 166, and he and family
attend and support the M. E. church.
Bristol, L. M., Ogdensburg, was born in De Peyster, July 12, 1848. He received his
education at the schools there and at the Potsdam Normal School, General Curtis be
ing among his teachers. His earlier years were spent upon a farm, his family having
originally moved into this vicinity from Vermont and taken up land. L. M. Bristol
came to Ogdensburg in 1887 and went into the wood business, and in 1892 took into
partnership Mr. Dorgan and added coal to the commodities handled. The firm pur
chased an entire block to add to their facilities for handling coal and wood, and have
an elegant office up town at 5 Ford street. Mr. Bristol also owns a residence at No. 22
Congress street. He married in 1875 Mariah MeRorie, of Lisbon, whose father pur
chased the Curtis farm from the author of this work, and they have one daughter. Mr.
Bristol comes from a good old American family, and worthily sustains the honorable
reputation of his ancestors.
Barrows, Aaron, Potsdam, was born in Dorset, Bennington county, Vt, August 23
1806. The father of our subject, also Aaron, is a native of Connecticut, born in Mans
field, September 28, 1775, removed to Dorset, Vt, and in 1800 married Hulda Langdon,
born at Fishkill, February 9, 1774, and died October 18, 1873. She was a descendant
of the old Dutch settlers of Dutchess county. Solomon Barrows, father of Aaron, was a
soldier of the Revolution and was in the battle of White Plains. Our subject was the
third son of six children, all deceased but one sister, Lydia Rice, of Ohio, and our
subject February 25, 1816, his parents moved into St Lawrence county, locating in
Canton. After leaving school he taught for seven winters and in the summers worked
at cabinet making, a trade he followed until 1849, when he engaged in mercantile
business at Crary's Mills, where he has ever since conducted a store. For six years he
bought produce for Proctor & Wood on joint account, and handled from twenty to
twenty- seven thousand dollars worth of butter, cheese, etc., per year. He has been
the Postmaster of Crary's Mills for thirty years and justice of the peace nine years,
was also school inspector for several years and school commissioner. He was a Dem
ocrat until the war broke out, and has since been a Republican. He married, January
8, 1835, Emeline, daughter of William Boyden, of Canton, one of its eariest settlers.
They have had three children, all deceased, Mrs. Barrows died December 25, 1892, at

16 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
the advanced age of 80 years. His oldest daughter, Amelia, married Russell S. Elmer,
and died June 11, 1870, and they had one daughter, who died in 1869, aged seven
months. Bowhall, William, Canton, was born in Denmark, Lewis county, N. Y., February 6,
1815. He commenced the trade of miller at eleven years of age, and has been engaged
in the business sixty-seven years. He came to the town of Fowler in this county in
1823, and ran the mill at Hailesborough. He next went into the mill at Marshville in
the town of Hermon. He next came to Canton and ran the mill at Morley, and from
there to the mill at Madrid and ran that mill sixteen years. He then came to Canton
and ran a grist-mill three years for Lucius Moody, leased a mill at Norfolk one year,
then sold out and went to Waddington on the St. Lawrence and ran those two mills
seventeen years for Proctor & Wood and then came to Canton, and has run this mill
for eight years. He niarried Phoebe Kinney, and they have had four children :
Harriet, Caroline, Juliette and Ralph D., who died April 29, 1893.
Barker, Harvey, Canton, was born in the town of Gouverneur, December 30, 1827.
He is a son of Nathan Barker who was born March 14, 1797, in the town Sandisfield,
Berkshire county, Mass., and located in Gouverneur in 1825. He went into the woods
and took up a wild lot, cleared and improved it, and lived there on that farm until
1860, then moved into the town of DeKalb where he lived until his death, August 14,
1880, aged 33 years and five months. He was a deacon of the Baptist church at
Richville. Harvey Barker was a trustee of the Baptist church of Canton for twenty-
four years in succession. He has. been deacon of this church for about fifteen years.
He married Jane Curriston, who died June 8, 1875, leaving seven children : Nathan
C, Frank H., Emma M., Judson E., Edson I., Nellie J., and Ida B., Leila J. having
died October 7, 1862. Edson I. died August 29, 1878, aged ten years. Harvey Barker
married second, December 25, 1873, Mrs. Lydia J. Leach, daughter of Luther Drake.
Nathan Barker married, September 11, 1822, Sally Wheeler, and they had ten children,
of whom Harvey is the fourth child. Moses Barker is the fifth child, is a Baptist
minister having served several churches in this State, among which are the Baptist
churches of Adams, Friendship, Canton and Dannsville. He has now a position in
the World's Fair. His wife, Ellen M. Barker, is one of the lady managers in the
World's Fair. Matilda, the sixth child of Nathan Barker, was a teacher ten years
in North Carolina, and a missionary there one year. She died on the field in Ralph,
North Carolina, September 26, 1880, aged 49 years and six months.
Barnes, E. S., Gouverneur, was born in Gouverneur, December 24, 1814. He was
educated in the Gouverneur Academy and taught school f> r twenty-five terms, including
district, graded schools, and academies. Mr. Barnes has spent about fifteen years in
mercantile lines. He married Lucretia Allen in 1842, and their children are: first
Erwin H. Barnes, (deceased), after whom Barnes Post, G. A. R., of Gouverneur is
named. Erwin H. Barnes belonged to Co. D., 16th N. Y. Vols. ; was wounded at
Gaines Mills near Richmond ; taken a prisoner to Libby prison and died six weeks after
of his wound in Philadelphia hospital, having been exchanged two weeks previous ;
second, Lucretia M., (deceased), wife of Geo. P. Taitt ; third, Celia E., wife of A. E.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 17
Smith ; fourth, Louisa Anna, (deceased), wife of Frank L. Cox, Mr. E. S. Barnes has
been school commissioner and superintendent of schools for a number of years. His
father, Rockwell Barnes, was one of the pioneers of this part of the country and was a
commissioned officer in the war of 1812, and was a leading mechanic in his day.
Barber, Luman M., Canton, dairy and grain farmer, owns 103 acres of land, and also
keeps an apiary, shipping his honey to the Boston market. He is a son of Col. Henry
Barber, who was sheriff of St. Lawrence county, also deputy United States marshal
eight years. He was recruiting officer during the Rebellion. He was born in Bark-
hamsted, Litchfield county, Conn., in 1805 and came with his father and settled here in
1807. He was a member of the assembly in 1847. His father, Zimri Barber, married
Thankful Wilcox, and their children were : Zimri, jr., Lucy, Vastie, Violet, Jason,
Gideon and Henry, who was afterwards member of assembly. He married Eunice
White, and they had these children : Silas W., Luman M., Clarrissa and Henry Barber
jr., Thomas, H. B., Eunice M., and Mary A., of whom only Luman survives. Luman
M. Barber married Flora L. Clark, and they have these children: Thomas H., Osman
L., Carlton J. and Stanley Barber.
*
Barber, Ira, Canton, was born in Canton, a son of Gideon Barber a native of Con
necticut, who settled in this town with his father, Zimri Barber, in 1806. Gideon Barber
married Lovina White, and they had these children : Alvin, Darius, Mary, Ira,
Cornelia and Betsey. He married second Polly Morrill, and had two daughters,
Alice and Ella. Ira Barber married Sarah A. Wilson, who died October 1, 1886.
Mr. Barber has made a specialty of bee keeping, and ships his honey twenty pounds in
a case. He began this business in 1852 with four colonies and in 1857 had 120, all
from the four swarms with which he commenced. He keeps at present about 150
swarms of Italian bees. He has been one of the town auditors for two years. He is
known among the bee fraternity of this country and Canada as the high temperature
winterer of bees, and was the first to demonstrate to a certainty that bees can be
wintered in a temperature of heat from 65 to 90 degrees, and come out in spring in the
best possible condition, after a confinement of five or six month in cellar.
Bailey, Hollis Hovey, Potsdam, was born in the town of Irasburg, Vt., January 14,
1843, a son of Levi Bailey, who was a native of Massachusetts, born in Newburyport
in 1800, and immigrated with his parents to Vermont when only a lad. He died in
Vermont, in 1845. The mother of our subject, Margaret Achsah Ainsworth, was also
a native of Vermont, and they had four children, of which Hollis, is the second son.
The early life of our subject was spent in his native State. He was educated in the
common schools and at twenty-two years of age took up bookkeeping, being employed
in a lumber office two years. The spring of 1867 he went west for the Fairbanks
Scale Co., traveling one year through Michigan and Indiana, and was nine years the
bookkeeper in their branch office at St. Louis. In 1877 he came to this county,
locating in the village of Norwood where he was in the employ of the Norwood Lum
ber Co., and at the assignment of the company in 1883, he was appointed manager by
the receiver, and when the Norwood Manufacturing Co. took possession he remained
with them. February 17, 1890, he was appointed by President Harrison postmaster at

18 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Norwood, a position he still holds. Mr. Bailey served in the war of the Rebellion, en
listing August 6, 1862, in Company F, Eleventh Regiment Vermont Infantry, and
served until the close of the war. His regiment was with the Army of the Potomac
and was at the great battles of Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg. At the
last named in June, 1864, Mr. Bailey was taken prisoner while with a detail of fifty
men, forty-eight of whom were taken prisoners and only seven lived to reach home.
As one of this number Mr. Bailey served six months in Andersonville and other prisons,
and on his return March 16, I860, was made second lieutenant of his company. Mr. Bailey
has been a member of the Masonic fraternity twenty-seven years, and a member of the
I. 0. 0. F., six years. He married in 1865, Julia K., daughter of John W. Mason of Iras-
burg, Vt, by whom he has had thirteen children, seven now living. He is also a member
of Luther Priest Post, No. 167, G. A. R., past commander.
Bowen, David H., Ogdensburg, was born in Chester, England, April 4, 1827. He re
ceived an education in the schools of Chester, and came to this country in 1842.
Possessing a musical temperament he cultivated it and soon became identified with nu
merous musical enterprises and organizations, and besides following his regular occupa
tion, painting, was leader of the Ogdensburg band, etc. Augult 29, I860, he became
leader of the Brigade Band, Third Brigade, Second Division, Twelfth Army Corps, and
served until the end of the late war. He was mustered out in Bladensburg, Maryland,
June 12, 1865. Returning to Ogdensburg he again followed painting and became also,
professor of dancing, having during the past forty-six years conducted the leading dancing
schools of St Lawrence and adjoining counties. Professor Bowen married in 1847,
Miss C. Sharpstein, by whom he has two sons, both living. In 1S69 he married second
Mrs. G. A. Turnbull. Mr. Bowen is one of the oldest Knight Templar Masons in St.
Lawrence, Jefferson and Franklin counties. He is also an Odd Fellow, member of the
G. A. R., etc. He has served as alderman of this city for four years, and as mayor pro
tem. Berry, William O, Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, July 12, 1857. After
leaving school he was engaged in the grocery and meat business for a number of years
and in 1887 became identified with the liquor traffic, and now possesses the most ele
gant establishment engaged in this branch of commerce in this city. Mr. Berry's family
are among the oldest residents of this State, having settled at Keysville near Plattsburg
over half a century ago. He is a member of the Catholic church. Mr. Berry is one of
Ogdensburg's most respected young business men.
Brown, N. E., Gouverneur, was born in Vermont in 1852, and came to Gouverneur
in January, 1878. He began as a clerk for seven years, was a partner in the business
firm of Gaddis & Brown five years, and on May 1, 1891, the partnership of Brown &
Beardslie, still existing, was formed. In 1878 Mr. Brown married Lepha J. Martin. He
is an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Baptist church, aud a prominent Mason.
Barnes, George, B., D. D. S., Gouverneur, was born in Fowler, August 13, 1854, and
began dentistry in 1874. He graduated in 1879, and began practice here in the same
year. In 1880 he married Anna M. Cushman. Dr. Barnes' father was Franklin Barnes,
also a native of Fowler. His mother was Belinda Picket The Pickets were also an

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 19
old family in the town of Fowler. Dr. Barnes and his wife are members of the
Methodist church, and he is a Prohibitionist.
Billings, A. B., Gouverneur, was born in Vermont, March, 15, 1825, but has resided
in Gouverneur for thirty-five years. He has been connected with farming all his life,
and owns 240 acres of land. In 1849 he married Ann, daughter of Nathan Hills, of
Gouverneur. After marriage they settled in the wilds of Wisconsin for six years; then
returned to this place, Gouverneur, and settled on a farm in the north part of the town.
At this time they reside in the village of Gouverneur. The Billings family were among
the first settlers in Connecticut, and came over in the Mayflower. Mr. Billings' father
took part in the war of 1812.
Bliss, Oliver, Potsdam, was born in Wilmington, Essex county, August 20, 1838, a
son of Ezra, a native of Vermont who came to this State. The paternal ancestry has
been traced back to the tenth century. The mother of Oliver, Harriet Boothe, was
also a native of Vermont. They were the parents of six children, five now living.
Ezra died May 4, 1892, aged eighty-one years. Oliver's parents moved to this county
and located in Pierpont. After leaving school he worked as clerk until 1862. Sep
tember 12, 1862, he enlisted in the Ninety-second N. Y. Vol. Inf., and served until
June 18, 1865, being in the battles of Cold Harbor, siege of Petersburg and siege of
Fort Anderson, Newburn, N. C, March 14, 1863. The last two years of his army
service were as steward for the Medical Department of the Ninety-second Regiment
and in Officers Temporary Hospital, Point of Rocks, Va. After his return home he
spent a few months clerking, and then began the study of dentistry with Dr. W. W.
Best, with whom he studied and practiced for three years. In April, 1868, he opened
an office for himself, and has now been twenty-five years engaged in dentistry ; for
seven years in Hermon, and the balance of the time in Potsdam. The doctor is a
member of the Universalist church, of which he is trustee and deacon. He married
in 1869 Cornelia A. Turner, of Potsdam, and they have one daughter, Anna Lillian.
Brouse, Jacob, Norfolk, was born in Williamsburg, Canada, in 1831. His father
was Peter Brouse. Jacob came to Norfolk when a young man, and married Sarah,
daughter of Julius Grant, by whom he had four sons and a daughter. J. Peter was
reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He and his brother John now
own one hundred acres of land, and keep a dairy of eleven cows. John W. was born
in Norfolk in 1860, was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He
married Alice, daughter of Alonzo Gibson, of Norfolk. Mr. Brouse and brother are
both Republicans, and John W. is a member of P. and I , No. 167, of Norfolk. The
third child of Jacob Grant was Benson J., born in 1862, and at present living in
Agawam, Mass. He is engaged with the Weston & Smith Gun Works. Sarah J.
Brouse died aged two years, and one son died in infancy. Jacob Brouse was a lum
berman in an early day, but his chief occupation was farming. He owned 130 acres of
land, and was a Republican in politics. He and his wife were members of the M. E.
church. Bradish, John, Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, January 8, 1859. He learned
the trade of cigarmaker, aud has for the past two years conducted a manufactory de-

20 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
voted to that branch of industry, giving employment to four or five assistants. His
goods reach all parts of this county. Mr. Bradish married Miss C. Egan of this city,
and they have four children.
Bonney, Oliver E., Potsdam, was born in Hadley, Hampshire county, Mass., Decem
ber 7, 1823, a son of Oliver, a native of Hanover, Plymouth county, Mass. The grand
father, Oliver, was also a native of Plymouth county. The father of our subject was
born in June, 1790, and served in the war of 1812. He learned the cabinetmaker's
trade, and also worked at house and bridge building, and during the latter j ears of his
life was a farmer. He represented his town in the Lower House of the Massachusetts
Legislature in 1832 and 1833. He married Betsey F. Hayward, of West Bridgewater,
Mass., and they had eleven children, only two of whom are living. Dr. Franklin Bon
ney, of Hadley, Mass., (where he has practiced medicine for forty- five years,) is a grad
uate of Dartmouth Medical College. The early life of our subject was spent in his
native State. He learned the printer's trade at Amherst, Mass., and at twenty-two
years of age had charge of a printing office in Boston, but his health failing, he took to
agriculture. He was in trade from 1859 until 1865 in different towns in Massachusetts,
and in 1865 moved to Potsdam, where he established a crockery and grocery store on
the corner of Market and Elm streets. He was fourteen years in that location, and in
1879 moved to his present place on Market street, where he has continued in the same
trade and added the buying of butter and cheese. He also deals in coal. Mr. Bonney
is a staunch Republican. He has been an elder of the Presbyterian church for many
years. He married March 5, 1850, Lucy A. Judd, of South Hadley, Mass., and they
have two children : Edmund J., who is in the insurance business at Watertown, N. Y. ;
and Joseph P., a partner in the store at Potsdam. One other child, Joseph P., died in
Massachusetts before their removal to New York State.
Buttolph, James S., Potsdam, was born on a farm in Potsdam, January 9, 1838, He
received his education in common school and St. Lawrence Academy. Son of Abyram,
a native of Vermont, born in New Haven, April 24, 1803. His early life was spent in
his native State. He was educated in the common schools, and married October 15,
1826. Immediately after his marriage he moved into St. Lawrence county, first set
tling on a farm in the town of Hopkinton, when that town was a wilderness. He lived
there but a few years and then bought a farm of 175 acres in Potsdam. In 1840 he
moved to West Stockholm, where he engaged in the maunfacture of forks and hoes,
employing from thirty to forty hands. He found a market for the product through
Northern New York and Canada, and shipped large quantities to Ohio, Indiana and
the west. He was engaged in manufacturing about fifteen years, and gave it up to
return to farming. He had previously, in 1844, bought a farm, where he then moved
and by purchase increased the size to 200 acres. Mr. Buttolph was a Republiean, and
a member of the Congregational church. His wife was Betsey, daughter of Gideon
Sprague, a native of Connecticut, but at that time residents of Vermont, and they had
five children, of whom only our subject survives. At the breaking out of the war he
was the earliest to enlist. October 10, 1861, he enlisted in the Ninety-second Regi
ment N. Y. Vol., was first lieutenant Company O, and served with them ten months,
being through the Peninsula campaign. He resigned on account of poor health, Aug-

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 21
ust 1, 1862, and returned to the farm. In 1879 he was elected highway commis
sioner of the town and filled the office two years. He is a member of Chapter
Luther Priest Post G. A. R., No. 167, and also Potsdam Grange, No. 39. He has been
twice married.. November 1, 1864, he married Martha J. Burnham of Potsdam, daughter
of James and Hannah (Gillett) Burnham, and they had two children : James A., and
Linnie May. Mrs. Buttolph died July 24, 1883, and he married second in 1888, Kate
E., daughter of John and Jane (Tiernan) Barry of Massena. They have one child,
Azel Mary, born November 20, 1890.
Baldwin, G. S., Lisbon, was born in Oswegatchie, March 12, 1843. He was liberally
educated in the schools of Ogdensburg, after which for nine years he was engaged in
mercantile pursuits. In 1884 he was elected on the Republican ticket to the office of
town clerk of Lisbon, to which he has since been continuously re-elected. He is also
secretary and treasurer of the Lisbon Center cheese factory. Mr. Baldwin married in
1876 Amelia Armstrong, and they have three children: Stella, aged sixteen; Mabel
aged eleven, and Merrill, aged six. Mr. Baldwin is a thoroughly energetic, unobtru
sive and liberal gentleman, who enjoys the marked respect and esteem of the entire
community. Among the pioneer families who settled in Lisbon town, prominent mention must be
accorded to the Baldwins. Eleazer Baldwin, a native of Bennington county, Vt,
came to Lisbon in 1802, and took up 260 acres of land near Lisbon Center. There he
lived to a good old age, engaged in agricultural pursuits. His son, Thomas Baldwin,
kept the old farm and followed the same occupation. George Baldwin, subject of
sketch, was a son of Thomas, and inherited from him 100 acres of land, a part of
the old homestead. He was born in 1811, and has always been engaged in farm
ing up to his retirement, and he still owns the old farm. He has been twice married.
His first wife was Alma Byington, whom he married in 1841, and sometime after her
decease he again married (1866) Margaret Gara. He has no children. Mr. Baldwin
has always been a prominent factor in the material welfare of the town, and has held
several local town offices, as also did his father and grandfather. He is among the very
few old residents of Lisbon who were born in this town and always lived here, and at
tended a dinner at Lisbon Center in 1893 in honor of the dozen or so remaining oldest
living " Lisbon Boys," at which meeting he suggested that the occasion be perpetuated
by an annual jollification so long as there were remaining members. He is much
esteemed and respected by all. His father, Thomas Baldwin, was a surveyor and did
the surveying for the people settling in the town of Lisbon for many years ; he was also
captain of the .militia in the year 1812 ; he was called in the draft that was made in
that year or the next to protect the city of Ogdensburg.
Benton, Joseph, Heuvelton, father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of
Vermont, where the Benton family lived for many years. He came to St. Lawrence
county in 1842, and located at Canton, when his son was a child, and engaged in con
tracting and building. He also owned the saw-mills near the brick shops, and afterward
purchased a farm. He raised a family of ten children, eight of whom are living. S. S.
Benton was born in Vermont, October 14, 1838. After leaving the farm he taught

22 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
school for twenty-nine terms, after which he engaged in mercantile business, with
which he is yet identified, owing a general grocery establishment in Heuvelton.
Blodgett, James B., Fowler, iva= born in Fowler, March 5, 1836, and has resided in
that town nearly all his life. He married Amanda M. Kitts, daughter of Archibald A.
Kitts, and their children are Jennie L., Jessie B., and Maude A., also Frank B. and
Fred E., who died in early childhood. His father was F. J. J. Blodgett, his grandfather,
Samuel Blodgett Mr. Blodgett enlisted in the regiment known as Scott's 900, after
wards known as Eleventh New York Cavalry, in 1862, and served until close of war.
He is a member of Barnes Post 156, G. A. R. Mr. Blodgett has for many years taught
vocal music in his own and neighboring towns. His present occupation is farming.
Brown, Le Roy S., Lisbon Centre, was born at Wells, Hamilton county, March 11
1S54. He received an education in the schools of that vicinity, after which he clerked
for Wm. Burnhams <fc Sons, seven years. He then entered the establishment of E.
Spalding, of Boston, as book-keeper, with whom he remained one year, and was also
in the same position for a like period in the house of Thos. E. Proctor, of Boston. He
then established a mercantile concern in Colton in conjuuction with E. Butler, which he
conducted for two years, and finally in connection with S. D. Butler established his
present store in Lisbon Centre about eleven }'ears ago, and during the past seven years
has been sole proprietor. He was appointed postmaster of the village under President
Harrison, which position he still occupies. Mr. Brown married in 1881 Anna L. Mc-
Gary, and they have three children.
Baum, James N., Potsdam, was born in the town of Manheim, Herkimer county,
April 20, 1836. Jacob Baum, the father of James N., was a native of Herkimer
county. He was one of a family of ten children, born in 1802. He was reared in the
county of his birth, educated in the common schools and took up farming. He married
Mary, daughter of Joseph Lepper, of Dauube, Herkimer county, and they were the
parents of eight children, five of whom are living : Amos, a banker of Watertown,
Wis. ; Oliver, a farmer of Marathon, Cortland county ; Mrs. Martha McVean, of Mar
athon; Mrs. Barbara Baker, of Auburn; and James N. James was only about a
year old when his parents moved into Jefferson county, and settled m the town of
Leray, where our subject was reared and educated in the common schools and Theresa
High School. In 1856 the family moved to Marathon, Cortland county, where Jacob
Baum died the same year. James made his home in that county, engaged in the
mercantile business for fourteen years. In 1872 he came to St. Lawrence county,
buying a farm in the towns of Potsdam and Stockholm, where he has a vast farm of
300 acres, devoted to dairying and the cultivation of hay and grain. He has now sixty
head of stock, and the milk produced is taken to Hewittville butter factory. Mr.
Baum has always taken an active interest in politics, and while in Cortland coumy
was town clerk of Freetown. Mr. Baum has been twice married, first in 1860, to
Nancy Squires, of Marathon, and had one daughter, Elma, who died December 27, 1883,
at twenty-one years of age. Mrs. Baum died August 13, 1868, and he married his
second wife in February, 1871, Delia, daughter of Isaac Ellis, and widow of Henry
Allen. They have three children: Lovisa, Alida and Edwin Ellis. A daughter of

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 23
Mrs. Baum, Bertha Lovisa Allen, a teacher in Westchester county, makes her home
with Mr. Baum. The beautiful residence of Mr. Baum was erected in 1883.
Bartell, W. V., Morristown, was born in the town of Morristown, August 6. 1823,
and after receiving a common school education taught school for fourteen consecutive
terms. He then took up farming until 1865, when he moved to Brier Hill and entered
the mercantile business. After spending twelve years there he returned to Morristown
village. He served the town as justice of the peace for twenty years, also filled other
offices in town, and was chosen one of the directors of the Morristown and Black River
R. R., serving as such until its consolidation with the U. and B. R. R. R. Mr. Bartell
married in 1852 Martha Robinson of Vermont, by whom he had one son and two
daughters. His wife died in 1858, and in 1860 he married Pures I. Long, who died
September 20, 1892, and by her he had two daughters, Bessie E. and Mary Gertrude.
His father, James Bartell, and his grandfather were both natives of Massachusetts.
Bradly, Oral, Norfolk, was born in Williston, Vt., June 15, 1800. He came to Nor
folk when a young man, being one of the early settlers of the town. Here he married
Mella Elms, by whom he had six children, Fordyce G., Celia, Adelaide, Delia E., An-
gelia and George M., all of whom he survived, with the exception of the first men
tioned. Mr. Bradley was the first to engage in business at East Norfolk, where he
bought a tract of land and built a saw mill During his residence in the town he was
foremost in encouraging local improvements and it was mainly through his efforts that
the present town hall was erected. He held the offices of highway commissioners and
justice of the peace, besides filling other positions of trust. His wife died in 1871, and
after a few years he went to Chicago, where he resided with his son, F. G. Bradley,
till his death in March, 1891.
Bailey, Sylvester S., Potsdam, was born on his present farm, November 10, 1831.
Ansel Bailey, father of subject, was a native of Massachusetts, born in Chesterfield,
April 8, 1781, came here when a young man and took up a large tract of land, that has
ever since been in the hands of the family. The mother of our subject was Sarah Akin,
a native of Vermont, born in Ferrisburg. Ansel Bailey had seven children, three of
whom are living : Sarah, widow of John A. Carman of Iroquois, Ontario ; Julia A.
Bailey o£ Potsdam; and Sylvester S. Ansel Bailey died August 24, 1853. The whole
life of our subject was spent on the homestead farm. He was educated in the old St.
Lawrence Academy and took up farming. He has here a beautiful home with a farm
of 156 acres, which is devoted to dairying. Mr. Bailey has always taken a great inter
est in politics. He is a member of the Presbyterian church of Canton. He married in
1862, Esther, daughter of Thomas Marshall, a farmer of Lisbon, who has since died.
Bolton, Thomas H., Stockholm, was born in Madrid, N. Y., March 25, 1840. His
father was James Bolton, a native of Northumberland county, England, born March
20, 1795. He was the son of a land holder of England and had three brothers and two
sisters. He and his brothers had to oversee the business of their father. James Bol
ton was a merchant in England for some years and also owned stage routes. He was
a man of good education. He married in England Jane Harrison, a native of New-
castle-on-Tyne. They had a family of three sons and five daughters, About 1836 Mr.

24 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Bolton and family came to Madrid. He afterward came to Stockholm, and here lived
until his death, which occurred August 4, 1862, and his wife died in May, 1871. Thom
as H. Bolton was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools and Potsdam
Academy. Mr. Bolton is a natural musician and has studied with Professor Thurston
and Professor Morgan of New York city, and has attended the best institutes and con
ventions in Northern New York. He has also studied in Davenport, la., taking private
lessons and doing institute work. He followed teaching vocal music exclusively for
three years. While in Davenport he was engaged in insurance business three years.
He then came to Norwood, N. Y., where he was engaged for three years in the same
business, representing at one time sixteen of the leading companies in this country and
in England. In 1878 Mr. Bolton went to Chicago and engaged in insurance business
four and one-half years, representing the American Insurance Company of Chicago.
He was located for some time in Springfield, 111., and had the collecting of several
counties for the American Insurance Company of Chicago. While in Springfield he
was made the superintendent of agents for the Forest City Insurance Company, and
remained with them seven years. He was then appointed special agent of the Ger
man Insurance Company, and after two years came to Buckton, N. Y., and now resides
on his farm at that place. He purchased thirty-eight acres of his father and has added
to it until he now owns 195 acres and fine buildings. In 1863 Mr. Bolton married
Rosina C. Schellenger, daughter of Daniel E. Schellenger, a native of Vermont, who
came to Stockholm when a young man. His wife was Caroline Scott by whom he had
two children, now living. Mr. Schellenger died in 1888 and his wife in April, 1893.
To Mr. Bolton and wife have been born the following children : Malcolm C, who died
in infancy ; Malcolm V., a resident of Cedar Rapids, la., engaged as bookkeeper for the
order of Railroad Conductors in Granby Block, No. 56 Third avenue. The youngest
son is Thomas H., who is at home. Mr. Bolton is a Democrat in politics. He is a
member of Elk lodge, No. 577, F. & A. M., of Nicholville, N. Y. He and his wife are
members of the M. E. church.
Bloss, Albro E., Parishville, was born on the farm he now owns. He is a son of
Elvin W., a son of Samuel, who lived in Parishville, as also did his father, Aaron.
Elvin W. was born September 30, 1806, in Plainfield, N. H., and came to Parishville
about 1838. He married Mercy A., daughter of Isaac Russell, an early settler of Par
ishville, where he died. Elvin and wife had three children, two now living. He died
May 25, 1893, and his wife now lives on the old homestead. Albro E. Bloss was
reared on a farm and received a good education. He has always been a farmer and
owns the homestead place of 272 acres, keeping a dairy of twenty cows. April 3,
1893, Mr. Bloss bought the Lockwood starch factory at Allen's Falls and is now en
gaged in the manufacture of shingles and wooden novelties. He married Mary E.
Hatch, a native of Vermont, by whom he had one child who died in infancy. Mrs.
Bloss died November 1, 1891. Mr. Bloss is a Republican in politics and attends and
supports the Wesleyan church.
Callaghan, Peter, Ogdensburg, was born in Ireland, August 15, 1837. He came to
this country in 1856 and engaged in blaoksmithing. In 1867 he started in business for
himself and gradually worked up into his present business of carriage dealing and horse

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 25
supplies. He married in 1855 Bridget Kelly of Ogdensburg and they have had seven
children, four of whom are living. Mr. Callaghan is a self-made man, is careful and
painstaking in his business affairs, attends and supervises all details, and is considered
a good substantial citizen.
Carpenter, Adam F., Morristown, was born at Russia, Herkimer county, N. Y., Sep
tember 18, 1817. His father moved to Morristown in 1824. He came on September
18, 1831, learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, worked at same until April, 1839,
when he went to Charleston, W. Va., from there through Kentucky, Tennessee, Ala
bama and Georgia to Tallahassee and Jacksonville, Fla., from there to Charleston, S. G,
then to New York city and home. He resumed work at his trade until July, 1862,
when he enlisted in Co. B, 142d Regiment, N. Y. Volunteer Infantry, and served three
years in the Army of the Potomac in front of Petersburg and Richmond, Va., at Fort
Fisher, Wilmington and Raleigh, N. O, where the regiment was mustered out and sent
home by way of City Point, Va., and New York city. After the war he resumed work
at his trade and followed it several years. He is now unable to do hard work by rea
son of sun strokes and fever while in the service, and loss of sight of right eye and
deafness since. He was postmaster under President Fillmore and is now president of
the village, also of school board, and has been adjutant of G. A. R. post No. 415, de
partment of New York. Mr. Carpenter married Ellen J. Griffiths on May 3, 1842.
They have five children, Willis F., Henry O, Charlotta A., Emily C. and Alice C.
He is in his seventy-seventh year and his wife in her seventy-third.
Chartrand, George, Ogdensburg, was born in Canada, February 11, 1832. He
came to Ogdensburg in 1850 and followed the cooper business for eight years, then
entered the liquor business with which he has since been successfully identified. He
has been twice married, and has five children. Mr. Chartrand's establishment is
located on the corner of River and Commerce streets, where he is assisted by competent
help. Mr. Chartrand was one of the founders of St. John the Baptist Society in
Ogdensburg. Cook, W. J., Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, August 3, 1850. He began his
apprenticeship at the meat business with J. B. Armstrong in 1861, and worked for him
until 1876 ; he then started business for himself, which he has since conducted very
successfully, doing the leading business in this line in the city, having as his patrons all
of the leading hotels in Ogdensburg as well as the leading families. He was for a
time steward of the Palmer House, Chicago, and is thoroughly versed in every
department of his line of business. Mr. Cook married Jennie Green, and they have
one child, a boy of fourteen. Mr. Cook is Sir Knight and Odd Fellow and a
thorough business man, and is much respected.
Clark, Richard, Waddington, was born in Waddington, August 20, 1840. His
father, James, was a native of Poughkeepsie, and when a young man came to
Waddington. His wife was Sarah Lard, of Brattleboro, Vt, by whom he had five
children. Mr. Clark died in 1842, and his wife in 1891. Richard Clark was reared
and educated'in Waddington ; 1862 he enlisted in Co. D., 11th N. Y. Cavalry, and

26 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE, COUNTY.
served until the close of the war. Farming has been his life occupation and he owns
108 acres of land and keeps a dairy of sixteen cows. He is a Republican, and he and
family are members of the Congregational church of Waddington. He married in
Lawrenceville, N. Y., March 7, 1888, Emma Patten, by whom he has one daughter,
Bertha, and one son, Leslie. Mr. Clark is a member of the G. A. R.
Curtis, Lyman P., Stockholm, was born in Canada, May 12, 1824. He is a son of
Crosby Curtis, a native of New Jersey. The latter when a young man went to Chazy,
N. Y., and there married Anna Baxter, by whom he had two sons and four daughters.
After the death of Mrs. Curtis, Mr. Curtis married second Jemima Whitcomb. In
1857 Mr. Curtis settled on a farm in Stockholm, and afterwards emigrated to Ohio,
where he died. Lyman P. Curtis was reared on a farm and educated in the com
mon schools. He married Clara L. Graves, a native of Stockholm, and daughter of
John and Patty (Smith) Graves, natives of Vermont. They have six children :
Henry C, Alice A., Alma A., Edgar E., Anna A., and Enoch N. In 1861 Mr. Curtis
enlisted in the 60th N. Y. Vols., Co. I., and served fourteen months. He is a Repub
lican, and a member of the G. A. R. Gibson Post. Mrs. Curtis is a member of the
Wesleyan Methodist church of Brookdale.
Crossman, W. R., Gouverneur, was born in Macomb, June 8, 1870, and was edu
cated at Elmdale. He rents a fine farm of 112 acres. In November, 1891, he
married Luetta, daughter of Newell Thayer, and they have one child, Florence G.
Mr. Crossman's father, Sylvester, lives at Elmdale. W. K. Crossman is an unusually
intelligent and enterprising young man, and has a bright future ahead of him.
Capron, E. B., Ogdensburg, is a native of this State and has resided in this city for
the past fifteen years. In 1887 he purchased the Oswegatchie Hotel, which he has
since most successfully conducted. This hotel contains thirty-five rooms, and is filled
up with all modern conveniences, the office and bar being especially fine. Mr.
Capron is married and has one child. He has been eminently successful in the
business. Charlton, John, Waddington, was born in Waddington, June 11, 1839. His father
was Laurence, son of Edward Charlton, a native of Ireland and an early settler of
Waddington, where he lived and died. Laurence Charlton was born in Ireland,
May 1, 1797, came to Waddington early in life and assisted in building the dam
across the St. Lawrence river between Ogden's Island and Waddington Village. He
married Margaret Hodge, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, by whom he had two
sons and three daughters. Mr. Charlton was a farmer and purchased the land now
owned by our subject. He was a Republican, and he and wife were members of the
Presbyterian church. He died in 1872, and his wife in 1880. John Charlton was
reared and educated in the town of Waddington ; except nine months in California, he
has been a farmer. Mr. Charlton has traveled extensively in the Western States. He
married Maria, daughter of James Clark, in 1858, and they have had seven children :
Sarah A., (deceased), Margaret, Josephine, Gertrude A., Lawrence E., Jennie M.,
Carrie F. Mr. Charlton is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the M. E.
church of Waddington.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 27
Coughlin, D. J., Gouverneur, was born in Ontario, May 6, 1865, but came over to
this country early in life, and has always been a popular hotel-keeper. He came to
Gouverneur in 1888. In March, 18!i2. he married Lena Ridlespraker of Lewis county.
Mr. Coughlin is a strong Democrat, and a genial as well as successful business man.
Crosby, Samuel Thompson, Potsdam, was born on a farm in the town of Madrid,
near Potsdam, August 18, 1839, son of Henry, a native of Ireland, born in Belfast,
December 25, 1806, and came to this country when twenty years of age. He first
located on a farm in the town of Madrid, where he resided until 1850, when he bought
a farm of 132 acres in Potsdam, where he died August 20, 1875. He married in
Madrid in 1833, Mary, daughter of George Morgan, one of the early settlers of Pots
dam, and had eight children, six of whom are still living : Catherine, wife of Brainard
Hall, of Madrid; Julia, wife of Abraham Loomis, of Norwood; Henry G., of Caze-
novia, Kent county, Mich.; Thomas, who lives on the old homestead ; Ellen, wife of
Darwin Hall, of Lake Park, Iowa ; and Samuel T. Mrs. Crosby still lives on the old
homestead, aged eighty years. Samuel lived on his parents* farm until he was twenty-
four years of age. His first business venture was made in Somerset, Niagara county,
where he was employed on a farm for over four years. After spending a year in Mich
igan in 1868, he bought a farm of 110 acres on the Ogden tract, where he has erected
a beautiful residence. He conducts this as a dairy farm, with twenty head of cattle
and three horses. He married in 1873 Angeline, daughter of Enoch Hibbard, of Adrian,
Mich., and they have two sons : Henry Enoch, now in his seventeenth year ; and Ernest
Samuel, now in his ninth year. Mr. Crosby and family are members of the Seven Day
Adventist's Church Society of Buck's Bridge. Besides this farm Mr. Crosby owns the
old Sylvenus Ellis farm on the Canton road of 111 acres, which he leases.
Carpenter, H. D., Norfolk, was born in Orange, Orange county, Vt, December 7,
1819. His father was Jesse Carpenter, a native of Plainfield, N. H. He was reared
on a farm and educated in the common schools. He went to Corinth, Orange county,
Vt, with his parents when a boy. His parents were Jesse and Percis Carpenter, and
they had ten children, seven sons and three daughters, of whom Jesse was the oldest.
Mr. Carpenter married in Vermont Catherine Taplin, a native of Corinth. Mr. Carpen
ter and wife have had five sons and five daughters. He came to Lawrence, St. Law
rence county, N. Y., in 1834, located on a farm and there spent most of his days, but
died in Norfolk, March 18, 1863, and his wife June 22, 1866. Mr. Carpenter was al
ways a Democrat in politics. He and wife were members of the Freewill Baptist
church H. D. Carpenter was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools
of Lawrence, and studied English literature, mathematics and civil engineering. Mr.
Carpenter has always been a great reader, and has a very fine library. He married in
1846 Mary J. Jones, a native of Willsborough, Essex county, N. Y., by whom he has
had two children; Mary A., deceased, and Nettie O, deceased wife of A. C. Danforth,
a Methodist minister of Fort Covington, N. Y. Mr. Carpenter went to California in
1852 and engaged in mining, and there remained until 1855, when he returned to Nor
folk and settled on the farm he now owns. He has 220 acres of land devoted to dairy
ing, keeping twenty-six cows. Mr. Carpenter is a Democrat in politics, was assessor of
the town fifteen years, and is now serving his fifth term as justice of the peace. He

28 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
was supervisor of the town one year. Mr. Carpenter is a member of the Norfolk
Grange, No. 541. He is a member of the M. E. church of Norfolk, and Mrs. Carpen
ter was also a member of the same church. She died October 13, 1880.
Clark, Silas W., Norfolk, was born in Raymondville, November 17, 1845, a son of
Joseph and Rizpah Clark. He was reared on a farm until fourteen years of age. He
then spent three years as clerk, and then for a short time tried railroading in Pennsyl
vania. In 1866 he went to Nevada, and there for seven years was engaged in mining
and ranching. He then spent six years in California farming, after which he returned
to Nevada and spent another seven years. He then came to Raymondville, and has
since been engaged in farming, owning 140 acres of land. He has also been success
fully engaged in the sale of agricultural implements. In 1872 Mr. Clark married Janet
Scott, a native of Louisville, and a daughter of Charles and Janet Scott, natives of Scot
land, and early settlers of Louisville. Mr. Clark and wife have one child, Harry S.
Mr. Clark is a Democrat, and a member of Norfolk Grange, No. 541, of which he has
been master two years. He is at present master of the St. Lawrence county Council,
P. of H., is a member of What Cheer Lodge, No. 689, F. and A. M., and I. O. 0. F„
No. 486, of Norwood.
Chandler, Charles Arthur, Madrid, was born in Potsdam, May 3, 1842. The first of
the family to come into this county was Stephen, grandfather of our subject, a native
of Vermont, and among the earliest settlers of Potsdam. He was the father of these
children : John, Henry, Samuel, David, Gardner, Mariabe, Roxie and Hannah. David,
father of Charles A., was born in Vermont, June 9, 1796, and married Orilla Smith, who
was born in Berkshire, Vt, January 22, 1802, and at the age of three years came with
her parents to this county. David and Orilla were the parents of four children : Orpha
M., wife of John Hall ; Catharine J., widow of Henry Dayton of Madrid ; one daughter
who died, aged two years ; and Charles A. The latter was five years old when his
mother moved to Madrid. He was educated in the common schools and St. Lawrence
University at Canton. At seventeen he entered the employ of A. W. Hall in the Union
store at Madrid Station where he acted as clerk three years. In 1882 he bought a
grocery, which he conducted but a few weeks, when he established a store in his present
location at Madrid Station. Here he has ever since been engaged in business. In 1864 he
was appointed postmaster under President Lincoln, and with the exception of three and
one half years under the first Cleveland administration, has held the office continuously for
over twenty-five years. In 1872 he was elected justice of the peace, an office he has
filled for six consecutive terms and now holds. He is a member of the Episcopal
church. In connection with his store Mr. Chandler conducts a flour and feed mill at
Madrid Station which has grown into a very extensive business. He married in
1864, Jane E., daughter of Robert Hanna of Lisoon. They have had one son, who
died, aged two years.
Clark, Amos F., Norfolk, was born in Gilsum, Cheshire county, N. H., March 19,
1825. He is a son of Joseph, son of Jonathan Clark, a native of Massachusetts, born
in 1758, who removed to Gilsum, N. H., where he died in 1830. His wife was Delia
Thompson, a native of Massachusetts by whom he had three sons and five daugh-

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 29
ters. Mrs. Clark died December 5, 1819. Joseph Clark was born in Gilsum, June
25, 1802, and married Jnnuary 2, 1824 in Gilsum, Rizpah Field of Surrey, N. H.,
born March 20, 1802, by whom he had seven sons and three daughters. Mr. Clark
came to Norfolk in the spring of 1836, and settled on a farm at Raymondsville.
He built a wagon shop, where he carried on business for many years, being in
partnership with our subject for a number of years. He was a Democrat in politics,
and was overseer of the poor several years. He died in Raymondsville, February
15, 1878, and his wife July 27, 1877. Amos F. Clark was reared on a farm and edu
cated in the common schools and the academy at Raymondsville. He served an ap
prenticeship in the wagon shop of his father, for whem he worked until twenty-two
years of age, when he became a partner, continuing in business until 1850, (January 1)
when he married Clarissa Carpenter, a native of Washington, Vt., and daughter of Jesse
Carpenter. Mr. Clark and wife had three children : Kate R., deceased wife of Fred R.
Smith, editor of the Norwood News. She died March 4, 1879, aged twenty-seven
years ; George A., born in Raymondsville in 1855, a farmer of Norfolk, who married
Carrie Stearns, a native of Louisville, N. Y., by whom he has four daughters. Mrs.
Clark died in March, 1892 : and Fred H., born July 18, 1862, who died October 13, 1883.
In March, 1851, Mr. Clark went to California, and engaged in mining, where he re
mained about a year, when he returned to Norfolk and engaged in contracting and
building. He also carried on a lumber business at Raymondsville, and in 1854 returned
to California and followed mining and saw-milling. After four years he returned to
Norfolk, remaining until 1862, when he again went to California, and in June of that
year he took passage in the Golden Gate which burned on the Coast of Mexico, and Mr.
Clark was landed by a small boat about ninety miles below the harbor of Manzanillo,
in the wilderness. His brother, Edwin J., who was sick, was with him, and they barely
escaped with their lives, losing $7,500 in gold. During the last twenty-five years Mr.
Clark has been engaged in the farming and nursery business, and makes a specialty
of breeding Holstein cattle and Shropshire sheep. He at present owns 175 acres of
land, about fifteen acres of which is nursery. He makes a specialty of apples and has
a dairy of twenty cows. For the past twenty-five years he has been engaged in selling
agricultural implements.
Clark, Charles A., youngest son of Joseph Clark, was born in Raymondsville, June
28, 1848. He was educated at the Lawrenceville Academy, Eastman's Business College,
etc. In 1874 he built the Raymondsville Butter Factory, it being the first one built in
Norfolk. Mr. Clark has since been engaged in the manufacture of butter, of which he
makes 115,000 pounds yearly. He has three branch factories, two in Louisville and one
in Norfolk. Mr. Clark married, October 26, 1871, Josephine Stearns of Chase's Mills,
N. Y., and they have had four children : Joseph S., Rizpah F., Charlotte A., and Charles
A. Mr. Clark is a Republican and is now serving his third term as justice of the peace.
He and his wife are members of the Congregational church of Raymondsville.
Carpenter, C. G, Fowler, was born in Fowler, April 10, 1830, and has lived in Fowler
all his life except twelve years spent in Norfolk. In 1852 he married Marion E. Cross,
and their children are: C. A. Carpenter and Mrs. John Mowatt. Mrs. Carpenter died
in the spring of 1893. Mr. Carpenter's father, was Jonathan J. Carpenter, a native of

30 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Providence, R.I. His mother was Lucy (Johnston) Carpenter. Mr. Carpenter has held
different public offices in the town of Fowler.
Crawford, James V., Morristown, was born in Edwardsville, January 22, 1859. He
was a farmer's sou but early took to mercantile affairs and clerked four years, when he
embarked in busines for himself in Morristown, twelve years ago. He has now the
largest establishment in the place. In 1 880 he married Agnes L. Colborn, and they have
one son, James Grover. Mr. Crawford is a member of the Foresters and of the
Masonic Fraternity. In the former he is Court Deputy High Chief Ranger. He has
been police justice and is now justice of the peace. He has also been treasurer of the
school board. Mr. Crawford is an active Democrat, a member of the town committee
and a strongman in his party.
Cuthbert, William, Hammond, was born in Scotland, June 23, 1820, and came to
America in 1834, settling in Hammond in 1835. He has been a most successful
farmer and has accumulated wealth. He married Margaret Cunningham, and has
seven children, three sons and four daughters : William S., David, John R., Elizabeth
Jane, Jeanette, Mary Ellen and Margaret Cecil. Elizabeth Jane is the wife of Albert
Rodger ; Jeanette is Mrs. F. A. Burt ; and Mary Ellen is the wife of Rev. Mr. Fergu
son, the popular Presbyterian minister of Hammond. William S. Cuthbert is one of
the best stock breeders in St. Lawrence county, and is making himself a name for
his Shropshire sheep and Berkshire swine.
Chaffee, James E., Heuvelton, was born in Oswegatchie, March 16, 1839. His ances
tors and descendants in this country were Capt. Ezra Chaffee of Revolutionary fame, one
of Washington's most trusted soldiers, and James E. Chaffee's grandfather, Rufus, a son
of Capt. Ezra Chaffee, who settled in Vermont from Connecticut about 1785, Elisha
H., son of Rufus Chaffee, who moved to St. Lawrence county in 1820 from Vermont,
and who eventually died in Illinois in 1841 ; and finally the subject of this sketch,
James E. (son of Elisha H.,j who married in 1864 Sarah J. Bell. They have four
children : Florence, Mary M., Abel and William J. Florence married W. L. Millard,
the successor to the business of James E. Chaffee in the hardware business of Heuvel
ton, which Mr. Chaffee had conducted for over twenty-one years. In 1861 Mr. Chaffee
enlisted in Co. G., N. Y. Inf., and was assigned to extra duty in hospital, which he
entered first for disability contracted in service. As soon as he had recovered he
requested to be sent to the front, but this was refused, as his services were neces
sary and most valuable at the hospital, where he had charge of the culinary depart
ments. After eighteen months there he received his discharge and returned to Heuvel
ton, where he again enlisted, and was again assigned to extra duty at Harper's Ferry,
where he remained until the close of the war, and received his discharge in October
1865. After the war he followed farming for six. years, then established the hard
ware business, which he conducted until he sold to his son-in-law. Mr. Chaffee has
been a Mason since 1863. He has served as superintendent of the poor for many
years, and frequently as president pro tem. of that body. He is one of St. Lawrence
county's most substantial and representative citizens. He received the appointment
of postmaster of Heuvelton July 15, 1889, which position he still fills. His mother

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 31
was Catharine Russell, a daughter of William Russell, who settled in this county from
Johnstown in 1820.
Cutting, A. B., Gouverneur, was born in the town of Pierpont, St. Lawrence county,
February 2, 1836. Daniel U, the father (now living at the age of eighty- five) was
born in Canada near Rouse's Point. The mother, Jane (Barrows Cutting) was born in
Dorset, Vt. The ancestors on the father's side came from Worcester, Mass. In 1850
Mr. Cutting became a clerk in a hardware store in Canton, where he remained for ten
years. He then went into business in Carthage for one year, when in the spring of
1861 he came to Gouverneur aid went into business with B. Hodskin, of Canton, un
der the firm name of A. B. Cutting & Co., which partnership continued for three years,
when Edwin Dodge bought the interest of Hodskin, and in 1869 he sold to Boardman.
The firm being Boardman & Cutting for the nineteen years following. Since 1888 Mr.
Cutting has been the sole owner of what is considered the largest hardware business in
the region outside of Ogdensburg; the business requiring services of from eight to ten
men. Mr. Cutting married in November, 1860, Ellen M., daughter of John L. Barnes,
of Canton, who was among the earliest merchants of that place. The have two chil
dren living : Hurlbert B. and Mrs. G. L. Carpenter.
Clark, W. T., Gouverneur, was born in Hailesborough, September 7, 1863, and was
engaged in the milling business with his father for some time. He has been superin
tendent of the Agalite Fibre Co. for three years, and has been supervisor of the town
of Fowler five years. He was elected when twenty-four years of age, the youngest
man on the board, and is so still. Mr. Clark is a man of broad intelligence, enterpris
ing and highly popular. He is a son of Charles A. Clark, also a prominent man in
Hailesborough. His grandparents came from Vermont, and were among the early set
tlers of Potsdam. Mr. Clark graduated from the Gouverneur Seminary in 1884, and
taught school two years.
Chellis, J. S., Stockholm, was born in Stockholm, December 29, 1843, a son of
Abraham L., son of John, whose father, Timothy Chellis, was a soldier in the Revolu
tionary War seven years. The wife of the latter was Elizabeth Stuart, a descendant of
the royal family of Stuarts of Scotland. John Chellis was born in Haverhill, N. H,
January 18, 1763, and married Catherine Burwell, by whom he had three sons and
three daughters. In 1836 he came to Stockholm, where he died January 12, 1867, at
the age of 104 years. So active in old age was he that at the age of 100 he cut a cord
of wood. Abraham L. Chellis was born in Bridport, Vt, in 1803. He was a shoe
maker by trade, and followed that in connection with farming. His wife was Clarissa
Glidden. a native of New Hampshire, born September 9, 1818. To them were born
three sons and two daughters. Mr. Chellis died October 7, 1880, and his wife Decem
ber 23, 1863. J. S. Chellis was educated in the common schools. Farming has been
his life occupation, and he owns fifty-seven acres of land. Mr. Chellis is a natural
musician, and has taught band music for ten years, also giving instruction on the
violin. He is a member of Amber Lodge, No. 305, F. & A. M., also of the P. of I.,
Eureka Association, No. 162, of which latter he has been president since its organiza
tion, and is at present county president of P. of I, of St. Lawrence county. April 12,

32 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
1863, Mr. Chellis married Cinderella C. Courser, a native of Canada, by whom he has
had six children : Charles A., Bertha E., Edith B., Howard D., Kate G. and Robert S.
Catlin, Chester, Hammond, was born in Litchfield, Herkimer county, September 28,
1805. He taught school several terms, and clerked for some time. He then went into
farming, of which he made a great success. In 1827 he married Alvira, daughter of
Moses Rising. Their children are: Dr. C. A. Catlin, of Redwood, William Catlin, of
Hammond, and Mrs. Thomas Donald, of Redwood. In 1879 Mr. Catlin married his
present wife, Philary, daughter of Ira Taplin. Mr. Catlin has been assessor and a jus
tice of the peace in Hammond. He has lived in this town since 1842, and is one of its
most highly respected citizens.
Carey, F T., Gouverneur, was born in Edwards, St. Lawrence county, November
24, 1853, an has been in the mercantile business since seventeen years old. He came to
Gouverneur in 1888, and is a member of the grocery and meat firm of Hilton & Carey.
He is essentially a self-made man. In 1875 Mr. Carey married Ellen C. Randall, and
they have four children. His father was Thomas G. Carey, a north of Ireland man.
Clark, George Frederick, Potsdam, was born in Morgan, Orleans county, Vt, Sep
tember 8, 1851. Amos D., father of our subject was also a native of Vermont, a
farmer by occupation and reared his family and spent his days on the homestead farm,
where his father, Rev. Jacob S. Clark, settled in October, 1826, and was the first pastor
of the Congregational church in Morgan. Amos Clark died in 1856, aged thirty-one
years. The mother of our subject, Martha Geraldine Chapman, was also a native of
Vermont. They were married in 1850, and had three children : Amos D. died in
Vermont at twenty-two years of age; Harry Charles, a clerk in the store at Norwood;
and George F. Subject was educated in the common schools and lived on the farm
until he was fourteen years old. In 1865 he entered a general store as a clerk and
worked four years, and then returned to the farm. In the spring of 1877 he came to
Norwood to take charge of the Norwood Lumber Co's store and was four years en
gaged with them. He was then eight years on the road for a Boston boot and shoe
house, and in 1889 he, in partnership with Edwin Simonds, of Burlington, Vt, bought
out the dry goods store of C. L. Bartlett & Co., which Mr. Clark has been the manager
of since. The store carries the largest stock of any dry goods store in this place, and
they do a wholesale as well as retail trade, furnishing many of the neighboring villages
with their stock. They carry a full line of dry goods, boots and shoes, carpets, dra
peries, curtains, etc. Mr. Clark has always been a Republican, is the present treasurer
of the village, and a member of the Congregational church in which he is deacon and
trustee. He married in 1871, Anna Blake, of Derby, Vt, who died three years later.
He married second, in 1876, Minnie Hatchcock, of Westfield, Vt., and they have four
daughters : Effie E., Marion G., Helen M., and Florence.
Conroy, Rev. J. H,, Ogdensburg, was born in Watertown, N. Y., November 8, 1858.
He began his education in the schools of his native city, whence he proceeded to Mon
treal College. After three years spent in this noted institution, he entered St. Michael's
College, Toronto, from which he was graduated with honors in June 1877. The following
year be held a professorship in St. Michael's. In September 1878, he began his theo-

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 33
logical studies, and studied under the Rev. Dr. Gabriels at Troy (now Bishop Gabriels),
of Ogdensburg diocese. Ordained June 11, 1881, Father Conroy was appointed
assistant to the Rev. J. P. Murphy, of Cherubusco and Ellenburgh, Clinton county.
After six weeks in this position, he was appointed rector of St. Patrick's church,
Rouse's Point, August 15, 1882, and the following April was transferred to the Cathe
dral at Ogdensburg, succeeding as rector Father Mackey, who had occupied this position
for the previous forty years.
Clark, Silas S., Potsdam, was born in the town of Madrid on a farm, September 28,
1834. The earliest ancestry we find of the family was Abner Clark, the great-grand
father of Silas S., who was a native of Connecticut where Abner, the grandfather
of our subject, was born and reared. He married Betsey Bill, of Connecticut, and they
were the parents of seven children. Abner Clark, the father of our subject, was the
fourth son. He was born in Connecticut,  , and was only a lad when his
parents moved to Berkshire county, Mass., where the family lived until Abner was
twenty-one years of age. They then moved into St Lawrence county and settled in
the town of Madrid, where Abner, the second died   . Abner married Cyn
thia Skidmore, of Vermont, and they were the parents of twelve children, six of whom
are living. Silas S., our subject, was the fifth son. His early life was spent in the
town of Madrid where he attended the common schools, and finished his education in
the old St. Lawrence Academy. When Mr. Clark had reached his majority he started
out for himself by first leasing farms, and after eight years was enabled to purchase a
farm of his own. In the fall of 1867, he bought a farm of 112 acres in Potsdam, where
he has ever since made his home. Mr. Clark has always taken an active interest in the
Republican party, and for four years held the office of road commissioner of the town.
He is a member of the Methodist church and has been a trustee for over ten years. He
married in 1857, Louisa K., daughter of Wilder Wills, of Potsdam, and they have seven
children : Frederick Wills, a lawyer of White Plains, Westchester county ; Clara L., a
teacher of the Normal School at Ypsilanti, Michigan ; Mary J., a teacher in Grammer
School at Ypsilanti, Michigan ; Charles M., surveyor in Westchester county, N. Y. ;
Horace N., undertaker; Earl B., and Robert Y., students in the Potsdam State
Normal School.
Crysler, G. M., Edwardsville, was born in Canada, July 14, 1821, and came to the
United States at nine years of age. He has been a manufacturer of lumber and
shingles, fifty-four years, and forty years of this time at Edwardsville. Sixteen years
ago he added to his business a cheese factory and provender run. He married Caroline
Wilson, they had six children three of whom are living : Mrs. J. F. Tuttle, of Middle-
town, N. Y. ; Mrs. J. B. Denny, of Seattle, Wash., and Miss A. Crysler. Mr. Crysler's
father's uncle owned the Crysler farm in Canada, where the celebrated battle of
Crysler's farm was fought in 1812. His father was John Martin Crysler.
Church, Harvey, Ogdensburg, son of Samuel and Mary (Jones) Church, and subject
of this sketch, was born October 26, 1788, in Bethlehem, Conn., and died November
30, 1865, in the city of Ogdensburg, N. Y. He settled in Ogdensburg in 1808, from
Connecticut, engaged in the transportation business, and in 1813 moved to Schenectady

34 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY,
and carried on the same line of business on the Mohawk river. In 1815 he returned
to Ogdensburg and built six Durham boats and ran them between Ogdensburg and
Montreal. In 1826 he established the first hardware store in Ogdensburg. Later, in
1832-36, he owned and ran the steamer " Blackhawk," from Ogdensburg to Dickinson'.s
Landing. His wife was Catharine, daughter of Richard and Hannah Freeman, of the
city of Schenectady, N. Y, and was born January 25, 1790, and died in the oity of
Ogdensburg, N. Y., November 10, 1867. James F. Church was born in the city of
Schenectedy, N. Y., in 1814 and died in Ogdensburg in 1887. Richard F. Church was
born in '1816 ; the other children of Harvey Church are : Henry, born in 1824, and
Mrs. Sarah E. Whitney, born in 1830.
Crowley, P. M., Gouverneur, was born in Mt Holly, Rutland county, Vt, April 23,
1822, and came to Rossie in 1853. He was a harnessmaker by trade, but embarked in
carriage making at Somerville where he still resides. In 1844, he married Martha L.,
daughter of David Earle and a sister of Gardiner Earle. They have two children :
George G., who lives in Poughkeepsie, and Mrs. Foster, who lives in Michigan. Mr.
Crowley has been postmaster for twelve years, and is a justice of the peace. He spent
several years of his young days as a Methodist minister.
Chambers, W. 0., Edwardsville, was born in De Peyster, March 22, 1867. He spent
six years clerking and then bought out I. E. De Mott's store at Edwardsville, where he
is conducting a successful business of general merchandise, furniture and harness and
in exchange takes farmer's produce. Mr. Chambers's father is John Chambers. His
mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Scott, both of Canada.
Daggett, Henry L., Parishville, was born in Stockholm, April 28, 1842. His father,
David, was a native of Cornwall, Vt, born August 9, 1809, a son of Henry and Pame
lia Daggett, natives of Attleborough, Mass., and of Cornwall, Vt., respectively. In 1817
they came to Stockholm and at this town both died, Henry at the age of seventy-four
and his wife July 7, 1862. David was reared on a farm and spent three years as clerk.
Nearly all of his subsequent life was spent in the mercantile business in Hopkinton,
Stockholm and Parishville. He went to the latter place in 1849 and there carried on a
very successful business until 1866, when his son, Herbert M., took charge of the busi
ness and continued it until 1880. David married Meribah C. Greene of Cornwall, Vt.
born January 2, 1838. They had four children : Clarinda G., wife of John A. Vance ;
Henry L., Mary E. and Herbert M., the latter of the Elmira Portrait Company. Mr.
Daggett was justice of the peace in Parishville twenty years, and died May 23, 1891.
His wife survives him. Henry L. was reared in Parishville and educated in the com
mon schools. With the exception of four years spent on a farm, he has always followed
the mercantile business. From 1862 to 1868 he lived in Springfield, 111., but returned
to make his home again in Parishville. In 1880 he, in partnership with R. W. Bar
rows, took charge of the business previously conducted by Herbert M. Daggett, and
continued for one year. He then went into partnership with S. L. Clark for two and
a half years and then with his brother, Herbert M., until 1890, since which time he has
been alone. In 1869 Mr. Daggett married Marion A. Church, a native of South Can
ton, N. Y., and daughter of C. C. and Elizabeth (Follett) Church, both of whom died
in Brooklyn. Mr. and Mrs. Daggett have had two children : Arthur D. and Grace E.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 35
Mr. Daggett is a Republican and has been justice of the peace for sixteen years. He is
a member of the L O. 0. F., Excelsior Lodge No. 548 of Potsdam, and he and his fam
ily attend the Congregational church at Parishville.
Darrow, George F., Oswegatchie, was born in West Eaton, Madison county, June 18,
1854. He was educated in Cazenovia Seminary and Syracuse Universitv, and graduated
in 1876. He then spent a year in the west, returning to Ogdensburg in 1877, where
he purchased the Advance and has been proprietor ever since. In 1879 he married
Mary L., daughter of Hon. Charles G. Myers, who died in 1881. They have one
daughter, Georgiana Frances. Mr. Darrow has held several important public offices
and is at present secretary of the board of managers of the State Hospital.
Davis, H. EL, Stockholm, was born in Crown Point, Essex county, N. Y.t January
28. 1820. He is a son of Darias EL, son of Ezra Davis, who- was one of eleven children
born to Amos and Sarah (Metcalf) Davis. Amos Davis was bom September 2, 1732,
and hi.? wife June 5. 1737. The date of their marriage was April 14, 1757. Darias H.
was a native of Chesterfield. N. EL, born November 6, 1785. In 1805 he married Lois
Smith, a native of the same place, born in 1755. They had six children who grew to
maturity. Mr. Davis and family went from Vermont to Crown Point, where they re
sided a short time. In 1839 they went to Parishville, and there he built a tannery,
which now stands, and followed the business of tanner until his death, April 8, 1854.
His wife died August 10, 1869. H. K. Davis was educated in the common schools and
reared a tanner. He was nineteen years of age when he came with his parents to
Parishville. and then worked with his father until his marriage, which occurred Novem
ber 26, 1846. His wife is H. L. Burnap. a native of Malone, Franklin county, born
August 7, 1826. Since his marriage Mr. Davis has followed general farming and dairy
ing. He owns 200 acres of land, keeps twenty cows, and for several years has made a
specialty of breeding fine horses. Mr. Davis has been a resident of Stockholm about
twenty-six years, and at present resides on the farm known as the S. W. Holmes farm.
He is a Democrat, has held the office of assessor six years, and he and his family are
members of the P. of EL No. 538, Stockholm Depot Grange. Mr. Davis and wife have
had four children : H. B., born March 14j 1848, married Jennie E. Church of Barring-
ton, DL, and they have one child, Leon L., born February 19, 1580 ; resides in Hebron,
Thayer county, Neb. Fannie E., born January 31, 1850, died February 4, 1859, aged
nine years. Bliss N., born July 19, 1860. died March 2, 1882, aged twenty-one years.
Herbert L., bom July 12, 1862, married Myra N. Page, December 2, 1885. She is a
native of Stockholm, born April 3, 1861, and daughter of Philetus Page, a son of Jo
seph Page, one of the early settlers of Stockholm. Herbert L. and wife have two chil
dren : Bliss N. and Warren G. Mr. Davis is a member of I. 0. 0. F. No. 620, Win
throp lodge. The parents of Mrs. H. K. Davis were Rev. Bliss and Hannah (Newton)
Burnap, he a native of Brattleboro, Vt, born January 13, 1802. and she of Newfane,
Vt, bom September 18, 1799. They had two children who grew to maturity. Rev.
Burnap was a Presbyterian minister, who in 1824 came to Malone, N. Y. About 1830
he moved to Bangor, thence to Parishville in 1844, and afterwards spent a few years in
Massena. His last days were spent in Moira. Hannah (Newton; Bumap died April
15, 1869. She was a daughter of Marshall and Lydia Newton. He was a native of

36 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Massachusetts, but spent most of his life in Newfane, Vt. He was a blacksmith and
died December 15, 1833. Mrs. Newton was born August 5, 1785, and died May 16
1839. Bliss Burnap was the son of Asa W. Burnap, who was one of twelve children,
born to Ebenezer and Mary (Wyman) Burnap, he (Ebenezer) was born June 21, 1725,
in Redding, Mass ; she (Mary Wyman) was born September 7, 1728. They were mar
ried September 28, 1749. Ebenezer died Apr. 12, 1804 and his wife, Oct. 25, 1793. Asa
W., father of Bjiss Burnap, was born June 2, 1768, was married to Elizabeth Bliss in
June, 1799. He died May 21, 1813, and his wife, March 21, 1867, aged ninety-four
years, five months and six days.
Dezell, Kenneth R., Potsdam, was born in Lisbon, October 19, 1866, a son of Alex
ander, a farmer of that town, who died in 1869, and after whose death the family
removed to Potsdam. This consisted of the widow (whose maiden name was Mar
garet Charter) and twelve children, of whom our subject was the youngest son. He
was educated in the common schools and at the Potsdam State Normal School, and
after finishing his education spent a year with Bicknell & Felton in their grocery.
He was one year with Felton & Senter and with L. D. Wetherbee nearly two years.
In 1888 he went to work in the store of George Dayton and continued in this same lo-
catioh until 1890, when he bought the stock of goods and went in business for himself.
He has built up an enviable reputation as a business man and controls a good propor
tion of the grocery and crockery trade of Potsdam. The store is located in the La-
mere block on the east side of Market street, where he has about twenty- six feet
front and seventy feet in depth. Mr. Dezell is a member of the Baptist church.
He married December 6, 1892, Henrietta, daughter of John Thomas of St. Regis
Falls. Dutton, Ira, Stockholm, was born in Moriah, Essex county, March 23, 1840, His
father was Willard Dutton, a son of Parley Dutton, who was a native of Rockingham,
Vt. Here he grew to manhood and married Rhoda Loveland, by whom he had six
children. In an early day Mr. Dutton came to Essex county, and there spent the re
mainder of his days, dying at the age of seventy-five years and his wife at
eighty. Willard Dutton was born in Rockingham, Vt., reared on a farm and edu
cated in the common schools. He was eighteen years of age when he went to
Essex county. In 1841 he went to Parishville, N. Y., and after one year came to
Stockholm and settled. Here he lived and died. His wife was Rebecca Fish, a native
of Rockingham, Vt. To Mr. Dutton and wife were born four sons, three of whom
survive. Early in life ' Mr. Dutton was a Whig, but became a Republican after Lin
coln's time. He and wife were Universalists. He died February 16, 1880, and his
wife December 16, 1881. Ira Dutton was reared on a farm. His life occupation has
been general farming and dairying. He owns 175 acres of land, and keeps eighteen
cows. Dutton has made a specialty of breeding Phil Sheridan stock of horses, and at
present also breeds the Wilkes strain of Hambletonian stock. He owns the " Stock
holm or Dutton " horse sired by "Phil Sheridan," also '* Defendant Wilkes " sired by
" Onward." Mr. Dutton is a Republican, a member of Potsdam Lodge, No. — , F. &
A. M., P. of I. Eureka Lodge, No. 162, and P. of H. of Winthrop, No. 538, Captain
Gibson Post G. A. R., No. 421. The wife of Mr. Dutton is Laura A. Peck, a native of

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 37
Stockholm, by whom he has four children : Lillie, wife of Linden Seaver, a farmer of
Stockholm ; Deland E., Willie L., and Lora M. Mr. Dutton and wife attend and sup
port the Universalist church.
Dewey, Frederick, L., A.B., A.M., Ph.D., Potsdam, was Dorn in the town of Otego,
Otsego county, May 14, 1860, son of William A., a merchant and farmer. Frederick
L. was only two years old when his parents moved to Franklin, Delaware county,
where the boyhood of our subject was spent. He prepared for college at the Delaware
Literary Institute, and in 1878, entered Hamilton College at Clinton, Oneida county,
graduating with the class of 1882, with the degree of A. B. He went back to the
Delaware Institute as a teacher of classics, where he remained three years and in 1885
came to Potsdam, where he was given entire charge of the Classical department of the
State Normal School. His classes now are the Latin and Greek, and besides gives
lectures on method work in teaching the above studies. While in college our sub
ject was the recipient of the Hawley prize in Latin and Greek, Tompkins's Mathe
matical scholarship, appointment as Clark prize orator ; the McKinney prize debates and
the Valedictory. He received the degree of A. M. two years after graduation. The
degree of Ph. D. was given him in 1892, by Hamilton "Honorary.'' Professor Dewey
has sent five valedictorians to Hamilton since he left there and in his professional work
in 1886, he was the secretary of New York Teachers' Association. Mr. Dewey married
in 1887, Jessie M., daughter of William Y. Henry, teller of the First National Bank of
Potsdam. They have one child, Lewis Dayton, now in his fourth year.
Dunkelberg, C. C, Gouverneur, was born in Canton, St. Lawrence county, February
25. 1862. His father, Samuel, was a marble cutter, and with him C. C. Dunkelberg
learned his trade. He came to Gouverneur in 1889, and established his business here.
His trade is large and he ships to all parts of the country. In 1886 he married Mamie
Sabin, daughter of Joel Sabin of Canton, and they have one son, Charles. Mr.
Dunkelberg also owns a business in Ogdensburg.
Dodd, Henry, Ogdensburg, was born in Canada, near the village of Toledo, Ontario,
November 28, 1845. While very young he partly learned the shoe-maker's trade there.
In 1860 he came to this country, and perfected himself in his chosen occupation. He
was for fourteen years located in Adams, Jefferson county, and in 1874 became a citizen
of this country. He came to Ogdensburg in the year 1880, and has since been a
resident of that city. He conducts a boot and shoe store on Main street, west side, and
does a general repair and manufacturing trade. His boot and shoes are most creditable
productions, and he guarantees satisfaction or refunds the money. Mr Dodd was
married twenty-three years ago, to Miss Eliza A. Wright, daughter of the Hon. David
H. Wright, of Black Lake. They have six children living. He is a member of
Acacian Lodge of Masons, No. 705.
Draper, W. H., Gouverneur, was born in Carthage, N. Y., September 9, 1864. He
came to Gouverneur with his parents early in life and has been in the book and stationery
business for several years. In September, 1886, he established his present business,
which is the leading one in its line in Gouverneur, and has conducted it most successfully
since. In June, 1891, Mr. Draper married Stella Matteson. His father, George Draper,
was a resident of Gouverneur.

3S HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Duff, William, Potsdam, was born in Watertown, Jefferson county, May 15, 1S23, a
son of William Duff of Scotch Irish extraction. The maternal ancestors were of
the family of MacMasters, and the Baird family also are relatives, Captain M.
Baird, marine adjuster, being a cousin of our subject. The first occupation of the
latter was as a farmer being then only a lad. When sixteen years of age he
went into the tannery of Jason Fairbanks, Watertown, N. Y., under whom he
learned the tanner's trade. He spent four years with Fairbanks and followed the trade
in different places ever since. He was at one time superintendent for E. R. Swasey &
Co., tannery, for several years and was engaged in business in Copenhagen two years
and in Antwerp. Duff & Fuller conducted a tannery two years. He was at the
Ox Bow alone two years and in 1S57 came to Potsdam, where a history of his
business interests are found in another chapter. Mr. Duff has always been an active
Republican, and has held the office of village trustee for a number of terms. Mr.
Duff has for fourteen years been interested in Thousand Island Park, was trustee
and director, and has been chairman of the Executive Committee which has the whole
management. He has a beautiful cottage at the park where he and his family spend
the summer months. Mr. Duff married in 1849 Henrietta Stimson of Antwerp,
Jefferson county, daughter of Deacon Jeremy Stimson of that town, and they have two
daughters. The death of Mrs. Duff occurred January 18, 1893.
Dardis, James Doran, Potsdam, was born in County Maith, Ireland, April 11, 1832,
and came to this country with his parents in 1842. Thomas, father of our subject, first
settled on a farm in the town of Canton where he spent the balance of his days, and
died May 10, 1859, aged sixty-one years. The mother of our subject, Mary Doran, was
also a native of County Maith, Ireland. They had eleven children, five of whom are
living : Thomas, sheriff of Outtagama county, Wis. ; Patrick H., a horse dealer of Bos
ton, Mass. ; William, also in Boston; Mrs. Anna Lay, widow of Colonel Lay of New
York city ; and James D. Mrs. Dardis died in 1886, aged eighty-nine years. James
was only eighteen years of age when he became an apprentice to blacksmith L. V.
Sherman of Canton, with whom he learned the trade and followed it for eleven
years, nine years of that time in Madrid. September 1, 1862, he enlisted in Company
A, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, and
served with this regiment until January 18, 1863, when he resigned on account of
disability. He returned to Madrid and worked at his trade until 1867, when he became
a stock drover, buying in St. Lawrence county and Canada, and shipping to Boston.
During the six years he was engaged in the business he did over $10,000 worth of busi
ness per year. In 1873 he bought the Peter White farm of 165 acres in Potsdam,
where he has since conducted a dairy farm of thirty-two cows, the milk being sent to
the butter factory. Mr. Dardis is a Democrat. He married, November 16, 1858, Teresa,
daughter of Jonas S. Fay of Madrid, and they have four children : Emmett F., Eliza
beth, a teacher of Tonawanda, N. Y., Helen, who lives at home, and James.
Dalton, Thomas, Gouverneur, was born in Canton, St. Lawrence county, January
1, 1868, and although but a young man, is rated one of the best cheese-makers of this
part of the country, which is noted for its dairy interests. He has been a cheese-
maker for ten years, and in 1890 purchased the Gouverneur cheese factory from W.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 39
W. Hall, and has since conducted it mo=t successfully, turning out 150,000 pounds of
cheese annually.
Dailey, S. W., Lisbon, was born in Lisbon, March 15, 1845. He has followed farm
ing as a pursuit. He enlisted in Co. M, Sixth N. Y. Heavy Artillery, in 1863, under
Colonel Kitchen. His company was attached to the fifth army corps, and saw a
great deal of severe work in the Army of the Potomac. Mr. Dailey was wounded
at Spottsylvania and laid off five months. He was, however, with the army again,
and was at Lee's surrender. He was honorably discharged in 1865. October 20,
1870, Mr. Dailey married Matilda Boyd, and their children are : Samuel J., Justice
B., Walton W., Rosanna, Kitty and Mabel. Mr. Dailey's grandfather, Samuel Dailey,
was one of the first settlers in Lisbon.
Dunn, Alexander, Waddington, was born in Waddington, December 2, 1834. His
father, John, jr., was a son of John Dunn, who was born, educated and married in
Scotland. His wife was Isabella Dunn, by whom he had a son and daughter. Mr.
Dunn was a miller. Early in life he and his wife came to Canada. He was drowned
while going from Ogden's Island to his home in Canada. His wife and children came
to Waddington, where Mrs. Dunn died May 6, 1836. John, jr., was born in Canada
in 1802. He was reared and educated in the common schools of Waddington. He
married Agnes Finlay, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, who came to Canada with her
parents when a child. Her father died soon after coming to Canada. John Dunn
and wife had seven sons and four daughters. He was a farmer, and owned about
300 acres of land. He died December 2, 1875, and his wife's death occurred July
28, 1886. Alexander Dunn was reared on a farm until seventeen years of age, and
educated in the common schools of Waddington. He started in life as a clerk for
Mr. McMartin, with whom he remained about two years. He also clerked for Geo.
Dodds, Wm. T. Wilson and Walter Wilson in Waddington. He then went to Bos
ton, purchased a stock of goods and engaged in the mercantile business in Wadding
ton, where he carried on a successful trade for sixteen years. In the meantime he
had purchased a farm of 125 acres in Waddington, where he now resides. He has
since added to his original purchase, and at present owns over 300 acres of land.
Mr. Dunn has followed general farming, but his principle business is dairying, hav
ing about thirty cows. February 11, 1858, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Wm.
Rutherford, of Waddington, and they have adopted two children. In politics Mr.
Dunn is a Republican. He and wife were members of the Presbyterian church, be
coming such at its formation as Presbyterian. He was chosen elder at that time,
and continued to act as such for the following twenty-six years, when trouble arising
on account of the minister being accused of falsifying, which reports being brought to
the notice of the elders under sworn statements, they were as officers of the church in
duty bound to bring the matter before the Presbytery for investigation, but through
the unscrupulous efforts of the minister and his influence over other members of the Pres
bytery, they failed ; their representations which were false, were presented to Presby
tery in such a way as to compel the resignation of the elders under threats of deposi
tion, which act was both unchristian and illegal, as there was not a charge brought
against them. *

40 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Donald, Henry, Hammond, was born in Hammond, May 7, 1837. In 1864 he mar
ried Elizabeth More, and they have two children : William J. and Nellie Margaret.
Mr. Donald's father was John Donald, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, who came
to America in 1833 and died in 1889. His mother, Mary (Frater) Donald, was also
a native of Scotland, and is still living in Hammond. Mr. Donald is a Republican in
politics, and an adherent of the Presbyterian church.
Dalzell, Robert S., Waddington, was born in Waddington, July 11, 1864. His fath
er, Robert Dalzell, was a native of Ireland, born in 1828, and when fourteen years of
age came to Massachusetts with his parents. He learned the carpenter's trade, which
occupation he followed many years. In 1843 he came to Waddington, where he has
since resided. He has given much attention to the breeding of fast horses and bred the
famous stallion Phil Sheridam He is a Republican in politics and has been superinten
dent of public buildings under President Harrison and milk inspector of the New York
State dairy commission. He has also been supervisor of Waddington for several terms.
He married Mary Taggart, daughter of Capt. Nathaniel Taggart of Ogdensburg, and
they have had two sons and one daughter, two of whom survive: Charles A., a clerk
in the Dead Letter Office at Washington, and Robert S. The latter was educated in
the Union Free School of Waddington, graduating in 1881. He was then appointed
messenger boy in the New York Assembly one year. He assisted his father in the
work of building a portion of the West Shore Railroad in 1882-3. For some time he
clerked in Waddington and on February 1, 1889, in partnership with Mr. McDowell,
he engaged in the furniture business. They dissolved partnership July 24, 1890, and
our subject continued the business, establishing an undertaking business in connection
with the furniture business, and has been very successful. Mr. Dalzell is a Republican
and has always been an active politician. He was elected town clerk in 1892 and
1893. In 1890 he married Mary H. Hargrave of Waddington, and they have one
child, Lillian H.
Doud, George C, Stockholm, was born in Stockholm, April 6, 1840. He is a son of
Horace Doud, a native of Addison county, Vermont, born July 7, 1804. Here he was
educated and married Sarah Chapman of the same county, born February 22, 1807.
They had four sons and three daughters, Mr. Doud came to Stockholm in 1838 and
settled on a farm now owned by Mr. Rockwood, and except ten years when he lived
near Bicknellville, he has spent his days here. In politics he was a Whig and a Repub
lican. He and his wife were members of the M. E. church. He died March 2, 1884
and his wife September 12, 1891, at eighty-four years of age. George C. Doud was
reared in Stockholm. He engaged in farming, which has been his life occupation,
having 300 acres of land and carries on general farming and dairying, keeping twen
ty cows with other stock, including a flock of fifty or sixty sheep. He married Martha
Dunbar of Stockholm, born March 31, 1847, a daughter of Nathan S. Dunbar, whose
father was one of the early settlers of Potsdam. Nathan S. Dunbar was twice married
first in 1846 to Mary A. Rowley, by whom he had one son and two daughters.
Mrs. Dunbar died in 1866 and he married Lucy C. Thatcher, a native of Stockholm,
born in 1825. Her parents were Harvey Thatcher, a native of Newport, N. H., and
Polly Rowley of Crown Point, N. Y. Subject and wife have had one son, born

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 41
October 9, 1872. Mr. Doud is a Republican in politics, and a member of the P. of
H., Stockholm Lodge No. 538.
Emery, Charles, Stockholm, was born in Stockholm June 9, 1827. His father was
Jonathan Emery, a native of Walpole, N. H., born July 31, 1797. In 1826 he
married Fannie Dunshee, a native of Walpole, N. H., born May 27, 1803. They
had a family of nine children, six of whom survive. In 1822 Mr. Emery came to
Stockholm and settled on the farm of seventy-five acres now owned by subject,
where he endured many of the hardships of pioneer life. He died January 22, 1842,
and his wife August 18, 1887, aged eighty-five years. Charles Emery was reared
on the farm he owns. His educational advantages were limited. When he was
but fourteen years of age his father died. He remained with his mother three years
and then went to New Hampshire and worked for his uncle, John Dunshee, six
years, after which he returned to Stockholm, where he has since resided. February 5,
1850, he married Hester H. Coon, a native of Stockholm, born November 17, 1827.
She was the only child of William and Hannah (Fletcher) Coon, the former a native
of Beekmantown, N. Y., and the latter of Westmoreland, N. H., born August 6,
1791. Mrs. Coon died while residing with her daughter, January 14, 1889, aged ninety-
seven years and four months. She was a kind and loving mother and always ready to ad-
administer to the sick and needy. Mr. Emery and wife have had six children, three of
whom survive : Fannie E., wife of Stephen Cotton, a native of Madrid ; Alma A., who
resides at Walpole, N. H.; Alice, who died in August, 1877, aged twenty ; Amelia H., who
lives at home ; Diantha F., who died in August, 1877, aged thirteen years and nine months
and Charles A., who also died in August, 1877, aged seven years and eight months. Mr.
Emery has a farm of 136 acres and follows general farming and dairying. He keeps an
average of sixteen cows. He is a Democrat and a member of Eureka lodge No. 162.
Lucinda Fletcher, aunt of Mrs. Emery, resided with the latter many years. She was
born May 23, 1789, and died May 20, 1876, aged eighty-five years.
Ellison, Wayland F., Potsdam, was born on a farm in Potsdam October 2, 1831. The
earliest ancestor we find trace of in this family is the grandfather of our subject, James
Ellison, who was a native of Vermont, born in the town of Chester, and always made
his home in that State. He was the father of seven children, of whom Leonard, father
of our subject, was the eldest son. Leonard Ellison was born in Chester, Vt., Decem
ber 13, 1803, educated in the common schools, and took up farming. He married in
Chester, February 10, 1831, Laura Hoard, and immediately after came to what was
then the new country of Northern New York. He bought fifty acres in Potsdam,
where he reared a family of nine children and spent the balance of his days. He ac
cumulated a property of three hundred acres, which he owned at the time of his
death, May 29, 1876. Mrs. Ellison died September 15, 1858, at forty-nine years of age.
Of the family five sons and two daughters are living : Leander, George and Granville,
farmers in the west; Mrs. Letitia Hawley, lives in Missouri ; and Mrs. Mary Burnham,
lives in Nebraska; Albert, the fourth son, born August 4, 1840. He is a Republican
in politics. The whole life of the subject, Wayland F., was spent in this place, living
with his parents until twenty-four years or age, when he bought a farm of sixty acres
f

42 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
in Potsdam, to which he has since added forty acres, and besides owns twelve and one-
half acres in the town of Stockholm. He married, September 17, 1856, Eliza, daughter
of Sylvanias Burnham of West Potsdam, and they are the parents of four children ;
Arthur V., an engineer at Gouverneur ; Luther B., a lawyer of Chicago, 111.; Addie,
wife of Ira Morgan, a tinsmith of Kansas City, Mo.; and Frank 0., a student in Brasher
Falls graded school.
Earl Brothers, Ogdensburg. Earl, John W., senior member of the house of Earl
Brothers, was born in Ogdensburg, January 9, 1866. He is a son of poormaster William
Earl, of this city. J. W. Earl received his education in the schools of Ogdensburg,
after which for six years he followed teaching. His last position being that of principal
of the Morristown Union School, and in the present year (1893) he, with his brother
officer, Grant Earl of the Ogdensburg police force, established a hardware, tin and sheet
iron enterprise on Ford street, having one of the most elegant and finely arranged
stores in the city, in which they are already enjoying a large patronage. John W.
attends entirely to the management of this business while his brother, Grant, devotes
his attention to his police duties. Mr. Earl is a high degree Mason, and has served as
inspector of elections, and is now supervisor of the fourth ward of this city. Both
members take an active part in athletics. John W. is one of the fastest bicycle riders
in St. Lawrence county, holding the present championship. Grant has the county
championship for quarter-mile running.
Elderkin, Noble S., Potsdam (deceased), was born in Potsdam, August 27, 1810, a
son of Anthony Y. Elderkin, one of the earliest settlers of that town. In early life he
took an active interest in, and joined the militia of the State. Through his efficiency
he was promoted from the ranks through nearly all the intermediate grades to brigadier
general. For several years he served the State as division inspector of this district
In 1843 he was elected sheriff of the county and entered on his duties January 1 , 1844.
He served his term of office with credit to himself and satisfaction to the county. In
1853 he was elected to the Assembly and was speaker of that body, the first member
from this county who ever filled that position. He was for many years a trustee of St.
Lawrence Academy, and was a member of the Educational Board when that institu
tion was supplanted by the present State Normal School, at which time he was
appointed by ex-State Superintendent of Public Instruction Victor M. Rice, a member
of the local board of the Normal School, which position he held until his death,
December 29, 1875. He was a member of Trinity church and for many years vestry
man. Mrs. Elderkin was a daughter of William Clark, of Fort Covington. The widow
and her son, Noble S. Elderkin, jr., of Chicago, survive ; also W. A. Elderkin, major
in the U. S. A., by first wife; he is in the regular army at Los Angeles, Cal.
Easton, J. D., Gouverneur, was born in Brockville, Ont., March 24, 1828, and came
to Gouverneur in 1850. He was a blacksmith for many years, but lately has given his
attention to coal and real estate. In 1852 he married Lydia L. Hoover, and they had
a son, Seymour A., who married Sarah Drake ; and a daughter, Eva C. Easton. Mrs.
Easton died in February, 1891. Mr. Eastofi's father was Soloman Easton, of Vermont,
and his mother was Aurillia Galuchia, whose grandfather fell in the Revolutionary war.

PERSONAL SKETCHES 43
Earl, William, Ogdensburg, was born in Canada, January 4, 1831, came to the
United States 1848; his father's family were originally from the State of Vermont. Mr.
Earl married Elizabeth W. Daniels, November 19, 1863, Potsdam, N. Y., by whom he
has had eight children, six of whom are living. He has served as a police officer for
ten years in Ogdensburg, and for the past twelve years has been overseer of the poor
of the town of Oswegatchie, including the city of Ogdensburg. His son Grant is on
the police force of this city; his sons John W. and Grant have opened a hardware
store in Ogdensburg under the firm name of Earl Bros., and his late son, E. H. Earl,
was one of the most promising young men of the county, and a brilliant scholar, hav
ing passed the State examination in twenty-two subjects, with a standing of ninety-
eight per cent, (just before he died) which entitled him to a State certificate,
authorized him to teach any school in the State during his life ; but it did not
come to him until after his death. He died September 29, 1889, in his 25th year;
his son, Franklin S. Earl, is attending Bellevue Hospital Medical College. Mr. Earl's
wife is a direct descendant from Benjamin Franklin by both her parents side, they
marrying first cousins.
Ellwood, Alexander, Canton, foreman and salesman for the Hodskin estate,was born
in Canton, September 29, 1844, and has held his present position about fourteen years.
He married Olive B. Brown, and they have three children living: Permelia, Clarance
A., and Maud Ella. Four children died in July, 1886 by diphtheria : Florence Isabella,
died July 16, 1886 ; Blanche Mabel, died July 24, 1886 ; Ida Emma, died July 24,
1886 ; Erwin Royal, died July 28, 1886. Mr. Ellwood enlisted December 14, 1863,
served as a private in Co. G, 11th N. Y. Cavalry, and was discharged October 20,
1865. Ellwood, Gibson, Edwardsville, was born in the town of Minden, Montgomery
county, June 24, 1825. He came to this town with his father fifty-eight years ago,
in 1835. His father dying soon after, he was left to depend entirely upon his own
resources. With his brothers he purchased the farm which he now occupies, and
after many severe struggles with poverty, they succeeded in paying for it. In 1870
Mr. Ellwood became the sole proprietor, and since then has been one of the most
prosperous farmers of the community. His land is kept under excellent cultivation,
and his premises are well improved. In 1868 he married Maria Walrath, also of
Montgomery county, and they have two sons, Charles A. and George P. The former
is in his sophomore year at Cornell University, the latter assists his father in his
farming operations. Mr. Ellwood's father, Gen. Isaac Ellwood, was a brigadier-gen
eral in the War of 1812 ; also for twelve years he was supervisor of his native town,
and after coming to St. Lawrence county was for several years supervisor of the town
of Morristown. His grandfather, Isaac Ellwood, served in the Revolution, and was
wounded at the battle of Oriskany. The family is one of the oldest of English fami
lies, and the formation of the name Ellwood can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon
thus : Ellwood, Elwood, Aldwald, Athelwold, Aethelwald.
Easton, William H., Madrid, was born near Brockville, Ontario, September 23, 1836.
John Mark Easton, his father, was a native of England, born in Lincolnshire in 1782,
who crossed the Atlantic in 1820. He first located near Brockville, Ontario, where for

44 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
a few years he followed school teaching, and afterward became a farmer. He was a
jeweler and watchmaker in his native country, but never followed it here. He married
in 1821, Marilla Smith, a native of Canada, and daughter of Thomas Smith, a major in
the British army, who was granted 2700 acres of land, including the site of Smith's
Falls, Ont, for his service in the war of the Revolution. John M. Easton was the
father of eight children, four still living : Dr. John Easton, of Brockville, Ont. ; Mrs.
Gillespie, a widow of Ausable Forks, N. Y. ; Mrs. M. Louisa Currier, of Cleveland, 0.,
and William H. The boyhood of the latter was spent at his birthplace. In 1848 his
parents moved to Madrid, where he received his education. At fourteen he started to
learn the harnessmaker's trade, which he followed four years, and from eighteen to
twenty-two years of age he followed the sea in whaling expeditions. Returning to
Madrid he resumed harnessmaking, and conducted business until 1861. For some time
he had been studying music, and at the breaking out of the war enlisted as first cornet
in the band of the Sixtieth Regt, N. Y. Vol. Inf., remaining in that service over a year,
and then re-entered the service as leader of Military Governor's Post Band, stationed at
Alexandria, Va., where he remained until the close of the war. Returning in 1865, he
followed the profession of band teacher and general musician until 1891. Mr. Easton
has been United States claim agent and pension attorney, and also notary public, since
1890, and in February, 1892, was elected justice of the peace for Madrid. He is a
Mason, and was a member of Grass River Lodge, No. 312, during its lifetime. He
married in 1859, Julia, daughter of E. L. Comstock, for many years a resident of this
town, and they have one child, William H. Easton, jr.
Fenner, C. W., Fowler, was born in Fowler, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., August 10,
1847. He was a son of Daniel Fenner, who died in 1889. He took up cheesemak-
in 1866, working with his father in the West Fowler factory, which was built in
1864. He has been engaged in the cheese business ever since in different cheese fac
tories in this locality, and has been in the West Fowler factory the past two years.
The concern turns out about 100,000 pounds of cheese each year. In 1873 Mr. Fen
ner married Marie Ackerman.
Flack, Garrett P., Lisbon, was born in Lisbon, May 27, 1824. He is one of the
extensive farmers of the county, owning 800 acres of land, and all his property has
been acquired by his own industry and ability. He married Betsey M. Jones, and
they have five children, two sons and three daughters. Mr. Flack has been super
visor of the town, and held other important offices. His father was James Flack, who
took part in the war of 1812, and was one of the early settlers of Lisbon.
Frank, Nathan, Ogdensburg. The subject of this sketch was born in Germany, Aug
ust 4, 1824. He emigrated to America when he was nineteen years of age and
immediately embarked in mercantile pursuits, and his life from that date up to the pres
ent has been a steady and active business career— a career too that has been highly
successful and has produced a large and prosperous business. Mr. Frank now owns and
conducts the largest establishment in Ogdensburg. His premises comprise five floors
and a basement of a large double store, and in the many apartments of the business
everything in dry and fancy goods, notions, wall papers, clocks, robes, etc., is carried.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 45
Mr. Frank is also largely interested in real estate of land owners in the city, besides
which he has over 1,000 acres of land in the country portion of St Lawrence county.
AH this' is the fruit of a successful business life, and is a fine exemplification of the
ultimate success of honorable business methods when coupled with business and excu-
tive ability. Mr. Frank is a man of the highest integrity and his business reputation
is gilt edged. Mr. Frank married in the year 1860, and has a family of four sons and
two daughters.
Craig, John, Lisbon, was born in Lisbon, June 24, 1829, and is a scion of one of
the best known families in Lisbon. His father, John Craig, married Mary Ballagh
in 1824 and settled in the town in 1806, and the Craig road is named after the family,
Mr. Craig has been a successful farmer, and owns 200 acres of land. He is a gentleman
of superior abilities and the highest integrity.
Fuller, William Dinsmore, Potsdam, was born in the village of Norwood, May 24,
1857, a son Wyman M. Fuller, vyho was a native of New Hampshire, born in Newport
in 1815, and came to St. Lawrence county about 1840. He was first located at Massena
where he became quite prominent in politics, holding the office of town clerk, post
master, etc. He moved to Norwood in 1850 where for a few years he conducted a hotel,
and the later years of his life was a merchant in this village. He held the office
of postmaster during the war, and justice of the peace for a number of years. He
died September 13, 1875. The mother of our subject, Olive Dinsmore, was a native
of Lyndonville, Vt., and they had four children : George R., engaged in the manu
facture of artificial limbs and president of a Job Printing Co., at Rochester, N. Y. ;
Frances E., of Norwood ; Etta A., a teacher of Minneapolis ; and William D. Mrs.
Fuller, mother of our subject, is still a resident of Norwood, aged seventy-seven years.
Our subject was educated in Norwood Graded School, and his first occupation was
as a clerk in his father's store. He was two years with G. E. Holbrook, was eight
years with L. R. & H. Ashley, and was two years with Heath, Landers & Co., at
Potsdam. In the spring of 1886 Mr. Fuller established a clothing store in the
Matthew's Block at Norwood, and two years later moved to the Pert Block where he
has]ever since been engaged in business. He has here a large store of twenty-five feet
front and seventy-five feet deep and carries a large line of ready made clothing, hats,
caps and gentlemen's furnishing goods, and conducts in connection a merchant tailoring
establishment. Mr. Fuller is a member of What Cheer Lodge, No. 689, F. & A. M.,
and of Norwood Lodge I. O. O. F. He was four years treasurer of the village. He is
a member of Congregational church, and is a staunch Democrat. He married, October
9, 1889, Abbie M., daughter of A. F. Zoller of Hammond, and they have one child,
Wyman Z.
Flagg, Edward W., A. B. and A. M., Potsdam, was born in Wellesley, Mass., October
27, 1850. His father, William, was a business man of that town, who was prominent
in politics, representing at one time his town in the Lower House of the State Legisla
ture. Edward was the youngest of five children. He was educated in Williston
Seminary at East Hampton, Mass., and entered Yale College in 1847, graduating with
the degree of A. B., in 1878, and was granted in 1891 his degree of A. M. from

46 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
the same college. His first position after leaving Yale was as principal of Glencoe
High School near Chicago, in Illinois. In 1883 Professor Flagg removed to Pots
dam, where he had accepted the position of teacher in the State Normal School,
having graduated from the State Normal School at Westfield, Mass, previous to
his academic course. His department is that of English Literature, History and
Rhetoric. Professor Flagg has been a contributor to Lippimcott's Magazine the Con-
gregationlist, published in Boston, the Standard and the Interior, religious papers pub
lished in Chicago, also the Chicago Tribune and various educational journals In 1892-93
Professor Fiagg spent six months at Clark University in the educational department,
and in addition did some research work in " The History of the Teaching of Read
ing in the United States." He married in June, 1888, Laura A. Cauble of Brook
lyn, N. Y.
Freeman, William A., Gouverneur, was born in Athens, Canada, June 27, 1865, but
has resided in this country eight years, and for ten years has been an expert cheese
maker. He is proprietor of the East Gouverneur cheese factory, and makes annually
about 150,000 pounds. In June, 1892 he married Augusta McArthur. His father was
William Freeman, a successful farmer in Athens.
Farwell, Charles, Gouverneur, was born in Oswegatchie, February 18, 1856. His
father was a farmer, and Charles followed that occupation until twenty years ago. He
then took a position with Turner Brothers, of Ogdensburg, remaining about six years.
Thence he went to the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company (extension), remain
ing eight months, at the end of that time returned to Ogdensburg. In 1881 Mr. Far-
well married Ida Willard, and they have one daughter, Ercil May. In 1881 he came to
Gouverneur, and subsequently became connected with the Globe Hotel, Watertown, for
over four years. He returned to Gouverneur in 1885, remaining three years, when
he went to Jacksonville, Florida, and engaged in the furniture business. He re
turned to Gouverneur in 1890 and for some time was engaged in paper hanging and
painting. He began his present business (liquor dealer), January 28, 1892. Mrs. Far-
well is a daughter of Abel Willard and is an attendant of the Baptist Church. Mr.
Farwell is recognized as one of the live business men of the town.
Fife, James S., Waddington, was born in Waddington, September 8, 1836. His
father, Thomas, was a native of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, born in 1795 and in 1817
came to Washington county, N. Y. In 1819 he came to Waddington and purchased the
farm now owned by James S. Here he lived and died. He married Elsie Short, born
in 1800, a native of Northumberlandshire, England, and daughter of James Short who
came to Waddington in 1818 and settled on a farm. Mr. Fife and wife had a family of
three sons and eight daughters. They were members of the Scotch Presbyterian
Church. He was a commissioned officer in the mihta. He died February 20, 1883, and
his wife in 1880, aged eighty years. James S. was reared on the farm he owns and
was educated in the common schools. He married Jane, daughter of Deacon Thomas
Rutherford, a son of John Rutherford. To Mr. Fife and wife were born three children :
Agnes H., Thomas R., and Ella. Mr. Fife owns 158 acres of land where he resides and
eighteen and one half acres in front of Madrid Station House and a farm of 268 acres

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 47
in Fine, St. Lawrence county. His principal occupation is dairying and he keeps over
seventeen cows. Mr. Fife is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of
the Scotch Presbyterian Church.
Fife, Thomas W., Waddington, was born in Waddington, February 11, 1829. His
father, William Fife, was born in Roxboroughshire, Scotland, in 1792. He came to
Waddington in 1819, and he here married Margaret Walker, a native of Roxborough
shire, Scotland, who came to Waddington with her parents. Mr. Fife and wife had
four sons and one daughter. In 1828 he purchased 107 acres of land, where our sub
ject now resides. Here he lived until his death in 1832. His wife died in 1872. Mr.
Fife and wife were members of the Scotch Presbyterian church and he an elder of that
church. Thomas W. Fife was reared and educated in Waddington. He 'has followed
farming as a life occupation, and at present owns 150 acres of land and follows general
farming. November 9, 1865, he married Martha, daughter of William Veitch. In
politics Mr. Fife is a Republican. He and wife were for many years members of the
Presbyterian church of Waddington, of which Mr. Fife was an elder, but, as he
himself writes: "I am not an elder now, because I co ild not act conscientiously with
the minister, who was, by common fame, proclaimed a falsifier ; then sworn statements
also, were handed to elders to the same effect. When the matter was brought before
the Presbytery, the stated clerk having a preponderating influence over the Presbytery,
arose and dictated the terms, both to elders and Presbytery, and that was, that the
elders must all resign, or be deposed, and that without any trial, or hearing, or any
charge being brought against them. And the Presbytery acted through the whole case,
on rules pretending to represent those governing banks, or worldly business, and with
out once referring to the scripture rule of truth ; therefore I cannot remain in accord
with the Presbytery, or the Presbyterian church while goverened by such rules and
principles." Freeman, David, Waddington, was born in Waddington February 29, 1844, a son of
John, a native of Wales, who went to England when two years of age, with his pa
rents. He came to Canada, where he remained a short time, and then came to Wad
dington. He married twice, first Miss Page, by whom he had two children. She died
and he married Mary Hessellgrave, a native of England and daughter of Thomas Hes-
sellgrave, an early settler of Waddington, who emigrated to Illinois. Mr. Freeman and
wife had four sons and three daughters. He died in Illinois, where his wife resides at
present. David Freeman was reared on the farm his father settled, and which he now
owns. He has 180 acres of land and keeps a dairy of sixteen cows. He married in
1866, Isabelle Robson, a native of Madrid, by whom he has two sons and six daugh
ters : Judith J., Eunice A., John W., Mary M., Frank A., Florence L., Bertha E. and
Fannie B. Mr. Freeman is a Republican and he and family attend and support the
Presbyterian church of Waddington.
Fitch, A. N., Brier Hill, was born in Jefferson county, January 30, 1830. He first
followed the trade of carpenter and joiner, and subsequently engaged in mercantile
trade for nearly twenty years, afterwards went to farming. In 1858 he married Erne-
line Atwood, and had three children ; Willie L., Frank H. and Eva N. He married for

48 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
his second wife Mary J. Dake, by whom he had three children : Amos B., Leslie W.
and Percy. Mr. Fitch's father was Augustus Fitch, of Connecticut, and his mother
Emily (Mines) Fitch, of Massachusetts.
Fulton, John J., Waddington, was born in Waddington, August 2, 1855. His father,
James R., was the son of John Fulton, a native of Ireland, where he was educated and
resided until forty years of age, when he came to the United States, and after a time
came to Waddington, and was engaged to assist in looking after the business of Judge
Ogden. He was a surveyor, and assisted in survey in the town of Waddington. He
married Polly, daughter of Peter Aldridge, of Waddington, and had three sons and
three daughters, of whom there are now living : Mrs. Fackrell, of Ogdensburg ; Mrs.
Cummings, of Waddington, and William W. Fulton, of Ogdensburg. He died in 1863,
and his wife in 1879. James R. Fulton was born October 14, 1814, in Waddington.
He learned the millwright trade, and followed it as a life occupation. He and a Mr.
Wood for sometime owned a mill in Waddington. He purchased a farm in Wadding
ton village, and now owned by John J. He was a member of the Waddington Lodge,
No. 393, F. & A. M. He and wife were members of the Episcopal church. He died
January 17, 1864, and Mrs. Fulton now resides in Waddington. He married March II,
1839, Rhoda, daughter of Reuben Smith, of Brimfield, Mass., who was born February
22, 1779. His wife was Persis Hutchens, of Witherfield, Vt, and they had four sons
and five daughters. They came to Waddington, and here lived and died, he in 1838
and she in 1865. J. R. Fulton and wife had two sons and three daughters, of whom
one son, John J., is now living. The latter was reared and educated in Wadding
ton. His father dying when John was in his ninth year, he was soon compelled to
take charge of the farm, which he has always managed very successfully. He has
been a temperance man, and a member of various temperance organizations. He has
made many improvements about the farm, on which dairying is the principal feature.
December 20, 1876, he married Isabel A., daughter of Walter and Janet (Porteous)
Young, and they have had three children : Edith M., Lottie I. and William J. In
politics Mr. Fulton is independent, and he and wife are member of the Presbyterian
church of Waddington.
Farmer, Calvin E., Potsdam, was born on a farm in the town of Norfolk, August
31. 1845, a son of Emerson B., a native of East Rutland, Vt., who came to this county
in 1803, settling on a farm in the town of Norfolk, where he spent the balance of his
life. He died in August, 1880, at seventy- five years of age. The mother of our sub
ject was Mary Jane Lewis, of Crown Point, N. Y., and they had seven children six
of whom are living: Benjamin E., of Mississippi; Mary S. Angel, of Los Angeles, Cal. ;
Eliza Babcock, of Potsdam ; Linden, a farmer of Potsdam ; Clifford, a farmer of Pots
dam ; and Calvin. Calvin was educated in Norwood public schools, and was only six
teen years of age when the war broke out. He enlisted January 2, 1863, as a private
in Company B., Second Regt, Minn. Inf., and saw service with them in the battles of
Lookout Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Savannah, Ringgold, Buzzard's Roost,
and a great many other engagements. Mr. Farmer was wounded at the battle of At
lanta, but not serious enough to cause his withdrawal from the service. He was dis
charged at the close of the war, and returned to Norfolk. In 1878 he bought a farm of

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 49
fifty acres, where he made his home until 1885. That year he sold and bought a farm
of 150 acres, which he conducts as a dairy, with fifteen head of cattle, four horses, sheep
and other stock. He has been for the most of the time since in school district No. 18,
where he resides. He is a member of Luther Priest Post, G. A. R., No. 167. He mar
ried in 1874, Angeline, daughter of John Lamora, of Canada, and they have four chil
dren: William Ezra, born September 1, 1875; Harley John, born August 7, 1878;
George Madison, born January 28, 1881 ; and Edson James, born February 12, 1882.
Fisher, John C, Madrid, was born in the town of Madrid, October 8, 1844, a son
of William and Euphemia (McDonald) Fisher. His whole life has been spent on the
farm his father first settled and cleared. He was educated in the common schools
and at the old St. Lawrence County Academy in Potsdam. At the death of his father
in 1875 the farm (which now contains 187-J- acres) fell to him, and is conducted as a
dairy, with thirty head of cattle. The old stone residence superseded the first log
house, and was built by William Fisher over forty-five years ago. Since Mr. Fisher
became owner of this old historic place he has made many valuable improvements to
it in the way of new barns, out-buildings, etc. Mr. Fisher has always taken an active
interest in politics and is a Republican, but has never been an aspirant for public of
fice. His whole life has been devoted to his home and family. He is a member of the
Scotch Presbyterian church. Mr. Fisher married December 5, 1868, Minnie B., daugh
ter of Charles Roswell, a merchant of Potsdam, and they have had four children :
Charles, who died at nine years of age ; Mabel Louise, who died at two years. The
living ones are : Alexander Fisher, now nineteen years of age, who assists his father on
the farm ; and Ernest, aged seven years.
Fackerell, L. J., Ogdensburg, was born in Montreal, April 7, 1829. His parents died
of cholera in 1832, and Luther was brought up by his uncle, John Fackerell, then liv
ing in Ogdensburg, until the age of thirteen, when he went into the lumber business on
St. Lawrence River to work, and from that time was actively working in different
capacities until 1852, when he went to the gold field in California. He returned in
1862 and bought a farm in St. Lawrence county, and about five years ago established
his livery business. His wife was Helen Page, and they have four children living.
Mr. Fackerell has always led an active and busy life, and is now enjoying the fruits of
a frugal and honest career.
Ford, James, Potsdam, was born in Potsdam, December 25, 1841. His father, John,
was a native of Scotland, as was also his mother, Elizabeth Tennant. They married in
this country and had five children, but two of whom survive : John, a farmer of Pots
dam, and James. The boyhood of the latter was spent in this town. He was edu
cated in the common schools, and assisted on his father's farm until the breaking out
of the war. August 29, 1864, he enlisted at Potsdam in the 50th N. Y. Engineers,
Co. C. He was mustered into service at Malone, and went to the front at Petersburg,
where he was engaged with his company in the management of light pontoons, re
maining in that vicinity until the close of the war. Was mustered out at Fort Berry,
Virginia. Remaining home in 1865, he remained on the old homestead until the fall of
1866, when he bought a farm of 100 acres in Potsdam, which he conducts as a dairy

50 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
with fourteen cows and other stock. Mr. Ford is a staunch Republican, and is a mem
ber of Luther Priest Post, No. 167, G. A. R. He married December 19, 1866, Emily
E., daughter of Norman and Lucinda M. Austin, a farmer of Potsdam, and they have
two children : Orris R., who lives on the farm with his parents ; and Adillie Lucinda,
who also lives at home.
Ford, John, Potsdam, was born in Potsdam, October 29, 1839. His father, John,
was born in Morbittle, Scotland, in 1812, and came to this country when seventeen
years of age, locating in Potsdam, and for a few years was employed by Ralph
Pringle. He then bought a farm of forty acres in Potsdam, but sold that place
and bought 100 acers more, where our subject now lives, to which he has added
twenty-six acres. He afterward bought the old Erwin farm of ninety-two acres and
then bought of Mrs. Rutherford thirty-six acres more. He married in 1838, Elizabeth
Tennant, also a native of Scotland. John was educated in the common schools and at
the breaking out of the war he enlisted August 28, 1862, in Co. I, 142d N. Y. Vol.
Infy., and served two years and nine months, being with them at Cold Harbor, Drury 's
Bluff, Fort Fisher, before Petersburg and many other minor engagements, escaping
without a wound. He was mustered out of service at Camp Wheeler, June 7. 1865.
Returning home he took the Erwin farm (ninety-eight) acres where he has since made
his home. In 1889 he came into possession of the 136 acre farm adjoining, also a wood
lot of twenty-five acres. He conducts it as a dairy with twenty-two cows and other
stock. Mr. Ford is a staunch Republican, but never cared for public office. He is a
member of Luther Priest Post No. 167, G. A. R., and a member of the Reformed Pres
byterian church. He married in 1865, Nancy V., daughter of William Hesselgrave
and Elizabeth Hesselgrave, and they have had three children : William J., who lives at
home ; Edwin 0., of Devil's Lake, Dakota, and Nettie E. Ford. Mrs. Ford died No
vember 7, 1877, at forty-two years of age.
Gary, Shepard S., Stockholm, was born in Potsdam, May 5, 1827, one of five
children of Elnathan and Rhoda (Goodrich) Gary, the latter a native of Potsdam,
and the former many years a resident there. Shepard S. Gary has made his own
way in the world. When a boy he earned his own livlihood. He spent six years
with Augustine Clarkston, of Potsdam, and then came to Stockholm, where he
learned the carpenter trade. This and also the trade of a wheelwright he fol
lowed for many years. He first settled in Stockholm on the farm now owned by W.
Sampson, which he traded for the one he now owns of 100 acres. , He also owns the
factory known as the Gary creamery, which manufactures 3,000 pounds of butter per
month. In 1853 Mr. Gary married Mirinda Seaver, of Stockholm, a daughter of
Raymond Seaver. Their children are: Homer E., Effie, Kate (deceased), Addie,
Luna (deceased), Fred aud Minnie. Homer E. is a resident of Tupper Lake. His
wife is Bertha, daughter of J. S. Chellis, and their children are : Mabel, Mildred (de-
deased) and Isabella. Homer Gary is a member of Amber Lodge 395, F. and A. M.,
of the Royal Arch Masons, of Potsdam Lodge, and of the I. 0. 0. F. Winthrop Lodge.
Effie is the wife of George G. Gillett, of Stockholm. He is a member of the I. O. O.
F. Winthrop Lodge. Mr. Gary is a Republican in politics, and liberal in religion. He
is a member of Amber Lodge No. 395, F. and A. M.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 51
Gregor, David, Hammond, was born in Scotland, March 5, 1814, and came to
America in 1818. His father, John, who came out the same year, lived in Ham
mond until his death which occurred at the advanced age of eighty-seven. Mr. Gregor
married Mary Ann Henderson, by whom he has eight children, all living : John J.,
Andrew H., Alexander A., Helen J., Margaret Allen, Daniel W., Mary E. and Jessie
Belle. Mr. Gregor's mother was Margaret (Allan) Gregor. Mr. Gregor has been
prominently connected with public affairs in Hammond and the county for many
years, and is one of the wealthy and highly respected citizens of this town.
Gibbons, Williams, Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, October 22, 1853. He
received an excellent education in the schools of this town, after which for a num
ber of years he was engaged in clerking here. In 1876, he established his present
stove, furnace and hardware business, which has proved very successful. Mr. Gib
bons married in 1887, Catherine Shannahan. Mr. Gibbons has held the position of
excise commissioner for the past six years for the town of Oswegatchie. He enjoys
the esteem and respect of this community.
Gwin, Hilend, Ogdensburg, conducts a grocery establishment on west side oppo
site the offices of Rhodee & Bill. He participated in the late war, was a member
of Co. L, Frontier Cavalry, and after the close, became identified with the grain ele
vator here where he was a trusted employee for many years. Mr. Gwin has been
twice married. His first wife was Amelia Marshall, and his second, Amelia Perkins.
He has four children living. Mr. Gwin is a prominent member of the G. A. R.,
Knights of Labor, etc.
Grant, Andrew, Norfolk, was born in Matilda, Canada, in 1812, and was a son of Ju
lius Grant He was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. He came
to Norfolk in 1840 and settled on a farm, where he resided a number of years, then
went to West Canada, but afterwards returned to Norfolk where he died August 1,
1882. He was a Republican and was at one time a member of the M. E. church, but
died an Adventist. He married Mary Worthing, by whom he had three sons : Benson,
Philemon and Andrew. His wife died in 1848 and Mr. Grant married for his second
wife, Angelina Tolb, by whom he had one son and three daughters. His second wife
died in 1855 and he married her sister, Mrs. John Perry, who still survives him. Ben
son was born in Madrid in 1840, was educated in the common schools and has always
been engaged in farming. He and Philemon, his brother, own a farm of 215 acres and
keep a dairy of thirty cows. Andrew Grant, the youngest child, enlisted in the late
war in Company A, 14th Heavy Artillery, and was killed at the battle of Cold Harbor.
Philemon was born in Norfolk July 22, 1842, was educated in the common schools and
has always been engaged in farming. In 1880 he married Annie E. Bush of Norfolk,
daughter of Charles Bush. She was born in Massena December 24, 1852. They have
had three children : Benson, Maude A. and Lester M. Mr. Grant is a Republican in
politics. Charles Bush was a native of Massena, born October 3, 1812. He was a son
of Charles Bush, and early settler of Long Sault Island. He was a farmer and spent
most of his life in Massena. He moved from there to Raymondville and afterward to
Q-rantville, where he died in 1871. His wife was Jane Miller, by whom he had four

52 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
sons and two daughters. Mrs Bush was a daughter of Stephen Miller of Massena,
who married Ann Coates, a native of England, who came from there when sixteen
years of age. Mr. Miller died in Massena in 1877 and his wife in 1883.
Grant, George, Norfolk, was born in Norfolk June 28, 1841, being the first child born
in the Grant Settlement. His father, James, was a son of Julius, a native of Massachu
setts, who went to Canada when a young man and married Sarah Sikes of Canada, by
whom he had six sons and three daughters. They came in 1840 to Norfolk, where they
lived and died. He was a British soldier in the war of 1812 and had it not been for
a comrade would have lost his life while crossing the St Lawrence river. He died
May 18, 1864, aged seventy-nine years, and his wife, February 22, 1863, aged seventy-
seven years. James Grant was born in Matilda, Canada, January 26, 1811, and was
reared on a farm. He received but a limited education, but being a great reader, be
came a well-informed man. He married Loana Rosinbarrager, a native of Williams
burg, Canada, born May 24, 1816, and they had ten sons and three daughters, the older
two born in Canada. James Grant, with three brothers, Andrew, Jacob and Julius,
made settlements in Norfolk about 1840, in the part known as the Grant Settlement.
James died June 14, 1873 and his wife survives him in the town of Norfolk, being now
seventy-seven years of age. George Grant was reared on a farm and educated in the
common schools. September 11, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, 60th N.Y.Vol., serving
two years and three months. He was in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg
and at the latter place lost his left arm. He has just visited the battlefield of Gettys
burg it being the thirtieth anniversary of the battle. He has received a medal of hon
or for the part he took in that desperate fight. He, married in December, 1869, Nettie
M. Couch, a native of Martinsburg, Lewis county, and a daughter of Lorin and Eliza
I. Couch, who settled in Norfolk in 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Grant have had three
children : Grace L., died March 25, 1890, aged nineteen years ; Leslie L. is now at
the age of thirteen years; Dora E. died March 10, 1885, aged two months and
twenty-one days. Mr. Grant owns a farm of 118 acres and keeps a dairy of eight
een cows. He is a Republican and has been inspector of elections for a number of
years. He is a member of White Star Association, Patrons of Industry, of which he is
president. He is also vice-president of the St. Lawrence Association.
Grant, Nelson J., Norfolk, was born in Norfolk January 11, 1872. His father was
Jacob, a son of Julius Grant. Jacob was born in 1815 in Matilda, Canada, was reared
on a farm and educated in the common schools. He came to Norfolk in 1840 and set
tled on a farm now owned by his five sons. Mr. Grant owned 450 acres of land. In
1852 he married Malvina Carpenter, a native of Vermont and daughter of Jesse Carpen
ter. Mr. and Mrs. Grant had five sons and five daughters : William, H. D., Albert R.,
Edward A., Calvin D. and Edith E. now living. Mrs. Grant was a member of the M.
E. church, which her family also attended and supported. Mr. Grant died in 1882 and
his wife in 1873. Nelson J. was reared on the farm he now occupies and received his
education in the common schools. He engaged in farming and has since followed that
occupation. He and his brother, Albert R., own about 125 acres of the homestead. Mr.
Grant is a Prohibitionist.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 53
Griswold, Robert B., Stockholm, was born in Stockholm March 19, 1835, a son of
Jonah B. Griswold. Robert was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools.
He married Roseltha Thatcher, a native of Stockholm, by whom he has eight children :
Ora I., DeForest J., Lillian M., Ethel G., Lulu E., Leroy A., Robert F. and Edith G.
DeForest married Leona Richey and they have one child, Gerald A. Mr. Griswold has
always been engaged in farming and stock dealing and owns 250 acres. In politics he
is a Republican. He is a member of P. of H. No. 538, Stockholm Depot Lodge. In
religion he is independent, but the family attend and support the Congregational
church. April 22, 1861, Mr. Griswold enlisted in the I6th N. Y. Infanty, Co. F, under
Captain Gilmore, and served two years, participating in sixteen battles.
Goodale, Lucius L., Potsdam, was born on a farm in Potsdam November 26, 1831.
The earliest ancestor we find trace of in this family is the grandfather of our subject,
Timothy Goodale, who was a native of Vermont and was one of the earliest settlers of
che county. He took up land in Potsdam, where he spent the balance of his days. He
married Lydia Smith, and they had four sons : Solomon, Chauncy, Cyrus and Timothy,
and three daughters: Chloe, Matilda and Caroline. Chauncy, the second son and fath
er of our subject, was born in New Hampshire January 11, 1799, and was a lad of only
ten years when the family moved to Potsdam. He was educated in the common schools
and taught successfully for about four years. Early in life he took up land and followed
farming a few years and then learned the mason's trade. In politics he was first a
Whig and then an Abolitionist and Free-soil party man. He married when about
twenty-five years of age, Hepsibah, daughter of Manasses and Bulah Sawyer. Man-
asses Sawyer was a native of Vermont, born March 28, 1759, and served as a soldier in
the war of the Revolution eight years. Chauncy Goodale was the father of three chil
dren: Azubah, married Johnson W. Dayton of Potsdam, now deceased; Harriet W.,
who married William Lee of Potsdam, died January 10, 1862, and Lucius L. The latter
was educated in the common schools and the old St. Lawrence Academy at Potsdam,
and began teaching school when eighteen years of age in the town of Canton. He
taught about five years in Potsdam and in 1858 went to Illinois, where he taught two
years, and returning, was principal of No. 8 school in Potsdam village nine years. On
account of the death of his father, November 12, 1870, he was called to his home for a
year, and the next two years he was principal of Norwood Union School. In the fall
of 1875 he was elected school commissioner of the Third Assembly district of St. Law
rence county, and re-elected in 1878. At the expiration of his term as school commis
sioner he retired. He was president of the St. Lawrence County Teachers' association
for a number of years and is the present president of the St. Lawrence County Fire Re
lief association. He is a member of Potsdam Grange No. 39. Mr. Goodale married
September 9, 1858, Myra A., daughter of Deacon Ephriam Boynton and Alice Thurston.
They are the parents of one daughter, Harriet Grace, a graduate of Potsdam State Nor
mal School, class of '93, now taking a post-graduate course.
Gedbaw, Francis, Ogdensburg, was born in Cornwall, Ont., January 6, 1837. He
came to Ogdensburg in 1857, and for two years was finishing up and learning the finer
branch of carriage and wagon making, which he had -been learning for a considerable
period in Canada. In 1868 he established himself in business here, which since that

54 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
time he has conducted. Mr. Gedbaw married in 1860 Sophia Derochie, and they have
four children. Some time after her death he married Catherine O'Connor. Mr. Ged
baw is a member of the Royal Arcanum and St Vincent de Paul society, and is much
respected in this city.
Guerin, Amos, Ogdensburg, was born at La Prairie, Canada, December 7, 1840. He
came to Ogdensburg when eleven years of age, and some time afterward began to
learn the joiner's trade, eventually learning that of ship carpenter also. He was for
fourteen years in the employ of the Marine Railway as ship carpenter, and after that
started for himself on the west side. He was burned out there and lost everything.
He then moved over to the main or business part of the town on the banks of the St.
Lawrence river, where he has followed for some time the occupation of boat building.
He has built many of the finest boats used here, and is a first class designer and work
man. Mr. Guerin married many years ago Mary Ann McDonald, of Brockville, and has
eleven children. Mrs. Guerin died the 18th of January, 1893. He is a staunch Cath
olic, and is much esteemed.
Griswold, Joseph N., Stockholm, was born in Stockholm, September 2, 1833. His
father, Jonah B., was a native of Essex county, born March 8, 1802. He was thrice
married, first in 1827 to Polly Fuller, by whom he had two children. She died July
25, 1832, and he married second Miranda, daughter of Parley Seaver, a native of Crown
Point, born March 14, 1814. By his second wife Mr. Griswold had six sons and one
daughter. His wife died June 23, 1843, and he married third Mrs. Lucinda (Chapman)
Newton. About 1828 he came to Stockholm and settled on the farm now owned by
Joseph N. His death occurred June 18, 1882. Mrs. Griswold resides on the old home
stead farm. Joseph N. was reared on the farm he now owns, and is a general farmer
and dairyman. His farm comprises 200 acres, and supports twenty- one cows. Jan
uary 1, 1865, he married Elmina Fenner, a native of Herkimer, born August 27, 1833.
She is a daughter of Nathan Fenner, of Providence, R. I., who was born May 28, 1802,
and married Nancy Farmer, born February 23, 1810, by whom he had one son and two
daughters. In 1849 Nathan settled in Stockholm, and there died April 3, 1892, and his
wife March 30, 1882. Joseph N. and wife had three children : Lora M., wife of Byron
Dearborn, who was a native of New Hampshire, and is now a farmer of Stockholm ;
Minnie A., wife of Dr. Alfred R. Allen, of Parishville, and Freddie M., who died Feb
ruary 17, 1876. Mr. Griswold is a Republican, and a member of Amber Lodge, No.
395, F. & A. M., of Parishville.
Gibson, Jason, Stockholm, was born January 15, 1825, in Vergennes, Vt, and was
thirteen years old when he came to Stockholm with his parents, John and Hannah
Gibson. He was reared on the farm he owns, and has always followed farming as an
occupation. He owns 165 acres in Stockholm and twenty in Lawrence. He keeps a
dairy of twenty cows. In 1854 our subject married Malissa Weller, a native of Hop
kinton, N. Y., by whom he had six children : Bertha, wife of Herbert P. Smith, of St.
Regis Falls, has one son, George; Elsie, resides in Stockholm; Lois, wife of Fred
Adams, of Lawrence, has two children, Elmer and Libbie; Charles married Carrie
Adams and has one child, Archie. They reside at Santa Clare, N. Y. ; Fred resides in

PERSONAL SKETCHES. ' 55
Vermont ; and Flora, wife of Samuel Nelson, a farmer of Stockholm. Mr. Gibson is a
Republican, and a member of P. of H., Fort Jackson Lodge.
Gates, A. A., Gouverneur, was born in Fowler, November 25, 1850. He was a
farmer's son, and remained on the farm until twenty-one years of age, when he went
to Wisconsin and thence to Kansas, where he remained ten years. He came to Gou
verneur in 1889, and embarked in the flour and feed business. In 1874 he married
Frances C. Bacon. He is a Mason and a Democrat.
Gregory, A. W., Morristown, was born in Lackawack, Ulster county, March 2, 1856,
and began his business career as clerk in a store at Grand Gorge, Delaware county. In
1874 he went to Binghamton, N. Y., in the capacity of book-keeper for a wholesale
shoe manufacturing firm. Thinking that this occupation was injuring his health, he
went to New York and obtained a position as salesman in the employ of Lord & Tay
lor, dry goods merchants. From there he went to Brier Hill, St Lawrence county,
where he embarked in business for himself in 1881. In 1888 he was president of Og
densburg Dairyman's Board of Trade, and while holding that office went to Europe to
study the English butter and cheese markets. Since that time he has been engaged in
exporting cheese to Europe, and has developed a large business, which he still con
ducts. May 15, 1890, Mr. Gregory was appointed customs officer at Morristown. He
is a high degree Mason, and an Odd Fellow. In 1886 and 1887 was D. D. G. M. of the
latter order for the district of St. Lawrence. In 1876 he married Araminta Coonradt,
stepdaughter of Charles Fitch, of Brier Hill, and they have three children: James Mer-
ton, Edna and Egbert Coonradt.
Goodnough, William H., Fowler, was born in Gouverneur, September 25, 1839, and
has followed farming all his life, except while serving in the war. He enlisted in 1863
in Co. H, 20th N. Y. Cav., Captain Spencer commanding, from which he was honora
bly discharged in 1865. In 1861 Mr. Goodnough married Ellen Kitts, and they have
three children : Sherman Grant, Ross Earle and Cornie E., now Mrs. R. K Smith. Mr.
Goodnough's father, Abel, was born in 1801 and is still living.
Gagnon, J. L., Ogdensburg, was born in Canada in January, 1838. He has con
ducted a meat business in Ogdensburg for the past twenty-seven years. In 1862 he
married Miss D. Cardinal, and they have no children. Mr. Gagnon is a prominent
member of St. John the Baptist Society, of which society he is a charter member. He
is also a member of the church, and is a thorough reliable and honorable business man
and a good citizen.
Graves, James M., Potsdam, was born in Waddington, St. Lawrence county, Novem
ber 27, 1862. The father of our subject, William, is also a native of Waddington, born
there in 1832. When a young man he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he fol
lowed but a few years, when he was obliged to give it up, as it was injurious to his
health. He has been twice married. His first wife, and mother of our subject, was
Mary A. Dowdell. She had four children, three of whom are living. Mrs. Graves
died October 18, 1878. James M. received his education in the Union School in his
native town, and taught for two terms in a district school. In February, 1882, he en
tered Potsdam State Normal School. He was out from time to time teaching in dis»

56 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
trict schools, and graduated in the classical course in 1888. The last year of his course
was devoted principally to teaching in the preparatory department, and in June, 1888,
he was elected as a regular teacher of preparatory reading, arithmetic and grammar,
and had charge of the intermediate rhetorical work, and did office work. In 1889 he
went with Dr. Cook to New Jersey, and taught in the Rutger's College grammar
school, returning to Potsdam in the spring of 1890. After being re-elected he has had
charge of preparatory subjects, — composition and rhetorical work, and penmanship.
He is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Gibson, George N., Stockholm, was born in Stockholm, June 4, 1845. His father,
Captain Warren Gibson, was a son of John Gibson, who was born in Massachusetts,
and when a young man went to Vergennes, Vt. Here he married Hannah White, by
whom he had four sons and two daughters. He was a miller by trade. In 1836 he
came to Stockholm and settled the farm now owned by Jason Gibson. Here he lived
until his death in 1865, and his wife in 1869. Captain Warren Gibson was born in
Vergennes, Vt, October 29, 1818. He was reared a miller and educated in the common
schools. He came to Stockholm with his parents and after one year on a farm came
to West Stockholm and worked for Hosea Bicknell in the grist mill. After four years
he purchased the mill and continued the business until 1860, when he sold and re-
bought in 1862, and again sold and rebought in 1863, and carried on business until his
death in January, 1887. Mr. Gibson enlisted in the 16th N. Y. Inf'y, Co. H., and was
made captain of his company. He was the first man to enlist in the town of Stock
holm. He served until June 27, 1862, when he was wounded in the head at Gaines Mill,
and lost both of his eyes. In 1842 Captain Gibson married Mary Westover, born
January 6, 1819, in Vermont. Her parents were Samuel and Lydia (Holcomb) West-
over, of Vermont, who came to Stockholm in 1825, where the mother died. Mr.
Westover went to Ohio and afterwards returned to Stockholm, where he died in 1859
Mr. Gibson and wife had two sons and four daughters. In politics he was a Repub
lican. He died January 18, 1887, and his wife now resides in West Stockholm, aged
seventy-four years. George N. Gibson took charge of his father's business and carried
it on until the death of his father, at which time our subject purchased the estate and
has since carried on a very successful business in West Stockholm. In 1872 he en
gaged in the manufacture of lumber. At present he makes lumber, shingles, butter
tubs, furniture, also owns a grist-mill and is engaged in the mercantile business,
having a two-story building 25 x 60 feet, which he purchased in 1887 of his father's
estate. At present Mr. Gibson employs in his various kinds of business, twenty-five
men. In politics he is a Republican. December 17, 1867, he married Mary E. Bur
roughs, a native of Potsdam, and a daughter of Calvin and Adaline (Loverin)
Burroughs, of Potsdam, where Mr. Burroughs was born in 1810, and lived until his
death. Mr. Gibson and wife have had two sons, George H., who died in infancy, and
Leon L., who graduated from Potsdam Normal School in 1893, and at present assists
his father. Mrs. Gibson is a member of the M. E. church, which the family attend and
support. Graham, John, Waddington, was born in Lisbon, St. Lawrence county, August 8,
1849. His father James, was born in Ireland, in 1798, and was eighteen years of age

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 57
when he came to Lisbon with his parents, they being among the first settlers of that
town. Mr. Graham was reared on a farm and followed farming as a life occupation,
having in Lisbon 225 acres of land. He married Jane Graham, of Ireland, by whom
he had a family of eight sons and two daughters. Mr. Graham was a Republican in
politics. He and wife were members of the United Presbyterian church of Lisbon
Centre. Mr. Graham died in 1881, and his wife resides in Lisbon. John Graham was
reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of Lisbon. He built a butter
factory and carried on a successful business for three years in connection with farming,
having purchased a farm of fifty-four acres. This he sold and in 1890 came to Wad
dington and purchased a 100 acres, known as the McDowell farm, where he now
resides. April 18, 1878, he married Phoebe, daughter of James Randies of Lisbon, and
they have one daughter, Maud J. Mr. Graham is a Republican in politics, and he and
family attend and support the Presbyterian church of Waddington.
Griffith, D. C, Ogdensburg, was born December 3, 1849, in Vermont. He came to
Ogdensburg, when seventeen years of age and entered the employ of the American
Express Company. This corporation recognizing his sterling worth gradually promoted
him until the entire business was eventually placed under his control for this district and
Prescott. He has now been in the employ of this company twenty-seven years. In
1874 Mr. Griffith married Miss L. M. Butts, who was a graduate of the Oswego Nor
mal School, and afterwards a successful teacher. They have two sons and a daughter.
Mr. Griffith is a Mason, a member of the R. A., treasurer of the Presbyterian church,
treasurer of the Ogdensburg Savings and Loan Association, treasurer of the Burns
Curling Club, treasurer of the Public Library Association, one of the members of the
Ogdensburg Club, etc., and has an interest in a group of beautiful islands in the St.
Lawrence river, upon which he spends the summer months with his family. Mrs.
Griffith is an attractive and influential church woman.
Gage, John C, Madrid, was born in South East, Putnam county, December 12,
1832, the oldest son of Samuel D. Gage. His parents moved to Salisbury, Herkimer
county, when he was an infant ; it was there his boyhood was spent. In 1844 they
moved to Madrid, St. Lawrence county. At twelve years of age our subject engaged
as clerk in the store of his uncle, Alden S. Gage, in Salisbury. After coming to St
Lawrence county he entered the employ of Seth J. Dewey in his general store at Wad
dington, and remained with him about ten years. In 1854-55, he was a commercial
traveler, and from 1856-59, was in Buffalo. The year of 1860 he spent in Waddington
and September, 1861, he established a general store in Madrid, where he has since
continued. He was alone in business for five years, and in 1866 was joined in
partnership by his brother, Silvanus D. The firm of J. C. Gage & Bro. existed until
1883, since which time our subject has been alone. He now has a large double store
at the corner of Main and Bridge streets, carrying a complete line of dry goods, boots
and shoes, crockery, groceries and general merchandise. In March, 1877, Mr. Gage's
store was burned by burglars, who succeeded in exploding and robbing the safe, and
setting fire to the store. His loss was about $18,000. An attempt to repeat this out
rage was made May 29, 1893, which resulted only in the destruction of the safe and
H

58 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
loss of a small amount of silver. Mr. Gage has always been a Democrat. He has at
different times been a candidate on the minority ticket for member of assembly for
second district, and has served on county committees and has been delegate to nu
merous State conventions for thirty years. He is really the leader of his party in this
town. Mr. Gage has married twice, first in September, 1861, Minerva, daughter of
Jesse Cogswell, of Madrid, who died in 1863, leaving one son, Jesse, who died in
infancy. He married second, in 1864, Minerva, daughter of Robert Pierce, of Potsdam,
and they have two children: Vinnie B., a student of the New England Conservatory
of Music at Boston; and William C, a clerk in his father's store.
Holmes, Adam J., Gouverneur, was born in Vermont, March, 9, 1844, and came to
St. Lawrence county when an infant. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and at
the age of twenty-two took up milling and eontractimg and has been superintendent of
mills ever since. He is at present superintendent of Dean & Aldrich's mills at Natural
Dam, does the sawing of the vast amount of lumber turned out by this firm. Mr.
Holmes is a thorough and most successful businesss man and has occupied his
present position since 1872. In 1878 he married Edith Fuller, and they have two
children : Herbert and Marion. Mr. Holmes is a Mason, passed to the commandery.
Holmes, Charles R., Potsdam, was born in Westford, Vt, April 24, 1842, a son of
Jonathan Holmes, a farmer of Westford and Milton. In 1846 his parents moved to St.
Lawrence county, locating in Lawrence. Later he went to Stockholm, where he lives,
aged eighty-three years, and his wife, seventy-six years old. The mother of our sub
ject was also a native of Westford. Her maiden name was Sarah K. Bates. They were
the parents of six sons and two daughters, of whom Charles R. was the third son. He
was only a lad when he began to learn the carpenter's trade and followed this until the
war broke out. He enlisted in the navy in 1864 and spent one year in service with the
North Atlantic squadron. He returned in 1865 and engaged in milling at Norwood
with Loveless & Fonda, who at that'time were building the steammill. The first year he
was second hand and the balance of the time, about seven years, he was foreman, and
during the time re-built the water mill and put in the improved machinery. He was
one year a partner with William Kemp in the American House at Norwood and then
sold his interest to Kemp and bought the Elm street restaurant in Potsdam of H. L. &
M. B. V. Ives. After one year there he spent a year with his brother, A. J. Holmes,
in Gouverneur in the mills of Dean, Aldrich & Weston. In 1877 he went to Muske-
gan, Mich., where he engaged in the mill business about three years. Returning in
August, 1880, in partnership with his brother, A. J. Holmes, he refitted the old Elm
street restaurant and opened it as a hotel under the name of "The Albion," and while
conducting the hotel built and operated the A. Sherman lumber mill at Sissonville. The
restaurant was a new four story building, thirty-three feet front, with an annex of a
two-story building. This annex was destroyed by fire in the fall of 1883 and the firm
of C. R. & A. J. Holmes rebuilt from the office east, adding a four-story building for
dining room, kitchen, sample rooms and out-kitchen, with about forty sleeping rooms.
Later they bought the Tupper property to the east of the hotel, where the Potsdam
reading room is located, and still later Mrs. C. R. Holmes bought the McChesney prop
erty used in connection with the hotel as a park. Mr. Holmes is a member of Rac-

PERSONAL SKETCHES 69
quette River Lodge No. 213, F. & A. M.; St. Lawrence Lodge of Perfection ; Central
City Consistory, and is a member of the Mystic Shrine and Media Temple, Watertown.
He married April 11, 1882, Adelaide A. Eastman of Potsdam, and they have one child,
Mildred, a student in the Normal School.
Hall, Erastus F., Postdam, was born in Raymondville, St. Lawrence county, Decem
ber 25, 1854. son of Abel A., who was the fifth son of Erastus and Elizabeth (Jackson)
Hall. Abel was bom in Norfolk October 19, 1821, was educated in the common
schools and his first business ventures were in the mercantile business. The later years
of his life he was a farmer. He was always a Democrat and he held the office of
justice of the peace for some years. He died October 11, 1885. The mother of
of our subject, Eliza S. Winslow, was also a native of Norfolk, born September 4,
1822, and she had two children: Elizabeth J., married Edgar T. Phelps, died August 3,
1890, aged forty- three years; and our subject. His early life was spent in Norfolk.
He was educated in the common schools, Clinton Grammar School and Canandaigua
Academy, under Prof. Noah T. Clarke. After leaving school he was a commercial trav
eler five years and in 1884 bought, in parinership with C. C. Nightengale, a grocery and
crockery store in Norwood. This firm existed until July, 1, 1889, when Mr. Hall
bought out the interests of his partner and has since conducted the business. This is
the leading grocery in this place and Mr. Hall has built up a trade here second to none
in the town. He is a Democrat, is a member of What Cheer Lodge No. 689, F. & A.
M., St. Lawrence Chapter No. 24, R. A. M., and St. Lawrence Commandery No. 28, K.
T. He is a director and one of the founders of the Norwood Savings, Loan and Build
ing Association. He married, October 15, 1884, Lilla A., daughter of Allan D. Calkins,
a native of Clinton county, and they have one son, Allan Atwood Hall, now in his
eighth year.
Honeycomb, John Symons. The town of Gouverneur is widely known because of
its talc and marble. One of the best known and most enterprising men of the mineral
regions is John S. Honeycomb, who has been identified with talc mining since its incip-
iency and was one of the first to discover the great marble beds which abound in this
locality. Besides this he has built a great part of the village and has identified himself
with the best interests and development of the town. Mr. Honeycomb was born in St.
Cleer, Cornwal', England, January 8, 1833, and learned the trade of mason in that
country. In 1855 he left England and came to the United States; but not realizing his
expectations in Gouverneur, he left St. Lawrence county and went to Canada, where
he remained f<. ur years, serving in that time as captain of a company of militia. In
1860 he returned to Gouverneur, where he married Fidelia Washburn, and they have
four children : Virgil F., Emma E., Ida L. and John W. John W. married Nellie Enos
and they have one son, John Howard. During the war period our subject was identi
fied with the lead mining interests of the county and built most of the mine buildings.
He also built the blast furnaces and steel works at Ciifton. He has also been promi
nently identified with railroad building, having superintended the widening of the New
York Central railroad from Schenectady to Fort Plain, the first four track road in the
world. He was also the contractor for building the Montreal, Portland and Boston
railroad, and was associated with the construction of the Quebec and Gosford railway,

60 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
also the Levis and Kennebec railway. In building the fine bridge over the Oswegat
chie in 1876, Mr. Honeycomb discovered the marble beds of Gouverneur, while seeking
stone for abutments and piers. In 1878 Mr. Honeycomb was mainly instrumental in
forming the Gouverneur Pulp Company, with Col. Henry Palmer and S. B. Van Duzee,
Mr. Honeycomb being secretary of the company, and he is now joint owner with Col.
Henry Palmer, of the talc property in the town of Edwards, whence they drew their
supplies of talc, under lease. Mr. Honeycomb was also mainly instrumental in forming
the first organized marble company in Gouverneur — the Whitney, now the Gouverneur
Marble Company — and was its first secretary. Mr. Honeycomb's father and mother are
both dead and lie in the cemetery at Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, while his father's pa
rents both lie in Riverside cemetery, Gouverneur. Mr. Honeycomb's grandmother re
ferred to and Sir Humphrey Davy were brothers' children ( first cousins ), and through
marriage she was aunt to George Borrow, the eminent philologist, traveler and author.
The history of the Honeycomb family runs back to Norman times and the fam
ily were always Royalists. Members of the family fought for Charles I., suffering un
der the Protectorate of Cromwell, and joined in the fetes in honor of the restoration.
The old ancestral mansion of the family still stands near "Tamar's banks," amid "the
stately homes of England."
Haven, J. M., Canton, was born in Dummerston, Vt., May 13, 1822, and began his
business career as a clerk in Cleveland, O., in 1836. In 1839 he returned to Putney,
Vt., and continued clerking for two years, then clerked for eight years at Brattleboro.
In 1850 he embarked in business for himself in Brattleboro and Rutland, having a store
in each place. In 1861 he left Rutland and bought a farm in Lincoln, 111., and remained
there until 1864, when he went into business in St. Louis. Almost immediately he was
called to take the position of treasurer of the Rutland and Burlington Railway Com
pany, which he filled for nineteen years. In 1879 he bought the Bates House in Rut
land, which he made a temperance house. He was also interested in several other en
terprises at the time. In 1883 he sold the Bates House, resigned his position as treas
urer and moved to Albany to take charge of several refrigerators for Armour & Com
pany. In 1886 he moved to Brooklyn and assisted in closing up the Knickerbocker
Life Insurance Company. In 1888 he came to Canton and bought the Hodgkin House
(now the Haven House), and has conducted it ever since. Mr. Haven married, first,
Harriet M. Dickerman, daughter of Dr. J. L. Dickerman of Brattleboro, Vt., in 1848,
and they had one son, Franklin A., now in the Highland National Bank of Newburg.
Mrs. Haven died in 1878 and in 1881 he married, second, Mrs. Charlotte L. Cooke.
When the National W. C. T. U. was organized in 1874, Mrs. Harriet M. Haven was
made vice-president for Vermont. She also organized a State union in Vermont, and
was elected president of it. She also was president of the Woman's Missionary Society
of Vermont and of the Christian Temperance Union of Rutland, Vt., taking an active
part in church work of all kinds.
Holmes, S. W., Stockholm, was born in St. Albans, Vt, October 1, 1815. His father
was Sheveric Holmes, a native of Bennington, born April 24, 1784. He married in
Georgia, Vt, Jerusha Baker, by whom he had seven children, six of whom grew
to maturity. In 1826 he and his family came to Stockholm and settled on a farm

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 61
one and one-half miles west of Winthrop. Mr. Holmes was a farmer and lumberman.
He was a Republican and held the office of high sheriff of Franklin county, Vermont, for
several years. He was also supervisor of Stockholm. He died July 28, 1872, and his
wife May 2, 1859. S. W. Holmes was eleven years of age when he came to Stockholm
with his parents. He has spent his life in farming, but at present lives retired at Win
throp. He married in Fairfield, Vt, June 24, 1847, Harriet N. Burr, a native of that
town and daughter of Col. Aaron Burr of Redding, Conn., a soldier in the war of 1812.
The wife of the latter was Rebecca Cook, by whom he had ten children, five still living.
Colonel Burr was the only child of Jabez (who died in 1825) and Mary (Bartrum) Burr.
Mr. Holmes and wife have one child, Mary E., the wife of A. N. Trussell of Minneap
olis, Minn., and they have one child, Helen H. Mr. Holmes has always been a
Republican but has never desired public office. He and his wife are members of the
Congregational church at Winthrop.
Hannan, John, Ogdensburg, was born in Ireland, June 24, 1844, and came to this
country with his parents in the fall of 1849. After receiving a good education he en
gaged in the tobacco business, eventually building up a large wholesale and retail trade
in tobaccos and cigars. He then branched out into general coal and lumber business
and carrying trade, which increased to its present magnitude. The company of which
he is the president and general manager now controls from twelve to fifteen vessels.
He also conducts a machine shop, and wood and iron works here. He married Mar
garet Walsh, and they have two sons and two daughters. Mr. Hannan is a staunch
Democrat. He has served as mayor, alderman, etc., and is one of Ogdensburg's sub
stantial men.
Hall, Giles Jackson, Potsdam, was born in the town of Louisville, now Norfolk,
March 7, 1811. The father of our subject, Erastus, was a native of Berkshire county,
Mass., born April 7, 1786. The mother of our subject, Elizabeth Jackson, was the
daughter of Giles Jackson, who while on General Gates' staff as chief drew up the arti
cles of capitulation of General Burgoyne to General Gates at Saratoga, October 16,
1777. Erastus Hall was the father of seven children, four of whom are living: Heze-
kiah B., of Norwood; Anson S., a farmer of Norfolk; Thomas S., a ranchman of Los
Angeles, Cal., and Giles J. Erastus emigrated to St. Lawrence county in 1808, and
took up a tract of land in the town of Norfolk, where he reared his family and spent
his whole life. At the time of his death, March 28, 1869, he was the owner of 600 or
700 acres of land. He held the agency for the wild lands of Louisville and Norfolk
from 1824 up to within a short time of his death. Mrs. Hall died in March, 1859. The
early life of our subject was spent on the farm of his birth. He was educated in the
common schools and old St. Lawrence Academy, and assisted on the farm until 1829,
when he went to Massena and was engaged in the store of Benjamin Phillips and Phil
lips & Andrews until the spring of 1833, when he returned to Norfolk and engaged in
mercantile business and the manufacturing of lumber until 1872. During these years
in his native town, Mr. Hall was interested in the erection of many of the principal
buildings of the village of Raymondville. Among them is the grist mill, store and
dwelling house and saw-mill, which are still standing. A portion of the other buildings
have been carried away by flood. Mr. Hall was and is now a Democrat, and has held

62 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
the office of supervisor three years. In 1872 Mr. Hall moved to the village of Norwood
where he lives retired. He married in 1842 Wealthy P., daughter of H. G. Munson, of
Potsdam, and they had one son, Charles E., a farmer of Potsdam. Mrs. Hall died July
9, 1886. October 10, 1861, Thomas S. Hall, brother of our subject, enrolled in Co. E.,
92d Regt, New York State Inf., Vols. In January, 1862, he was commissioned cap
tain of sa'd company, subsequently promoted major of said regiment, serving as such
through the Peninsular campaign under Gen. Geo. B. McClelland, participating in many
engagements that occurred from Newport News in April to Harrison's Landing, where
they arrived in August, 1862, at which time the regiment was transferred to Southern
Virginia, and afterwards to North Carolina. Subsequently, and in August, 1863, Major
Hall was commissioned colonel of said regiment, holding the office to the close of the
war, receiving an honorable discharge therefrom. The losses of the Ninety-second
regiment, then under the command of Major Hall, at the battle of Fair Oaks, was
nearly one-half of the number engaged.
Havens, Samuel, Oswegatchie, grandfather of Alonzo, settled in Oswegatchie about
1798. He followed farming, and was killed in Oswegatchie during the war of 1812.
His son, Horace (one of eight children), was the father of our subject. The latter was
born October 4, 1832. He succeeded to eighty-one acres, and added by purchase until
now he possesses a farm of 121 acres. He has been twice married, his first wife was
Isabella Wetherhead, by whom he had three children. His second wife was Sarah
Harvey, by whom he had eight children. Mr. Havens is a successful farmer.
Hamlin, Emory A., Potsdam, was born in Lawrence, N. Y., February 9, 1840. He
is a son of Stephen S. Hamlin, of Vermont, who came to this county in 1828. He was
a clergyman, but always owned a farm and conducted it himself. Beside preaching in
his own town, he had a circuit extending through Franklin and Clinton counties. He
died in 1870 aged sixty-two years. October 14, 1861, he enlisted in the 92d N. Y.
Vols., and saw service with them at Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Newburn, N. C, Cold
Harbor, Petersburg, and many others , participating in sixteen general engagements.
He was discharged at the expiration of his term of service, January 7, 1865. He went
out as a private, and rose to the rank of sergeant ; in 1869 he moved to Potsdam, where
he engaged in the manufacture of furniture for fifteen years ; in 1887 he sold the fac
tory and engaged in the retail furniture trade ; his store is located in the Brooks &
Bicknell Block. He is a past commander of Marsh Post, G. A. R., and a member of
the Methodist church. He married in 1866 Augusta M., a daughter of N. R. Merchant,
of Merchant, St. Lawrence county, N. Y. Mr. Hamlin has two daughters, Inez S., a
graduate of Prof. Roberts' College of Stenography in Elmira, and Florence M., a teacher
in the schools of Elmira.
Heaton, Charles, Potsdam, was born in Potsdam, May 23, 1841, a son of Lorenzo D.,
who died August 5, 1891. He was well remembered as a politician and one of the
earliest settlers of the town. He came to this town in 1810, and always lived here un
til his death. He was the father of nine children, of whom our subject was next to the
youngest. He was educated in the common schools and St. Lawrence Academy, and
enlisted October 12, 1861, in the Sixteenth N. Y. Vol. Inf., Co. B, and saw service with

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 63
this regiment until May 31, 1862, when he was discharged for disability. He was
home only a year when he returned, and acted as sutler's clerk in Scott's 900 cavalry
until December, 1863. After a winter at home he tried to enlist both in the navy and
cavalry, but was rejected, and found his war service closed. He was at work for R. F.
Welch the year he spent at home, and after his war service was ended he returned to
Mr. Welch and finished his trade. On March 1, 1867, he started for himself, and has
now spent twenty-six years in this business. In 1892 he purchased the block where
the store is located. He is a member of Marsh Post, No. 214, G. A. R. Mr. Heaton
married in 1869 Lydia E. Herrman, of Potsdam, and they have three children: Charles
F., an optician and a graduate of Spencer's Optical College, New York ; Grace A. and
Ruth E., who live at home.
Heath, Milton, Potsdam, commonly known as Colonel Heath, was of Puritan de
scent, his ancestors having come from England among the early Pilgrims and branched
into New Hampshire and Vermont. He was the son of Benjamin Heath and Lucy
Hidden, and was born in Wheelock, Vt, October 2, 1807. At the age of seventeen he
came with his father to Dickinson, N.Y., where the family became prominent. The
father established a stage house, the railway station of those days for the line of mail
coaches that ran from Ogdensburg to Plattsburg. He became postmaster and agent
for the sale of lands, and the house was headquarters for public business. This
business fell ere long, by the father's death, into the hands of Milton, who pros
pered and became a sort of rural baron. He owned a farm of many hundred acres,
he built a stately house, and employed many men, and with it all was generally
honored and respected. When thirty he married Emily Bentley, then the widow of
George Farrar. They had no children, but she had a son by the first husband, and to
educate him they moved to Malone, and afterwards to various other places, and finally
to Potsdam in St. Lawrence county, Meanwhile, about 1840, he raised a company of
militia, and was made colonel of the regiment. He was of erect and noble bearing,
fully six feet tall, and when mounted on his black charger, dressed in a blue and gold
uniform with scarlet plume streaming from his half-moon hat, and attended by his
black servant ^Virginia," he made a figure that is still remembered by old men. His
latter days were spent in Potsdam where he took great interest in public affairs, often
serving as village trustee or school committee, but seeking no office of salary. He was
specially interested in church matters, and for more than thirty years was an officer of
the Episcopal church. When nearly seventy, his adopted son, his wife, and two adopted
grandchildren, all died within a brief period, leaving him alone. Soon after his
brother who lived in Maryland, and whom he had for some years supported, died also.
No relative was left him except a sister who lived in New Jersey, and her son, his
nephew. He visited them, and they agreed to join their fortunes with him. A firm
was formed at Potsdam in 1880, under the firm name of Milton and Frederic Heath,
for the purchase and sale of lands and the care of land agencies. Here his declining
years were spent in peace. No word of discord ever marred the relations of uncle and
nephew, and the nephew's children were an unfailing source of pleasure to him. No
man ever loved children more dearly, and the genial sweet tempered old man was loved
in return by them. Here, at the age of eighty-five, after a long life of usefulness and
honor, he died of praralysia, November 1, 1892, and lies buried at Lawrenceville, N. Y,

64 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Heath, Frederic M., Potsdam, appeared in Moira, N. Y. promptly with the year 1844,
having been born there January 1. He was the son of F. H. Petit, a physician of
local note, and of Mahala Heath. The father's ancestry were from Rochelle in France,
but had settled at an early day in Saratoga county ; while the mother's stock were
English Puritans from New Hampshire. Both parents had literary tastes and the father
was for several years the county school commissioner, so that Frederick was brought
up among books. At ten he gave lectures on astronomy, illustrated by an orrery of
his own making. The sun and larger planets were balls of clay, and the moons whit
tled from pine. He had a taste for art, and drew a series of Bible pictures with pencil
and red chalk that were meant to be serious, but should have appeared in a comic
paper. At thirteen he read Barnaby Rudge and formed a dark and dreadful club
among the boys, in imitation of Simon Tappertit They met in distant woods where
their lodge was made hideous with skulls and cross bones, and he kept their records in
a secret alphabet of his invention. In due time he went to Lawrenceville Academy
and graduated when eighteen, having made some reputation as a debator and a comic
poet. He entered Union College, and remained there till partly through the Junior
year. In December, 1863, news came that his father, who was a surgeon in the war,
had been dangerously wounded. He hastened to Virginia, only to find him dead. It
was now needful for him to think of a profession, and his taste led towards minerals
and mining. Just then the first American School of mines was being founded at
Columbia College, and his friend Prof. Chandler was chosen dean. He entered, and
graduated there in 1877, with the degree of E. M. He soon found a situation as second
manager of a Pittsburg iron firm, but the locality was malarial, and failing health
obliged him to resign. The company were very kind and sent him to the mountains
in hope of a cure, but in vain. Rest restored him partly, and he essayed mining, first
in Ohio, and then near Easton, Pa., but he grew worse and at last went home to die,
so the doctors said, a feeble skeleton of ninety pounds. He did not die, but with what
energy was left him began search into hygiene and healthful living that has since been
his chief study, and on which he has written two pamphlets. The first called " The
Human Machine," was published in Potsdam in 1884, and the second in New York in
1892 by the Fowler & Wells Co. It may be added that Mr. Heath has attained such
strength that he has not had the slightest illness for many years. In 1869 he removed
to Pompton, N. J., and built a pleasant home in that beautiful region. He engaged
first in mining engineering, and then in railroad work, finally becoming general agent
of the Greenwood Lake railway. At the age of thirty-one he married Julia Fullerton,
the daughter of a prominent lawyer, and from this union, a most happy one, have come
two children : Julien a boy of sixteen, and Flora aged six. Twelve years later his
mother's brother, Milton Heath, of Potsdam, proposed to him a partnership in his real
estate business, which began to burden his advancing years. Being childless, and the
last of the Heaths, he was anxious that Frederic should take his name and heir his
property. This was arranged, and in 1880 he moved to Potsdam. In 1882 he traveled
with Mrs. Heath through Europe, and wrote letters to the local paper that were widely
read. He is now engaged in building a summer hotel at Lake Ozonia, to be known as
Fernwood Hall. Mr. Heath is an amateur artist, and sometimes gives lectures with
crayon illustrations, He owns a considerable library, and has been for several years

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 65
president of a literature club. He has never held political office, but has, been school
trustee and a vestryman of Trinity church.
Herriman. C. B., Ogdensburg, was born in Fort Covington, Franklin county, No
vember 10, 1833. He received an excellent education and immediately after leaving
school, entered the establishment of William Hogie of that village. Afterwards he was
identified with E. B. Allen & Son, and J. B. Averill, of Ogdensburg for a number of
years, in positions of trust In the spring of 1861 he purchased the grocery business
of John N. Oswell, and has since that period been actively identified with this special
branch of mercantile industry, including butter and cheese for eastern markets. Mr.
Herriman has served as town clerk (in 1860), as alderman for two years, 1868 and 1869,
member of the water commission for the past twenty years and chairman for several
years, supervisor of the town for the year 1876, fair ground commissioner (for the
past twenty-two years of which he has been secretary), president of the Dairyman's
Board of Trade for several years, president of the Grocer's Association of Ogdensburg,
organized in 1892, etc. Mr. Herriman has been twice married. His first wife was
Louisa S. Stark by whom he had three children, all of whom are married. His son,
Dr. Wallace J. Herriman, is located in Rochester, and is one of that city's most talented
and successful physicians. He is an expert upon insanity cases, and receives besides
his extensive local practice many important cases from the government. His other
children are : Edith, wife of G. W. McKinley, and Ella, wife of John T. Groves.
Hill, W. S., Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, March 24, 1840. He received
an excellent education in the common schools, after which he worked at the bakery
and confectionery business for the late John Barber, for about eighteen years. In 1869
he started in business with L. E. Barber, at 44 State street, where he remained
about five years, when he removed to 89 Ford street. In 1886 he built the fine
business block in which he is now located and moved into it. Mr. Hill is one of
the most accomplished confectioners in the State, or, in fact, in the country. His
goods go to Frauce and other transatlantic countries, and he has many customers
in New York city. He supplies such people as the Wetmores, the Benedicts and
Lorillards, and his goods are in great and constant demand. Mr. Hill married in
1865, Miss Jennie H. Thrall, of Gouverneur. They have no family. He is a mem
ber of Ogdensburg Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and is identified with several
other social institutions.
flT Hilts, Wm. J., Gouverneur, was born in Boonville, Oneida county, N. Y., December
28, 1829, and came to Gouverneur, N. Y., in 1852. In 1855 he married Susan A.
Hildreth, of Fowler, N. Y. They have these children : Sumner G., of Clear Lake,
Iowa; Alice A., wife of 0. J. Gardner, of Montrose. S. Dak.; Harriet E., wife of
Wm. Thomson, of Montrose, S. D. ; NettieJE., wife of John Fitzgerald, of Walkerville,
Mont. ; Helen M., teacher in the Lowell Business College, Binghamton, N. Y. ; and
Grace, public school teacher. Mr. Hilts' father was Geo. G. Hilts.
Hamell, Henry W., Ogdensburg, was born in Osgood, Ontario, August 7, 1853, a
son of Louis Hamell, who came to Ogdensburg when Henry was fourteen years of
age. The latter after receiving a good common school education learned_the paint-
l

66 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
er's trade, in which he has been extensively engaged. He was also identified with
the furniture and undertaking business from 1874 to 1877, and now conducts a gro
cery store in his block near the Rome, W. & O. R. R. depot To this building he has
lately been making extensive additions, and he also owns other valuable real estate
here. Mr. Hamell has been greatly interested in the patenting of carriage gear, and
from 1884 to 1889 pushed the sale of his improvements with good success. In
March, 1893, he obtained a patent on another improvement in this direction. No
vember 22, 1875, he married Miss Matilda Gilbert, of the same place, by whon he has
had seven children, of whom five are living.
Harrigan, Jay D., Gouverneur, was born in Cayuga county, February 11, 1859, and
began the harness trade when sixteen. In 1887 he came to Gouverneur and estab
lished his present business. Mr. Harrigan is a prominent Mason, having passed to the
thirty-second degree Scotish rite,, is also an Odd Fellow, and a member of the A. 0.
U. W.
Hall, Walter W., Gouverneur, one of three children of Edward and Catherine (Mc
Chesney) Hall, was born in Gouverneur, August 19, 1849. Edward, the father, was a
native of Franklin county, Mass. He came to this State when twenty-one years of
age, married and settled on the farm where they now live with their children, Lot and
Ella M. The grandfather, Lot Hall, lived in Massachusetts and died in Niagara county,
N. Y. Walter W. left home when twenty-one years of age, engaging in the manu
facture of butter and cheese. In the fall of 1873 he purchased a large cheese factory
near Gouverneur, with the patronage of 1,000 cows. He owned and operated this fac
tory for seventeen years, when it was sold, he having been appointed June 1, 1888, by
Dairy Commissioner Brown as cheese instructor for the State. As a skilled operator
he at once commenced to instruct by actual process during the summer, and in winter
addressing institutes and farmers' gatherings. The magnitude and importance of the
dairy interests in the State (as well as in St. Lawrence county) may in a measure be
appreciated when it is stated that there are 2,000 factories and 1,500,000 cows in the
State. An important part of the work of the dairy commission through Mr. Hall and
his associates, is the education of cheese makers to the production of a better article, in
larger quantity. The results of the work of the commission will inevitably be of the
greatest benefit to the dairy interest of St. Lawrence county.
Harris, H. J., Ogdensburg, was born in Renfrew county, Ontario, February 14, 1856.
He received his education in the schools of that province, and in 1870 came to Ogdens
burg and engaged in the meat business, in which he has been prominently identified.
May 1, 1892, he received the appointment of manager for the Ogdensburg branch of
Armour's meats under the Oswego commission house of Mollison & Dowdle, which
position he has since filled. Mr. Harris married in 1878 Hattie Worsley (since de
ceased), they had no children. Mr. Harris's father, William, was a well known news
paper proprietor and editor of Ottawa, who was for some years prior to his death a
crown land agent for Canada. Mr. Harris is a Royal Arch Mason, an Odd Fellow, a
member of St. Andrew's Brotherhood, and of the Episcopal church.

PERSONAL SKETCHES'. 6?
Harris, Allen E., Norfolk, was born in Louisville, N. Y., December 4, 1856. His
father, Ezra G. Harris, is a son of Joseph Harris, whose grandfather with two brothers
came from England in a very early day. The great-grandfather of Ezra G. settled in
Rhode Island, one brother settled in Nova Scotia, and the other in Pennsylvania.
Joseph Harris was born in Colerain, Mass. He was a blacksmith by trade, and came
to Louisville in 1824. He went to Minnesota and engaged in farming. His wife was
Polly Gleason, and they had four sons and four daughters. He died in Minnesota and
his wife in Pennsylvania. Ezra G. Harris was born in Colerain, Mass., in July, 1821.
When three years of age he ^ame to Louisville, N. Y., with his parents. He learned
the blacksmith trade, which has been his principal occupation. He married Diana
White, of Heuvelton, N. Y., by whom he had three sons and one daughter. In 1867
Mr. Harris came to Norfolk and engaged in farming and blaoksmithing on Plumb
Brook, and in 1872 came to Raymondsville, where he has since resided. In politics he
is a Republican. His wife died in 1876, and he married Kate Bennett, by whom he
has one daughter. Allen E. was reared in Louisville until ten years ago, when he came
to Norfolk with his parents and engaged in farming. At eighteen years of age he en
tered his father's blacksmith shop and served three years, and then worked at his trade
two years. He then engaged in farming, and has since followed that occupation. In
politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Harris is a member of What Cheer Lodge, No. 689, F.
& A. M., of Norfolk. He is a member of the Norfolk Grange, No. 541, and he and
wife are members of the Congregational church of Raymondsville. September 22, 1875,
Mr. Harris married Julana A. Farnsworth, of Norfolk. Her father was Leland J., son
of Joel Farnsworth, whose father, Moses, was born in 1767, and lived and died in New
Hampshire. Joel Farnsworth was born in New Hampshire, April 26, 1807. His
father died when he was a small boy, leaving his mother and eight children, who, when
Joel was sixteen years of age, came to Norfolk. His mother soon settled on a farm,
and Joel and' Fisher Ames, a half brother of his, cut the first trees and erected a log
house, and afterwards the house now occupied by our subject. Joel Farnsworth was
a successful man, and in time owned 1,000 acres of land, none of which was acquired
by speculation, but all by. frugality, patient industry and laborious efforts. His wife
was Lydia Johnson, born in 1809 in Middlebury, Vt, and they had three sons: Leland
J., Silas J. and Alonzo L. Leland was reared and educated in Norfolk, and here mar
ried Lucy Glasby, of Brockville, Canada, by whom he had three children, wife of our
subject, and Frank E., a resident of Michigan. Leland Farnsworth went to California
when quite young, and has not been heard from by any one of his family for over
twenty-five years His wife at present resides in Utica. N. Y. Silas J. was born in
1828, reared on a farm and educated in Potsdam Academy. He afterwards followed
teaching and surveying. He was a noted civil engineer, and well known in St. Law
rence county and the State of New York, being employed by the latter at different
times He was chief engineer, and one of the leading promotors of the Massena Springs
and Fort Covington railroad. He never married, only to his profession, and of that he
had mastered all its details. Corners in land surveys were never established, or lines
run incorrectly, and his evidence before the courts was never criticised. In politics he
was a Democrat, was supervisor of Norfolk a number of years, and assessor many

68 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
years. He fell heir to his father's real estate, consisting of 1,000 acres of land, which
he left to his niece, Mrs. Julana Harris, and nephew, Frank E. Farnsworth. He died
June 30, 1892. Alonzo L. Farnsworth, youngest son of Joel, was born in Norfolk, and
here lived until his death, which occurred at the age of twenty- one years. Mr. Harris
and wife have two children : Silas A. and Jessie A., both at home.
Hazelton, M. V., Fowler, a farmer of Fowler, was born March 2, 1838, in the same
bouse where he now resides. He married in April, 1863, Clarinda Rhodes, and their
children are Lida I., now Mrs. Kelley, and Annett E., now Mrs. Bancroft. Their chil
dren are Hazel Bancroft and Howard H. Kelley. Our subject's father was James H.,
who was born in 1809, and now lives with M. V. His grandfather was . Simeon
Hazleton, one of the first settlers of the town of Fowler. The name was formerly
Hazelden, from hazel, a tree, and den, a valley ; but in this country it took the form
of Hazelton. Robert and John Hazelton came from England with Ezekiel Rogers
in 1637 and settled at Rowley, Mass., and their descendants are well scattered over
the United States. The family have published a book of genealogy.
Hawkins, Harry, Morristown, was born in Dublin, Ireland, June 6, 1847, and
came to America when five years old. He landed at Quebec and lived seven years
in Ottawa. Then he moved to Lanark, Canada, and in 1887 came to Morristown,
where he has been in a flourishing business for four years. Mr. Hawkins married
Mary Munro, and they have two children : Clara Elizabeth and William Alexander.
Mr. Hawkins is a Democrat, a member of the Foresters and an adherent of the
Presbyterian church, of which his wife is a member.
Hatley, Walter, Waddington, was born in Waddington October 11, 1842. His father,
James Hatley, was born in Jedborough, Scotland, and came to Waddington in 1832
and settled on a farm where he lived and died. He married Nancy Oliver, a native of
Scotland, by whom he had five children, of whom four are now living. Mr. Hatley
was a Republican in politics, and he and his wife were members of the Scotch Presby
terian church. He died in 1849 and his wife in 1887. Walter Hatley was reared and
educated in Waddington, and when seventeen years old went to San Francisco, Cal.,
where he learned the printer's trade. He worked on the Daily Alta seven -years, then
went to Sacramento and was with H. S. Crocker as job printer for three years. In 1869
he returned to Waddington, where he has since been engaged in farming. June 15,
1865, he married Zillah M., daughter of Flonan A. Carnal, a native of Switzerland, born
in 1807, who came to Waddington in 1830, and was once engaged with the Ogdens.
He was a blacksmith by trade. His wife was Matilda Fitzgerald, by whom he had five
children. His wife died and he married, second, Mary Abby, a native of England, by
whom he had one daughter, the wife of our subject. Mr. Carnal died in 1888 and his
wife in 1883. Mr. Hatley and wife have seven children : George L., Mary Agnes,
Frederick F., Clinton W., Howard H., Ruby M., and Erastus C. Mr. Hatley is a Dem
ocrat, and he and his wife are members of the M. E. church of Waddington. Mr. Hat
ley is a member of Waddington Lodge No. 393, F. & A. M., and a member of Prescott
Chapter No. 22.
Hall, Anson, S., Norfolk, was born in Norfolk October 24, 1819. His father was
Erastus Hall, a native of Tyringham, Berkshire county, Mass., born in 1786. He was

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 69
reared on a farm and educated in the common schools He married in his native town,
Betsey Jackson, by whom he had six sons who grew to maturity, four now living:
Giles, Hezekiah B., who resides in Norwood ; Anson S. and Thomas S., a resident of
La Canada, Cal. In June, 1809, Mr. Hall came to Norfolk and contracted for a farm of
eighty acres on the banks of the river, being the first land-taker for a farm in
this town. In the month of March following he brought his family and cut the road
from the union in Potsdam to his land. Here he lived and died. Fearing he could not
pay for his eighty acres, he sold one-half, but afterwards purchased it with an addition
of 107 acres. He became a very extensive land owner, having at one time 2.700 acres
of land in Norfolk. He was justice of the peace for many years, assessor a number of
years, and also held other town offices. He was an ardent churchman and assisted
largely in building the Congregational church at Raymondsville, of which he was a
member in his last days. He died March 28, 1869, and his wife February 1, 1860. An
son S. Hall was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, Ogdensburg
Academy and select school at Raymondsville, which was established by Erastus Hall.
Mr. Hall engaged in farming with his father until twenty-six years of age. April 22,
1846, he moved on the farm he now owns of 225 acres, owning now 450 acres, keeping
an average of twenty-five cows. Mr. Hall in 1852 went to California and engaged in
mining and farming. He returned in 1861 to the farm, where he has since resided. He
married, December 23, 1845, Eleanor Webber, "a native of Stockbridge, Vt, who came
came to Norfolk when three years of age. Her parents were Justice and Julia ( Rich
ardson) Webber, who came to Norfolk in 1827 and afterwards went to Illinois,
where they died. Mr. Hall and wife have had five children : George E., Catherine J.,
born in California, where she died ; Ella M., born in California, who died in Raymond
ville, aged twenty- five years; a son who died in infancy; Nettie L., born in Norfolk.
who resides in Massena, the wife of H. B. Russell. George E. was educated in Maringo
(111.) High School and Potsdam and Gouverneur Academies. He was in the mer
cantile business at Norfolk and Chase Mills, but for the last ten years has been a
farmer. He married Alice Haggett, a native of Madrid, by whom he has two daugh
ters : Nellie E. and Jessie E. He is a member of What Cheer Lodge No. 689, and
of Norfolk Grange No. 541, of which he is at present secretary. Mr. Hall was a
Whig until war time, when he joined the Stephen A. Douglas branch of the Dem
ocratic party and remained with this party until 1886, since which time he has been
an independent in politics. He has been overseer of the poor six years and assessor
three years.
Hackett, Patrick, Ogdensburg, was born in Ireland in 1832 and received his early
education there. He came to this country in 1850 and completed his education in the
schools of Ogdensburg. He afterwards entered the hardware business with Chaney &
Co., which afterwards became Chaney & Allen, and eventually W. B. Allen & Co., Mr.
Hackett being the junior partner. For eighteen years and a half W. B. Allen & Co.
carried on active business operations, until the death of the senior member. Mr. Hack
ett purchased the entire business in 1884 and has since successfully conducted it. He
now carries on here, besides his hardware business, a foundry. Mr. Hackett married
Julia Grant, and they have had ten children, seven of whom are living. He is a mem-

70 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ber of the Catholic church, and was treasurer for the late bishop fifteen years. He has
served in the Common Council a number of years and is now a member of the board of
education. He is a Democrat and a member of the Jeffersonian and Ogdensburg clubs.
Hobkirk, Adam J., Waddington, was born in Scotland July 4, 1832, a son of John
Hobkirk, a native of Scotland, born October 19, 1798, and educated there. He married
Christian Riddle, a native of Scotland, born December 12, 1793, by whom he had one
son and three daughters. In 1835 Mr. Hobkirk came to Waddington and settled in the
wilderness on the farm our subject now owns. Here he lived and died January 4,
1852, and his wife died April 12, 1875. Adam J. Hobkirk was three years old when
he came to Waddington, where he was reared and educated. He married June 5, 1861,
in Toronto, Canada, Margaret Scott, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and came to Wad
dington with her parents, who afterwards went Canada, where the father died, the
mother being still living. Mr. Hobkirk and wife have had seven children: Agnes W.,
John, Christian, AdamN., Margaret B., Edith J. and Mary. Mr. Hobkirk owns a farm
of 180 acres and has cleared most of it himself. He follows general farming but his
principal business is dairying, keeping twenty-two cows. He has always been a Re
publican in politics, has been assessor seven years and was elected justice of the peace
in 1890. He and his wife are members of the Scotch Presbyterian church, and he has
been an elder in that church for about twenty-five years.
Hobkirk, Adam A., Waddington, was born in Waddington, April 7, 1839, a son of
Adam Hobkirk. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of
Waddington. He engaged in farming and has always followed that occupation. He
now owns 136 acres of land and his principal business is dairying. He married, Octo
ber 12, 1876, Margaret Rutherford, of Waddington, born September 24, 1838, a
daughter of William Rutherford, a native of Scotland, born in 1784, and came to
Waddington in 1832. His wife was Christy Forsythe, of Scotland, and they had five
sons and five daughters. He was a shepherd while in Scotland, and a farmer in Wad
dington. He died in April, 1873, and his wife September 13, 1881, aged eighty-six
years Mr. Hobkirk and wife have had four children : Bessie F., Ella C, William A.,
and Alexander F. He is a Republican in politics, and he and family are members of
the Scotch Presbyterian church,
Hobkirk, Thomas F., Waddington, was born in Waddington, November 26, 1841.
His parents were Adam Hobkirk, born in Scotland, November 10, 1796, and Elizabeth
Furgeson, born March 9, 1801. They came to Waddington in 1830 and settled the
farm now owned by Adam A. Hobkirk. They had ten children, of whom seven are
now living : Jane, the oldest daughter who resides with Adam A. Hobkirk ; Mar
garet, wife of Andrew W. Rutherford, of Potsdam ; Mary, wife of Robert Tait ;
Isabel, wife of John M. Rutherford ; and Christian, wife of Walter E. Elliott. Mr.
Hobkirk was an elder in the Scotch Presbyterian church for many years. He died
December 7, 1864, and his wife, April 18, 1871. Thomas F. was reared on a farm
and educated in the common schools of Waddington. He has always been engaged in
farming and owns 136 acres, his principal business being dairying, keeping fifteen
cows. Mr. Hobkirk married in 1869, Agnes G. Hargrave, a native of Madrid and

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 71
a daughter of Joseph Hargrave, and they have had four sons and five daughters:
Willis A., Joseph H., Libbie B., Mabel E., Ethel M., Ross T., Arthur E., and two de
ceased. Mr. Hobkirk is a Repubican and is now serving as assessor. He and wife
are members of the Scotch Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Hobkirk has been a
member since eighteen years of age.
Hale, Oscar H., Norfolk, was born in Norfolk on the farm he owns, February 6,
1835. His father was Ira, son of Moses Hale, a native of Vermont, where he was
reared and educated. He married Freelove Barber, September 30, 1798, by whom
he had six sons and three daughters. He came to Norfolk and settled on a farm,
and here spent the remainder of his days. Ira Hale was born in Vermont, Feb
ruary 15, 1800, and in 1823 came to Norfolk and purchased twenty-five acres of
land, where our subject now resides. The next year he settled where he resided
until 1859, when he built a residence at North Stockholm, and there spent the
remainder of his days. He married Amelia Judson, February 18, 1823. Her father
was one of the early settlers of Norfolk, where he lived and died. Mr. Hale and wife
have had these children : 0. J. Hale, who in 1857 went to Milwaukee, where he lived
until his death November 8, 1886. He was a prominent and wealthy man, and for a
number of years was connected with the transportation business ; our subject and one
daughter, Louisa D., wife of M. R. Knapp, of Stockholm. Mr. Hale owned about 600
acres of land. He was agent at Knapp's Station about thirty years, and was then en
gaged in the mercantile business a number of years. He was land agent for Mr.
Constable forty years, was prominent in politics, was a Whig in an early day, and
a Republican after its organization. He was supervisor of Norfolk several years,
and also of Stockholm. He was justice of the peace a number of years. He died
October 30, 1878, and his wife March 2, 1848. Oscar H. was reared on a farm and
educated in the common and select schools of the town and St. Lawrence Academy.
At eighteen years of age he engaged with his father in store and station at Knapp's
Station. Mr. Hale took up farming and except in 1864 when with his brother in Mil
waukee in transportation business, has since followed that occupation. Where he
resides he owns 470 acres of land, follows general farming, and keeps a dairy of thirty-
six cows and 150 sheep. April 8, 1858, Mr. Hale married Margaret Gage, of Fairfield,
Herkimer county, and daughter of Elijah B. Gage of the same place, but who settled
in Norfolk in 1844, and spent his last days. Mr. Hale and wife have had four
daughters: Ettie A., H. Louise, Margaret G., and Gertrude M. Mr. Hale has always
been a Republican, has been an assessor nine years, and at present is supervisor of
Norfolk, a position he has held for seven years in succession. Mr. Hale and wife are
members of the Congregational church of Norwood, of which Mr. Hale has been clerk
twelve years, and at present is one of the elders. Mr. Hale has been connected with
County and State Grange, and was county deputy five years.
Hazelton, Thomas Jefferson, Gouverneur, was born in Fowler, December 8, 1816,
and spent his early life in farming. He was eight years in the hotel business and some
time in the mercantile line. Lately he has been engaged in the real estate business,
and owns a farm still. He married first, Fannie Wight, in Fowler, N.Y., and their
children are: Andrew Jackson and George Dallas Hazelton. His second wife, Fidelia

72 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
(Saunders) Hazelton, is still living. Mr. Hazelton was supervisor of Fowler sev
eral years and was J. P. sixteen years. His father, Simeon was born in Upton,
Mass., in 1783, and died in Fowler, August 15, 1877. His mother's name before
marriage was Anna Haily, and she was born in Putney, Vermont
Hutton, G. E., Gouverneur, was born in Macomb, August 2, 1865. His father was
William Hutton, and his grandfather came from England. In 1890, Mr. G. E. Hutton
married Anna D. Fox, daughter of G. W. Fox. In 1892 the partnership of McFerran
& Hutton, grocers, etc., was formed and still exists. Mr. Hutton was one of the charter
members of the Marble City Lodge of Foresters. His father and grandfather came
from England.
Hall, Hezekiah Brewer, Potsdam, third son of Erastus and B. J. Hall, was born in
the town of Louisville February 15, 1815. The early life of our subject was spent on
the homestead farm. He was educated in the common schools, old St. Lawrence Acad
emy at Potsdam and Ogdensburg Academy at. Ogdensburg. At sixteen years of age
he was chief of a party of surveyors on the McVicker lands, of which his father was
agent, and was engaged with his father and brother in lumber manufacture, farming
and various enterprises until he was twenty-eight years of age. He married in Janu
ary, 1846, Jane, daughter of Bernard Armstrong, a native of Scotland, who at the time
was a manufacturer of Raymondville. Mrs. Hall was born near Edinburgh, Scotland.
After his marriage he started for himself at farming. In 1850 he went to California,
where he engaged in mining for some months and then returned to his home. In 1863
he succeeded his father as agent for the McVicker lands in Norfolk and Louisville, a
position which he held until 1891. In 1869 he sold his farm in Raymondville and
moved to Norwood, where he has ever since made his home. He has now retired from
active business. Mr. Hall is a member of the Congregational church at Raymondville.
He has no living children. The present Mrs. Hall is a daughter of Lloyd C. Yale, for
merly a farmer and merchant of Norfolk. They have one adopted daughter, Katie W.
Heath, Almon D., Potsdam, was born in A dams March 5, 1854, a son of Luman, a
farmer and mechanic of that town. Almon was seventeen years of age when he went
to Watertown, where he was employed in the store of Johnson, Wiggins & Co. (now
the firm of H. T. Snook &Co.). He was with them until 1882 when he came to Pots
dam and became a member of the firm of Davies, Heath & Barbour, which existed until
1884, when it was changed to Heath & Scott, who ran it until 1892. Mr. Heath is a
member of Excelsior Lodge No. 548, I. 0. 0. F. He is a director of the People's Bank
of Potsdam and also a director of the board of directors of the Potsdam Building and
Loan Association. Mr. Heath married in November, 1380, Mary C. Hubbard of Wa
tertown. Scott, Brayton T., Potsdam, was born in Gouverneur, St. Lawrence county, Octo
ber 21, 1859, a son of G. B. Scott, long connected with the tanning business in that
town. Brayton was only four years old when his parents moved to Jefferson county,
where they have ever since lived. He was educated at Ives Seminary at Antwerp and
his first occupation after leaving school was as a clerk for Wiggins & Goodale in Wa
tertown, where he remained three years, then represented their interests in Potsdam for

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 73
four years. He became a partner in their store April 1, 1888. Mr. Scott is a member
of Racquette River Lodge No. 231, E. & A. M. He married in 1890, Maggie, daughter
of Robert Wood, a miller of this town.
Holbrook, Giles Eliphlet, Potsdam, was born on a farm in Potsdam, March 19, 1839.
The earliest ancestor we find trace of in this family is Eliphlet, grandfather of our sub
ject. He was a native of Vermont and emigrated to this county from Georgia, Vt, in
1809. He was a farmer by occupation and settled on a tract of land in Potsdam, where
he reared a family of eleven children and spent the balance of his days. He died in
1823, at forty-nine years of age. Reuben Holbrook, father of our subject and the old
est son, was born in Georgia, Vt, June 3, 1804. He was educated m the common
schools and at the death of his father the whole management of the family depended
on him. He was always an ardent Republican, and a Universalist in belief. He mar
ried Mary Tousley, also a native of Vermont, and they had three children, two now
living, Charles H., a railroad station agent of Brandon, Vt. and Giles E. The
early life of our subject was spent on the farm. He was educated in the common
schools and old St. Lawrence Academy. After leaving school he taught for three win
ters and in the spring of 1863, engaged in mercantile business at Norfolk in partnership
with E. H. Atwater. The parnership lasted until the fall of 1865, when Mr. Holbrook
removed to Norwood and established a general store and since that time has continued
in business there. With one exception it is the oldest business house in Norwood. In
1889 Mr. Holbrook purchased a portion of the B. G. Baldwin homestead, some thirty-
two acres, within the corporate limits of the village of Norwood and has since de
voted his time to the laying out of streets and improvements of the property, by
setting it into village lots, which he is now selling to prospective builders. Mr.
Holbrook married in 1862, Janette E., daughter of Moses B. Hale of North Stock
holm, and they have one son, Frederick S., for twelve years in the employ of the
Central Vermont railroad, now manager of a hotel near the World's Fair grounds
in Chicago.
Haig, J. A., Madrid, was born in Potsdam October 20, 1848, was educated in the
common schools and St. Lawrence Academy, and entered college in 1869. He resided
at Daily Ridge until the age of twenty. He came to Madrid in the fall of 1873 and be
came principal of the Madrid Union Free School. After teaching two years he went to
Massena and became principal of that school, where he taught five years. Returning
to Madrid in 1880, he entered the law office of C. R, McClelland. The school princi-
palship being vacant, he entered the school and taught one year. In 1881 he was
elected school commissioner of the second district of the county and served nine years,
being twice re-elected. In the spring of 1891 he was elected supervisor, which office
he has continued to fill since. He has also been justice of the peace for a period of ten
years and was candidate for delegate to the national convention in 1892 and was sent
as alternate from this Congressional district. He is a member of the Reformed Presby
terian church. July 12, 1876, Mr. Haig married Mary A. Hawley of Springfield, Vt,
and they are the parents of four children : Ernest Hawley, born February 12, 1879 ;
Alan Virgil, born July 22, 1881 ; Myron J., born September 25, 1885 ; and Helen Eliz
abeth, born May 12, 1888.
)

74 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Capell, Harvey A., Parishville, was born in Parishville June 15, 1820, on the farm he
now owns. His father, William, was a native of Massachusetts, born January 25, 1787,
who married Elizabeth Hayden and had eleven children. About 1810 Mr. Capell went
to' Canada and then came to this village, where he superintended a saw and grist mill
for Mr. Parish, and later moved on the farm where our subject was reared. His wife
died in Parishville April 3, 1834, and he moved to Ohio, where he died August 26, 1837.
Harvey A. received a common school education and with the exception of nine years
as traveling salesman has always been a farmer. He now owns 165 acres, having added
seventy-seven acres to the original purchase of his father. He married Betsey Field,
March 23, 1848. She is a native of Malone, N. Y., born November 17, 1824. Her
father, Ebenezer, was a native of Rhode Island, born January 14. 1775, who married
Lucinda Russell, a native of Connecticut, born November 10, 1783. They had thirteen
children, twelve of whom grew to maturity. Mr. Field died January 20, 1853, and his
wife August 11, 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Capell have had six children: Elma L., Orlando
H., C. Elizabeth, William H., Mary E., and Vernon F., who died aged four years. Mr.
Capell is a Republican and has been assessor three years. He and his wife are members
of the Congregational church of Parishville.
Dominy, Levi S., Massena. The great-grandfather of our subject, Nathaniel, was
born on Long Island in the early part of the 18th century (on the paternal side) and
was in the war of the Revolution, being located in New York. His grandfather, Will
iam, was born in the same place and was in the battle of Plattsburg in the war of 1812.
His grandfather on the maternal side was on the staff of General Warren, and caught
him when he fell at the battle of Bunker Hill. Levi, our subject, son of William and
Betsey (Huntley) Dominy, was born October 23, 1831, in Beekmantown. Clinton coun
ty, N. Y., was educated at the common schools and graduated at the Alban}' Normal
School in 1853. He then taught school nearly all the time until 1862 at a private acad
emy at West Chazy, N. Y. He was mustered into the U. S. service as captain of Co.
B., 118th N. Y. Inf., August 29, 1862, at Plattsburg and went to Relay House, Md.
On October 24, he went to Fort Ethan Allen, Va., and from there was detached on en
gineer duty, which he performed till December, 1862, when he accompanied his regi
ment to Washington, D. C. He was then detached and placed in charge of the Balti
more and Washington depot and Soldier's Retreat, where he remained until April 20,
1863, when he and his regiment were ordered to Suffolk, Va., wnere they participated
in the engagement against General Longstreet. His regiment was ordered to York-
town, Va., and subsequently participated in the expedition of Gen. J. A. Dix against
Richmond. At the close of the expedition the regiment returned to Yorktown and
the captain was detached on court-martial duty until October 7, 1862, when the regi
ment was ordered to Norfolk and the captain was detached on military commission.
In early December the regiment removed to Newport News and he was detached on
court martial and continued in that duty till February, 1864, when he and his regiment
were in the movement under General Wister, who co operated with General Kilpat-
rick in an effort to release the Union prisoners in Richmond. That movement proving
a failure, his regiment was removed to Bower's Hill and the captain was again detached
and placed in command of an infantry force which was to hold the outposts at Suffolk,

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 75
Va. While there they had a severe engagement with the enemy, but held their posi
tion. On April 20 the regiment was ordered to Yorktown and became part of the
forces known as the army of North Carolina and Virginia, commanded by Major Gen
eral Butler, He participated in the battle of Walthall Junction, Va. He took com
mand of his regiment during the battle of Drury's Bluff, which was a seveve one, the
118th lost 199 men out of a total of 320. May 27 the regiment took transport for
White House, Va., from which point they joined the army of the Potomac and partici
pated in the battle of Cold Harbor, the captain in command of the regiment. On June
12 the regiment took transport from White House to Bermuda Hundred and partici
pated in the first attack on Petersburg, June 15, 1864. In August, 1864, the regiment
was returned to the command of General Butler at Bermuda Hundred, where they re
mained until September 29, when they crossed the James river and carried Fort Harri
son. This is the only engagement of the 118th regiment in which the subject of this
sketch did not participate, he being at the time absent with leave. He was promoted
to major, September^, 1864, to take rank from June 15, 1864; and to lieutenant-
colonel, February 28, 1864, to take rank from September 16, 1864; and was brevetted
colonel after the close of the war by Gov. Reuben E. Fenton, for gallant and meritorious
services. On October 27, 1864. he commanded his regiment at. the second battle of
Fair Oaks, Va., after which he returned to Fort Harrison, where he was detached as
president of court martial at headquarters of Gen. Charles Devens. On April 3,
1865, he was with his regiment at the capture of Richmond, where he remained
till his regiment was mustered out, June 13, 1865. After the close of the war he
entered the University of Albany in the department of law, from which he received
the degree of L. B., May 26, 1866, and was admitted to the practice of his pro
fession. For several years he was superintendent of the "Queen of the Harvest"
Manufacturing Company at West Chazy, N. Y. In 1882 he located at Massena and
began the practice of law, and he still remains there. In politics he has always
been a staunch Republican, and has been justice of the peace for seven years, on
the board of education for nine years, etc. He married, first, Betsey, daughter of
Simeon Hedding of Chazy, N. Y., November 6, 1852. She died August 7, 1873. For
his second wife he married Fannie E., daughter of Cornelius De Witt of Fredonia, N.
Y. They had one daughter, Belle, born July 4, 1880, and died July 21, 1881.
Ewings, H. H., Parishville, was born in Malone, Franklin county, October 17, 1840.
His father was J. H. Ewings, a native of Vermont and a son of Ira Ewings, who came
from Vermont to Franklin county in 1819. Here he spent about half of his life, then
settled in Parishville where he died. J. H. Ewings was born in Townsend, Vt, in 1812
and married Esther Paine of Malone, daughter of Daniel Paine, a prominent man of
that town. Mr. and Mrs. Ewing had one son and three daughters. He died in 1882,
and his wife in 1857. Our subject has always followed general farming and dairying
and now owns 280 acres of land, keeping thirty cows. He married, first. Josephine
Willis, a native of Parishville and daughter of Samuel Willis, a native of New Hamp
shire and an early settler of this town, who died March 9, 1877. By his first wife Mr.
Ewing had four children : Etta, Edith, Alice and Ida. She died April 28, 1882, and he
married, second, January 28, 1883, Ora Willis, sister of his first wife. She was born

76 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
November 8, 1849, and died March 10, 1888. Mr. Ewing married, third, October 28,
1890, Emma E. Wallace of Canton, daughter of Orson Wallace, a prominent farmer of
that town. Our subject is a Republican and has served as excise commissioner and in
spector of elections. He is a member of West Parishville Grange .No. 542. He is a
Free Will Baptist and has been for many years clerk of the church. Mr. Ewing is
registered as a veterinary surgeon.
Flaherty, Michael H., Massena, son of Thomas and Maria (Kinsella) Flaherty, was
born August 6, 1842. He was educated at the common schools, and when a young
man he took a position as clerk in a country store, where he remained about five years,
then took a position as commercial salesman for several years. In 1872 he entered the
general merchandise business under the firm name of H. T. Clark & Co., which firm is
still doing business. Mr. Flaherty is president of the Massena Banking Co., of Massena.
In politics he has always been identified with the Republican party, has been super
visor of the town for ten years, and holds that position at the present time. He was
elected as member of the General Assembly of the State of New York for 1888-89.
He married Verona E., daughter of Dr. J. H. Grinnell, of this town, June 28, 1876, and
they have two children, Thomas Grinnell and Agnes Elvira.
Finnegan, W. B., M. D., Edwardsville, was born in Louisville and received his early
education in the Academy at Massena. He studied his profession at Ann Arbor, Mich.,
graduating honorably in 1882. He began practicing in Michigan but in 1884 returned
to his native county, locating in Edwardsville. There, by his professional skill and his
personal characteristics, he has built up a large practice. His parents were Irish by
birth, and settled in Canada, where they lived about two years; they removed from
there to Louisville sixty years ago where they lived and died.
The great industry of Weston, Dean & Aldrich, Gouverneur, makes Natural Dam a
place of importance. The large office business and general management is in charge of
Mr. G. B. Johnston, one of the best known men of the town of Gouverneur. He was
born in Ottawa, Canada, April 1, 1845, and has been in the United States twelve years.
He was in the shipping department of Sherman, Lord & Herdman, and filled a similar
office for J. R. Booth. He was subsequently a member of the firm of Sherman &
Johnston at Potsdam, N. Y. Mr. Johnston married M. A. Fairburn, and they have
two daughters, Helena May and Lila Lord. Mrs. Johnston died in September, 1891.
Ide, Russell B., Stockholm, was born at Crown Point, Essex county, April 13, 1809,
a son of Jesse, who was a son of Ichabod, who came from England to America
during the French and Indian wars. Jesse was born in Rehoboth, Mass., in 1859,
and at the age of sixteen was drafted in the Revolutionary war. He was twice mar
ried, first to a Miss Sheldon, by whom he had three daughters, and second to Lucy
Hicks, by whom he had six sons and a daughter. With the exception of Russell B.,
the children all died early. In 1845 Mr. Ide settled at Stockholm, where he died July
2, 1848. Mrs. Ide resided with her son until her death in 1869. Rsssell B. was edu
cated in Vermont, where his parents lived for some time. He married first, Maria
Flint. His first wife died and he married second, Roancy Dutton, March 7, 1838.
She was born in Brandon, Vt, April 17, 1820, one of nine children of Samuel and

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 77
Sallie (Kingsley) Dutton, of Jeffrey, Vt. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ide,
four died. The others are as follows : Susan, wife of Lorenzo Page, residing at
Lawrenceville, has six children: Emma, who resides at Sa"fordville, is the widow of
Charles Robinson, a native of Westford, Vt, who came to Stockholm with his grand
parents when a child. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson had three children : Minnie, wife of
Edward Kerr, has two children, Clara and Hazel ; Eva, wife of Elmer Green, of
Stockholm, by whom she has two children Floyd and Cecil ; and Charles who re
sides with his mother. Walter, third surviving child of Mr. and Mrs. Ide, married
Effie Clark and lives in Stockholm ; Ella, married Orson Murray, and has five chil-
nren ; Charles R. Ide resides in Iowa. Mr. Ide has lived in Stockholm since 1843.
He owns a farm of 116 acres, but now lives retired, residing with his daughter in
Sanfordville. His oldest daughter, Maria, married John B. Foster, a soldier in the late
war, who was wounded and died there. His wife died two years later. Their three
children are all now living. Mr. Robinson was a painter by trade and a soldier in
the late war, where he contracted a disease which resulted in his death April 19,
1881. The Andrews Family. — Martin Andrews, Massena, was born in 1761 in Weathers-
field, Conn., and married Phoebe Bellefield, of .Newbury, N. Y., born December 28.
1784. John B., their son, born July 23. 1788, at Claremont, N. H., came to Massena
in 1810 and married Susan Boynton, January 1, 1815. They had six children : Guy
B., Alexander H., Morris B., Hannibal, Susan and John. Alexander H. was born
April 10, 1819, in this town, was educated in the public schools, with a year each
at Fort Covington and Potsdam Academies. He then accepted a clerkship in his
father's store for a few years, and then he and a brother went into the mercantile
business under the firm name of G. B. and A. H. Andrews, continuing till 1849,
since which time our subject has been a successful farmer. In politics he was a
Whig, was postmaster under the administration of William Henry Harrison ; was a
delegate to the first Republican Convention held in the county in 1855, and has since
been a Republican, except that he supported Greeley and acted with the Liberals while
they had an existence. Mr. Andrews was elected member of assembly from the third
assembly district of this county in 1867 and 1868, has been assessor of the town of
Massena for several years, and president of the board of trustees of Pine Grove
Cemetery for the past twenty years. His first wife was Mary P., daughter of
Joseph Miles, of Potsdam, and they had three children : Helen M., Kate G., who
married H. H. Harrington, and Miles H., who married Miss L. M. Williams. Mrs.
Andrews died May 2, 1851, and he married second, Mrs. Esther Sawin, daughter of
Anthony Thompson, and they had one son, J. Charles, who married Georgiana, daugh
ter of Joseph HartwelL Mrs. Andrews died August 8, 1887.
Johnson, J. B., Gouverneur, was born in Gouverneur, October 14, 1850, and after a
few years spent in mercantile business, he worked for the Gouverneur Iron Ore Com
pany. Next he entered the employ of the St. Lawrence Manufacturing Company. In
1885 he purchased an interest in the Gouverneur Machine Company. In 1886 it was
organized as a stock company and Mr. Johnson has been its manager and secretary
ever since. In 1876 he married Libby, daughter of Hugh Bowtelle. His father, one

78 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
of the early settlers of Gouverneur, was John Johnson, born in Johnstown, Fulton
county, N. Y., the son of Caleb Johnson, wounded at battle of Saratoga, in the
Revolutionary war.
Jenkins, Jotham, Stockholm, was born in Canada, Febrbary 4, 1825, a son of
Elias, a native of Bradford, Vt, born in 1790. The latter came to Canada with
his parents when a child. His father dying when he was ten years old he was
obliged to assume much of the responsibility of caring for the family at a very
early age. At the age of twenty he married Sarah, daughter of Rev. Richard Gage,
by whom he had eleven children. In 1837 Mr. Jenkins came to Stockholm, where ha
spent his last years. He and wife were members of the Wesleyan Methodist church,
in which Mr. Jenkins was class leader for thirty years. Mrs. Jenkins died in June,
1853, and in 1854 he married second, Mrs. Taylor, of Malone, N. Y. Mr. Jenkins died
October 19, 1870. Jotham, our subject, came to Stockholm at the age of twelve,
where he was educated and has always followed farming, being the owner of 360 acres.
He is a Prohibitionist and attends the Wesleyan Methodist church. In 1848 he mar-
mied Sophronia French, of Stockholm, by whom he has had seven children : Warren,
who died young; Orpha E., who married a Mr. Maynard, of Dakota, where she died,
leaving four children ; Silas D., who married Electa Gray, and has had two children,
Ivers and Theron; Janson, who married Martha Winters and has four children,
resides in Dakota; Henry I., of Winthrop, married first, Martha Smith, by whom
he had one child, Gladys, and second, Mary O'Brien; Elias L, died in infancy;
and Gertie L., who resides at home. Mrs. Jenkins was a daughter of Levi S. French,
who was a son of John, of Vermont, one of the first to settle in Stockholm (1810) where
he died in 1832. He married Sybil Dewey, who died in 1841, and they had six chil
dren. Levi French was born in Vermont in 1799, and married Elmina Fisk, of Bangor,
N. Y., by whom he had five children. He died in 1887, and his wife October 6, 1890,
aged eighty-five.
Jones, Harvey L., Ogdensburg, was born in New Hampshire, May 23, 1840. Re
moved with his parents to Ogdensburg, 1852. He is a descendant from one branch
of -the family (on his father's side) that gave "Paul Jones" of Revolutionary fame
to the country; can trace his ancestry on his mother's side to the "Mayflower,"
his grandfather on his mother's side, (William Baldwin) was a soldier of the Rev
olution, and was one of twelve drawn by lot to shoot Major Andre to death, but
whose sentence was changed to hanging, which took place October 2, 1780. Mr.
Jones has been closely identified with public affairs ; was a member of the board
of supervirors many years and chairman 1880 ; has been a member of the board
of trustees of the village (now city) of Ogdensburg, at present is treasurer of the
commissioners of Cranberry Lake Reservoir, and clerk of the city and board of educa
tion. He was married in 1870, to Miss Ella Denison, of Minnesota, and has three
children; one son and two daughters. In politics is a staunch Republican.
Idler, John G., Ogdeusburg, was born in Oswego, March 15, 1848. His parents
moved from there to Ogdensburg when the subject was one year old. They were of
German parentage. John G. Idler entered the employ of the Proctor lumber business

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 79
as tally boy in 1864 and is now a foreman of the business. Mr. Idler married in 1875,
Miss Josephine E. Manley and has three children. He is a member of the Ogdensburg
club, Royal Arcanum, etc.
Jewett, Proctor, Gouverneur, was born in Jefferson county, April 21, 1842. He left
his father's farm at seventeen and took up milling and followed it for many years, being
for some time a member of the firm of La Salle & Jewitt of Canton. Mr. Jewett is
now overseer of the poor for Gouverneur and also conducts a livery stable. In 1863
he married Lucy a Rutherford, and in December of the same year enlisted in the 14th
N. Y. Heavy Artillery and passed through the Wilderness, participating in the battles
of Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania and Petersburg. Mr. Jewett's grandfather, Ezekiel
Jewett, was a captain at Sackett's Harbor in the war of 1812. He took up a large
tract of land in 1802, where the city of Watertown now stands. There being at that
time only three framed houses there, the rise on the same made him forehanded. The
father of the subject was a lad at that time and well remembers seeing wolves and hear
ing them around the house at night. Mr. and Mrs. Proctor Jewett now enjoy all the
blessings of a happy life in the flourishing village of Gouverneur.
Ives, Martin V. B., Potsdam, was born in Dickerson, Franklin county, November 20,
1840, a son of Warren Ives, who came from Connecticut about 1830. He was a law
yer and for thirteen years he was supervisor of Dickerson and a man whose advice was
sought on many questions of public affairs. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He
married Louisa B. Ladd, who came from Newbury, Vt, and was a distant relative of
Daniel Webster. Martin received an education in the common amd select schools.
and when he was twenty-one years of age started to learn the trade of carpenter
and joiner, and the same year was elected constable of Dickerson. July 1, 1862,
he enlisted in the 47th N. Y. Vol. Infantry and served two years and ten months.
He was at the battles of Olustee, Fla., Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and both
attacks on Fort Fisher. When his term expired, his mother having moved to Potsdam,
Martin located there, where he engaged in the mercantile business, conducting a book
store and doing quite an extensive business in western passenger tickets for the R., W.
and O. Railroad Company, retiring in 1886. In 1882 he and his brother erected one of
the finest business blocks on Market street, Potsdam, known as the Ives block, and in
1890, in partnership with his brother, H. L. Ives, he erected the new Ives block, mar
ble, which is conceded to be one of the finest business blocks in St. Lawrence county.
He was several years assessor of the village and in 1893 was elected supervisor by a
large majority. Mr. Ives married in 1866, Sarah, daughter of Seth Benson of Potsdam,
and they have one son, Hillie S. Mr. Ives was appointed by Governor Flower in 1893
trustee of , the New York State Agricultural Station of Geneva. He is also .the presi
dent of the Racquette Valley and St. Regis Valley Horticultural and Agricultural
Society. Jarvais, Frank, Ogdensburg, was born in Aylmer, Canada. His parents moved to
this city when he was a child, and after he had received a common school educa
tion he entered the meat business and for fourteen and a half years was employed
in a leading market here. About eight years ago he established business for him-

80 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
self and has since been very successful in its management, having the leading trade
on the west side. Mr. Jarvais has been twice married. His first wife was a Miss
La March, by whom he had three children. His second wife was a Miss Nellie M.
Latham, by whom he has one son. She is cashier and bookkeeper and a very valuable
assistant in the business. Mr. Jarvais is a staunch Democrat and in May, 1893, was
appointed deputy collector of customs at the Ferry dock. He was the first in the dis
trict to receive an appointment under Cleveland's administration. The market is now
conducted under the supervision of Mrs. Jarvais.
Kinney, Hart S., Massena, was born October 22, 1800, in Bethel, Vt., and came to
this town in 1821, where he was a farmer all his life. He married, first, Nancy Lamper-
tonof Vermont, and they had four children, the first two dying in infancy. Wealthy,
born August 15, 1835, married Edward Tracey. She died in April, 1889. Elizabeth, born
January 20, 1839, married Albert Rosebrook of Vermont. Mrs. Kinney died January 10,
1837, and Mr. Kinney married, second, Mary Flint, daughter of Ralph Flint. She was
born September 13, 1813, at Shoreham, Vt. By this union there were four children :
Arvilla R., born September 12, 1842, married George Washburn February 19, 1874,
died April 30, 1883; Edwin W., born April 22, 1844, married Alice, daughter of
Daniel E. and Clarisssa (Carpenter) Stearns of this town, September 4, 1866; Albert
T, born October 18, 1847, married Frances Barnett; George F., born March 14, 1850,
married Ella Miller, died June 20, 1888. Edwin W., who furnishes this sketch, lives
on the old homestead, was educated at the common schools, and enlisted as a pri
vate October 1, 1861, in Co. A, 92d Reg't, and served with his regiment till he was
mustered out May 17, 1863. He then re-enlisted in the U. S. navy at the Brook
lyn Navy Yord, September 1, 1864, and was in several naval engagements, being
at Savannah when General Sherman arrived after his famous march to the sea. He
received his final discharge June 27, 1865. Mr. Kinney has been a successful farmer
since that time. He is a Republican and has been assessor of the town of Massena
for seven successive years. He is a member of the Baptist church.
Keene, Col. H. B., Gouverneur, was born June 17, 1810. His parents, Job and
Nancy Keene, settled in Jefferson county in 1822, and there a great part of Colonel
Keene's life was spent. For many years he was largely interested in farming, and still
owns 1,500 acres of dairy farm lands, with 200 cows. He was one of the projectors of
the old Watertown and Potsdam railway, being one of its first directors. He was also
colonel of the Eighty-fourth Regiment of State militia. October 30, 1882, Colonel
Keene married Mrs. Frances Jacobs, and they have one daughter, Florence May Keene.
Colonel Keene has lived a very useful life, a prominent feature of which has been the
aid and encouragement he has always given young men. He lives a semi-retired life in
Gouverneur, interesting himself only in the management of his various farms.
Kirk, Vernon H., Parishville, was born in Stockholm, February 13, 1849. His father
was Olivet Kirk, son of Joseph, who was a son of Charles, the latter a native of Glas
gow, Scotland, who fought in the Revolutionary War, and died in Charleston, Mass., aged
fifty years. His wife, Abigail, died in New Hampshire in 1836 at the age of seventy-
six. Joseph was born in Weston, Vt., March 2, 1781. September 13, 1803, he mar-

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 81
ried Susannah Tenney, born June 9, 1783, who died in Danby, Vt., in 1831. Joseph
Kirk had six sons and four daughters. He was a major in the State militia, and served
in the State Legislature. He died April 13, 1847, and his wife September 7 of the same
year. Olivet Kirk was born July 3, 1815, in Weston, Vt, and married Sallie C. Har
rington, by whom he had two sons, our subject and 0. R. Kirk, deceased. About 1854
Olivet moved to Pennsylvania, where his wife died February 6, 1857. In October,
1860, he married a second wife, Lucy A. Eastman, a native of Parishville, by whom he
had one daughter, Lucinda S. Mr. Kirk was active in politics, and was one of the or
ganizers of the Republican party. He died May 14, 1868. Vernon H. Kirk was a
child when his parents moved to Pennsylvania. In 1859 he returned to Parishville,
where he has since followed farming, owning 111 acres of dairy land. January 1, 1873,
he married Jennie L. Crouch, daughter of 0. F. Crouch, and they have one adopted
child, Jay Sanford. Mr. Kirk is independent in politics. He is a member of the First
Congregational church of Parishville, and of P. of H. of Potsdam.
Kelsey, Elias, Hammond, was born in Lewis county, February 19, 1826. He was
engaged in cheesemaking for twenty years, and followed farming the greater part of
his life. In 1854 he married [Clarissa A. Hildreth. They have had six children. The
two eldest being EvaiineE. and Etha M. Both have passed away; the former in her
twenty-third year, and the latter in the eighteenth year of her age, having been mar
ried to James H. Wilson, of Morristown, six months previous to her death. They also
have three sons : Harmon E., Earl J. and Carlton Ray, and one daughter, Bertha Ruth.
Mr. Kelsey's father was Oliver Kelsey. He came from New Hampshire in 1803, mov
ing his family to Lewis county, N. Y., with an ox team. Mrs. Kelsey's father, Walter
Hildreth, came from Vermont Mr. Kelsey is a large and influential farmer, and is also
interested in stock raising.
Kinney, A., Gouverneur, was born in Gouverneur, November 20, 1847, and except
seven years in Jefferson county, has lived here all his life. He began business here in
1864, and is one of the leading grocers and clothiers of the place. In 1868 he married
Mary, daughter of Samuel Spence, of Watertown, and they have a son, R. L. Kinney,
who married Jennie, daughter of Benjamin Miller, and a daughter, Floy E. Mr. Kin
ney's father was Orren Kinney, a descendant of the Mohawk Valley Kinneys.
Killmer, John, Gouverneur, was born in Washington county, August 5, 1824, and
came to Gouverneur in 1834. His active life has been spent in chair-making, painting
and mercantile business, but is now living retired. January 7, 1852, Mr. Killmer married
Sarah McKean, and they have two children : John P., and Ellen W., wife of A. F.
Coates. Mr. Killmer was trustee of the village seven years, and excise commissioner
five years.
Kelsey, Henry G., Stockholm, was born October 29, 1833, on the farm he now owns.
His father was Sidney Kelsey, son of Isaac, a native of Orville, Vt. In 1801 Isaac and
his eldest son, Reuben, came to Stockholm and built the first house in the place, and
they, with a Mr. Wright, spent the winter there, being the first settlers of the town.
The following spring Mr. Kelsey's family, in company with six others, came to Stock
holm, and here Mr. Kelsey died in 1831. Sidney Kelsey was born March 2, 1787, and

82 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
took up the farm now owned by the subject of our sketch. He married first Amanda
Deveraux, by whom he had two children. She died in 1824, and he married second
Julia Holcomb, of Shoreham, Vt, born February 5, 1797. They had two sons, one
who died young, and Henry G. He was a Republican, and was supervisor of the
town. He died February 10, 1871, and his wife April 3, of the same year. Henry G.
Kelsey was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools. He is a general
farmer and dairyman, snd owns 170 acres of land. August 23, 1860, he married Har
riet Steenberge, of Stockholm, who was born in 1840, a daughter of Orrin Steenberge,
of Vermont. Mr. Kelsey and wife have had two children : Sidney E., born August 17,
1863, who graduated from Claverack Military school in 1883 and from Cornell Univer
sity in 1887. He is now a civil engineer, and resides in Kansas City. He was a mem
ber of Governor Francis' staff during the opening of the World's Fair, and is at present
major of the Third Regiment National Guards. Alberta, the second child of Henry Q.,
was born July 17, 1870. She is the wife of E. A. Wilkinson, manager of the cream
eries for Moroe & Smith of Boston. They have one son, Henry J. Mrs. Wilkinson is
one of the leading members of the choir of the Presbyterian church at Brasher Falls,
having been connected with the choir since fourteen years of age. Mr. Kelsey is a Re
publican in politics, and a member of Brasher Falls Lodge, No. 541, F. & A. M., in
which he has been S. D., S. W., W. M., being now treasurer. He attends and his wife
and daughter are members of the Presbyterian church.
Kelley, James J., Ogdensburg, was born in Leanark county, Canada, January 25,
1861. He was educated in the schools there, and when twenty-one years of age came
to Ogdensburg. After working on a farm and at the lumber business for some time he
purchased in 1888 from the Ogdensburg Broom Company their business and removed it
to No. 22 North Water street, and has since successfully carried on this branch of man
ufacturing, giving employment to several hands and personally supervising all opera
tions. He manufactures a high grade of brooms for the jobbing trade. Mr. Kelley is
energetic and pushing and will no doubt build up a large industry here.
Kinsman, John M., Potsdam, (deceased), was born at Shrewsbury, Vt, June 9, 1816,
son of John, who was a native of Massachusetts. He married in his native State,
Eunice Merritt of Massachusetts, distant relative of General E. A. Merritt. Soon after
marriage they moved into the State of Vermont, where Mrs. Kinsman died in 1832,
leaving five children, of whom John M. was the youngest son. He married second in
1833, Anna, sister to General Merritt's father. John M. was reared in his native State,
and educated in the common schools and Brandon Seminary. He taught school a few
years and married August 23, 1841, Nancy B. Kinsman, a cousin, and resident of the
same town. Immediately after marriage he came to St. Lawrence county and after
one year spent in Canton, bought a farm of 100 acres in Potsdam, which is still owned
by his family. Mr. Kinsman always made his home on this farm. He was three years
in mercantile business in company with Norman Ashley and was also engaged in deal
ing in live stock and produce, in connection with his farming, and interested with Hub
bard Bradley of Norfolk in the mercantile business, and was a short time engaged in
the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds. He was always a Republican. In 1884 he
moved to the village of Norwood and two years later built a beautiful residence on

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 83
Prospect street, where he died April 9, 1893. His first wife died November 27, 1848,
leaving one child, Mrs. Henry Morgan of Norwood, who died in 1865. The widow
that survives was Delania A., daughter of L. Foote of Potsdam, and they had one son,
Henry M., born on the homestead farm, August 31, 1858. He was educated in the
common schools and at Oberlin Seminary. He engaged in dealing in livestock and
country produce and conducted the farm since he was of age. In 1883, in partnership
with H. G. Pert, of Potsdam, he opened a hardware store in Norwood, which they con
ducted four years, then sold and engaged in the wholesale and retail dealing in car
riages, agricultural implements, harnesses, etc. His repository is a large, two story
warehouse, 70x30 feet, and besides has a storehouse near the station. Mr. Kinsman
married, June 13, 1883, Sylvia Balch, of Stockholm, and they have two children : Gene
vieve D., and Florence May
Laberdee, W. J., Gouverneur, was born in Gouverneur, July 18, 1847. He followed
farming eighteen years, and has been nine years in the mercantile business, having
worked for some time for Dean & Aldrich. Mr. Laberdee married Mary Laquier, and
they have four children. He has resided nine years at Natural Dam, where he con
ducts a general store, is a thorough business man, and very popular. His father, Mar-
t;n Laberdee, is a native of Canada, as is also his mother. Martin Laberdee and wife
are the parents of ten living children, all married, and the family, children and grand
children, number ninety-six, and the old folks' age, father 84, and mother 82, both
living. Laberdee, M. L., Gouverneur, was born in Gouverneur, March 7, 1851. He is a
blacksmith by trade and has a genius for inventing He has been a successful business
man and is much respected by all who know him. He came to Natural Dam, in 1878.
He married Alphopina La Flare, and they have four children, two sons and two
daughters. Mr. Laberdee is a brother of W. J. Laberdee and their parents are spoken
of in the sketch of the former.
Lenney, William, Stockholm, was born in Massena, January 9, 1839, a son of Henry
Lenney, a native of Ireland, born in June, 1802, who was there educated and received
a liberal education. Coming to Massena he remained a short time, and in 1839 settled
on the farm in Stockholm, now owned by William Lenney, where he spent the remain
der of his life. He owned nearly 300 acres of land and was one of the leading farmers
of the town. He married in Montreal, Canada, Sarah Gorman, a native of Ireland, and
they had three children : Dr. James. Gorman, and William, who is the only survivor.
Mr. Lenney was one of the first to assist in establishing a Catholic church at Potsdam.
He died October 30, 1892, and his wife May 6, 1874. William Lenney was educated in
the Potsdam Academy. He spent nearly two years as clerk for D. Turner of Potsdam,
since which time he has been engaged in general farming and dairying. He owns some
thing over 200 acres of land and has over forty cows. His wife was Mary Hayes, a
native of Potsdam, born September 10, 1845. To Mr. Lenney and wife were born
ei"ht children : Gorman H. and James C, graduates of Potsdam Normal School, are in
partnership under the firm name of Empire Book Co.; Tessie M., a graduate of Potsdam
Normal School, class of '92, is a teacher ; Agnes S. died July 22, 1883 ; Lottie A. and

84 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Anna M., students at the Normal School ; Julia J., at home; Stella E., died September
28, 1893.
Lane, George E., Potsdam, was born on his present farm in Potsdam, July 31, 1866.
The grandfather of our subject, Benjamin, was a native of Connecticut, born October
5, 1796, and was sixteen years of age when he came to this country. He was located
with his brother in Canada at the breaking out of the war of 1812 and was drafted into
the British army. In 1814 they came to this side and he bought a farm of 160 acres,
where he made his home. He married in 1820, Mary Parmalee of Potsdam, and they
had six children. Daniel, the father of our subject, was the oldest son and was born
October 9, 1827, educated in the common schools and took up farming. In 1832 he
bought the old homestead of his father and always made his home here. Daniel Lane
was a Republiean and held the office of excise commissioner. He increased the size of
the farm to 172 acres, devoted to dairying. He died December 15, 1889. He married
in 1852, Sarah, daughter of Henry Dayton of Potsdam, and they were the parents of
five children, three now living : Henry, a telegraph operator of West Potsdam ; Eliza
beth, a teacher of West Potsdam, graduate of Potsdam State Normal School; and
George E. Mrs. Lane died November 7, 1892. George was educated in the com
mon schools and Potsdam State Normal School and at the death of his father assumed
control of the farm, which he now conducts. He married in 1887, Estella, daughter of
Isaiah Shields of Potsdam.
Louis, Christopher, Ogdensburg, was born in Loraine, France, December 26, 1826.
He came to this country in 1851, located in Utica, and engaged in locksmithing. After
two years and a half he removed to Louisville, Kentucky, and engaged in the fruit in
dustry, but not being satisfied, he returned to Utica and engaged in his old business.
In 1856 he went to California and engaged in working a gold mine for some three
years, when he visited British Columbia, where he remained a short time, and returned
to California and worked the mine a short time unsuccessfully. Becoming disgusted
with the business he gave up the claim to a friend, and again returned to Utica and en
tered the locksmith industry. In 1860, with a partner, he commenced the manufacture
of saws, but sold out to his partner at the close of the year. In the meantime he mar
ried Miss Mary Delestre of Utica, in the spring of 1861. They made a tour to Illinois
and finally came to Ogdensburg in April, 1862, and he has since remained here, doing a
prosperous locksmith business in addition to working a small farm which he purchased
just outside of the city limits. Mr. and Mrs. Louis have reared a family of seven chil
dren, five boys and two girls. Mr. Louis is one of Ogdensburg's esteemed and respected
citizens. Bartlett, Nathan Willard, Parishville, was born in Melbourne, Quebec, Canada, March
1, 1847. He was a son of Alden Bartlett, whose father was Rev. Willard Bartlett, and
the latter a son of Capt. Joseph Bartlett, son of Mathew Bartlett, who was a son of
Thomas Bartlett. Thomas and Mathew Bartlett were each natives of Brookfield, Mass.
Capt. Joseph Bartlett was born in Brookfield," Mass., in 1758, and served in the American
army during the Revolution, and was afterwards pensioned for injuries received in the
service. He married Lucretia Hamilton, a native of Massachusetts, and they had eleven

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 85
children. In 1796 he moved from Danville, Vt, to Barnston, Quebec, but when he
moved from Massachusetts to Vermont is unknown. In 1805 he was appointed captain
of a company of militia organized in Barnston, but resigned rather than transfer his
allegiance from the United States to Great Britain. He died in Melbourne, P. Q., March
9, 1840. Rev. Willard Bartlett was born September 8, 1783, in Brookfield, Mass., and
moved to Barnston with his parents, where he grew to manhood, and was educated at the
Stanstead Wesleyan College. He married Louis Mosier, by whom he had nine children.
He died in Melbourne, Quebec. Alden Bartlett was born June 23, 1815, in Wheelock,
Vermont, and was a carpenter by trade. He married JaneW. Dutton, a native of Vermont,
born July 25, 1810, and they had three sons and five daughters. In 1854 Alden Bartlett
moved to Parishville, where he has since resided. His wife died April 18, 1868 ; he
afterwards married Mrs. Susan Sherwood, whose maiden name was Britton. She died
January 30, 1887. Mr. Bartlett has always been a Republican. Nathan W. Bartlett's
school advantages were very limited. His parents were very poor, and school taxes
were raised on the " grand list," and as soon as the public money was expended he had
to leave school, as his father could not pay the tax on so many. In February, 1865, he
enlisted m Co. F, 193d Regt, N. Y. Inf., and was discharged June 29, 1865, from Mc-
Kim's Mansion Hospital, Baltimore, Md., for disability ; his regiment was mustered out
in January, 1866. Mr. Bartlett's twin brother, William Wallace, served in Co. A of
the same regiment, and was accidentally shot March 20, 1869. Mr. Bartlett has been
disabled from the performance of manual labor ever since his discharge from the ser
vice. For over three years after his return from the service he was unable to lie down,
and sitting up caused a curvature of the spine and a bad physical deformity. The
greater portion of those years, Mr. Bartlett's physical suffering was intense. In the fall
of 1869 he attended a select school one-half day each day, and the following winter at
tended district school most of the time. In February, 1870, he entered the State Nor
mal School at Potsdam, where he remained nearly three years, doing oply about two-
thirds of the regular school work on account of his health ; he also taught two terms
district school. While teaching he had a severe relapse, brought on by over work, and
was obliged not only to leave his school but to abandon his chosen profession, teaching.
Mr. Bartlett often referred to this as the greatest disappointment of his life, for he
greatly loved his work. In September, 1873, he entered the law office of Theo. H.
Swift, of Potsdam, "to kill time "until he decided what next to attempt. He re
mained in Mr. Swift's office one year, during which time his health improved and he
became very much interested in the study of law. He then entered the office of J. A.
Vance, of Potsdam, and remained with him three years, being admitted to the bar in
September. 1877. While reading law Mr. Bartlett taught school one winter at Pierre
pont Center, and in the summer and fall- of 1875 was principal of the Union Free School
of Hermon, N. Y. In November, 1877, Mr. Bartlett located in the village of Parish
ville, where he has since practiced his profession. June 27, 1881, he married Jennie
R., daughter of Robert H. and Sarah A. Cooke, of Canton. They have had four chil
dren: Sarah J., born March 22, 1883, died March 27, 1883; Willard William, born
March 9, 1884 ; Agnes M., born November 27, 1885, died January 23, 1887 ; Katy V.,
born March 19, 1888. Mr. Bartlett was a Republican until 1890, when he joined the
Prohibitionists. He is now serving his first term as justice of the peace. He belongs

86 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
to Rockwell Post, No. 328, G. A. R., and he and his wife are members of the Baptist
church, of which Mr. Bartlett was a trustee for nine years. During that time the
church prospered financially, having purchased a large brick parsonage, moved the
church on to the parsonage lot and built a basement for prayer-meeting and Sunday-
school purposes, also adding a tower to the church and other improvements at a total
expense of about $4,000. In this work, as in all other of a public or charitable nature,
Mr. Bartlett was a prime mover. Mr. Bartlett has always been an ardent, zealous tem
perance man, and in 1892 was his party's nominee for surrogate, and in 1893 was their
choice for district attorney. On account of declining health Mr. Bartlett has given up
all his law practice, except a little office work. He has drawn since his discharge a
liberal pension, without which he could not have gone to school or read law. Mr.
Bartlett saw but little army service, yet few have suffered as much on account thereof,
or been placed at so great a disadvantage in the " battle of life."
Laquier, A. J., Gouverneur, was born at The Cedars in Canada and was reared in
Ogdensburg. He has been in Gouverneur twenty-four years and has conducted a suc
cessful general store at Natural Dam nine years. In 1873 he married and has four
children, the oldest son, Urban A., assisting his father in the business.
Lytle, Andrew, Lisbon, was born in Lisbon in 1818. His father, James J. Lytle, and
his grandfather, William Lytle, came from Salem, Washington county, N. Y., settled
near Lisbon Centre in 1801, and followed argricultural pursuits. His brother, David,
purchased a part of the old homestead which has been kept intact, as neither he nor his
brother, David, have married. They have most materially added to the property and
are now counted as among the most influential and substantial property owners in Lisbon.
Lewis, William H, Potsdam, was born on a farm in Stockholm, September 30, 1845,
a son of William H., a native of Vermont, born in Addison, September 6, 1799. He
came to St Lawrence county when about forty years of age and located in Stock
holm, where he conducted a farm. He was a carpenter and followed the trade both in
St. Lawrence and Franklin counties. He was twice married. His first wife was Orisa
Seeley, a native of St. Lawrence county, and his second wife, mother of our subject, he
married in 1843. Her maiden name was Hannah Turner, and they had nine children,
two of whom died in infancy, one was killed in the war and six are still living. Will
iam A. was the second son. His early life was spent in the town of Russell, where
his parents moved when he was only a year old. He was educated in the common
schools and is a graduate of Eastman's Business College of Poughkeepsie. He was
only sixteen years old when the war broke out, and with the enthusiasm of youth
he enlisted December 8, 1863, in the 11th N. Y. Cavalry and was in service with
them until the end of the war. He was with Sherman and was in a part of the
Red River expedition. After the war closed he returned to Canton, where he at
tended school for a short time and then went to Poughkeepsie. In 1866 he engaged
in the mercantile business in Russell. In 1870 he went west, filling a position in
the county clerk's office of Buchanan county, Iowa, four years. Returning to Rus
sell in 1874 he, in company with Hiry Derby, established a general store, which he
conducted for nearly three years. In 1877 he was elected on the Republican ticket

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 87
supervisor for one year. In 1878 he moved to West Potsdam, where he took up
the manufacture of cheese and has been engaged in dairy business ever since, man
ufacturing, buying and selling. In 1893, in company with his brother, A. P. Lewis,
he turned the cheese factory into a creameiy, which now produces 125,000 pounds
per year. Since Mr. Lewis came to Potsdam he has held the office of justice of
the peace six years. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity twenty-
seven years, and is a member of Potsdam Grange No. 39. He married in 1874,
Elizabeth P., daughter of Cyrenus Z. and Aurilla ( King ) Bostsford of Canton, and
they have one son, Percy Llewellyn, now in his ninth year. They have an adopted
daughter, Lora Bacon Lewis.
Larock, Joseph, Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, September 19, 1866. He re
ceived an excellent academic education in the schools of this city, and after serving two
years as clerk, went into the grocery business, which two years later he sold out to go
west, where he resided for three years, and in 1890 he purchased a grocery business on
Lake street in this city and laat year's sales exceeded $25,000. Mr. Larock keeps six
or seven assistants and two delivery wagons. He is a member of the Ogdensburg
Grocery Association and of the Sons of Veterans, and is one of Ogdensburg's most en
terprising and progressive business men and citizens.
La Rock, F. H., Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, August 12, 1850. He received
his education in School No. I of this town, then commenced, in 1886, to learn the
butcher's trade with Mr. M. C. Bennett, after completing which he opened a meat mar
ket at Ogdensburg, about seven years ago, were he has been successful, the firm name
being La Rock & Carter. Mr. La Rock married in 1871, Hattie Goult, and they had
one child, born December 28, 1872, who died July 21, 1881. Mr. La Rock has occu
pied his new store, 187 State street, since April 15, 1892.
Lockie, George, Gouverneur, was born in Scotland, October 9, 1810, and came to
America in 1818. His parents settled in Rossie. In 1835 Mr. Lockie took up land
where he now resides. April 24, 1840, he married Catherine McLaren, also a native of
Scotland, and they have five children living : George F,, Colin J., John A., Mrs. Churchill
and Mrs. Herring. Mr. Lockie is one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens
of St. Lawrence county, and his long life has always been governed by the most sterling
principles. Loveland, M. E., Gouverneur, was born in De Peyster, July 31, 1864. He has
been engaged in hardware business in Potsdam eight years. In the spring of 1893,
he removed to Gouverneur and bought out Charles Bowne. Mr. Loveland is a
Mason of the thirty-second degree Scotish rite, and a most enterprising business
man. In 1887 he married Mary, daughter of Thomas Chisholm, of Gouverneur, and
they have one son, Lyle C, now in his fifth year. Mr. Loveland's father was
Dwight, and his grandfather, Remembrance Loveland. The family came to Amer
ica in 1675.
Laramee. Rev. E. C, Gouverneur, was born in Plattsburg on February 3, 1857, and
was educated for the priesthood at St. Mary's College and Le Grand Seminary,
Montreal. He was ordained in 1882 by the late Bishop E. P. Wadhams at St. Mary's

88 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Cathedral, Ogdensburg, N. Y, and sent as assistant priest to St. Ann's church, Mooer's
Forks. He came to Gouverneur in 1883, and the Church of St. James has experienced
a marked advance in every way since his incumbency. The church has been completely
remodeled and renewed, and provided with a bell. A parochial residence and a ceme
tery have been purchased, and the congregation has increased so much that a school has
been established. A beautiful school building in now in way of erection and will be
inaugurated in November. Father Larame'e also attends the missions at Keene, Fine,
and Taleville, where he is presently providing these people with churches.
Lockwood, Aldis L., jr., Potsdam, was born in Parishville in 1860, a son of A. L. Lock-
wood, a native of Vermont, who came to this country when only four years old. He
has been engagad in farming and manufacturing business. He conducted starch
factories in Parishville and Crary's Mills, and for fifteen years was engaged with
the Montgomery Insurance Company. The last five years as adjuster. He is now
retired from active business. His mother was a native of Vermont, but lived in Ohio
until her marriage. Her maiden name was Gratia Durant, and they had one son, our
subject. The boyhood of Aldis L. was spent in Parishville. In 1870 his parents
moved to Potsdam and Aldis was educated in the Normal there, Syracuse University,
and at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Being obliged to leave
the latter school on account of ill health, he went to Wisconsin where he taught music
a short time, and after that spent two winters in Florida. In 1887, he established a
bazaar for the sale of general merchandise, carrying a line of almost everything useful
in the library or kitchen. Mr. Lockwood is a partner in the Potsdam Woolen Mill of
Potsdam, for the manufacture of cloths, flannels, sheeting and hosiery. Mr. Lockwood
married February 14, 1893, Kathryn Fuller, of Stevens Point, Wis.
La Rose, Rev. P. 0., Ogdensburg, was born in Canada, September 9, 1846. He was
liberally educated in La Assumption College, and in Montreal Seminary, and was
ordained priest in that city in 1872. In 1873, Father La Rose was appointed to
the church in Ogdensburg, and since his inauguration to the pastorate has been
eminently successful in building up the church, in both spiritual and material matters.
He has charge of 820 families, containing 4,013 members, among whom there are 2,339
communicants, and 1,674 non-communicants, also two schools containing 776 pupils,
over which are ten teachers under Father La Rose's direction. The latter is very
energetic and zealous and enjoys the respect, esteem, and confidence of this entire
community. The Lockwood Family— J. Almeron Lockwood, Madrid, was born in Madrid, June 9,
1817. The earliest ancestor of this family we can trace was William Lockwood a
native of England, who came to this country when a young man. He settled in Ver
mont where he married, and afterward moved into Canada. There he was awarded a
contract of land for his loyalty to the British cause during the war of the Revolution.
William Lockwood was the father of eight children of whom Joseph, father of our sub
ject, was the oldest son. He was born June 20, 1792, and was only a lad when his
parents moved to St. Lawrence county. His father took up a tract of eighty acres in
Madrid, and in 1806, when Joseph was fourteen years of age, he bought a farm of

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 89
eighty acres adjoining the homestead, where he always made his home. Joseph mar
ried, May 25, 1815, Azubah Newton of this town, and they had three children : Lucy
A., who married Thomas Howe, of Potsdam, and died April 14, 1873 ; Cynthia Alvira,
who died in 1841, at twenty-one years of age; and Joseph Almeron. The early life
of the latter was spent on this farm. He was educated in the common schools and at
Canton Academy. At twenty-four years of age he married and after one year moved to
Canada, where he conducted a photographic gallery, being engaged in this business
for about eleven years. In 1853 he moved to Ottawa, where he made his home until
1859. He died on the old homestead July 1, 1859. He married, November 10, 1841,
Melinda, daughter of John Pierce, of Williamsburg, Canada, and they had eight chil
dren, seven of whom are still living : Alvira, an artist of note and teacher of painting,
who has now a studio at Ottawa, Canada ; Jasper, a train dispatcher at Los Angeles,
Cal; Eugene, of Los Angeles ; Maria, who is now at Chicago ; Eliza, who conducts the
homestead farm ; Almira, who died in 1879 at twenty-six years of age ; Florence, who
lives at home, and Joseph of Los Angeles.
Lockwood, the late Homer R., Madrid, was born on a farm in Madrid, October 20,
1851. Charles S. Lockwood, his father, was also a native of this county and was a
farmer. Homer R. was his only son. He was educated in the common schools and
withheld from a collegiate course on account of delicate health. He assisted on his
father's farm until thirty years of age, then engaged in the hardware business in part
nership with his uncle, Edward Lockwood. This partnership existed until 1890, when
Mr. Lockwood bought his partner's interest, and continued the business alone until
April, 1891. He then left the store in hopes of recruiting his health. But these hopes
were false, as he gradually declined and while in Burlington, Vt, where he had gone
to be under the care of a specialist, he died, May 7, 1892. Mr. Lockwood was a man
of considerable influence in this town and always took an active interest in school and
church work. He was a member of the board of education for three years, an officer
of the Methodist church, and its Sunday school superintendent a number of years. By
his death the church lost one of its most active workers, the town an admirable citizen,
and his family a loving husband and father. He married in 1878, Minnie, daughter of
John Sullivan, of Louisville, who, with five children, survives him. The children are:
Jessie Anna, Howard Charles, Frank Homer, Ruth Elizabeth and Harold Rollin.
McCarrier, James, Ogdensburg, was born in Ireland in 1823, and is therefore in his
seventieth year. He came to this country when only twelve years of age with his
parents, and as soon as he was large enough commenced to earn his own livelihood and
has passed his whole life in worthy industry, and through thrift has accumulated con
siderable property. He now owns one store on Ford street, a residence on Park
street, together with several lots in the city and some property outside, and is just com
pleting a new store in which he proposes establishing a grocery business. Mr. McCar
rier married in 1843 Ella Cavanaugh and they have four children living. Mr. McCar
rier is of stalwart and robust frame, and has lived a life of great industry, honesty and
' sobriety, much respected and esteemed by all.
l

90 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Merriman, C. A., Ogdensburg, was born in St. Lawrence county, February 26, 1851.
He received his education in the schools of this county, including Gouverneur Seminary,
and for some time afterward was engaged in bookkeeping, and eventually taking up
insurance, which he has most successfully prosecuted, representing the New York Life
Insurance Company, as general agent, for ten years, and a number of first-class fire
insurance companies, which he continues to represent. Mr. Merriman became one of
the founders of the Edgar A. Newell Company, and received the appointment of treas
urer, which position he still holds. In 1881 Mr. Merriman married Cora A., daughter
of Gates Curtis, and they have a son and a daughter. Mr. Merriman has served as
supervisor of the First Ward, is a member of the Ogdensburg Club, and of all Masonic
bodies. He comes from New England stock, and his ancestors were among the early
settlers of Rossie.
Manley, Gilbert B., Canton, was born in Johnstown, Fulton county, December 1,
1829. His parents moved to Brick Chapel, then to De Kalb, where both died when
Gilbert was seven years old. His father, Rev. George Manley, and his mother, Esther
(Smith) Manley, were both natives of Berkshire county, Mass. Our subject was
adopted by Moses Huntley, of Potsdam, where he spent his boyhood, and there was
fitted for college at the old St. Lawrence Academy. He entered Williams College in
1853, from which he graduated in 1857, and then taught school for sixteen years.
In 1873 he bought the St. Lawrence Plaindealer, of Canton, from Colonel Remington,
and has continued it as editor and proprietor ever since. Mr. Manley married in 1856
Martha L. Hyde, of Massena, daughter of Ephraim Hyde, and they have three children :
Ada L., now Mrs. R. E. Sumner, of Potsdam, Williston and Mark, the latter a student
in medicine at Brooklyn. Williston Manley is associate editor of the Plaindealer. He
married in 1891, Mary, daughter of Dr. I. M. Atwood, president of the Canton Theo
logical School. They have two children, a son and a daughter. Mr. G. B. Manley
is a member of the Presbyterian church of this town, president of its board of
trustees, and an elder.
McVean, John O, Ogdensburg, the subject of our sketch, is the grandson of Duncan
McVean, who was a native of Scotland and a graduate of Edinburgh College. He
emigrated to America and settled in Johnstown, N. Y., soon after the Revolutionary
war, where he married Grace Fraser and raised seven sons and three daughters. His
son Charles was a graduate of Princeton College, also Chancellor Kent's Law School.
He was a member of Congress, surrogate of city and county of New York and district
attorney of southern district of New York ; James, was a graduate of Princeton Col
lege and received titles D. D., LL.D. For fifteen years prior to his death he was teacher
and president of the Theological Seminary, of Georgetown, D. C. ; John, was liberally
educated and edited the Northern Light, a paper published in New York city ;
Peter, Daniel F., Duncan and Edward were all farmers. Daniel F., father to John C.
at the age of twenty-two married, Catharine Carmichael, of Johnstown, N. Y., emi
grated to St. Lawrence county, and settled in Oswegatchie, near Black Lake in the
woods. He took up 100 acres of land at $4.00 per acre to which he made several '
additions. He became » wealthy farmer and an influential citizen. In the days of
" general training " he took great interest in the State Militia and was commissioned

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 91
colonel of the regiment. He died in 1862. His family consisted of five sons and two
daughters: Helen, Charles, Grace A., James, Frasier, John C, and William H.
Charles resides in St. Mary's, Pa., where he is well and favorably known. William
H. resides in Los Angeles, Cal., and is a prosperous real estate broker. Helen, James
and Frasier are dead. John C. was born November 12, 1838, was brought up on his
father's farm, attended the district school and completed his education in Ogdensburg
and Gouverneur Academies. He married Sarah E. Wheater, of Scotch and English
parentage. He followed farming a few years, when he moved to Ogdensburg in the
spring of 1866, where he now resides. He engaged in the grocery business which he
followed some eighteen years. He then turned his attention to house painting and
paper hanging. They have raised two children : Kittie A. and Fred J. Mrs. McVean
died in 1888. Mr. McVean has held several offices of trust and has served on the
board of health several terms, also alderman of the city. He was instrumental in the
organization of the Congregational church, of which he is a member, and has contin
uously served as its secretary, and is director of its musical department.
Manning, John, Potsdam, was born on a farm in Potsdam, July, 4, 1843. The
grandfather of our subject was a native of Dublin, Ireland, and when he came to this
country located first in Canada, where he had lived but a few years when the war of
1812 broke out. He moved to this side and served as a soldier in the war on the side
of the United States. After the war, he settled on a farm on the Hopkinton road
where he spent the balance of his days. He married in the old country and was the
father of four sons and three daughters. Patrick Manning, father of our subject, was
the oldest son. He was born in Canada in 1808. His boyhood was spent in this town
and when about twenty years of age he went with Levinus Clarkson to New York,
where he spent two years, and there married Elizabeth Young, who died October 11,
1886, aged sixty-four. After his marriage he returned to this town and settled on the
homestead farm. After the death of his father the farm was sold and Patrick moved
into the village, where he lived until the breaking out of the war. In 1861, he enlisted
in Co. H, 92d Regiment N. Y. Vols., and served with them three years and re-enlisted
in the 142d serving until the close of the war. After his return he lived retired until
his death, May 9, 1883. He was the father of two sons : Thomas, who died when
about seventeen years of age ; and John ; also three daughters : Katherine, born Au
gust 15, 1844, who married P. J. Barnett, of Potsdam ; Mary, born in 1858, who
married John O'Neil ; and Margaret, born in 1861, who married Thomas Mullin, of
Potsdam. The whole life of our subject has been spent in this town. His boyhood
was spent at home and when he was fifteen he went with J. L. Simons to learn the
painter's trade, with whom he remained five and one-half years, and was for fourteen
years with George B. Swan. In the fall of 1878 he bought a farm of 100 acres, where
he has ever since made his home, conducting a dairy farm. The beantiful residence
was erected here by Mr. Manning and he has since his first purchase bought sixty -three
acres, which he uses for pasture. Mr. Manning is a staunch Democrat. He married
in 1862, Nancy, daughter of Dennis Ryan, a native of Ireland, and they have three
sons: Edward P., born January 5, 1863; John, born April 29, 1869; and Michael
William, born March 16, 1872. Mr. Manning devotes his whole time to farming.

92 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Mann, Warren, A. M., Potsdam, was born in Varick, Seneca county, December 10,
1846, a son of Matthias T., a native of New Jersey, who came to Seneca county when
a lad, and died in 1889, at ninety-one years of age. Warren was the youngest of nine
children and was educated at Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, and at Ovid Sem
inary. In 1868 he entered Genesee College (now Syracuse University) graduating at
Syracuse in June, 1872. He taught all of his spare time while taking his course, and
after his graduation accepted the position of teacher of Mathematics in the State Normal
School at Potsdam He occupied this position for two years and in 1874, was elected
to the chair of Natural Sciences, a position he has ever since held. Professor Mann
has served as a member of the village board of health, and is a member of the board of
excise. He married, July 7, 1874, Helen E., daughter of Rev. G. H. Blakeslee, of the
Wyoming Methodist Conference (who died in 1876, at fifty-six years of age), and they
have had three children, two of whom are living : Paul B., a student in the Normal
School; and Claire L., who is in the training department. Professor Mann is the
president of the St. Lawrence County Teachers Association.
Munro, Donald D., Gouverneur, was born in Thurso, Scotland, June 1, 1864. He
studied at Harley College, London, England, New College, Edinburgh, and the Bap
tist Theological College, Edinburgh. He was ordained in Athens, Canada, in May,
1888, and was pastor of the Baptist church there for three years. He was called
to Gouverneur in January, 1891, and his vigorous, honest religion has infused new
life into the congregation, all the societies of the church being in a flourishing con
dition. Mr. Munro is a talented writer, as well as an earnest and convincing speaker.
McDonald, Edwin F., Potsdam, was born in the town of Parishville, October 22,
1862. The father of our subject, Charles W., is also a native of Parishville, born
in 1831. He is a farmer by occupation, and a man who has acquired prominence
in politics, holding some offices in his town. He married Julia M. Martin of Pierre
pont, December 29, 1852, and they have one child, Edwin F. Mrs. McDonald died
August 24, 1887. Edwin F. was educated in the common schools and Potsdam
Normal School, graduating in the classical course with the class of 1884. He spent
two years as principal of the graded school at Spencerport, Columbia county, N. Y.,
and in 1886 accepted the position as principal of Norwood Union School and Acad
emy, where he has ever since been engaged. Mr. McDonald is an ardent Repub
lican. He married July 2, 1885, Emma A., daughter of the late Isaiah Shields of
Potsdam, and they have one child, Lloyd R., now in his second year. Mr. Mc
Donald is also a student of the law and a member of several secret societies.
McTavish A., Ogdensburg, was born in Cornwall, Canada. His parents settled
there early in the present century. They were originally from Scotland. Mr. Mc
Tavish was educated in the schools of that locality and came to Ogdensburg in
1853 and learned the trade of shoemaking and in 1869 established himself in the
boot and shoe business, in which line of trade he has since been successfully engaged.
Mr. McTavish is one of Ogdensburg's most respected citizens. He has never married
and makes his home principally at the Seymour House. His establishment enjoys,
probably the largest patronage in this city.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 93
Miller, S. Harrison, Ogdensburg, was born in Orange county, Vt., December 9,
1842. His ancestors were New Hampshire people, and his parents settled in Vermont
about 1838. In 1852 his father moved to Ogdensburg, and after young Miller ob
tained a good education in the schools here, he entered the Journal office and learned
the printer's trade, remaining with the establishment for fourteen years. In 1871
he left and since than has been engaged in the lumber business, holding at present
the position of accountant and manager of John Hannan's mills. Mr. Miller mar
ried in 1865, Miss Theresa M. Sessions of St. Albans, Vt, and they have five chil
dren. During his long residence Mr. Miller has become identified in a marked degree
with the growth of Ogdensburg. He has held the office of alderman, is a high degree
Mason and is master of Acacia Lodge.
Marceau, C. C, Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, of French extraction, May 31,
1840. He received an excellent education in the schools of this city and became an
apprentice in his father's blaoksmithing and foundry business, succeeding, in 1880, upon
his father's death, to the entire business. His father, the late Charles Marceau, settled
in Ogdensburg about 1838. C. C. Marceau married Julia Favreau, and they have six
children. Mr. Marceau has served as supervisor two terms, alderman one term, presi
dent of St. John the Baptist Society, and in many other positions of trust, honor and
responsibility. In politics he is a staunch Republican.
Mainville, John, Ogdensburg, was born in Canada, February 15, 1847. His father
moved to Ogdensburg shortly after John was born. When quite a youth the latter
learned the baker's trade, and after becoming expert at his trade was for about sixteen
years connected with some of the leading bakery and confectionery establishments of
this city. A few years ago he established himself in this business here and has been
very successful, his goods reaching all parts of the city. Mr. Mainville married, in
1864, Caroline Scott, and they have seven children living: John M., Julia, Emma,
George, Henry, Gertie and Ida. His son, John M., married in 1888, and has one
daughter and one son. He attends to the outside business of the establishment, and is
a very clever young business man.
Musgrave, Benjamin, Ogdensburg, was born in Leeds, England, April 20, 1836. In
his native country he learned thoroughly the art of dyeing and in 1867 came to this
country, and engaged in this business. In 1872 he started his dyeing and scouring
house, and added later a carpet cleaning department. He now has machinery capable
of dyeing, scouring and carpet cleaning, second to none in Northern New York.
Branch offices have been located at Malone, Canton, Brockville, Prescott, Ont,
Potsdam and many other points on railway lines. He keeps a number of assistants and
his dye houses extend from No. 9 Water street back to the water, a distance of about
100 yards. Mr. Musgrave married in England, and has one son.
More, J. S., Hammond, was born in Scotland, March 1, 1823, and came to America
with his parents in 1830. They remained one and a half years in Quebec, and then
came to Hammond. Mr. More has been a farmer all his life and very successful. He
was one of the leading men of the town in his day, and was supervisor eight consecu
tive years. He was also assessor nine years. He married Elizabeth Rodgers, who

94 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
came from Scotland the same year as he did. Their children are: Christian S., David
L., Helen V. and William B., all of whom are married. William B. is an elder in the
Presbyterian church.
Mitchell, William H., Edwardsville, was born in Morristown, October 25, 1836.
Farming has been the principal occupation of his life. In 1862 he enlisted in Company
B, 106th New York Volunteers, and served two years and ten months; first in the
Third and later in the Sixth corps. In 1868 he married Helen S. Lamphear, and they
have two children, one son and one daughter: Willie L. Mitchell, aged 23, and Allie
L. Mitchell, age 13.
Millard, W. L., Heuvelton, was born in Ogdensburg, April 25, 1865. He received
an education in the schools of that city, after which he entered the mercantile estab
lishment of J. C. Chaffee, of Heuvelton, with whom he remained as assistant eight years,
until in 1893, he, in conjunction with A. D. Giffin, purchased the interests of J. E.
Chaffee, who now is carrying on the business under the firm name of Millard & Giffin,
hardware dealers. Mr. Millard married, in 1887, Florence A. Chaffee, and they have
one son. Mr. Millard is a Master Mason, and one of the most enterprising and ener
getic of Heuvelton's business men and citizens.
Mason, M. 0., De Peyster, was born in De Peyster July 5, 1850. He received a good
education in the schools of this town and afterwards clerked for a number of years in
general stores. January 29, 1883, he purchased a corner business stand in De Peyster
and has conducted a general mercantile business from that date, carrying about $6,000
1 in stock. Mr. Mason has served as supervisor, town clerk, member of the board of
health, etc., many years. He is also secretary of the Methodist church and secretary
of De Peyster Masonic Lodge No. 573. His wife was Miss C. E. Beach, and they have
one son, Burton.
McGregor, R. B., Hammond, was born in Scotland, June 16, 1834, and came to
America in 1854. He is a practical blacksmith and a prosperous farmer. He gives
special attention to breeding, and has a very fine herd of Holstein cattle and also of
Shropshire sheep. In 1857 he married Christina Moore, and they have four sons :
David Elmer, James Allister, Frank Smith and Alric Capell.
Martin, Thomas, Waddington, was born in Chrinside, Berwickshire, Scotland, July
10, 1820, a son of William Martin, a woolen manufacturer of Scotland. William Mar
tin was twice married, and the father of sixteen children, of whom our subject was the
oldest son. The latter was educated in Scotland, where he learned the tailor's trade.
In 1844 he came to Waddington, where he has since been engaged in the merchant
tailoring business. Starting with but little capital, Mr. Martin has enlarged his busi
ness until he now occupies a two-story building, fifty-seven feet deep, and carries a
very heavy stock of dry-goods, cloths, hats, caps and men's furnishing goods. In 1878
he took his youngest son, George A., into partnership with him. He is a young man
of thorough business capabilities, and an ardent member of the Presbyterian church
of which he has been an elder for two years. He married Ella Shepherd of Heuvelton
and they have one son, Carl. Mr. Martin and son are assisted in their business by two
other members of the family. Henry, who has charge of the tailoring department,

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 95
married Effie Harkness of Inkerman, Ont., and has four children : Fred, Nora, Carrie
and Ernest. He is a member of Waddington Lodge No. 393, F. & A. M. John clerks
in the general store. William Martin is a mason by trade and resides in Watertown.
He married Mary Quigley, by whom he has two children : Thomas and John H. Jen
nie, only surviving daughter of Thomas Martin, lives at home. The wife of Thomas
Martin was a Miss Henry, whom he married in Edinburgh, Scotland, in April, 1844,
and by whom he had ten children, five of whom are now deceased. Mr. Martin was
for many years a Republican, but is now a Prohibitionist. He has served on the board
of excise, and he and his family are members of the Presbyterian church of Wadding
ton. More, James, Brier Hill, was born in Scotland, October 15, 1828, and came to Amer
ica in 1841. He has resided on his present farm for twenty-three years. In 1858 he
married Catherine, daughter of William Smith, and they have a family of four sons :
James A., William S., David J. and Warren R.; and two daughters, Agnes M., and
Catherine Jeanette. Mrs. More's father was James, and his mother Margaret (Ander
son) More.
McCarty, Charles, Gouverneur, agent for the American Express Company at Gou
verneur, is a native of Hartford, Washington county, born April 13, 1852. His father,
Patrick, was a farmer, and Charles spent his early life in the country. He learned the
trade of machinist, and spent three years as superintendent of the Gouverneur Machine
Company, which he organized. Mr. McCarty has been agent for the American
Express Company twelve yeais, and enjoys the reputation of being one of its most
thorough and reliable representatives. Recently he formed a partnership with H.
S. Predmore for the manufacture of brick in the village of Gouverneur. He has
lived in Gouverneur since 1875, with the exception of three years, and his business
record is of the highest order. He is also well and favorably known in social
circles, and is a prominent Mason, having passed to the fourteenth degree, Scottish Rite,
is a Knight Templar, and a member of Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic
Shrine. Marsh, Morgan, Stockholm, was born in Stockholm, September, 5, 1814. He is a
son of Isaac, a native of Sharon. Vt, born in 1775, son of James Marsh of Revolu
tionary fame. Isaac Marsh was twice married, first to Lucy Percival, by whom he had
six children, and second to Mercy Fellows, a native of New Hampshire. They had
one child, subject of sketch. Mercy Fellows was a daughter of Samuel Fellows, a
British sea captain. Captain Fellows received as a gift for his faithful services 900
acres of land in New Hampshire. Here he made his home in later life. He discov
ered Hanover Island near Cape Horn and named it after his New Hampshire home.
In 1806 Isaac Marsh emigrated to Stockholm, and took up 160 acres of land. Here he
lived and died in 1857, and his wife in 1840. Morgan Marsh was reared on the farm
he now owns. May 30, 1837, he married Sarah, daughter of George Pelsue. They
have had nine children : Mercy and James, who died in infancy ; Hannah S., Joel N.,
who enlisted when eighteen years of age, and died February 3, 1861, at Alexandria ;
George, who died in infancy; Lucy I., died at the age of five years; Emma, died at

96 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
the age of sixteen ; Lois, wife of Spencer Sterns, of Winthrop ; and James M., M. D.,
of Potsdam. Hannah S. married S. T. Armstrong, of Lisbon, N. Y., and they have
had three children : Bertha A., wife of Frank J. Baird, a graduate of Cornell class of
'91. Mr. Baird is at present a teacher in Ogden. Utah. Lois E. died in Chicago, Jan
uary 15,1892; Morgan M., at home. Mr. Armstrong died December 6, 1882. Mr.
Marsh owns ninety-six acres of land, and follows general farming and dairying. He
and wife are members of the Universalist church of Winthrop.
Morrison, Rev. J. D., D. D., LL. D., Ogdensburg, rector of St. John's church, Og-
densbnrg, was born in the town of Waddington, on the banks of the St. Lawrence
river in the year of 1844. His father was the Rev. John Morrison, of Glasgow,
Scotland, who removed to this country in 1838. Dr. Morrison's early education was
received in a grammer school in Canada. In 1861 he entered McGill University, Mon
treal, and four years later graduated with first-class honors, and the Logan gold medal
for natural sciences. In 1868 he took the degree of M. A. He was ordained deacon
in the diocese of Quebec in 1369, and priest in the diocese of Montreal in 1870. His
first charge was at Lake Memphramagog, Canada, to which he was appointed February,
1869, and in the following summer he was transferred to the parish of Hemmingford,
Canada. In 1871 he accepted the rectorship of Christ church, Herkimer, in the dio
cese of Albany. Here he remained until he entered his present work in 1875. In 1873
he was appointed examining chaplain to the Bishop of Albany. In 1879 he received
the honorary degree of D. D. from Union College, and in 1880 he took the degree of
LL.D from McGill University. He was elected Archdeacon of Ogdensburg in 1881,
and Deputy to the General Convention in 1883. To both of these offices he has been
continuously re-elected.
Merry, Edward, Ogdensburg, was born in Keysville, Essex county, January 7, 1840.
After receiving a common school education he learned the trade of a machinist For three
years he was with W. C. Alden, who formerly conducted business where Gates Curtis
is now. He then went as engineer on a steamer, upon which he remained for one and
a half years. Mr. Merry then returned to Ogdensburg and entered the employ of John
Glass, with whom he has remained for the past thirty years as general manager of the
practical departments of this machine shop, having under his direction a considerable
force of skilled workmen. He has served the Second ward as alderman for four years,
is a staunch Republican in politics and is among Ogdensburg's most respected citizens.
Mr. Merry married in 1863, Eleanor Kelly, and has nine children. He is a member of
Ogdensburg Lodge of Masons, and identified with other social and benevolent institu
tions. Miller, Rev. L. Merrill, Ogdensburg, was born in Rochester, October 13, 1819. At
the age of thirteen years he united with the First Presbyterian church of Rochester,
and prepared for college in the old High School, over which the Rev. Dr. Chester Dewey
for so many years presided, and graduated with honors at Hamilton College in the no
table class of 1840. He passed the examinations of one year and attended many lectures
of the second year at Princeton Theological Seminary. When compelled by want of
health to leave the seminary, he took charge of a small school in the family of the Hon.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 97
Dr. Fitzhugh of Livingston county, and putting himself under the direction of Steuben
(0. S.) Presbytery was by them examined and licensed to preach, in November, 1843.
In May, 1844, he was called to the Presbyterian church of Bath, Steuben county, and
was ordained in October of the same year. In October of the year following he was
installed as its pastor. In October, 1846, he married Lydia R., daughter of Hon. David
Rumsey of Bath. After a service of seven years with that church, filling the offices
of stated clerk of Steuben Presbytery and permanent clerk of the Synod of Buffalo,
preaching and lecturing much outside of his own church, and acting as trustee to Gen-
eseo Academy, he accepted a call to the pastorate of the First Presbyterian church of
Ogdensburg in February, 1851. While en route via stage he received a severe injury,
through an accident, and was laid up with a broken limb. His installation took place
June 25, 1851. Though repeatedly called to enter other desirable fields of service, he
still remains and is now completing the forty- third year of his pastorate here. His in
cessant labors in the field, over his own church and for other churches, have been inter
rupted only by a brief illness in the winter of 1856, and travels through Europe, Egypt
and Syria in 1869-70. Dr. Miller has been corresponding secretary of the St. Lawrence
County Bible Society for more than a quarter of a century, and intimately connected
with various ecclesiastical and benevolent associations of the county. He received the
honorary degree of S. L. T. D., from his alma mater in 1865, and was elected a trustee
of Hamilton College in 1869. After the union of the old and new school branches of the
Presbyterian church, the Synod of Central New York was formed, of which he was
elected moderator at Utica in 1873, and afterwards when the several synods of the
State were combined, he was, in 1885, elected moderator of the Synod of New York.
Moulton, George A., Stockholm, was born in Stockholm, September 10, 1853, a son
of Seth Moulton. who was a son of Jonathan, a native of Massachusetts, born in 1797.
The latter after residing in various towns, finally went to Wisconsin and settled on a
farm of eighty acres, where Milwaukee now stands, which he purchased for a small
sum. He then went to Texas, and again returned to Wisconsin and settled at Port
age Prairie, forty miles south of Madison, where he lived uutil a few years of his death,
then went to Winnebago, where he died in 1888. He was twice married, first to Fan
ny Taylor, by whom he had eight children. By his second wife he had six children.
Seth Moulton was born in Stockholm in 1825. His wife was Harriet E., daughter
of Horace Doud. They had three sons and one daughter. Mr. Moulton is a car
penter by trade, but farming has been his principal occupation. He bought the
farm now owned by his son in 1863, and there resided until 1880. He now lives
in Sandfordville, N. Y. Mrs. Moulton died in 1883. Seth Moulton is a Republi
can, a member of Evergreen Lodge No. 174, P. of I., and a member of the M. E.
church. Except about three years in Vermont and the west, he has resided in
Stockholm. George A. was reared as a farmer and has always followed that call
ing. He owns 133 acres of land and directs his attention largely to dairying, keep
ing ten cows. He married Ellen Rockwood, widow of Luther Hunt (by whom she
had one son, Levi L. Hunt). Mr. Moulton and wife have four children, of whom
two are living : Asa G. and Ray A. Mr. Moulton is a Republican, a member of P.
of H. Stockholm Depot Lodge No. 538. He is a member of the Congregational

98 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
church of New Haven, Vt, where he resided from 1875 till 1880, when he bought
the farm where he now resides.
Merry, I. T., Ogdensburg, was born in Essex county, November 8, 1837, where his
parents settled about 1836, and he attended the district schools in Essex county until
twelve years of age, when his parents moved to Ogdensburg, after which he was able
to attend school for but a little over a year, when he was taken into the foundry of
Chaney & Allen, with whom he remained one year, then for a year he clerked in the
crockery store of A. M. & D. S. Herriman, and in his eighteenth year he commenced to
learn the trade of miller with 0. S. Cummings. He remained at this trade until the
spring of 1861, when, at the call for volunteers to put down the rebellion, he enlisted,
April 17, 1861, and was the first volunteer in St. Lawrence county to enter the service.
Mr. Merry had joined an independent company and went to Albany where the com
pany was assigned to the I6th N. Y. Vols., Co. A. He served as first sergeant, first
lieutenent and chaplain of the company, was in the Second and Sixth army corps, army
of the Potomac, and participated in all the general battles and skirmishes of that time.
After the war he went west and worked at his trade, and in agricultural shops in Wis
consin and Illinois until 1870, when he returned to Ogdensburg and entered the employ of
the Skillings, Whitney & Barnes Lumber Company in the box factory, since which time
Mr. Merry has been appointed foreman of this branch of the business, having charge of
from seventy to seventy-five hands. He married in Bloomington, 111., in 1869, Ella A.
Stackhouse. Mr. Merry is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and commander of
Ransom Post No. 354, G. A. R.
Martin, Joseph C, Lisbon, was born in Lisbon, April 27, 1820. His life has been
spent as a farmer, and he has been remarkably successful. His father, Joseph
Martin, came from Ireland and settled in Lisbon in 1805, being one of the first
settlers of the town. His mother was Margaret ( Armstrong ) Martin. Mr. Martin
married Alvira Sheldon, and they have one son, Miles R., who is in business in Lis
bon Centre. He married Laura B., daughter of Garrett P. Flack, of Lisbon. Mr.
J. C. Martin is one of the oldest and most highly esteemed citizens of the town.
McCrea, A. L., jr., Gouverneur, was born in Milwaukee, Wis., 1852, a son of A. L,
McCrea, of New York, who came to this region in 1875. He it was who first devel
oped the talc industry, the Wight mine at Little York, producing at his hands the first
marketable material'; the material being prepared in a little mill behind a sawmill in
Gouverneur. One year later he built a steam mill at the mines in Fowler. About one
year later he rented water power at Hailesboro, now known as the Agalite property.
Mr. A. L. McCrea, jr., has been interested in the talc industry since 1876. The St. Law
rence, Gardner, Asbestos and Agalite mills were built under his supervision. He has
for many years been an ardent admirer of the horse and has done very much to im
prove the quality and value of horses in northern New York. Among the horses
owned and developed by him, is the noted trotting horse "Geneva," with a five-year-old
record of 2:14, in 1892. Stamina, yearling record 2:44 1-4; Home Rule, two-year-
old, 2:32; Marcus, 2:29 1-2; Malacca, 2:24 1-4; Cora B., 2:36 etc. The Patron Farm
owned by him is located three and one- half miles from Gouverneur, containig 300 acres
where he breeds both runners and trotters,

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 99
Merritt, S. O, Gouverneur, was born in Evans Mills, Jefferson county, January 1,
1830. He learned his trade of blacksmith there, where he also began the study of
veterinary surgery with Leonard R. Hines and Oliver Nash, a veterinary from London,
England. At twenty years of age he left Evans Mills, and about thirty years ago set
tled in Gouverneur, and during all this time has carried on a successful veterinary and
blacksmith business, having retained a high reputation for honorable business methods
and sterling integrity. Mr. Merritt has given no little attention to the study of miner
alogy, and in 1873, he went out one day with some friends looking for ore beds, and
discovered a material which the others called soapstone, but which Mr. Merritt was
satisfied was not such. He submitted the specimen to J. M. Minden, an eminent miner
alogist, who took it to New York, and, after some delay pronounced it to be talc.
Soon a company was formed by Minden & McCraie, and a lease of the land where the
talc was found was taken by Mr. Merritt from Abner White. This was] the first talc
lease taken in this country. He took the lease in his own name and allowed the com
pany to use it He continued his search and found talk outcropped in various places,
and discovered at Freemansburg the first talc founds in Edwards. This is now the
Palmer mine, the best bed now known in the world. It was at first pronounced
inferior, but, when Col. Henry Palmer came to Gouverneur, Mr. Merritt showed him
specimens, and he opened up the mine, making a fortune out of it. Mr. Merritt also
found the talc on the Nelson Freeman farm, joining the Palmer bed. He also dis
covered it on the Anthony farm and by his industrious searching was instrumental in
bringing to light several mines of valuable mineral, from which others have made for
tunes, while, strange to say, Mr. Merritt is grudgingly accorded the credit due to him
for his important discoveries. He married Caroline Lester, of Jefferson county, town
of La Rae, and they have four children : William H. and Charles B. Merritt, both
superior mechanics, who are known all over this part of the country for their mechan
ical skill; and Mrs. Lavar and Mrs. Thomas Quill. One daughter, Pamelia, married
Rufus Ball and died in 1891. William Merritt conducts a blacksmith business on Clin
ton street, and Charles B. is a machinist and blacksmith in the Webb quarry. Mr.
Merritt's father, Gideon H., of Orange county, married Mary Drake, of Dutchess
county, the former being of English descent, and the latter of Mohawk Dutch. Both
grandfathers and both grandmothers were born in New York before the Revolutionary
war, in which both grandfathers participated, with their fathers. Great-grandfather
Merritt served as a clerk in the War Department at Washington.
Merriam, E. N., Ogdensburg, was born in Leyden, Lewis county, May 15, 1822, the
eldest of seven sons of the late Gen. Ela Merriam. He received his business education
at Mr. Charles Brown's Institute in Denmark, Jefferson county. At an early age he
entered a financial institution, and from that time until his death, remained in the busi
ness, with few interruptions of rest or change. Mr. Merriam was one of the oldest
bankers in the State. Always a close student of banking law and finance, he was
thoroughly educated in the theory and science of banking. As a sound conservative
cashier and manager, he had no superior, and in financial circles was recognized as an
authoritv. He was a man of culture and refinement Although filling a high position
in the world of finance, he was devoted to .every ^interest that tended to improve and

100 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
elevate the place and people among whom he passed the best years of his life. He was
a strong man in his personality and convictions, an ardent Republican, loyal to his party
and its traditions. In 1848 he married the second daughter of Hon. Richard Hulbert,
of Oneida county, and they have one accomplished daughter. In 1880, with prominent,
wealthy men, Mr. Merriam organized the National Bank of Ogdensburg, becoming one
of the Board of Directors, as well as cashier and general manager, which position he
held at the time of his death, May 22, 1893.
McCall, Harry W., Madrid, was born in the village of Waddington, June 17, 1859.
In the fall of the same year he moved, with his parents, to the village of Madrid, where
he has since resided. He was educated in the common schools, and at twenty years of
age engaged in the livery business, which he followed until February, 1885, when he
leased the Madrid hotel, conducting it under lease until January 29, 1891, when he
purchased the property and has since been the proprietor. Since his purchase of the
property, Mr. McCall has made many valuable improvements, including water system,
drainage, hot water heating, and the erection of double verandas on the east and south
sides of the hotel. Henry McCall, father of our subject, was a native of this country,
born in Madrid November 23, 1828. He was always a resident of this town, with the
exception of four years he spent in the village of Waddington, where he learned the
shoemaker's trade. He established a shoe store and shop in Madrid, in 1853,
and at one time did a very extensive custom trade, employing about twelve men.
He was a staunch Democrat. In December, 1885, he was appointed postmaster
o£ Madrid, an office he held until April, 1890. Mr. McCall died June 15, 1851,
and at the time of his death was the oldest business man in the town. The
mother of our subject, Mary Bethune, was also a native of this town. They were mar
ried, June 19, 1853, and were the parents of nine children. Mrs. McCall died January
23, 1882.
McGruer, A., Hammond, was born in Lancaster county, Canada. February 8, 1848.
He came to this country with his parents in 1850. At the age of sixteen he entered
mercantile life, and has since followed it with success. He has been thirteen years
in Hammond and conducted a large general store, occupying a building 48x76 feet
in dimensions. In 1880, Mr. McGruer married Harriet E., daughter of John Snyder,
and Sarah Snyder, of Heuvelton, N. Y.
Nicolson, R., Morristown, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, May 27, 1834, and came
to America 1837, landing at Brockville, Ont. His father was a baker and the son re
mained at home for sometime in assisting in the business. After leaving Brockville in
1866, he spent two years in Ogdensburg and then came to Morristown as foreman for
Mr. Comstock in the pill factory where he is now general manager and has been for
sixteen years. In 1863 Mr. Nicolson married Thomasin Rowe, and they have five
children : Robert, William K, John H., Jennie and Annie C. Robert and Jennie are
married. Mr. Nicolson was clerk of the village from 1881 to 1891, being the first clerk
of the corporation.
Needham, Fred S., Stockholm, was born in Parishville, September 30, 1861, a son of
H. K. Needham who was a son of Horace M., a native of Whiting Vt., born in 1804.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 101
About 1824 the latter came to Stockholm and settled on a farm. He afterwards
returned to Vermont and married Eliza Kelsey a native of that State, and had two sons,
George and Henry K. Mr. Needham resided in Stockholm about forty years, and then
went to Wyoming county, N. Y. where he died in 1874, and his wife in 1888. Henry
K was born in Stockholm in 1833. He was educated in Potsdam Academy and
Oberlin College, and learned civil engineering, but preferred farming. He owns 600
acres of land, being one of the largest farmers of the town. He was a Republican,
and a member of I. 0. 0. F. Lodge. He and his wife were active members of the
Presbyterian church of Potsdam, of which Mr. Needham was many years a deacon.
They had three children : Fred S., Mary, who died aged eleven years ; and Lizzie, died
aged twenty-three years. Mr. Needham died in 1882, and Mrs. Needham resides on
the old homestead. Fred S. was reared on a farm and educated in Potsdam Normal
School. At the death of his father he took charge of the farm, and has since carried
on general farming and dairying. He and his mother own 300 acres of land in Stock
holm, 300 acres in Parishville, and keep a dairy of thirty-five cows. September 20,
1892, he married Zulma Hubbard a native of Whiting, Vt. and a daughter of A. H.
Hubbard, of that State. Mr. Needham is a Republican and is at present assessor
of the town. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. No. 548, of Potsdam, and of P.
of H. Lodge No. 39, of Potsdam.
Northrup, Hiram D., Ogdensburg, was the second child of six boys and four girls,
a son of Lewis and Nancy (Simons) Northrup. He was born December 29, 1829,
at the family home four miles east of Ogdensburg, or on the farm his grandfather
Simons settled on in 1806. During his minority Hiram worked on his father's
farm in the summer seasons, and at lumbering in the winter. In 1864, he with
his brother Alvin S., started in Ogdensburg, making shingles and heading. After
the death of Alvin, which occurred in 1867, he has carried on the business alone,
adding to it the manufacture of barrels. His plant was burned on June 17, 1891,
which was rebuilt on a more modern style, and also coupled with bis business a
coal aud wood yard. He was married to Miss Eliza Norway on July 3, 1861.
She was born at Ligborn, May 12, 1834. They have had born to them three chil
dren : Ella L., born April 15, 1862, she was married to J. H. Graham, October 22,
1889 ; Everet, was born August 1, 1869, and died June 15, 1870 ; May E., was born
April 7, 1871. Mr. Northrup is not a politician, but has held several offices of trust,
is now a member of the Board of Education, which place he has filled for a number
of years, is a director of the First National Band, of which he is a stockholder.
He is always ready to assist in contributing to promote the public wellfare, in
preaching the gospel, and in home or foreign missionary work.
Norman, J. H., second, Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, December 15, 1866, a
son of James E., and Annie (McMarra) Norman. He received his education in the
schools of this city after which he entered the Journal establishment, where he learned
the trade of printing and where he remained five years. Subsequently Mr. Norman
followed sailing for seven years, holding the position of steward on a line of steamers
plying between Buffalo and Chicago. In 1892 he purchased the National Hotel in
Ogdensburg, which he has since most successfully conducted. Mr. Norman is a mem-

102 history of st. Lawrence coHnty.
ber of the Catholic church here. He is president of the Y. M. C. Society, and a staunch
and influential Democrat
Newton, Charles W., Stockholm, was born in Stockholm, September 26, 1836. He
is a son of Rev. Orange Newton, whose father, Samuel S. Newton, was a native of
Stafford, Mass., born in 1783. In 1807 the latter married in Jericho, Vt, Patience
Root, by whom he had nine children. He spent a short time in Canada and then re
turned to Vermont. In 1815 he went to Hopkinton and in 1821 to Stockholm. In
1828 he went to Michigan, and there died at the age of seventy years. Orange Newton
was born in Jericho, Vt, January 13, 1807, and came to Stockholm with his parents in
1821, and there spent the remainder of his life. He was licensed to preach in 1837, and
in 1839 was ordained an elder. He was a thorough Bible scholar, and was one of the
leaders in organizing the Wesleyan Methodist church of Stockholm in 1843, of which
church he was pastor many years. He traveled on the Parishville circuit and also in
Franklin county many years, officiating at 125 weddings and at about 200 funerals. In
September, 1861, Rev. Newton enlisted in Co. F, 92d N. Y. Vols., and was unanimously
elected captain, October 15, 1862. The wife of Rev. Newton was Almira Schellinger,
born January 25, 1831. with whom he lived fifty-one years. They had eleven children,
six of whom survive. The death of Rev. Newton occurred February 18, 1886, and that
of his wife March 20, 1882. Charles W. resided with his parents until the age of
twenty-one, working on the farm for his father, and then started out for himself in
the world, working by the month for several years, after which he went to Hopkinton
and purchased a farm of 175 rcres. Here he remained eight years and then bought the
farm of 108 acres which he now owns. He is a general farmer and dairyman. No
vember 29, 1860, he married Emily A. Austin, a native of Stockholm and onlj' child of
Stillman and Sally (Pritchard) Austin, the former a native of Potsdam, born in 1815,
and the latter a native of Stockholm. Mr. and Mrs. Newton have had one child, Lillie
M. She was educated in the Lawrenceville Academy and at Winthrop Union School,
and has followed teaching for several years. Mr. Newton is a Republican in politics.
He was constable of Hopkinton one year, and has been inspector of elections in Stock
holm several years. He and family are members of P. of H. Winthrop Lodge No. 538,
and he also belongs to the P. of I. Buckton No. 226. The family attend and support the
M. E. church of Buckton.
Nichols, Calvin, Stockholm, was born in Crown Point, March 10, 1813. He was
reared on a farm and his education was limited. His parents died when he was but
seven years of age and he was bound out for a number of years. In 1830 he came to
Stockholm and settled on a farm of 100 acres, and there lived and died. He married in
Crown Point, Fannie A. Lane, a native of that place, by whom he had five children :
Marion, wife of William Smith of Dickenson Centre, has two children, Belle and How
ard; Eunice M., wife of William McCumber of Parishville; Lois A., wife of R. E.
Reeve of Stockholm, has two children, Rose and Mary ; H. W., born February 6, 1851 ;
and Howard M., born October 30, 1855. They live on a farm of 150 acres and follow
general farming and dairying. H. W. Nichols is a Republican in politics. He is a
member of P. of I. Buckton Lodge No. 226. Howard M. married Mary M. Weller, a
native of Lawrence, N. Y., and daughter of John and Betsey (Carpenter) Weller, natives

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 103
of Vermont. They had twelve children. Mr. Weller died February 20, 1882, and his
wife now resides in Stockholm. Howard M. has one son, Arthur. He is a Republican
and a member of Winthrop Lodge, P. of H. Mrs. Calvin Nichols died July 5, 1879,
and he married July 13, 1880, Mrs. Phoebe Knapp. Mr. Nichols died November 10,
1881, and his widow resides with the sons on the farm.
Olmstead, Joel (deceased), Potsdam, was born in LeRoy, Genesee county, October
19, 1826, the oldest of four sons of David Olmstead, who was a native of Vermont. The
mother of our subject, Huldah King, was also a native of Vermont. Joel was ten
years of age when his parents moved into St. Lawrence county. They located on a
farm in Potsdam, where Joel was reared and educated, and after he was of age he con
ducted his father's farm. The old homestead is still held as the estate of Eli Olmstead,
being now carried on by a son of the latter. In 1854 Joel bought a farm of ninety
acres, which he worked until 1888, when on account of failing health he took up his
residence in Potsdam Village, where he died February 10, 1891. His widow, Olive A.,
daughter of Harry Tanner of Hermon, and one daughter survive him. Mr. Olmstead
was a very successful farmer, but never took any great interest in public affairs. His
widow is a member of the Methodist church of Potsdam. The daughter, Rhoda 0.,
married, February 8, 1888, Arthur E. Ames of Potsdam, and they have one child, Harry
Olmstead Ames, born August 10, 1891.
Owen, Frank, Ogdensburg, was born in Oneida. Madison county, September 24, 1839.
His parents had settled there in 1810, and were originally a New England family from
Rutland, Vt. Frank Owen came to Ogdensburg in July, 1859, being then in his twen
tieth year, and served as barkeeper in the St, Lawrence Hotel, now called the Seymour
House, and in the spring of 1860 went on board the steamer Bay State as porter and
barkeeper. He remained in this position until the fall of 1866, when he was appointed
purser of the steamer Lord Elgin, running in connection with the lake lines between
Ogdensburg and Montreal, and April 1, 1868, commenced work for the 0. and L. C.
railroad as tally clerk, since which time he has been through the various positions of
billing clerk, accountant, clerk in the general office, and in November, 1878, was ap
pointed agent at Ogdensburg. On August 1, 1884, he was made general freight and
passenger agent, and in the spring of 1886 was made general freight agent of the Cen
tral Vermont line of steamers, and is a member of the Freight Traffic Association of
the Middle States and of the General Freight Agents' Association of New England
and Canada. In this city Mr. Owen is interested in all social and benevolent in
stitutions, among which we mention the Ogdensburg Club, Osseagatchie Club, etc.
He is a Sir Knight in the Masonic order, a member of the Mystic Shrine, has
served as supervisor of the Third ward and as alderman for four years. Mr. Owen
married in 1860, Margaret Richards, and they have one son living, William H.
Owen, now in the employ of the O. and L. C. railroad, who was born July 18, 1863.
He is married and has one daughter.
Oswell, George B., Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, May 18, 1836. After
receiving a good education in the schools of this city, he entered the office of the St.
Lawrence Republican with which paper he remained from eight to ten years, as type

104 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
setter, and then went south and entered into the shoe business in Memphis, Tenn., and
was there when the first gun was fired on Fort Sumter. After the breaking out of
the war he returned to Ogdensburg and entered the employ of the Ogdensburg Steam
boat Company, and about thirty-two years ago became an employee of the Grand
Trunk Railroad, gradually being promoted for efficient service from a clerkship to the
responsible position of District Passenger Agent, his jurisdiction extending over Ver
mont and the northern portion of the State of New York. Mr. Oswell's father was an
Englishman, and settled in Ogdensburg about 1816. His mother was a native of this
county. Mr. Oswell married in 1860, Mary H. Child, of Westborough, Mass. His
only daughter was married to Charles G. Porter, son of Judge Wilber F. Porter, of
Watertown, N. Y. He is prominently connected with all Masonic bodies in this city,
and takes an active part in all things pertaining to Masonry and the good and welfare
of his fellow man. His mother having died in March, 1893, leaves him the only living
representative of a large family, and by her will, was appointed executor to her
estate, which he will, no doubt, administer to the satisfaction of all concerned.
O'Brien, Michael, Waddington, was born in the town of Waddington, October 6. 1884.
His father, Thomas, was born in Ireland in 1806, and came to Waddington when about
twenty -one years of age, where he engaged as coachman for Colonel Ogden. He after
ward purchased a farm in Waddington, on which he lived and died. His wife was
Mary, daughter of James McArdle, of Ireland, and they had three sons and five
daughters. Mr. O'Brien died in February, 1892, and his wife resides with her son,
Philip. Our subject was born on a farm and educated in the common and select schools
of Waddington. At seventeen years of age he hired to John S. Chipman, looking after
his horses and extensive farming interests for five years. He then went to Milwaukee,
Wis., where he remained a short time, then returned to Ogdensburg, where he worked
for a Mr. Wagner for a short time. Next he went to Potsdam, and with Hutchins &
Brown, learned the miller's trade, which occupation he has since successfully followed.
For the last twenty years he has had charge of the Waddington mills, owned by L. J.
Proctor, of that place. June 6, 1871, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel Halli-
gan, of Potsdam, and they have had four children : William H., Mary E., Sarah E. and
Margaret T. Mr. O'Brien is a Democrat, and he and family are members of the
Catholic Church. In 1892 Mr. O'Brien purchased one-half interest in the firm known
as Will Harper's Sons, and the firm is now William Harper, Son & Co,
Oliver, Thomas, Madrid, was born in Northern Scotland, August 5, 1828, and was
only five years of age when his parents came to this country. John, the father, took
up a tract of land in Potsdam of 150 acres. On this farm he reared a family of six
children and spent the balance of his days, dying June 15, 1858, at seventy-four years
of age. His wife, Isabelle Murdie, was also a native of Scotland, born in 1788, and
died May 4, 1872. Our subject was the youngest of this family. He was educated in
the common schools, and assisted his father on the farm until twenty-two years of age.
In 1850 he bought a farm of ninety-two acres in Madrid, to which he has added until
he now has in this one farm 322 acres. He has always conducted a dairy and now
has over fifty head of cattle, besides other stock. He has added many very valuable
improvements. All of the outbuildings are of his erection. He has always been a sup-

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 105
porter of the Republican party. He married in 1853, Violet Rutherford, of Madrid,
who bore him five children, two of whom are now living : John and Violet Jane. Mrs.
Oliver died June 4, 1866, and he again married in December, 1868, Mary A., daughter
of William Rutherford, of Madrid. They had one child, who died in infancy.
Ormston, Walter, Hammond, was born in Scotland, October 6, 1830, and came to
America in 1851. He has followed farming ever since. In 1852 he married Mary
Cunningham, and they have three sons and one daughter: Walter D., William George,
James C. and Mrs. Amos Rodger. Mr. Ormiston has always taken an active part in church
affairs, and has been an elder of the Presbyterian Church for many years, has been
secretary for twenty years and held other positions. He has also been railroad com
missioner and excise commissioner. His father was John Ormiston, and his mother
Mary (Davidson) Ormiston.
Overton, John A., Ogdensburg, was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., May 24, 1865,
and when five years old removed with his parents to Ogdensburg. He was educated
in the schools of Ogdensburg, and when thirteen years of age, entered the employ of
Joseph Pincus, with whom he remained a short time, when he accepted a position with
Charles Paris, being in his employ for six years. Mr. Overton has been identified
with leading firms on Ford street since severing his connection with Charles Paris, and
in 1893, purchased the hat and gents' furnishing goods business of George B. Ralph,
which he is most successfully conducting. He is identified with local institutions, is a
member of Acacian Lodge, No. 705, F. & A. M., Ogdensburg Chapter, No. 63, R. A.
M., and is First Lieutenant of the Thirty-fifth Separate Company, National Guards of
the State of New York. Mr. Overton is much esteemed in this city.
Overacker, William D., Gouverneur, was born in the town of Gouverneur, January
2, 1846, and lived on his farm until September 1, 1892. He owns 230 acres of superior
dairy land, nearly all acquired by his own industry and ability. In 1869 Mr. Overacker
married Elizabeth Mouthorp, and after her death he married, in 1875, Ellen L , daugh
ter of Austin Davenport, a native of Massachusetts. Stella E., their daughter, was born
November 13, 1878, and died February 2, 1885. Their son, Roy D., was born April
13, 1888. Mr. Overacker's father, John W., a native of Danube, Herkimer county,
was married to Susannah Howes, a native of Massachusetts. Eight children were born
to them, and all are living but one. His wife died in 1849, and he then married Debo
rah Ogsbury, and six children were the fruits of the second union. Our subject is a
Democrat in politics and an adherent of the Baptist church.
Perkins, D. F., Parishville, was born in Lyme, N. H., May 13, 1821. His parents
were Leonard and Matilda (Cook) Perkins of Lyme, who had eleven children. Leonard
Perkins was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He settled on a
farm in Parishville, where he became one of the prosperous farmers of that town. He
died in September, 1843. D. F. Perkins was three years of age when he came to Par
ishville with his parents, and he started in life by working on a farm for $11 a month.
He has made his own property, and in 1878 owned 300 acres of land, at which time
Mr. Perkins took his son, Edson M., into partnership with him, and they now own

106 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
nearly 800 acres of land in one piece. They follow general farming and dairying,
and for many years have been extensive dealers in stock. They usually winter about
eighty or ninety cows and keep about forty milch cows. Mr. Perkins married in
Parishville, Thirza A. Mott, a native of Keene, Essex county, born August 13, 1827,
and they had four children, of whom one son is living. Their daughter, Fannie, died
aged four years. Edson M. has been twice married. First, on January 24, 1868, he
married Emogene S. Tichenor of this town, by whom he had one child, Fannie, who
died aged three years and ten months. Mrs. Perkins died June 25, 1877, and he married
second, June 20, 1880, Martha A. Long of this town, by whom he has one son, Francis
L. Our subject is a Republican in politics.
Pinney, H. D., Stockholm, was born in Stockholm, February 23, 1850. His father
was Horace Pinney, a native of Granville, Vt, born October 4, 1816. He was
reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He came to Stockholm
when a young man and here spent the remainder of his days. He married in Stock
holm July 7, 1842, Percis S. Covey, a native of Londonderry, Vt, born November
1, 1819, and daughter of Theodore Covey, a native of Vermont and one of the early
settlers of Stockholm. Mr. Pinney and wife had four children : Meribeth, wife of L.
R. Lewis of Stockholm ; Hattie, wife of J. B. Palmer of West Stockholm ; H. D.
and Charles S., a farmer of West Stockholm. He died March 13, 1883, and his
wife September 4, 1877. H. D. Pinney was reared on a farm. At the age of six
teen he engaged as clerk for Hosea Bicknell of West Stockholm, and continued as
clerk for twelve years, when he formed a partnership with Mr. Bicknell and in two
years afterward purchased Mr. Bicknell's interest. Mr. Pinney is a Republican in
politics. He married, October 26, 1880, Emma L. Burditt of Pittsford, Vt, born
August 1, 1851. Her father was Ransom Burditt of Pittsford, born August 1, 1825.
His wife was Laurenza Davis of Pittsford, born March 2, 1821, whom he married
March 12, 1843.
Paterson, J. A., Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, March 26, 1843. He received
an education in the schools of this city, and some time afterward, with J. H. Osborn,
purchased the grocery establishment which had been conducted for a number of years
by C. M. Adams at 12 Lake street, which business he has very successfully conducted
alone since 1886. Mr. Paterson has served two terms as alderman, from 1886 to 1890,
and is identified with the social and benevolent institutions of the town. He is also an
Odd Fellow. His father settled in this city about 1832 and was in the employ of Henry
Van Rensselaer for many years. Mr. Paterson married in 1871 a Miss Plumsteel, and
they have one daughter.
Perkins, Isaac E., Parishville, was a native of Lyme, N. H., born October 24 1824
a son of Leonard, also a native of Lyme, who married a Miss Cook, by whom he had
ten children. In 1828 they settled in Parishville, and there lived and died. Isaac E.
was fourteen years old at the time of the removal to this town, and here he was edu
cated, taking up farming for a living. At his death he owned 252 acres. He married
first, Harriet Robinson of Parishville, who died in 1840, and second, Sarah A. Webb of
Malone, a daughter of Oliver Webb, who was born in Vermont, April 30, 1782 and

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 107
married Sallie Nichols, born in Vermont in 1783. They came to Malone in 1809, where
Mr. Webb died November 11, 1849, and his wife July 9, 1868. Of their eight children,
five grew to maturity. Mr. Perkins was a Republican in politics, and died July 8, 1881.
Mr. and Mrs. Perkins had no children, but they reared one boy, Frank P. Schellenger,
a native of Parishville and a son of Alvin L. Schellenger, son of Reuben, an early settler
of Stockholm. Frank P. was educated in the common schools and in Rochester Busi
ness University. In 1892 he married Ada B. Olmstead of Parishville, daughter of
Moses S. Olmstead. Mr. Schellenger is a farmer, and a Republican in politics. He
is a member of Amber Lodge No. 395, F. & A. M., and of P. of H., Potsdam No. 39.
Paquette, A. A., Ogdensburg, was born October 16, 1839, in Quebec. There our
subject received his education and learned the builder's trade. In 1866 he came to
Ogdensburg and has since been actively engaged in contracting and building. He has
during this period erected many of Ogdensburg's finest edifices, amone which are the
City Hall and Opera House and the elegant residence of ex-Recorder Dorwin. Mr.
Paquette married Miss M. Fogerty and has six sons and a daughter. He is highly re
garded, both for his sterling ability and courteous manners.
Paige, A. A., Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, February 27, 1836. His father,
Smith Paige, came from Thetford, Vt, to Canton, in 1818, and in 1830 moved
to Ogdensburg and engaged in brickmaking, establishing the yards (which con
tain about eleven acres) and are now in the possession of his sons, A. A. & J. W.
Paige, who have successfully continued the business. A. A. Paige married in 1879,
Susan Hewett, and they have four children, one son and three daughters. Mr. Paige
is a Mason, and is among Ogdensburg's most esteemed citizens and business men.
This firm turns out from 18,000,000 to 20,000,000 brick per year, and furnish employ
ment to a considerable number of hands, this being an important factor in the commer
cial life of Ogdensburg.
Pearson, Urias, Ogdensburg, son of John Pearson, a veteran of the war of 1812,
was born in North Troy, Vt, December 7, 1814. He came to this State with his
parents in 1824, and settled in Depeyster. In 1831 he began an apprenticeship to
the carpenter's trade, under Byron Kingsbury, after the completion of which he
entered actively into contracting and building, erecting the greater number of the blocks
and residences in Ogdensburg, during those early days. Among others we mention
the Hon. John Fine residence and the Judson Bank building, in 1851, the Mechanics
block, in 1853, and the Gibbs block, in 1856. He also built the Ogdensburg Academy,
which was converted from the old Town Hall. During his long and honorable life in
this city, he filled many positions of trust and responsibility; as member of the Board
of Health, in 1864, during the cholera epidemic, as member of the volunteer fire depart
ment for seven years, and in 1868, as member of the first Common Council, being elected
Alderman from the Third Ward. Mr. Pearson was twice married. In 1837 to Miss
Charlotte Perry, of Depeyster, who died in 1840 ; in 1841 to Deborah, daughter of
Kenneth and Elizabeth Matheson, of this city, who died in 1872.
Phippen, Amasa B., Stockholm, son of Clark Phippen, was born at Crown Point,
February 9, 1826. He married Sarepta Converse, daughter of Elijah Converse, of

108 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Stockholm, September 17, 1854. She was born January 21, 1826. He followed the
occupation of a farmer during his entire life. He died September 28, 1878. His wife
is now living on the old homestead. They had three children : Herbert, Flora and
Homer. Herbert was born May 23, 1859. He also lives upon the old homestead, is
quite a successful farmer, and has some very fine stock. He married May Hall,
daughter of Thomas Hall, November 26, 1890. They have two children : Edith May,
born September 23, 1891, and Edith Augusta, born November 1, 1893. Flora was
born March 18, 1861. For a number of years she taught in the district schools ; mar
ried Frank W. Trask, son of John Trask, April 14, 1886. He was an engineer, was
born May 3, 1859, died May 24, 1886, of consumption. Homer was born April 23,
1863. He is a farmer and owns 150 acres of land. His wife is Addie, daughter of S.
S. Gary. They have one child : Earl Gary, born November 25, 1891. In politics they
are all Republicans.
Phippen, Warren T., Stockholm, was born in Crown Point, Essex county, December
I, 1827. His father was Clark Phippen, a native of Walpole, Cheshire county, N. H.,
born January 24, 1789. He married Betsey Wright, a native of the same place, born
July 17, 1791, by whom he had six sons and five daughters. In 1811, Clark Phippin
and family removed to Crown Point, where he resided until 1830, when he came to
Stockholm and settled on the farm now owned by Samuel Phippen, brother of our
subject. In 1855 Mr. Phippen went to Michigan, where he died in 1859. Mr. Phippen
was a Democrat, and a prominent man in Essex county. Mrs. Phippen died in Crown
Point in August, 1870. Warren T., when a mere child, came with his parents to
Stockholm, and as soon as old enough, he assisted his parents in clearing their new
farm, and making a comfortable home. In 1854, Mr. Phippen married Mary E.,
daughter of John Floyd, a pioneer of Crown Point, and they had six children : Mary
P., born April 10, 1855, wife of J. H. Hayes, a liveryman of Minneapolis, Minn. They
have one child: Mildred B. Jennie, born January 16, 1859, who married W. S. Wright,
of Mason City, Iowa. He went to Stockton, Kas., and afterward to El Reno, Ok. T.,
and engaged in the banking business. He was taken sick and returned to Stockholm,
where he died May 28, 1892, leaving his wife and one daughter, Edith L. Minnie A.,
born August 5, 1862, and died December 16, 1865; Minnette S., born November 30
1864; Floyd W., born September 8, 1870, and died December 8, 1876. September 8,
1870, Mrs. Phippen died, having been for a quarter of a century a true helpmate to her
husband, and a loving and affectionate mother to her children. Soon after his marriage
Mr. Phippen moved to Norfolk, and in 1855 to the farm he now occupies, which now
contains 210 acres. Mr. Phippen has a beautiful home and is one of the progressive
farmers of the county. He is a Republican, and a regular attendant of the Universalist
Church. Mr. Phippen enjoys the respect of all who know him.
Pickert, Hiram L., Potsdam,- was born in the town of Denmark, Lewis county,
October 24, 1839, a son of Ephraim, a native of Herkimer county, who was a farmer,
and came to Lewis county in 1839. where he lived about nine years, and October, 1848,
he moved into St. Lawrence county, settling in the town of Canton, where he died
January 7, 1885. The mother of our subject was Catherine Davis, also of Herkimer

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 109
county, who died May 1, 1891, in Canton. They had seven children, four of whom
are living: Alexander, farmer of Canton; George, a farmer, of Canton ; Vina, wife of
Dean B. Delance, a mason, of Malone, and Hiram L. Mr. Pickert married in 1866,
Amelia M. Delance. They have one daughter, Minnie B. Mr. Pickert has always
been engaged in farming with his father, until he was twenty-two, and in 1867 he
bought a farm of 109 acres in Canton, which he owned seven years. He lived on said
farm four years, and then moved on his father-in-law's farm, in Potsdam, which he
lived on for four years. March 1, 1875, he bought and moved on his present farm of
eighty acres, devoted to dairying. The South Potsdam cheese factory is located on
this farm, which Mr. Pickert owned until 1888, and superintended it for fourteen years.
The old factory burned October 12, 1888, and was rebuilt by B. F. Leonard, the son-
in-law of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Pickert are members of the Potsdam Grange.
Chandler Delance, father-in-law of our subject, was a farmer of Potsdam who was born
and reared on the farm, where he died January 16, 1881. He married Lucinda Atwood
and they had three children. Mrs. Pickert is the only one living of the family. John
Delance, father of Chandler, was one of the first settlers of the town. He came
here in 1803, and married Nancy Healy in 1804. It is said to be the first marriage
in the town. He died in 1840.
Proctor, H. I., Ogdensburg, was born in East Washington, N. H., April 6, 1847. He
received his education in the schools of that vicinity, after which for ten years he was
in the employ of his brother, W. L. Proctor, esq., of this city. Then in 1874, he
established himself in his present business, the manufacture and sale of doors, sash,
blinds, builders' hardware, etc., on River street, west side, Ogdensburg, making a
specialty of artistic wood working, in the prosecution of which he gives employment to
about sixty hands. Mr. Proctor married in 1870, Fannie E. Persons, and they had
four children : Mary F., Grace E., Charles E. and Harry B. Mr. Proctor is a member
of the Baptist Church, Ogdensburg Club, and is identified with the leading social and
financial interests of the city.
Peck, Comer M., Potsdam, was born in Parishville, N. Y., March 18, 1822, a son of
Hiram, a native of Vermont, who was colonel of a Vermont Regiment at the battle
of Plattsburg, in the war of 1812. He came to this county about 1820, and died
in 1851, aged sixty-seven years. He married Wealthy Kilburn, who died in 1836.
At the age of fourteen our subject left his native town and went to Prescott,
Canada, where he was employed as clerk in a drug store for three years and
resided there at the time of the "Patriot war." In 1839 he went to Medina, Orleans
county, N. Y., and was in a drug store there until 1844. That year he went to Mon
treal, acting as clerk in a steamboat office. He was there three years and then
spent a year in the same business at Kingston, Canada. In 1848 he came to Pots
dam and on March 7, established a drug store here in company with J. C. Gates.
This partnership lasted two years and the firm become Peck & Brother, lasting
until 1852. Mr. Peck that year sold out to his brother, Hiram H. He then became
a partner in the boot and shoe business with Dr. J. B. Nichols. April 13, 1855,
he opened his present drug store. Mr. Peck is vice-president and director of the
People's Bank, of Potsdam. For the last fifteen years he has been treasurer of the

110 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
village and for many years chairman of the Democratic Town and Assembly Dis
trict Committees, and also a member of the Democratic County Committee for
many years. Mr. Peck married in 1848, Minerva S. Hoit, by whom he had four chil
dren, two of whom died some years since : Fred H. is now engaged in business in
Potsdam, and Mary E., his daughter, wife of Duncan R. Cameron, of Hanford, Cal.
Mrs. Peck died in 1860 and he married his present wife, Mary J. Grieve, of Perry,
N. Y., in 1864, and they have one son, William W. G., who recently succeeded to
the business of his father, and will henceforth conduct it.
Peck, Frank M., Potsdam, was born in Sodus, Wayne county, March 31, 1847.
His boyhood was spent in the town of Madrid, and he was educated in St Law
rence Academy, Fairfax Seminary and Middlebury College, Vt. After leaving school
Mr. Peck was for a few months night editor of the Burlington, Vt, Free Press,
and then engaged in the life insurance business in St. Lawrence county. In 1876
he was appointed Assembly Librarian at Albany, an office he held one term, and
in 1877 engaged in the fire insurance business in company with H. S. Perrigo. At
the organization of the People's Bank at Potsdam in 1889, Mr. Peck was made
bookkeeper and assistant cashier, an office he still holds. He has been village trustee
two years, and is a member of Racquette River Lodge, No. 213, F. & A. M. Mr.
Peck married in 1875, Addie B. Henderson, of Prescott, Ont They have one adopted
daughter, Ettie M. Peck, now in her fourteenth year. Mr. Peck was for fourteen
years connected with the Racquette Valley and St. Regis Valley Fair Association, and
for the last four years of the time he was the secretary. He has been treasurer of the
Potsdam Building and Loan Association since its organization.
Crane, F. M., Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, March, 1855. He received an
excellent education in the schools of this town, after which he learned the profession
of photography. After serving eight years in several of the best studios in the country
he finally in 1878, established himself in the profession here in Ogdensburg and enjoys
a large and most influential patronage. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, and is
much respected and esteemed by all.
Davis, Lorenzo, Brier Hill, was born October 14, 1854, and is one of the prominent
farmers of Morristown. In 1874, he married Florilla Petrie of the same town
and they have three children : Leon, Owen and Gladdis L. Mr. Davis's father was
Jeremiah Davis, and his wife's father is Henry Petrie. Mr. Davis now resides on the
farm of Jeremiah Davis, which he and his family inherited in 1891, from Jeremiah
Davis, deceased.
Howard, Maro L., Pierrepont, was born in Pierrepont, December 2, 1846, a son of
Appleton C, a native of St. Albans, Vt, born October 21, 1814, whose father was
Aaron Howard. Appleton C. was a sailor and followed the lakes many years, being
head engineer on steamboats on Lake Champlain for fifteen years. In 1835 he came
to this town, and in 1850, with his brother, Orrin, bought a farm, afterwards selling his
share to his brother. He then bought a portion of the farm now owned by our subject,
of 158 acres. Mr. Howard married in 1840, Leonora Loomis, a native of Milton Vt.
born November 18, 1815, and a daughter of Daniel Loomis, native of Georgia, Vt. Mr.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. Ill
Loomis died in the west, September 21. 1838, aged fifty-two years. Mr. and Mrs.
Howard had three children, of whom two survive. Mr. Howard died February 13,
1861, and his wife survives him. Maro L. was educated in the common schools, and
has always followed agriculture. November 28, 1872, he married Elsie R. Flint, a
native of Essex county and daughter of B. F. and Hannah (Baldwin) Flint, who set
tled in Colton county in 1855 and now live in Potsdam. Mr. and Mrs. Howard have
had three children : Myrtle M., and Mabel V., twins, the latter dying at the age of eight
months; and A. Stanley. Mr. Howard is a Republican and has been assessor nine
years. He and wife are members of Crary's Mills Grange, and Mrs. Howard and
daughter are members of the Pierrepont Baptist church at the Centre.
Kellogg, Fayette N., Stockholm, was born in Hopkinton, N. Y., December 11, 1849,
a son of Franklin E. whose father was Daniel Kellogg. Franklin E.was born in Shore-
ham, Vt, February 14, 1816 and 1833 settled in Rochester. His wife was Pamelia
Sanford, born January 17, 1819, by whom he had nine children, six surviving. In
1840 Mr. Kellogg and family settled in Hopkinton, N. Y. He was a Republican and
and held several town offices. He was justice of the peace from 1851 to 1874, super
visor two years, assessor, commissioner of highways, etc. He died March 17, 1877.
Fayette N. Kellogg was educated in the Lawrenceville High School and Fort Edward
Institute, graduating from the latter November 29, 1866. He spent fifteen years as
clerk in his father's store, and two and a half years in a gristmill in Vermont, and
Fort Jackson, N. Y. March 28. 1S78, he married Alice E. Phelps, oy whom has two
children : Pearl E. and Gladys G. Mr Kellogg is a Republican, and was justice of the
peace five years in Hopkinton. He is a member of Elk Lodge No. 577, F. & A. M. at
Nicholville; of the I. O. O. F., Winthrop Lodge, No. 620; and of the P. of H., Fort
Jackson Lodge. Mrs. Kellogg is a daughter of Edwin O. Phelps, a native of Orwell.
Vt., born April 23, 1813. He was but eight years old when he went to Hopkinton,
where he lived until 1838, then came to the farm he now owns, where he has since
lived. In 1838 he married Priscilla Dwinell, a native of Newport, N. H., born
April 19, 1818, and they had one son and three daughters. Mr. Phelps held the office
of assessor six years. He and family are members of the Free Will Baptist church
at Fort Jackson. Mrs. Phelps was a daughter of Cyrus and Polly (Gilman) Dwinell,
natives of Massachusetts, who moved to Wisconsin, where Mr. Dwinell died, and his
widow lived with her son in Minnesota, until her death. The Phelps family is of
Welsh origin. Two brothers, William and George, went to England, and from there
emigrated to America and settled in Dorchester, Mass. Edwin O., father of Mr. Kellogg,
is descended from William, who removed to Connecticut 1635, where he lived until his
death. In 1788 Elnathan Phelps, grandfather of E. 0. settled in Orwell, Vt. He was
a Baptist minister, and the first clergyman in that place. He was born in 1734 and
died in Orwell, Vt., in 1813. He was the father of twelve children, of whom Jacob,
father of E. 0. Phelps, was the youngest son. Jacob was born in Pittsfield, Mass, July
12 1780, and when a child went to Orwell, Vt. with his father. He married Lucy
Webster of Orwell, May 1803, and they had seven children. Mr. Phelps came to
Hopkinton in 1821. He was a Republican and held various offices of trust and honor
in his town. He died April 2, 1864.

112 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
McMonagle, N. D., M. D., Canton, was born in New Brunswick, April 4, 1844, and
was educated in his native Province at St. Johns, N. B. He took two medical courses,
in Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Me., and graduated from an Iowa College ; after which
he stood successfully a very rigid examination before the State Medical Board of Ex
aminers at Albany. In 1870 he came to Rensselaer Falls, where he has practiced
successfully ever since. He is a specialist of diphtheria, the preparations used by him
effecting a high percentage of cures and being a perfect destroyer of all bacteria. He
also has a high reputation for his successful treatment of cancers by the McMonagle
Plaster. In 1872 our subject married Emma Sharp by whom he had three chil
dren. His wife died and in 1890 he married Annie Graham, by whom he has one
son. McCabe, James B., Pierrepont, was born in Ireland December 14, 1838, a son of
John and Margaret (Bingham) McCabe of that country, who reared three children.
In 1845 the family came to Essex county and three years later removed to Pierre
pont where they settled on the farm now owned by James. Here the mother died
July 12, 1881, the father still living there with his son. James B. was educated in the
common schools and St. Lawrence Academy, was engaged as bookkeeper for the Santa
Clare Lumber Company of Franklin county, but his principal occupation has been farm
ing and dairying. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. D, 92d N. Y. Infantry, serving till July,
1863, when he re-enlisted in the 11th N. Y. Cavalry and served until October, 1865.
In December, 1867, he married Martha M. Bloss, a native of Canada and a daughter of
Samuel and Pattie (Jones) Bloss, who came to St. Lawrence county in 1866 and died
in Parishville. Mr. and Mrs. McCabe have had eleven children : John H. (deceased),
Ida J., Henrietta, John (deceased), Samuel W., Mabel M. (deceased), Albert J., Lena
G., Margaret A., Helen B. and Martha L. Mr.McCabe is a Republican and a member
of High Falls Lodge No. 428, F. & A. M., Colton, N. Y. He took the State census in
1875 and the United States census in 1880. He is a member also of the G. A. R., Wait
Post. Noble, E., Hailesborough, was born in Edwards, February 19, 1854. He followed
farming until 1870, when he opened his present store in Hailesborough. January 14,
1870, Mr. Noble married Etta Starin, and they have three sons. His father, Alexan
der, was a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and his mother was Margaret Clelland, also a
native of Edinburgh. Mr. Noble still owns his farm and is interested in agriculture as
well as in mercantile business. He is regarded as one of the substantial men of the
town. Parker, M. Sabin, Gouverneur, was born in Gouverneur. His father, James Parker,
was born in Canterbury, Conn., April 1, 1782, came to Gouverneur April 19, 1808, and
settled on the Parker homestead, where he died in 1875. In 1826 he built the present
residence of his son. The Parker ancestry came to America and settled in Reading,
Mass., about 1646. Here the family resided for several generations, and Mr. M. Sabin
Parker has some relics of those early days. One of the ten children of James Parker
was Origen D., who enlisted in 1862 in Battery D, 1st N. Y. Artillery, and who was
killed at Petersburg, Va , in 1864, being forty-one years old at the time of his death.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 113
Peet, Charles W., Stockholm, was born in Monkton, Addison county, Vt, September
22, 1834. His father was Harry Peet, a native of Stockborough, Vt, who married Sal
lie Page, by whom he had two children, Charles W. and Mabel, the latter the wife of M.
W. Alden of Stockholm. Mr. Peet was a blacksmith by trade. In 1835 he settled on
a farm in Stockholm and there spent the remainder of his life as a farmer. He helped
to make the spikes used in building one of the vessels on Lake Champlain in the war of
1812. He died in 1362, and his wife survives him at the age of seventy-nine years.
Charles W. Peet was reared on the farm he now owns, which consists of 225 acres.
He keeps a dairy of thirteen cows. The wife of our subject is Harriet Osgood, a native
of Stockholm, and their children are : Sallie M., wife of Herman Lewis of Stockholm ;
Harry E. and William W. Mr. Peet is a Republican in politics. In 1864 he enlisted
in the 6th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, but by mistake was put in the 92d N. Y. Infantry,
Co. I, and served until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Gravelly Run
and Five Forks. Mr. Peet is a member of the G. A. R. Gibson Post No, 421 of Bick
nellville. Parsons, George S., Gouverneur, was born in St. Lawrence county, June 10, 1843.
He has resided in the village seven years and has been deputy sheriff two years.
He has also held the office of assessor ten years. In 1872 he married Martha A.,
daughter of Andrew Dodds, and they have five children : Millicent A., Ella M.,
Amanda H., Jessie R. and James Otis. Mr. Parsons's father was Myron Parsons
of Fulton county, N. Y., and his mother was Amanda Barnes. Mr. Parsons enlisted
in Scott's Nine Hundred in August, 1862, and served till the close of the war. He has
been commander and quartermaster of Barnes Post No. 156. Farming is his principal
business and he always resided on his farm of 220 acres, three miles from Gouverneur
village on Johnson street, except during the time he has lived in the village and his
three years' service in the rebellion.
Perrigo, Harlan S., Postsdam, was born on a farm in Potsdam, June 22, 1843, a son
of Sylvester F., who was a native of Georgia, Vt, who moved to this town March 31,
1836. Sylvester F. was a carpenter and joiner, but bought a farm near Crary's Mills,
because it would be a better place to rear his boys. He died December 30, 1883, in his
seventy-eighth year. The grandfather, David Perrigo, was a revolutionary soldier and
took part in the battle of Bennington. The mother of our subject was a native of
Swanton, Vt., her maiden name being Laura Brooks. They had nine children, only
two now living : Elbert M., a farmer of Nebraska, and Harlan S. Harlan S. was edu
cated in the old St. Lawrence Academy at Potsdam and at Middlebury ( Vt. ) College,
graduating August 11, 1870. He taught for seven years, and in 1877 he came to Pots
dam, where he bought three insurance agencies and established a fire insurance busi
ness, in which he has ever since been interested. In the fall of 1881 Mr. Perrigo was
elected school commissioner of the third district of St. Lawrence county. After serving
three years he was re-elected by double the majority received the first time. He is
now a trustee of school district No. 8 of Potsdam. Mr. Perrigo is senior warden of
Racket River Lodge No 213, and king and past high priest of St. Lawrence Chapter
No. 24, R. A. M., also worthy patron of Vega Chapter, 0. E. S., and a member of St.

114 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Lawrence Commandery No. 28, K. T. He is also a member of Excelsior Lodge No.
548 of the I. 0. 0. F., and has been through all the chairs, being now a past grand.
He is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Perrigo married November 27, 1870,
Josephine A. Giffin of Edwardsville, N. Y, and they are the parents of five children,
three of whom are living, viz.: Alice M., Harlan S., jr., and Louise L.
Pierce, T. W., Morristown, was born in Oswegatchie, April 12, 1854. He left the
farm when eighteen and learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed for nine
years when he went into mercantile business. He came to Morristown in 1879 and
has been in business here ever since. He has been an active politician and was
appointed postmaster by President Harrison, February 29, 1892. He has been on
the school board nine years, was treasurer of the village and has filled other local offices.
In 1879 he married Mary E. Soper, and they have two sons and three daughters : Irene,
Maude, Harry, Blanche and Wendell.
Pearson, John, Madrid, was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, March 17, 1820, and
came to this country in 1847. He was a resident of Waddington one winter and then
located in the town of Madrid, where he was employed with Alfred Teal. He was
for a number of years employed with different farmers and in 1851 bought a farm
of fifty acres, which by his perseverance and industry has now increased to 170
acres. Mr. Pearson has made many valuable improvements since he first bought the
property, and in 1865 he built a very good residence and has, besides, erected out
buildings and barns. He conducts it as a dairy farm, with eighteen cows, thirteen
sheep and five horses. Mr. Pearson has always taken an active interest in the
Republican party and its principles, but has never been a candidate for public office.
He married in December, 1852, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Hesselgrave, a farmer
of this town, and they have had nine children, eight now living: Robert Edward,
a farmer of Madrid ; Richard Thomas, who lives on the old homestead; Mary M.
Pearson of Madrid; Sarah F., wife of Robert Marshall of Madrid; Lydia A. Pear
son ; Charles Orville ; Harriet Elizabeth ; and Clara Mabel.
Predmore. H. S., Gouverneur, was born in Rochester October 21, 1869, and early
embarked in business in dried fruit. After three years he began the manufacture
of brick in Virginia. A year ago he came to Gouverneur as manager of the As
bestos Pulp Company. This company has two mines and two mills and employs
seventy-five men. He married Mary, daugther of A. S. Bigelow. Recently Mr. Pred
more formed two partnerships, that of Dodge & Predmore, lumber merchants, and Pred
more & McCarthy, brick manufacturers, both of which promise to rank among the
leading houses of Gouverneur.
Porteous, John S., Waddington, was born in Waddington, August, 9, 1823. He
was a son of Samuel Porteous, who was born in Scotland in 1785. There he married
Euphemia Brunton and had four children. In 1820 they came to Waddington, where
three other children were born. Mr. Porteous was a mason by trade and worked for
Judge Ogden assisting in building the dam and stone walls on the island. However,
his principal occupation was farming, and owned a small farm in the western part of
Waddington. He and his wife were Presbyterians. He died in 1868, and bis wife in

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 115
1863. John S. Porteous was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of
Waddington. Farming has always been his occupation. In 1869 he purchased 156
acres on Ogden Island, which he still owns. His son John, manages the farm at
present. During the last three years Mr. Porteous has resided in the village. In De
cember, 1846, he married Janett, daughter of Andrew Vietch, of Waddington, and they
have had eight sons and four daughters, of whom six sons and three daughters survive.
He has always been a Republican. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian
church of Waddington.
Plumb, Captain L. R., Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, September 28, 1828, a
son of Captain Henry Plumb, whose reminiscences of the war of 1812, and other
h'storical data has been in such demand by local writers. This family has been identi
fied with the ferry over sixty years, during which entire period not a single accident
has occurred either under the capacity of L. R. Plumb, or before — under that of his
father, Captain Henry Plumb. L. R. Plumb has now held his position over forty years,
and anticipates an early and honorable retirement. He has been three times married
and has a family of four children living. He has been a member of the Methodist
church for the past forty-six years, is a Mason, and is one of Ogdensburg's most
respected citizens, as well as being a descendant of one of our most respected families.
Pearson, Andrew Monroe Henry, Potsdam, was born in Gloversville, Fulton county,
September 13, 1833, a son of William, a native of England, born in 1802, and came to
this country in 1832. He was a cooper by trade and followed that in connection with
manufacturing in this country. Andrew was one of a family of five children, all liv
ing: Mrs. Lydia A. Smith, of Saratoga; William, a furniture finisher, of Glens Falls;
Noah, a painter, of Norwood ; Edwin, a mechanic of Fort Edward ; and Andrew.
Subject was only three years of age when his parents moved to New York city, where
he was educated. His first occupation was a cooper, which he followed until 1869 in
South Glens Falls, and then engaged in the manufacture of broom handles and chil
dren's toy hoops. In 1869 he came to St. Lawrence county locating at Potsdam Junc
tion, Norwood, where he bought the broomhandle shop and water power established by
George Enos on the Racquette river. Mr. Pearson has retired from the business. He
still owns the water power, but the mill was destroyed by fire, January 31, 1893. The
beautiful residence of Mr. Pearson was erecteJ in 1888. He married, September 6,
1856, Mary A. Whorf, of Glens Falls, N. Y., and they have two adopted children:
Henry A., a jeweler of Coffey ville, Kan., and Sarah Elnora Rush, of Whitehall, N. Y.
Rutherford, Walter, Madrid, was born in Northumberland county, England, Septem
ber 20, 1831, fifth son of James and Elizabeth (Mindmarch) Rutherford. Walter was
only a year old when his parents came to this country. He was educated in the
common schools of Potsdam and lived with his parents on the homestead until thirty ¦
three years of age. In January, 1865, he bought a farm of 155 acres in Potsdam,
where he made his home for nearly three years, then sold, and for four years was
engaged as a speculator in stock, wool and farm produce. March 20, 1873, he
moved to Madrid where he had bought the Smith farm of 213 acres, where he has
since resided. Mr. Rutherford is a Republican, and he and family are members of the

116 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Reformed Presbyterian church, of Potsdam. Mr. Rutherford has twice married, first,
January 2, 1865, Ellen Ford, who died May 29, 1889, leaving no children. He married
second, March 5, 1872, Jennie D., daughter of Andrew Rutherford, of Madrid and
widow of Benjamin F. Rolf. They- have one child, Mamie M., now in her six
teenth year. A son of Mrs. Rutherford forms a part of the family of our subject,
Benjamin F. Rolfe.
Remington, W. R., Ogdensburg, was born in Chautauqua county, May 25, 1839. He
was liberally educated and at the early age of twenty- three was appointed by Post
master-General Randall under President Lincoln to the position of postmaster of
Canton, St Lawrence county. This office he held for nineteen years, at the expiration
of which period he resigned voluntarily. During the Rebellion while still in office,
although not drafted, postmaster Remington furnished a substitute, and has his dis
charge. In 1882 Mr. Remington was elected clerk of St. Lawrence county, which
office he held for six years, during which time he revised the entire index of that office
from the period of 1802 to date, for which achievement great credit was accorded him.
During his residence in Canton, Mr. Remington served upon the Board of Education
for many years, was treasurer of the St. Lawrence Agricultural Society two years. In
1892 he was appointed collector of customs for the district of Oswegatchie, including
the Port of Ogdensburg, having as sub offices Massena, Lewisville, Waddington, Lisbon,
Morristown and Hammond. He married Lavilla J. Everest of this county, and they
have one son and one daughter.
Robinson, G. W., Ogdensburg, a native of West Chazy, Clinton county, was born
May 22, 1854. After receiving a liberal education he came to Ogdensburg in December,
1876, entered the establishment of H. F. Lawrence, and has remained connected with
this business ever since, although there have been several changes in partnership and is
now known as the Edgar A. Newell Co., in which Mr Robinson is a stockholder and
assistant manager. His ancestors were originally from Scotland, and settled in Clinton
county early in the seventeenth century. Mr. Robinson married in 1885, Catherine C.
Cooley, of Canandaigua, and they have one daughter. He is a member of Ogdensburg
Lodge No. 128, F. & A. M., Ogdensburg Chapter No. 63, R. A. M., Ogdensburg
Commandery No. 54, K. T., St. Lawrence Lodge of Perfection, Ogdensburg Chapter
Rose Croix H. R. D. M., Central City Consistory S. P. R. S. 32° and Media Temple A.
A. 0. N. M. S. Mr. Robinson through upright and honorable method gained the respect
of the entire community.
Robinson, John H., Madrid, was born in Huntingdon, Quebec, August 10, 1841.
The boyhood of our subject was spent in the town of his birth. He was educated in
the common schools and Huntingdon Academy. At seventeen years of age he entered
the store of William Hogie at Fort Covington, where he was employed as clerk for four
years and in the spring of 1862 he came to Madrid, where he was employed as a clerk
in the general'store of L. A & 0. C. Robinson. In the spring of 1863 he bought the
store and after conducting it one year alone was joined by 0. C. Robinson and the firm
of 0. C. & J. H. Robinson existed until April 1, 1876, when the former withdrew and
J. H. Robinson has since continued it alone. He now conducts a general store, carry-

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 117
ing a complete line of dry goods, carpets and house furnishisg goods. Mr. Robinson is
also a partner in the firm of Robinson & Hepburn, coal dealers, with yards at Madrid
station. He has always taken an active interest in politics and is a staunch Republican.
In 1874 he was elected supervisor, serving for seven consecutive terms, and declined a
renomination. As the chief officer of his town Mr. Robinson won distinction as a good
manager and served with satisfaction to his constituents and honor and credit to him
self. He was a candidate for county clerk in 1879, and went into the Republican
county convention with thirty-five delegates, but was defeated by a combination of the
opposing candidates. Not satisfied with the result of the Republican Assembly Con
vention of 1882 he entered the field as an independent Republican candidate for the
assembly, receiving 1,490 votes as against 2,286 cast for the regular Republican nominee.
He has served as delegate to numerous district and county conventions, but has now
retired from active political work. Mr. Robinson married in 1871, Laura, daughter
of Robert Pierce, of Potsdam, and they have one daughter, Mary J. Robinson, a student
of Keble School, Syracuse.
Robinson, Oliver C, Madrid, the subject of our sketch, was a native of the county,
born in Massena, July 24, 1831. He was next to the youngest of a family of eight
children, and was only eight years of age when his father died. He was given a good
common school education and at sixteen years of age began teaching in the schools of
Madrid and Stockholm. This work he followed for two years. At eighteen years
of age he went with a drover to Boston, where for years he was employed by a
milk dealer and at the expiration of this time he bought a milk route, which he
conducted very successfully and profitably for four years. In 1855 he sold the busi
ness and removed to Madrid, where he bought a partnership in the store of his
brother, the firm name being H. T. and 0. C. Robinson, which did a general mercantile
business for about four years, and then was joined by another brother, L. A. Robinson.
They were six years together and April 1, 1864, the firm became O. C. & J. H.
Robinson, and existed as such for twelve years. April 1, 1876, they dissolved and Mr.
Robinson moved to the store on the west side of Main street, taking as a partner A. W.
Abernethy, O. C. Robinson & Co. conducted a general store and were dealers in all
kinds of farm produce as well as live stock. March 1, 1890, he retired from the mer
cantile business and March 26, of the same year he was appointed postmaster of
Madrid, a position he held till his death, October 20, 1892. Mr. Robinson was a staunch
Republican. He was for thirty-seven years a Mason, first with Madrid Lodge and after
their demise with Canton Lodge. He was a liberal supporter of the Universalist
church of Madrid. He married September 14, 1856, Adeline Viles, of Lexington,
Mass., who still survives him. They have had three children, all living : Lucius A.,
Frederick W., and Edith F., wife of F. J. Merriman. F. W. Robinson has always
made his home in this town. He was educated in Madrid Union Free School, and has
always been engaged in the mercantile business with his father and speculating in
cattle and produce. After his father's death he was appointed postmaster at Mad-
drid, a position he still holds. He is a Republican.
Robinson, R. T., Ogdensburg, was born in West Chazy, December 1, 1845. After
leaving school he served an apprenticeship with his father in the harness and tannery

118 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
business, and after its completion followed photography for five years. He then came
to Ogdensburg and entered the employ of H. F. Lawrence as traveling salesman, and
has continued with this establishment through its various changes for the past seventeen
years. He is now vice-president of the concern, which has finally merged into the
Edgar A. Newell Company. Mr. Robinson married May 21, 1866, Roxana Watson,
and they have a son and a daughter. Mr. Robinson is a member of Ogdensburg Lodge
No. 128, Ogdensburg Chapter No. 63, Ogdensburg Commandery No. 54, St. Lawrence
Lodge of Perfection of Canton, Ogdensburg Chapter Princes of Jerusalem, Ogdensburg
Chapter Rose Croix, Central City Consistory of Syracuse 32°, Media Temple Mystic
Shrine of Watertown, etc. His son, Martin L., who is in the employ of the Edgar A.
Newell Company, is a member of Ogdensburg Lodge No. 128, Ogdensburg Chapter No.
63, and Ogdensburg Commandery No. 54.
Robinson, C. M., Ogdensburg, was born in West Chazy, September 7, 1856. He re
ceived his education in the common schools and entered the employ of H. F. Lawrence
of Ogdensburg in 1877, with which house he has since been identified through its (lif
erent changes into its present corporation as the Edgar A. Newell Company. Mr. Rob
inson has traveled for the concern during the past two years. He has been twice mar
ried, first to Lizzie H. Briggs, and some time after her decease to Katherine T. Utton,
by whom he has had two children : James M. (deceased), and Grace C. Mr. Robinson
is a member of Ogdensburg Lodge No. 128, F. & A. M. ; Ogdensburg Chapter No. . 63,
R. A. M., Ogdensburg Commandery No. 54, K. T.; St Lawrence Lodge of Perfection,
Canton, N. Y.; Ogdensburg Council of Princes of Jerusalem and Chapter of Rose Croix ;
Central City Consistory, A. A. S. R., of Syracuse ; Media Temple, Mystic Shrine, Wa
tertown ; Maple City Chapter, 0. E. S., of Ogdensburg. He is also a member of Elijah
White Lodge No. 590, I. 0. 0. F.
Russell, Edwin F., Stockholm, was born in Stockholm Depot, November 19, 1857, a
son of Henry E. Russell a native of Vermont, who was born March 24, 1819. He mar
ried in Franklin county, Elizabeth Howard of Vermont, born July 18, 1820. Mr. Russell
and wife had two sons and three daughters. In 1853 Mr. Russell came to Stockholm
and engaged as a trackman, assisting in laying the connecting rail on the Ogdensburg
and Lake Champlain road, and was on the first train from Malone to Ogdensburg. Mr.
Russell afterwards became track foreman and held that position for twenty-five years,
until his death. He was a Republican, and a member of Brasher Falls Lodge No. 541,
F. & A. M. He died October 16, 1881, and his wife resides in Winthrop. Edwin F.
Russell was educated in the schools of Stockholm. He worked on the railroad with his
father when a young man, and has followed railroading in the west, doing office work
the most of the time. Mr. Russell afterwards engaged in milling and after three years
engaged as clerk in Minneapolis ; also as traveling salesman. He returned to Stock
holm and engaged as clerk for his brother, George H. Russell, about eight years. In
February, 1892, Mr. Russell resigned his position as clerk, and in March of the same
year engaged in general merchandise business in Winthrop, and has since been very
successful. Mr. Russell is a Republican, and a member of Brasher Falls Lodge No.
541, F. & A. M. He married, April 18, 1891, Effie A. Douglass, a native of Chateau-

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 119
gay, and a daughter of William A. Douglass, one of the most prominent men of
that place.
Rice, Harvey, Stockholm, was born June 13, 1843, in Stockholm, on the farm he
now owns. His father, Cornelius, was a son of Daniel Rice, who was a native of
Essex county. The family is of Scotch origin, three brothers emigrating from Scot
land to America in an early day. Daniel was a farmer and blacksmith, and settled
on the farm in Stockholm now owned by subject. His wife was Phcebe Barrett,
by whom he had six sons and two daughters. His death occurred at Cape Vin
cent, Jefferson county. Cornelius Rice was born in Essex, Lewis county, in 1798,
and he, like his father, was a farmer and blacksmith. Mr. Rice was twice married,
first to Chuly Cook, by whom he had four sons and four daughters, and second to
Addie Locke, a native of Lawrence, by whom he had two sons and one daughter.
He was a member of Brasher Lodge, F. & A. M. He died February 25, 1888. Harvey
Rice was educated in the common schools. He is a general farmer and dairyman, keep
ing about fourteen cows. He is a Republican, and a member of I. 0. 0. F. No. 620 of
Winthrop and P. of I. of Winthrop. He married in Stockholm, Angeline Parks, a na
tive of Stockholm, born November 3, 1842. She is a daughter of Aaron, born Septem
ber 26, 1817, and Abigail (Lyon) Parks, born January 21, 1816, natives of Vermont.
Mr. Parks and family came to Stockholm, where his wife died August 6, 1863, and he
went to Iowa, where his death occurred May 10, 1866. Mr. Rice and wife have three
children: J. L., Freddie R. and Nina B. The family attend and support the Congre
gational church of Winthrop.
Rodee, John Victor, Norwood, was born in Plattsburg, N. Y., June 29, 1859, a son
of Henry, a native of Clinton county, born in Peru, September 25, 1829. He learned
the miller's trade when a young man, and conducted mills in Canton, Morley and
Plattsburg. He is now conducting a mill in Ogdensburg. The mother of our subject,
Elvira McArthur, was a native of Vergennes. John V. was the second child, the other
being a sister, Jennie M. The subject was seven years old when his parents moved to
Ogdensburg. He was educated in Ogdensburg High School, and on leaving school his
first position was as a bookkeeper with his uncle, Hiram Rodee, at his mill in Norwood,
where he was employed until September, 1880, when he became proprietor of the mill
and storehouse. In 1886 Mr. Rodee retired from the mill and started a feed store on
Mechanic street, Norwood. In 1889 he bought the old storehouse on the north side of
the railroad, which he improved by the building of additions, and has since used it as a
market for the sale of flour, feed, coal and wood, groceries and provisions, employing
three clerks, with two delivery carts, and does a business of $40,000 a year. Mr. Rodee
is a member of Norwood Lodge, I. 0. O. F. He married in 1884, Lillie M. Inman of
Norwood, and they have one child, Ruth Inman Rodee, in her sixth year.
Richards, George Washington, Potsdam, was born in Georgia, Vt, April 28, 1836.
The father of our subject, William, was a native of Scotland, who came to this country
when a young man and settled in the State of Vermont, conducting a woolen mill at
Georgia, a business he always followed until his death in 1873. The maiden name of
the mother of our subject was Stafford, and she was a widow when she married

120 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Mr. Richards. They had ten children, six of whom are still living. George W. was
the third son. He was only ten years old when his parents moved into this county.
They first settled at Brasher Falls, where George was reared and educated in the com
mon schools. At seventeen years of age he went to Potsdam, engaging in the general
store of W. A. Sanford, with whom he remained two years. In 1855 he established
a store in Brasher Falls, which he conducted until 1858, and for four years was out of
business. In 1862 he went to Ogdensburg, where he acted as agent for I. W. Skinner
& Co. of Brasher until 1867. In 1868 he formed a partnership with W. A. Sanford in
the mercantile business at Potsdam, which lasted until 1873. That year he came to
Norwood and was employed in Loveless, Cool & Co.'s lumber office one year. In 1875
he bought a half interest in the store of G. W. Adams & Co., and after the death of
Mr. Adams in 1882, assumed the sole proprietorship and has since conducted the busi
ness. Mr. Richards handles hardware exclusively and carries a complete line of shelf
and heavy hardware, iron and steel, paints, oils, etc. He has been trustee and presi
dent of the village a number of years, is a director of the State Bank of Norwood, and
president of the Norwood Savings, Loan and Building Association. He is a member
of the Congregational church, and also of the Masonic fraternity. He married in 1868,
Amaretta Estelle Freeman of Ogdensburg, and they had three childien, two now liv
ing: George Carl, of the railroad office of Norwood; and Blanche C, who lives at
home. Mrs. Richards died April 20, 1885.
Ralph, L. D., Ogdensburg, was born in Whitestown, Oneida county, March 18, 1833,
and was of Welsh extraction. His great-grandfather, Captain Ralph, followed the sea
for many years. Mr. Ralph's family removed to Canton, St. Lawrence county, during
his infancy, there he received a commom school education and in 1851 came to Og
densburg, and entered the establishment of W. H. Young & Co., with whom he
remained nine years, then for nine years he was with Skinner in his mercantile estab-
ment In 1869 he established himself in the clothing and gent's furnishing business
here, in which he has since that period been very successful. Mr. Ralph married in 1856,
Catherine O'Connor, and they have five children : George B., Mrs. Thomas Ouellette,
Mrs. John J. Austin, Mrs. John T. Sadler, and Miss Lucy Ralph. Mr. Ralph has served
as member of the Ogdensburg Common Council for seven years, for two of which he
was mayor pro tem. In 1883 he was defeated by W. J. Averill for the mayoralty by
thirty-six votes.
Richards, Alfred, Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, May 18, 1854. He re
ceived his education here and at the age of eighteen began learning the ship carpenter's
trade. This trade he has since worked at, gradually accumulating property and
building pleasure boats for himself, until now he owns one of the best equipped
boat livery establishments in this city. He married in 1884, Miss Amelia St. Ger
main, and they have four children. Alfred Richards is a good workman, and is
much liked by all with whom he has business relations.
Reuter, J. E., Ogdensburg, was born in Germany in 1824. He came to this country
first in 1847, and after a residence of two years here, returned to the old country. In
1875 he settled permanently in Ogdensburg and entered into the wholesale and retail

PERSONAL SKETCHES 121
liquor business, handling also a large line of cigars, which business he has since success
fully conducted. Mr. Reuter married in 1850 in Germany, and has three children. He
has visited Germany a number of times since his residence in Ogdensburg, and has a
large circle of friends in both that country and his adopted home.
Riggs, Ashley S., Stockholm, was born in Stockholm, March 8, 1831, a son of Aaron,
son of John G., who came to Stockholm in 1820 and settled near Buckton. He had
eight children. Aaron was born in Cornish, N. H., March 1, 1807 and came to Stock
holm two years after with his parents. His wife was Arvilla Schellenger, a native of
Tunbridge, Vt., born August 12, 1806, and they had eight children. Mr. Riggs was
a strong abolitionist He died December 6, 1881, and his wife July 15, of the same
year. Ashley Riggs was reared on a farm and has followed that occupation for
many years. He has also worked at saw milling and at the cooper's and carpen
ter's trades. He married in Stockholm, November 1, 1853, Isabel Bolton, a native of
England, born October 19, 1827, a daughter of James and Jane (Harrison) Bolton,
natives of England who came to this country and settled in Waddington in an early
day, and afterwards went to Stockholm where he died. Mr. and Mrs. Riggs have had
four children: Chauncy L., Jane E., Francis A._ (deceased), and one" who died in in
fancy. Mr. Riggs is a Republican and a member of the Wesleyan Methodist^church,
as is also his wife. He has been clerk of that church for some years, and is also secre
tary of the Union Cemetery Association. Hiram M. a brother of subject, served as
private in Co. D, 13th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Cavalry, and was taken prisoner while on picket
duty November 6, 1863, Mosby's guerrillas, taken to Richmond prison, where he died
February 13, 1864.
Rule, George, Waddington, was born in Scotland, October 21, 1825. His father,
John, a native of Hall Rule, Rulewater, Scotland, was there reared and educated. He
married Agnes, daughter of Mathew Stewart, who descended from the royal family of
Stewarts of Scotland. John Rule and wife had four sons and five daughters. In 1830
Mr. Rule came to Waddington and engaged in farming, which was his life occupation.
In early life Mr. Rule was a Democrat, but joined the Republican party after its organ
ization. He was assessor for a number of years. He and wife were members of the
Presbyterian church, and Mrs. Rule's father was an elder in the Presbyterian church
in Scotland. Mr. Rule died January 16, 1872, and his wife July 16, 1841. George
Rule was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of Waddington.
Farming has been his life occupation. In 1868 he purchased the farm he now owns of
112 acres, of John Brodie, his father-in-law. In 1852 Mr. Rule married Catherine,
daughter of John Brodie of Scotland, one of the earliest settlers of Waddington. Mr.
Rule and wife had three daughters : Agnes, widow of Silas Parlon, resides in Denver,
Col., at present is employed as a professional nurse. Her son, George has been reared
by the subject of sketch. Mary and Janette are at home, and the latter is engaged as
a teacher of vocal and instrumental music. Mr. Rule is a Republican and has never
missed an election since the organization of the party. He and family have always
been members of the Presbyterian church of Waddington.

122 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Rodger, Rutherford, Hammond, was born in Scotland, July 18, 1821, and came to
America in 1831. In 1853 he married Ellen Taylor, and they have five children: Amos,
John, David, Helen E. and Nancy. Mr. Rodger has been a most successful man and
has accumulated considerable wealth. He has always been active in public affairs. He
has been highway commissioner and excise commissioner, and trustee of the Presby
terian church many years.
Russell, George H., Stockholm, was born in Malone, Franklin county, September 19,
1854, a son of Henry E. Russell. At the age of eleven years he worked on a farm, and
at twelve years of age commenced working with his father on the railroad, remaining
with him for five years. He then engaged with E. S. Crapser as clerk at Stockholm,
and remained with him about five years, when he and a brother of Mr. Crapser ( C. A.
Crapser), bought out the stock of E. S. Crapser, and leased the store one year. The
firm was known as Crapser & Russell, and the next year they built a store, part of
which is now carried on by George H., and carried on a successful business for about
two years, when Mr. Russell sold his half interest. He then made a trip to Minneapo
lis, Minn., and spent nearly two years carrying on a commission business in meat, game,
fish, oysters, etc. After two years successful business he returned to Stockholm and
repurchased his half interest in the concern of Crapser & Russell, and continued about
four years, when Mr. Russell purchased Mr. Crapser's half interest and has since carried
on a very successful business. He carries an average stock of $20,000. The wife of
Mr. Russell is Emma L., sister of E. S. and C. A. Crapser, and they have four children :
Bernice H., Gladys E., Corrinne E. and Avis M. Mr. Russell is a Prohibitionist. He
is a member of the Good Templars of Winthrop Lodge No. 419, and he and wife and
Bernice H. are members of the First Congregational church of Stockholm.
Rodger, H. W., Hammond, one of the leading farmers of Hammond, was born in
this town, April 10, 1849. He is second son of Robert and Ann (Waddell) Rodger. He
has three brothers and two sisters: William R., a farmer of Chippewa Bay, St. Law
rence county ; James G., a clergyman of Ogdensburg ; David R., a physician of Wood
bury, Conn.; Elizabeth F., wife of David Moor of North Hammond ; and Agnes H.,
wife of A. H. Bickford of Ogdensburg. H. W. spent one year in Middletown College.
He is now a successful business man, carrying on large farming operations and dealing
extensively in hay. J. G., after graduating from Yale, studied theology one year in
Harvard, Cambridge, the second inLeipsic, Germany, and graduated from Union Sem
inary. D. R. is a graduate of Hamilton College and the College of Physicians and Sur
geons of New York city. The others had the advantage of a good academic education.
Robert Rodger (deceased October 20, 1892,) was the fifth of a family of eight boys and
four girls. He came to America with his parents from St. Boswells, Scotland, in 1831,
when he was eighteen years of age. He and the rest of the family finally settled in
Hammond and Gouverneur. Ann Waddell Rodger was the tenth child of a family of
four sons and eight daughters, who came to America in 1821 from Jedborough, Scot
land, and settled in Waddington, St. Lawrence county. Mrs. Rodger was three years
of age when the family arrived, and is still living. Both the Rodger and Waddell
family trees are large. The branches of the fifth generation are beginning to appear

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 123
in various parts of St Lawrence county and in Illinois. In 1885 H. W. Rodger mar
ried Lottie Gregor. They have one daughter, Vera May. In 1885 J. G. married Mary
A. Waddell. They have three children : Sarah Churchill, Theodora Ann and Hewitt
Douglas. In 1886 D. R. married Clara May Aldrich. They have two boys : John Al
drich and Robert Wray. William R. married Margaret Rodger in 1873.
Raymond, George B., Potsdam, was born in Potsdam, October 23, 1824. His father,
Sewall Raymond, was born in Tyringham, Mass., August 30, 1786, and came to this
town April 5, 1805, when eighteen years of age, with his cousin Benjamin Raymond.
Sewall accepted the position of clerk in Benjamin Raymond's land office, and while in
his employ learned surveying. He made the original survey of the " Russell turnpike,"
and also the first " mile square " survey of the towns of Hammond and Louisville. As
surveyor he took an active part in laying out the village of Potsdam, and in the survey
of most of the main roads which to-day lead out to the surrounding towns. On the
completion of these roads, it was noticed by all that they centered as the spokes of a
wheel to the common hub — Potsdam, and many were the queries made of Benjamin
Raymond regarding this (to most people) peculiar system. His reply was that a half
a century hence, when a man '¦ faced his horse " on any of these roads, he was sure to
find Potsdam his objective point. Sewall was one of the first to see the advantage of
a corporation of the village, and was elected a member of the first board of trustees.
He was also a highway commissioner of the town. Early joining the Congregational
(now Presbyterian) church he was always an earnest worker in its interests, and was
trustee and clerk for many years. He conducted a general store at the corner of Mar
ket and Elm streets, erecting the first stone building of this town in 1822. The
residence on Elm street was built in 1814. Sewall married, July 1, 1814, Sally,
daughter of Judge Roswell Hopkins, of Hopkinton, a native of Amenia, N. Y., one of
the first settlers of Hopkinton, and they had seven children, only two of whom are
living: George B. and James Sewall Raymond, M. D., a druggist of Ogdensburg.
Sewall Raymond died July 30, 1866, his wife having died previously, on December 27,
1841. George B. was educated in the district schools and St. Lawrence Academy, and
after leaving the latter, he for a time was in business with his father, and later engaged
in the manufacture of gypsum (land plaster) in a mill located where the electric plant
now is. He continued in its manufacture until 1877, when he retired from active
business. For seven years he has been a member of the board of water commissioners.
He married, September 28, 1848, Harriet, daughter of Capt. John and Millie (Hubbard)
Goulding, natives of Holden, Mass., who came to Potsdam in 1819. Mr. and Mrs.
Raymond have had two children : Charles B., who died at seven years of age, in
1856, and William Sewall, who lives at home with his parents.
Rutherford, Robert, Madrid, was born on a farm in Waddington, January 27, 1836,
a son of John, a native of Scotland, born in Roxburyshire in September, 1797. The
boyhood of the latter was spent in his native land with the flocks as a shepherd. In
1818 he came to this country, and for two years after landing was employed on the
canal at Fort Edward, and during the winter seasons chopped timber and cleared the
land, which they afterwards made their farms. John Rutherford took up a tract of

124 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
land in the town of Waddington, to which he added until he became owner of about
200 acres. He was among the first members of the Scotch Presbyterian church, and
the whole of his life one of its most liberal supporters. He married soon after settling
in this country, Mary Elliot, also a native of Scotland, and they were the parents of
seven children: Jane E. Sutherford, of Waddington ; John, of the old homestead;
Walter, of Waddington ; Nancy Walker, of Canton ; Janette Elliot, of Waddington ;
Robert, and one who died in infancy. John Rutherford died May 30, 1893, and his
wife in 1843. The early life of our subject was spent in the town of Waddington. He
was educated at the old St. Lawrence Academy at Potsdam, and taught school for six
winters, working in summer on his father's farm. After his marriage he rented a farm
for years,'and in 1869 bought 144 acres of William Vietch in Madrid, where he has
since made his home. The beautiful residence and good buildings were erected by
him. He has also cleared eighteen acres on the farm which he conducts as a dairy,
with thirty-five head of full blood Jersey cattle. Mr. Rutherford has never taken an
active interest in politics. He has been a member of the Scotch Presbyterian church
for twenty-five years. He married, March 12, 1867, Christianna, daughter of Thomas
Rutherford, a brother of our subject's father.
Rutherford, W. L., Waddington, was born in Waddington April 6, 1828. His father
was Thomas Rutherford, born in Roxburyshire, Scotland, May 12, 1794. He studied
for the Presbyterian ministry, but abandoned his profession after coming to the United
States. In 1818 Thomas Rutherford, his brother John, a cousin, Thomas Fife, and
Adam Oliver came to Washington county and finally to Madrid, now Waddington, and
purchased farms adjoining in the then wilderness. Later his father, John Rutherford,
with his oldest son, William, came, as did two brothers-in-law of Thomas Rutherford,
and all settled on adjoining farms. The grandfather of W. L. Rutherford lived with his
daughter, Janet, in the same house with his son, William. Thomas Rutherford married
in Washington county, Jane, daughter of John Fenton of that county, a native of Scot
land, and they had four sons and four daughters, five of whom are now living: James
died in California, and Janet in Waddington, both unmarried. Agnes, wife of Walter
Rutherford died in Waddington. Capt. John T. is a resident of Canton, N. Y. W. L.,
the subject of this sketch, George F., and Jane, wife of James S. Fife, live in Wadding
ton. Christiana, wife of Robert Rutherford, lives in Madrid. They are all well-to-do
farmers. By occupation Thomas Rutherford was a farmer, but from 1841 to 1856 he
was a general merchant in Waddington. After retiiing from business he spent a few
years on his farm and then resided with his daughter, Mrs. Walter Rutherford, till his
death, which occurred in October, 1878. In early life he was a Whig, afterwards a
Republican. He was an assessor for a number of years. He was an elder and- active
member of the Presbyterian church. He and his brother John assisted in organizing
the Scotch Presbyterian church, which to-day is one of the strong churches of St. Law
rence county. W. L. Rutherford was reared on a farm. He clerked for his father,
succeeding him in business in 1856. This he carried on successfully till 1869, since
which time he and his brother-in-law, Walter Rutherford, have been engaged in breed
ing Jersey cattle and Shropshire sheep. They were the pioneer breeders of Northern
New York and have one of the finest herds in the country, and also the finest flock of

PERSONAL SKETCHES'. 125
Shropshire sheep. Mr. Rutherford's farm of eighty acres, inside the corporation of
Waddington, is capable of maintaining thirty-five head of cattle and as many sheep.
In politics Mr. Rutherford is a Republican. He is a member of the Presbyterian church
in which he has been a Sabbath school teacher for forty years. He is a member of the
State Agricultural Society and has lectured on the subject of breeding and management
of cattle at the Farmers' Institute and before the State Dairyman's Association, of which
he is a member, and was president of the St. Lawrence County Dairymen's Associa
tion, which he assisted in organizing. He has always been actively interested in
the temperance cause, and is a member of various organizations for the promotion of
temperance. Mr. Rutherford married in Waddington, October 14, 1850, Miss Ellen
Pratt, daughter of Amasa Pratt, mentioned elsewhere in this work.
Rutherford, Jerome, Waddington, born in Waddington, April 28, 1836, is a son of
George Rutherford. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools.
Early in life he engaged in farming. By industry our subject is to-day classed among
the leading farmers of his town, and at present owns 207 acres of land and keeps a
dairy of twenty-two cows. October 26, 1864, Mr. Rutherford married Margaret G.
McRostie, who is one of the most industrious women of the town. She was born in
Waddington, October 26, 1842, and is a daughter of Daniel McRostie, who was born at
Perth, Scotland, August 18, 1814. When four years of age he came to Waddington
with his parents, James and Margaret McRostie. Here his parents lived and died.
Daniel was reared and educated in Waddington and married Jennett Henry, who was
born in Scotland, November 23, 1823, and came to Waddington with her parents when
seven years of age. Mr. McRostie and wife had one daughter, the wife of our subject.
He died April 20, 1842, and Mrs. McRostie married Lemuel B. Randall, born December
6, 1813, and they had ten children. Jerome Rutherford and wife have had five children:
Effie A,, who died December 18, 1871; Jennie I., Daniel H., Lucius F. and Clarence R.
In politics Mr. Rutherford is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Pres
byterian church of Waddington.
Rutherford, William Madrid, was born on the old homestead farm, December 29, 1836,
the third son of William and Violet (Amos) Rutherford. His early life was spent on
the homestead farm. He was educated in the common schools and lived with his pa
rents until he was twenty-seven years of age. He then married and moved on a farm
his father had purchased in Madrid, consisting of 145 acres. In 1871 he sold this farm
and bought the Captain Clark farm of 120 acres, where he has since made his home,
conducting this as a dairy farm with twenty-eight head of cattle, twelve sheep and four
horses. He married, April 12, 1865, Sabrina Bennett, daughter of Thomas and Sabrina
(Baxter) Bennett, and they have five children : Violet, a student from Potsdam State
Normal School, now a teacher in the Institute, North Dakota; Jennie S., who lives at
home ; William Wallace, who assists his father on the farm ; Anna May and Thomas
Leslie. Rutherford, Nelson, Waddington, was born in Waddington, June 6, 1827. Hisfather,
George, was born in Scotland, December 30, 1798, and was two years of age when he
came to Waddington with his parents, George and Isabella Rutherford, who were among

126 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
the first settlers of the town. They settled on the farm now owned by the family of
William Rutherford, and here spent the remainder of their days. Their son, George,
was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of Waddington. He married
Margaret Finley, who came from Scotland with her parents to Canada, where her father
soon died. George Rutherford and wife had seven sons and two daughters. He was
an extensive land owner, having 500 acres in Louisville and Waddington. He was a
Whig in early life and afterwards a Republican. He died June 10, 1872, and his wife,
November 19, 1869, aged sixty-five years. Nelson Rutherford married Agnes Fisher
of Madrid, by whom he had the following children : Frederick F., born April 18, 1857,
a farmer of Waddington, who married Sarepta Brown, by whom he has one daughter
and one son; Lewis F., born March 10, 1860, a farmer of Waddington, who married
Charlotte Young; George, born February 19, 1866, and Alexander, born September 7,
1869, who live at home. Mr. Rutherford is one of the wealthy farmers of the town,
and has 360 acres of land and keeps a dairy of thirty-five cows, one of the largest in
town. He has always been a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Scotch
Presbyterian church.
Rutherford, Thomas F., Madrid, was born in Waddington, May 16, 1857. His
father, George F., was born in the same town October 10, 1829. He was a son of
Thomas Rutherford, second son of John Rutherford. Thomas Rutherford was born
in Scotland in 1793, and came to Waddington in 1819. He had resided a short
time in Washington county, N. Y., where he married Jane Fenton also a native of
Scotland, by whom he had four sons and four daughters. George F. Rutherford was
reared on the farm he now owns and was educated in the common schools. Farm
ing has always been his occupation. He has added 170 acres to his father's farm
of 189 acres, and he and his son, Adam E. now own 359 acres. Mr. Rutherford has
been twice married, first Christy, daughter of Adam Elliott, of Waddington, by whom
he had five sons : Thomas F., Adam E., Maurice E., J. William, and one deceased. He
is a Prohibitionist and he and family are members of the Scotch Presbyterian church.
Mrs. Rutherford died in 1872, and Mr. Rutherford married Jane, daughter of David
Porteous, of Waddington. Thomas F. Rutherford was reared on a farm and educated
in the Union Free Schools of Madrid. In connection with farming he followed teach
ing for several years. In 1882 he built a butter factory near his father's farm, and has
since carried on a very successful business, making an average of 55,000 pounds yearly.
Mr. Rutherford married, December 2, 1885, Minnie H., daughter of John M. Ruther
ford, of Waddington. Mr. Rutherford and wife have had three children : G. Stanley,
Stella C, and Lloyd M. Mr. Rutherford is a Republican in politics. He and his
wife are memhers of the Scotch Presbyterian church.
Ellsworth, E. S., Pierrepont, was born in Macomb, this county, a son of Lucian, a
native of Essex county, Vt, born in 1805 who came to Morristown and thence to
Macomb, and in 1852 to Pierrepont He died in Wisconsin in 1878. His wife was
Charlotte Tyler, of Morristown, by whom he had five sons and seven daughters. She
died in 1891. Mr. E. S. Ellsworth was educated in the common schools, and for some
time followed brick-making, but is now a farmer, owning 247 acres, and keeping about

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 127
twenty cows and forty sheep. December 18, 1855, he married Louisa Severance, a
native of Pierrepont, and a daughter of Zacheus and Bernice (Bradway) Severance,
natives of Vermont, who settled early in this town. They had eleven children. Mr.
Severance died in 1874 and his wife in 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth have had eight
children: George W., Charles H., Herbert E. (deceased), Clara A., Lucia, Lucy and
Lucian (deceased) were triplets, Lucian E. Mr. Ellsworth is a Republican and has
always taken an active interest in politics. He and family attend the M. E. church
of Beech Plains. Edmund and Edwin, brothers of our subject, were in the 16th N.
Y. Inf., under General Curtis, and were killed at Gaines' Mill, while acting as color
bearers. Mrs. E. S. Ellsworth had five brothers in the war; two were killed.
Rutherford, John, Waddington, son of John, and grandson of John Rutherford,
was born on the farm, his father settled in Waddington, June 1, 1828. He was
reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of Waddington. Farming
has been his life occupation and at present he is one of the leading farmers of Wad
dington, having 200 acres of land in that town and sixty acres in Potsdam. His
principal business is dairying, and he keeps twenty-two cows. He also follows general
farming. He has always been an ardent Republican, but has never aspired to public
office. He is a member of the Scotch Presbyterian church. His sister Jane, who is at
present his housekeeper, is also a member of that church. He has always been inter
ested in temperance, and is a member of the White Ribbon Society of Waddington.
Rutherford, Walter, Waddington, was born in Waddington, May 5, 1830. His father.
John Rutherford, was a son of John and Nancy Z. Rutherford, who were among the
early settlers of Waddington. They had a family of four sons and two daughters. Mrs.
Rutherford died soon after coming from Scotland and Mr. Rutherford died about 1845.
John Rutherford was born in Scotland, September 1, 1797, and came to Waddington in
1819. He married May Elliott, by whom he had three sons and two daughters, all
now living. Mr. Rutherford and wife were among the first members of the Scotch
Presbyterian church. He died May 29, 1893, and his wife July 16, 1843. Walter
Rutherford was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools and Potsdam
Academy. He taught school for a number of years and clerked in the store for one
year. His principal occupation is farming. He owns 119 acres and with his brother-in-
law and is engaged in breeding Jersey cattle and Shropshire sheep. He married in 1859,
Agnes, daughter of ThomasRutherford, and they have had two daughters, Jane and
Edith. Mr. Rutherford is a Republican, and a member of the Scotch Presbyterian
church, and has been an elder for over twenty years. Mrs. Rutherford died June 29,
1893. Rutherford, John W., Madrid, was born in Roxburyshire, Scotland,. February 21, 1820,
and was only five years of age when his parents came to this county. William, his
father, located in what is now the town of Waddington. He was a son of John, who
came to this town and owned at the time a farm of fifty acres. William bought sixty
acres adjoining, and they conducted this together, and at the death of John at eighty-
five years of age, he became the owner of the whole farm, and here he reared a family
of ten children and spent the balance of his days. He died February 28, 1873, aged 89

128 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
years. The mother of our subject, Christie Forsythe, was also of Scotch origin. She
died September 13, 1881, aged eighty-five years. Five of the family of William Ruth
erford are still living, of whom John W. is the oldest. His early life was spent on
the old homestead in Waddington, and being the oldest son he began early in the
field. At twenty-five years of age he started out for himself by the purchase of 130
acres in Madrid, buying part of the Ogden tract where he has ever since made his
home. Mr. Rutherford has by hard work and perseverance increased the size of the
farm, until now it contains about 200 acres, and has made many valuable improve
ments to the property. In 1892 he bought back the old homestead in Wadding-
son, where his daughter now lives. He was first a Whig and became a Republican
on the formation of that party, and has always taken an active interest in his party's
welfare. Mr. Rutherford married in 1844 Jannet Brodie, also a native of Scotland, at
that time of Waddington, and they had six children : William, John, Charles, Thomas,
Katie and James. Four survive. Mrs. Rutherford died in 1857 and he married, sec
ond, in 1858. Janet Cranston, a native of Potsdam, and they have five children : Mrs.
William Rutherford of Madrid ; Mrs. Fred Beasaw of Waddington ; Janie Rutherford ;
Cranston and Christie, who live at home. Mrs. Rutherford died in 1878.
Rutherford, Richard M., Waddington, was born in Waddington, March 24, 1827, a
son of John Rutherford second, who was a native of England (Northumberland), born
in 1786, and came to Waddington in 1818, settling the farm now owned by the subject.
Here he lived and died. His wife was Dorothy, daughter of William Millburn, of
Northumberland, England, who came to Waddington in 1818, where he died. Mr.
Rutherford and wife had eleven children, three of whom are now living: Rich
ard M., John M., and Betsey, wife of Thomas Marshall of Waddington. Mr.
Rutherford died January 29, 1863, and his wife in 1884, at the age of ninety-two.
Richard M. was reared on the farm he now owns and educated in the common schools
of Waddington. He engaged in farming, and has always followed that occupation.
He now owns 230 acres in Waddington. He is a Republican, and was assessor for
three years. He attends and supports the Scotch Prerbyterian church. John M., only
brother of our subject now living, was born in Waddington, August 31, 1824. He was
reared and educated in his native town. He married Isabelle Hobkirk, a native of
Jedborough, Scotland, born November 29, 1827, and a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth
(Furgeson) Hobkirk who in 1830 came to this country and settled on a farm, and here
lived and died. They had ten children, of whom seven are now living. Mr. Ruther
ford and wife have had eight children, of whom five are living: Emma E., Margaret J.,
Mary, William K, and Edward. Mr. Rutherford owns a farm of 120 acres of land and
his principal business is dairying. He is a Repulican in politics, and he and family are
members of the Scotch Presbyterian church.
Rutherford, Major John T., Canton, was born in Madrid (now Waddington), August
23, 1823, attended the St. Lawrence Academy two years, and graduated at the Ogdens
burg Academy. He read law and was admitted to the bar in 1854 at the Supreme
court. He contracted for and built the St. Lawrence County University at Canton
In April, 1861, he entered the service as a private in the 9th N. Y. Cavalry, and after

PERSONAL SKETCHES. . 129
one year as private and sergeant he was promoted to second lieutenant, February 22,
1862, for gallantry at Bull Run. For brave conduct at the battle of Berryville, Va., he
was promoted first lieutenant. He received a captain's commission June 1, 1864, and
at the close of the war he received his brevet as major. He then resumed the practice of
law until September 29, 1866, when he was appointed collector of customs at the port of
Waddington. He held the office of postmaster at Madrid four years, and was also
supervisor of the town of Waddington. October 14, 1850, he married Belinda Eveline
Castleman, and their children are: Winfield Scott, Clarendon, Martin C, Eugene F.,W.
H. S., and James De Forest, who died May 19, 1870. W. H. S. died May 11, 1887. He
graduated at the St. Lawrence University, and read law with the late Judge Sawyer.
Major Rutherford carries the marks of seven bullet and sabre wounds received in the
army, and has a medal of honor voted to him by Congress for gallant and meritorious
conduct in actions at Yellow Tavern and Hanover Town, Va., May 11-27, 1864. He
has also a medal presented to the veterans of the New York troops who participated
in the battle of Gettysburg in 1863, presented to him in 1893 ; also a badge presented
to him by the New York State Monument Association. He has a regimental badge
presented by the regimental organization at the reunion of the 9th N. Y. Cavalry at the
national encampment, G. A. R., at Washington, D. C, September 20, 1892; also a
badge of Co. B, 9th N. Y. Regiment.
Rutherford, Deacon Thomas, Potsdam, was born in Northumberland, England, near
the Scottish line, May 18, 1821, and was only eleven years' old when his parents emi
grated to this country. James, his father, bought a farm of 110 acres in Potsdam, now
owned by a brother of our subject, Adam. The mother of our subject, Elizabeth Hind-
marsh, was also a native of England. They had nine children, seven of whom are liv
ing : Margaret, wife of Robert Thomson of Louisville, St. Lawrence county ; John,
a farmer on the homestead ; James, a farmer of Potsdam ; Walter, a farmer of
Madrid; Andrew, a farmer of Madrid; Adam of the old homestead, and Thomas.
James, the father of our subject, died July 23, 1867, aged eighty years, and his wife
died November 21, 1885, aged ninety years. James Rutherford was one of the
members of the Presbyterian church of Madrid. He was a Republican in politics.
Our subject lived on the homestead until twenty-two years of age. He was edu
cated in the public schools and took up farming. In 1844 he bought a farm of
sixty- eight acres in Potsdam. He has increased the acreage of this place to 350
acres. Mr. Rutherford is a staunch Republican. He has always taken an active in
terest in church work, and for thirty years has been an elder of the Presbyterian
church of Potsdam. He married in 1849, Jane, daughter of John and Isabella
(Murdy) Oliver of Potsdam, and they have had seven children. Three died in
infancy, the others are: Isabella J., who lives at home; James, who died June 11,
1877, at twenty- one years of age ; John Oliver conducts the farm of our subject ;
and Elizabeth, who also lives at home. Mr3. Rutherford died August 17, 1878, aged
fifty-nine years, dying as she had lived, a true Christian woman. John O. Ruther
ford was married in January, 1885, to Etta Brosius, and they have four children,
three boys and one girl.
1

130 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Rutherford, J. II., Gouverneur, was born in Gouverneur, July 9, 1837, and has lived
here all his life. He first began mercantile business in 1868, in the firm of Howard &
Rutherford. After two years the firm changed to Sinson & Rutherford, and four years
later to Wood & Rutherford. Since 1882 Mr. Rutherford has conducted the business
alone. In 1889 he married Miss M. R. Brodie. His father was James Rutherford, a
native of Scotland, who came to America in 1832.
Rose, Parker W., Parishville, was born in Stockholm, March 29, 1812. His father
was Daniel P., a native of Coventry, Conn., born in 1785. He went to Vermont at the
age of nine years, and was reared by his sister. In 1808 he.married Hannah Webster,
a native of Newbury, N. H., born in 1782, and they had five children. In 1809 they
came to Stockholm and settled on a farm, and seven years later they removed to Ver
mont, where they lived two years. In 1819 they came to Parishville and took up the
farm now owned by our subject. Daniel P. died in 1858 and his wife in 1874. Parker
W. Rose was educated in the common schools and began teaching at seventeen years
of age, which in connection with farming, he followed several years. He has followed
farming chiefly for many years, and for twenty years manufactured starch on his farm.
For the last eighteen years Mr. Rose has lived in the village, retired. He owns 175
acres of land, the old homestead, and other real estate. He has been three times mar
ried, first to Cynthia Putnam, a native of Hopkinton, born February 4, 1814. She died
February 20, 1852, and he married, second, Julina Beecher, a native of Essex county,
born May 12, 1827. She died August 25, 1877, and he married, April 16, 1878, Cyn
thia A. Mitchell, a native of Hopkinton, born September 26, 1837, a daughter of Jacob
L. and Betsey (Hobart) Mitchell. They were natives of Lyme, N. H., and came to
Hopkinton in 1835, and finally to Parishville, where they died, Mr. Mitchell, October 2,
1886, and his wife, November 24, 1889. Mr. Rose was a Democrat in early life, and
was member of assembly in 1852-53. He joined the Republican party on its organi
zation, and for the past three years has been a Prohibitionist. He was again member
of assembly in 1872-73. He was supervisor of Parishville eight years and served as
assessor. He has been prominent in the Baptist church for sixty-seven years, and was
superintendent of the Sunday school fifty-two years.
Shiell, George, Hammond, was born in Hammond, March 24, 1834, and has been a
farmer all his life. July 5, 1861, he married Leticia Anderson, and they have three
daughters : Mrs. R. R. Nilson, Mrs. N. S. Cuthbert and Mrs. D. L. More. Mrs. Shieil
died November 5, 1887. Robert, the father of our subject, married Agnes Ormiston of
Hammond. Robert was a Scotchman and came to this country in 1818, being one of
the early settlers in this part. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade.
Stoutenger, Joseph, Ogdensburg. was born in Madison county, April 27, 1840. He
has been identified with different business operations in this State for the past thirty
years, and in April 1892 purchased the interests of Mrs. Loucks in the steam laundry
of Ogdensburg, which Mr. Stoutenger has since most successfully conducted, giving
employment to about fifteen hands. His work reaches many miles in different direc
tions and in all towns of importance within a radius of seventy- five miles he has
established agencies. Mr, Stoutenger married Catherine Wells in November, 1865,

PERSONAL'.SKETCHES. 131
and they have two children. Mr. Stoutenger is also at present financially interested in
other commerial enterprises in this city.
Stockwin, C. H., Ogdensburg, was born in England, October 13, 1842, and came to
this country in April, 1862. Prior to this he had learned the silversmith's trade and
worked at it for a short time. He was only nineteen years of age when landing in
America and immediately hired out to a blacksmith in Niles, Ohio. He remained with
him but two months, as just at this period the war broke out and Mr. Stockwin was
among the first to go to the front. He served one year in the 105th Ohio Regiment
and on account of physical disability received his discharge at Murfresboro, Tennessee.
Returning home he recuperated and re-enlisted in the 5th New Hampshire Vols., in
which regiment he served two years and participated in all the battles, from the
battle of the Wilderness until the close of the war, coming out with the commission of
second lieutenant. His regiment was in the 1st Brigade, 1st Division of the 2d Army
Corps. After the close of the war Mr. Stockwin was returning to Niles via Ogdens
burg. Upon arriving here he was much pleased with this city, where he decided to settle.
In 1865 he married Louisa Munro who died in 1868, leaving two children, both of
whom are living. Sometime afterwards he married Fidelia Munro, a sister of his first
wife, and they have three children. Mr. Stockwin has held the position of superinten
dent of S. G. Pope's business in Ogdensburg for the past seven years. He is a
prominent member of the G. A. R., a Knight of Templar.
The Seely family, Ogdensburg, dates back to early in the sixteenth century in this
country, at which period Robert Seely was one of a party of about 900, who in 1630
with Gov. John Winthrop, came over from England and established the corporation of
the " Governor and company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England." Robert
Seely, whose family in England were very influential, was appointed by the crown
surveyor to Governor Winthrop, and in this capacity surveyed and laid out the old city
of Watertown, and afterwards the city of New Haven, Conn. For these and other
valuable services of like nature he was rewarded by the English crown with the grant
of a very large tract of land upon part of which the city of Stamford, Conn., was after
wards laid out and founded, becoming the ancestral home of the family, members of
which are still in possession of the old homestead. Over five generations are buried in
the old Stamford cemetery connected with the ancient Episcopal church of St. Johns,
of which they were founders and prominent churchmen. The town records from their
first inception, contain numerous mentions of the financial and other transactions of the
family. About the middle of the seventeenth century a branch of the family moved to
Stockbridge, Mass., and a descendant, Steven Bishop Seely, born, there in 1766, about
twenty -three years later left home and settled in the northern part of New York State
at Waddington, St. Lawrence county, where he married Eveline Redington, sister of
the Hon. George Redington. His son, Joab Seely, moved to Ogdensburg in 1820, where
the family have since continuously resided. John F. Seely, eldest son of Joab Seely,
by his energy and sterling honesty, successfully organized and built up the large
jewelry house now conducted under the firm name of Seely & Son, and which for
fifty years has been one of the interesting sights of the city. For the past twenty years
his eldest son, John A. Seely, has managed and conducted the business of this house.

132 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
In 1890 he organized and incorporated the J. A. Seely Manufacturing Co., becoming
its president and manager. Through his fertility of mind and inventive genius, the
product o£ this factory sprang at once into favor and is now being shipped to all parts
of this country and Canada. John A. Seely married in 1890, Lizzie, daughter of Rich
ard B. Chapman, for fifty years a banker in Ogdensburg. John F. Seely has one other
son, Hermon B. Seely, a prominent architect of Chicago, and one daughter, Mrs. Sears
H. Grant, of Boston, Mass,
Stone, B. R., Gouverneur, was born in Fowler, December 15, 1855, and his first busi
ness was in mercantile lines in Hermon and Potsdam. Six years ago he began rail
roading, and was recently agent at De Kalb. In April, 1893, he was promoted to the
position of agent at Gouverneur. In 1876 he married Estelle M. Hamlin, and they
have one son, Frank Wesley Stone, now thirteen years of age. Mr. Stone's father was
Israel Stone, and his mother, Eunice (Ames) Stone.
The Hillview Farm, Potsdam, George W. Sisson, jr., proprietor. Mr. Sisson's first
purchase was made in 1886, fifty acres known as the original John Chandler farm. He
has added to this from time to time until now the acreage is 170, the grbwing capacity
of which has been largely increased by raising large quantities of corn and the use of
the silo. Upon this farm there are now kept sixty head of registered Jerseys of purest
blood and individual excellence, which under the name of "The Sisson Herd," have
acquired a wide reputation in this and other States. Careful milk and butter records
are kept of individual cows and also of the entire herd, which show an average yield
per cow of nearly 400 pounds of butter per year — more than double the average of
cows in New York State. The dairy is equipped with separators and churns, operated
by steam, for the manufacture of fine Jersey butter. George W. Sisson, jr., third son of
George W., was born September 12, 1862, educated in Potsdam Normal School, gradu
ated in 1881, taught school two years and then took up agriculture. He married in
1887, Mary Howes of Gouverneur, and they have had three children : Emma Howes,
Marion Grace and George.
Seaver, Robert R., Stockholm, was born in Crown Point, August 5, 1825. His father
was Robert R., son of Parley and Polly (Cram) Seaver, and was born in Stoddard, N.
H., October 9, 1802. He came with his parents to Essex county, and in 1831 they
came to Stockholm. The death of Parley Seaver occurred in 1842. Robert R. married
in Essex county, Maria Chellis, a native of Vermont, born in 1800. She was a daugh
ter of John Chellis, an early settler of Essex county, who was in the war of 1812. He
died in Stockholm, aged 104 years. Robert R. Seaver and wife had eleven children, of
whom five sons and three daughters survive. Mr. Seaver died in 1876 and his wife in
1882, the latter at the age of eighty-two years. Our subject was reared on a farm and
educated in the common schools, coming to Stockholm when five years of age. He has
always been a farmer, owns 122 acres of land and keeps twelve cows. For several
years he has made a specialty of breeding Hambletonian horses. In 1849 Mr. Seaver
married Candice Kingsbury, by whom he has six children : Samantha M., married A.
C. Munson of Stockholm, and has one child, Jessie D.; Emily S., married L. S. New
ton, and they have three sons, Rolla, Herbert and Raymond R.; Ada, wife of L. D.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 133
Hohner of Stockholm, has two children, Ira and Oscar R.; Chaylon T., married in
Michigan and has one child, Reabelle ; he is now in Alaska ; Lyndon R., married Lillian
Dutton, by whom he has two children, Mildred L. and Herold I.; he is a member of
I. O. 0. F., Winthrop Lodge No. 620.; Elma, wife of Eddie Gaddis of Gouverneur, and
they have three children, Raymond, Ruth and Fred. In early life Mr. Seaver was a
Whig, but later became a Republican. He has always declined public office. He is a
member of P. of I. Eureka Lodge No. 162, and P. of H. Winthrop Lodge No. 538.
Sweet, George Hazelton, Potsdam, son of Beriah, was born in Nicholville, November
17, 1837. The mother of our subject was Hannah T. Stevens, and he is descended on
both sides from Vermont people. His early life was spent in Nicholville. He
spent 1857-58 at Franklin Academy at Malone, preparing for college. He entered
Middlebury College, Vermont, and spent four years, graduating with the degree of
A. B., June 1862. Three years later he was granted the degree of A. M. On leav
ing school Mr. Sweet came to Potsdam. He taught Latin and Greek in the St.
Lawrence Academy part of the time, and read law in the office of Dart & Tappan.
He spent one year at Albany Law School, graduating in 1865, but did not follow
the profession. In 1866 he became principal of the St. Lawrence Academy, which
position he held until it was supplanted by the State Normal School. He was then
employed as vice-principal and teacher of Latin and Greek, and remained in the Normal
in that position until the fall of 1872. He then bought a half interest in the Courier
and Freeman, acting as editor of that journal until 1880. He had been admitted to the
bar upon his graduation from the Albany Law School in 1865. In 1881 he was the
private secretary of Gen. E. A. Merritt, while he was collector of the port of New
York. Mr. Sweet married, August 30, 1870. Sarah J., daughter of H. B. Gilbert of
East Troy, Wisconsin, Mrs. Sweet at that time being a teacher in the State Normal
School. They have one son, George Gilbert, a student in the Normal School.
Senter, Alpheus A., Potsdam, was born in Potsdam, December 28, 1851, a son of
Orlando P., also a native of the county, who has always made his home on a farm in
Potsdam. He has three children : Orrin J., a farmer ; Mrs. A. G. Hoard of Canton ;
and Alpheus A. The latter was educated in the old academy and Potsdam Normal
School, and after leaving school he engaged as clerk in the general store of Seely &
Brown in Potsdam, where he remained until October 20, 1876. Then he engaged in
the grocery business in partnership with A. G. Hoard, who was a member of the firm
but a year, when Mr. Senter formed a partnership with S. A. Felton, conducting the
business until 1882. In 1883 he engaged in the millinery business, and from 1884 to
1887 he was interested in both stores, and now does a general dry goods and millinery
business. Mr. Senter is past master of Racquette River Lodge, F. & A. M., and a thir
ty-second degree member of the fraternity. He married September 5, 1877, Louise S.
Henry of Fort Covington, who died October 14, 1891.
Stone, Nathan L., Potsdam, was born in Louisville, St. Lawrence county, March 28,
1836. The grandfather, Nathan, was a colonel in the war of 1812. He had five children
of whom Israel G., father of Nathan L., was the youngest son. He was born in Louis
ville in March, 1807, and married Amanda Miller, a native of the same town. The boy-

134 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
hood of Nathan L. was spent in Louisville. When seventeen he entered the old St.
Lawrence Academy, where he finished his education. He taught for two years and in
1860 went to Ogdensburg to learn the photographer's profession. He was a partner of
James McDow one year. In 1862 he went to New York where he studied with Abram
Bogardus. He had galleries at various times at Carthage, Antwerp and Canton and in
1870 located in Potsdam. In 1872 he opened the photograph establishment which has
developed into the extensive business of N. L. Stone & Son. Mr. Stone married in
1860, Betsey S. Clark of Madrid, and they have five so..s and three daughters. He was
chairman of the Republican county committee in the campaign of 1888. He is a mem
ber of the Methodist church and has held different offices. He is now district steward
and was elected a member of the General Conference in 1888. He is now president of
the St. Lawrence County Bible Society.
Shields, Isaiah (deceased), Potsdam, was born in Ireland, March 10, 1828, and came
to this country in 1854. He first settled on a farm in Fort Covington, Franklin county,
where he made his home for about three years and then sold and bought a farm in
Bombay. Mr. Shields sold his right in this farm after a year to his brother and moved
to Chateaugay, where he lived for nine years, and after spending one year on a farm in
Norwood bought 215 acres in Potsdam, where he erected a beautiful brick residence.
The farm is used for dairying, with thirty-seven head of cattle and eleven horses.
Mr. Shields was a Republican, and was for four years commissioner of highways.
He was a member of Potsdam Grange No. 39. Mr. Shields married in 1855,
Electa, daughter of John and Electa (Colson) Willis of Windsor, Vt, and have had
eight children : Sarah Augusta, wife of Frank Burnham, a farmer of Potsdam ;
Ella Jane, wife of Fred Roach a speculator of Canton ; Emma, wife of Edwin Mc
Donald, principal of Norwood Academy ; Estella, wife of George Lane, of Potsdam,
a farmer; Willis J., of the firm of Prosser & Shields, real estate, insurance and
loan brokers, of Pasadena, Cal. ; C. Wilbur, who assists on the homestead farm ;
and Jessie a student of Norwood Academy. The fourth daughter, Minnie L., died
January 2, 1882, aged seventeen years. Mr. Shields died March 31, 1893.
Sanford, Joseph H., Potsdam, was born at West Stockholm, St. Lawrence county,
May 2, 1831. The father of our subject, also Joseph H., was a native of New
Haven, Vt, where he was born in 1799. He was a young man of eighteen years
of age when he moved to this county and settled in West Stockholm, where he
was a land agent for Henry Pierrepont and was also engaged in mercantile busi-
iness. In politics he was a Loco Foco Democrat, and held the office of supervisor
of his town a number of years. He was a influential man in his town and an
honest, upright business man. He removed to Potsdam in 1842 and conducted a
general store here. He built the block now occupied by W. H. Walling, and was
interested in the woolen mill that burned in 1839, also one of the leading spirits
in the bringing of the Potsdam & Watertown railroad, of which at one time he
was treasurer. He was a strong member of the Masonic fraternity. He married
in 1825, Elmira, daughter of Joseph Goulding, of Potsdam, and they have seven
children, our subject the only one living. J. H. Sanford, sr., died in 1865. Our

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 135
subject was only eleven years of age when he came to this town, and he has ever
since lived here. He was educated in St. Lawrence Academy, and his first busi
ness venture was in the livery business, which he followed about five years and
then engaged in the dealing in live stock, which he has been interested in nearly
all his life. He now occupies the office of street commissioner of Potsdam village,
and is the superintendent of the Racquette Valley and St. Regis Valley Society
Fair. He married in 1854, Mary E., daughter of Aaron T. Hopkins, of Potsdam,
and of seven children, but four are living : George H., in mercantile business in
Portland, Oregon; Mary E., of Portland; Sarah E., and Charlotte A., who live at
home. Sargeant, Harvey Amos, Potsdam, was born on a farm in Potsdam, October 5, 1850,
son of Amos Sargeant, a native of Vermont, born in Mount Holiy, August 16, 1803,
and came to this country in 1824. He was located in Parishville two years, and was
in Canton about four years. In 1830 he bought a farm of fifty acres, where he lived
until he died, October 26, 1872. Mr. Sargeant was a member of the Methodist church
of Potsdam. He married in Canton in 1830, Margaret, daughter of Jacob Earl, of
Canada, and they had seven children, two of whom are living: Orpha, who lives in
Potsdam ; and Harvey Amos. Mrs. Sargeant died October 30, 1885, aged seventy-six
years. The whole life of our subject has been spent in this town. He was educated in
the common schools and the old St. Lawrence Academy, and assisted on the farm until
the death of his father. Amos Sargeant had increased the size of the farm to 150
acres, which our subject conducts as a dairy farm with twenty cows, the milk being
sent to the cheese factory. Mr. Sargeant is a member of the Masonic fraternity Rac
quette River Lodge No. 213, and has been a member thirteen years, also St. Lawrence
Chapter No. 24. He married January 28, 1880, Isabella, daughter of Simon Barkley,
of Winchester, Canada, and they have two children : Wilburn H., twelve years of age ;
and Wesley, now in his sixth year.
Sholette, Leo, Ogdensburg, was born in Canada, December 31, 1859. He came to
this city in 1882, clerked awhile in different business places until seven years ago, when
he started his present grocery business, in which he was very successful. He married
Minnie Doe, and has two children, a son and daughter. He is secretary and collector
of St. John the Baptist Society, and a member of the St. Mary's church.
Schrier, John, Ogdensburg, was born in Schenectady, February 8, 1824. He re
ceived his education in the schools there, and in April following his seventeenth year
accepted a position on the New York Central Railroad as fireman, which position he
held for two years. He then changed to the Philadelphia and Reading road as con
ductor of freight train, and also worked in the machine shops of this company. In
1850 (April 20), he received an offer and accepted the position of engineer with the
then new road called the Northern, now known as the O. & L. C. railroad.
He therefore was the first engineer to take a train over this road. He con
tinued in this position for seven years, after which he served as passenger conductor
for about thirteen years. He then received the appointment of division superin
tendent, which he held for six years and then left the employ of the 0. & L. C.

136 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
railroad, and accepted the position of station agent for the Black River Railroad here.
This office he most acceptably filled for seven years. Mr. Schrier then retired from
the railroad, and has since conducted a coal business in Ogdensburg. He married in
1850 Nancy C. Collamer, and they had two children, one of whom is living. Mr.
Schrier's father, Peter was a native of Holland, who came to this country when eight
years of age and settled near Albany where so many of the Mohawk Dutch settled
first, and where so many of the first families of this and adjoining counties date
their ancestry from. Mr. Schrier is an able, conscientious and stalwart gentleman
who has seen all sides and phases of life.
Smith, B. Howard, Gouverneur, was born in Orange county, Vt, June 17, 1800,
being the eldest man now living in Gouverneur. He learned the tanner's trade
when young, but subsequently engaged successfully in farming, and now has been
a farmer for nearly fifty years. In 1826 he married Caroline Jackson, who is
eighty-seven years of age. They have four sons : Avery J., William H., and
Harvey L. and Albert M. They have one grandson, Harvey Douglas Smith, a
student in Ithaca at Cornell University.
Shattuck, E. A., Parishville, was born in Castleton, Vt, April 10, 1830, a son of Loren
and Arrilla (Partridge) Shattuck, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of
Massachusetts. They reared three sons and three daughters. When a young man,
Loren came to Massachusetts with his parents, afterwards removing to Vermont, where
he died in 1857, and his wife February 17, 1889. E. A. Shattuck was reared on a farm
and had a common school education. In 1848 he went to Russell and engaged in farm
ing and also bought a sawmill. In 1869 he sold the sawmill and came to Parishville,
where he bought the St. Regis hotel, built by Mr. Parish. He was proprietor here for
four years, when the hotel was burned (1875). He then bought the Shattuck House, of
which he was proprietor many years, when he again nearly burned out in 1884, losing
considerable. Mr. Shattuck owns twenty- nine acres of land m Parishville and 115 in
Hopkinton. In 1857 he married Nancy M. Van Brocklin, a native of Johnstown, Ful
ton county, and they have one son, Loren J., who is a mechanic and lives in Parishville.
His wife is Melvina Dewey of Hopkinton, and they have two children : Carlos L. and
Anna S. Mr. Shattuck is a Republican in politics. The father of Mrs. E. A. Shattuck
was M. C. Van Brocklin, son of Gilbert, a native of New York, the family having orig
inally come from Holland. Mr. Van Brocklin was born in Denmark, N. Y., October
19, 1804, he married Ann Veeder, by whom he had three sons and four daughters. Mrs.
Van Brocklin passed to her heavenly rest December 19, 1890, and Mr. Van Brocklin
March 24, 1892, both at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Shattuck.
Seaman, R. L., Ogdensburg, was born in Heuvelton, December 4, 1838. His family
came originally from New England, and settled in Heuvelton early in the present cen
tury. R. L. Seaman received his education in the schools of that locality and the Wes
leyan Seminary at Gouverneur, and in 1852 entered the dry goods store of Bronner &
Kraft, with whom he remained about five years. He then was a valued assistant in
the establishment of the Franks for sixteen years, and in 1876 formed a co-partnership
with C. W. McClair, under the firm name of Seaman & McClair, dealers in dry and

PERSONAL SKETCHES 137
fancy goods. This firm continued until 1889, when it dissolved, each member inaugur
ating separate establishments in Ogdensburg, both of which have been very successful.
Mr. Seaman married in 1866, Harriet E., daughter of the late Alfred Hawley. Mr. Sea
man is identified with the Masonic fraternity, being past commander of Ogdensburg
Commandery No. 54, K T., and past master of Ogdensburg Lodge No. 128, F. and A.
M., and a member of Media Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is courteous and
genial and possesses a host of friends in this city. His business is an important factor
in the commercial life of the city and furnishes employment to a considerable number
of assistants.
Story, Harvey M., Potsdam, was born in the town of Fairfax, Franklin county, Vt,
June 20, 1831, a son of Asahel Story, a native of Vermont, who married Chloe Digin-
son, also a native of Vermont. They had ten children, of whom our subject was the
the youngest. He was educated in the common schools and Bakerfield Academy, Vt,
and after leaving school worked on a farm and taught for three years. In September,
1852, he came to Potsdam where he for four years was a clerk in a grocery store and
then went into the dry goods store of Theodore Clark & Son, which firm afterward be
came Clark & Forbes. He was with them only one year and then went into the
store of Charles Cox, becoming a partner with him in March, 1856. This partner
ship existed eight years. In 1866 he formed a partnership with E. D. Brooks in
the dry goods trade, which lasted three years, and then bought Mr. Brooks's inter
est and has since continued alone. Since 1874 he has occupied the present store.
Mr. Story carries a general line of dry goods, wall paper and sewing machines, em
ploying four clerks. He married in 1856, Maria, daughter of Samuel Sherman of
this town, and they have two children : Helen M., and Harvey M., jr., who is the
stock manager.
Scott, Robert, Lisbon Centre, was born in Quebec in 1829, and removed to Lisbon
when one year old. He received his education in the public schools, and early learned
the cooper's trade, at which, he worked for over twenty years, successfully conducting
a shop devoted to this branch of trade. He married in 1852, Margaret Gray, and they had
three children, only one now living. During the past fifteen years Mr. Scott has con
ducted a produce business at Lisbon Centre, buying farmer's produce for the jobbing
trade. He is a staunch Republican, has served as town clerk of Lisbon for twenty-five
years, has been notary public since the year 1869 to the present time, is a member of
the Presbyterian church, of which he has also been clerk for a number of years, and is
now president of the Lisbon branch of the Genesee Loan and Building Association. Mr.
Scott is a veteran hunter and sportsman with the gun and rod, and is a gentleman of
of stalwart frame, genial manners and excellent business abilities. He enjoys the con
fidence and esteem of the entire county.
Simonet, Eugene J., Spragueville, was born in Jefferson county, January 6, 1848, and
was a butter and cheese maker in his earlier days. He followed the latter occupation for
fourteen years, and founded a large butter and cheese business in Iowa. In 1886 he
went to Gouverneur and conducted a saloon for three years. For four years he has
been owner of the Simonet House at Spragueville, a first-class hostelry and summer re-

138 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
sort, finely equipped. He also carries on a livery. Mr. Simonet married Jennie, daugh
ter of Hugh Cameron. Mr. Simonet's father was a native of Paris and a noted man of
Jefferson county.
"Sudds, W. F., Gouverneur, was born in London, Eng., in 1843, and at the age of
seven years came to this country with his parents, who located on a farm near Gouver
neur. His fondness for music was evinced very early in life and at the age of fifteen
he was a self-instructed performer on the violin, guitar, flute, cornet and violoncello.
The purity of his musical taste was remarkable, as was also his insight into the princi
ples of harmony, and his deep interest in church music, although at that time possess
ing neither piano nor organ. A year or two later, through the kindness of a friend, he
was permitted to practice the piano and eagerly walked three miles after his day's
work on the farm, in order to avail himself of the privilege. His first regular piano
lessons were from a French professor in New Orleans, while a convalescent soldier in an
army hospital in 1864. In 1873 he was a pupil at the Boston Conservatory of Music,
studying the organ with Eugene Thayer, and the violin and composition under Julius
Eichburg, who gave him much encouragement and foresaw his future success. It was
not until six years ago that he fairly entered the field as a composer, since which time
his progress has been as rapid as it has been well merited, furnishing a practical refuta
tion to the fallacy that good music cannot become popular. He is not only a composer
but a music dealer and teacher, keeping a well-appointed music store with studio ad
joining, is organist of the First Baptist church of Gouverneur, and was, until recently,
in charge of the musical department of the Gouverneur Seminary. He still teaches,
but cannot accept all his applications owing to the growing demands from his publishers.
Mr. Sudds is located at Gouverneur." The above is taken from the Philadelphia Mu
sical Journal of 1881. Since that date his success has been marked ; his compositidns,
more and more eagerly sought for by American and foreign publishers, now include
works in nearly all fields of musical composition, viz. : piano solos, piano duets, piano
trios, violin and piano, 'cello and piano, and orchestra, a few songs, five or six volumes
of anthems well-known to nearly every church choir in the United States, instruction
books for piano, violin and organ. Mr. Sudds no longer desires to teach, but is still
prevailed upon to accept a few advanced pupils. Unlike the average prominent musi
cian, he is also a business man of conservative and reliable judgment.
Storie, T. D., Gouverneur, was born March 8, 1853, and is a carpenter by trade, and
has followed it for many years. He has been in the mercantile business several times, and
in the spring of 1893 he entered into partnership with J. II. Lalore in the grocery busi
ness in Gouverneur. In 1881 he married Ettie Fox, daughter of Daniel Fox, and they
had three children : Lilly, Herbert and Nina. Mr. Storie's father was James Storie and
his mother was Juliette (Smith) Storie. His father was Jason Smith, a pioneer of this
part. Shaw, William, Madrid, was born in Potsdam, February 27, 1854, and John Young
Shaw was born on the same farm, June 14, 1857. The father, William, was a native
of Scotland and came to this country about 1847, locating in the town of Potsdam.
He married in 1853 Elizabeth Young, widow of Thomas Oliver, and they had four chil-

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 139
dren, only two of whom survive : William and John. They have always been residents
of the town. In 1872 they bought the farm of 201 acres on the town line of Madrid,
where they have since conducted a dairy of twenty cows and other stock. In 1888
they added improvements to their residence and now they have one of the prettiest
homes in this end of the town. John Y., the younger brother, married in 1885, Delia,
daughter of Robert Murray of Potsdam, and they have three children : Truman Jay,
Lila and Robert Mason.
Sudds, H., Gouverneur, was born in England, March 25, 1839. His parents, William
and Susan (Adams) Sudds, came to this country with their family in 1850, locating at
Smith's Mills, where the son lived until 1859, when he went to Gouverneur as book
keeper for W E. Sterling, where he remained for two years. In 1860 the first banking
house was established here by Charles Anthony & Co., and in the spring of 1861 Mr.
Sudds became cashier of that institution, where he remained until 1871. He then went
to Ogdensburg and became a partner in a new banking house, where he remained until
1874, when he returned to Gouverneur to the Anthony & Co. bank, where he has since
remained as cashier. In 1879 the company went out of business and the concern was
incorporated into the Bank of Gouverneur, one of the prominent financial institutions
of this region. Mr. Sudds married, October 1, 1863, Louisa N., daughter of Abram and
Deborah (Griffin) Thompson of Gouverneur. Deborn Griffin was the daughter of Dr.
Wolcott Griffin, the first physician of Gouverneur.
Sprague, Daniel W., Gouverneur, was born in St. Lawrence county, June 27, 1830,
and learned the trade of shoemaking with his father, Seth Sprague. This he followed
for twelve years, then entered the mercantile business, and has conducted a general
store in Spragueville for twenty-five years. He has been postmaster four years and
assistant sixteen years. He married Sarah E. Penniman, and they have two sons:
Charles S. and Fred A. He has been a justice of the peace for the past twenty-four
years and is now serving a second four-year term.
St. Denny, Charles. Ogdensburg, was born in Malone, N. Y., February 7, 1861.
After leaving school he followed for four years the occupation of foreman on the
Central Vermont railroad, and April 19, 1892, he, in connection with his brother,
established a liquor business in Ogdensburg, of which Mr. St. Denny is now the
sole proprietor. He married in 1888, Emma Myers, and they have two children, a
son and a daughter,
Sauve, Emory, Ogdensburg, was born at Cato Landing, Canada, in 1836. His earlier
years were passed in Canada, and in 1862 he came to Ogdensburg, after which he
worked at different things until he accumulated some money, when he purchased prop
erty on Ford street, and later on more real estate on State street. On both he erected
excellent buildings, in one of which he conducts a saloon and billiard room. Mr. Sauve
married in 1858, Adaline Lacour, and they have three children. Mr. Sauve is one of
Ogdensburg's esteemed citizens of French origin, of which there is a large contingent
here, and enjoys the confidence of his fellow countrymen to a marked degree.
Smith, S. W., Ogdensburg, is a native of this country. He received his education in
the schools of Ogdensburg, and has been engaged in the wholesale and retail liquor bus-

140 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
iness on the west side for the past few years. He is a prominent Mason, and identified
in a marked degree with the commercial life of this city. He occupies his large stores
and furnishes employment to several assistants. Mr. Smith married in 1888, Julia
Leahy, and has two children. He is looked upon as among our most substantial citizens.
St. Germain, Louis, Ogdensburg, was born in Montreal in 1822. He has lived in
Ogdensburg for the past sixty years, and has followed the occupation of tinsmith. His
wife was Emma Gilbert, and they have had thirteen children. Mr. St. Germain was
for many years in the employ of Waters & Lawrence and E. B. Allen. He is a prom
inent member of St. John the Baptist Society, and is at present conducting a tobacco
and cigar establishment here.
Stevenson, M. L., Brier Hill, was born in Morristown, November 29, 1865, and fol
lowed farming until 1887 when he established in mercantile business at Brier Hill. He
conducts a general store and does a thriving business. He married Adelia Maxson in
1885. She is a daughter of Stephen Maxson of Hammond. Mr. Stevenson's father is
Aaron Stevenson, a native of Morristown.
Shepard, George W., Norfolk, was born in Norfolk on the farm he now owns, De
cember 15, 1833. His father, Chauncy L., was a son of Bohan Shepard, a native of
Vermont. The wife of Bohan Shepard was Charlotfe Stannard, by whom he had five
sons and four daughters. He and his wife, in 1828, came to Norfolk and spent the re
mainder of their days. Chauncy L. was born in Vermont, March 28, 1803, and there
reared and educated. In 1823 he came to Norfolk and settled on the farm now owned
by subject. In 1827 he married Rachael, daughter of Jonas Ball of Madrid, who died
in 1834. Mr. Shepard and wife had three daughters and one son. He was a carpenter
and stone mason and was at one time superintendent of the building of the wood work
for river and canal locks at Montreal and Beauharnois. He was also superintendent of
the grading and mason work on the Ogdensburg and Champlain railroad. In 1851 he
went to California and remained two years. With his own hands he took out a nugget
of gold worth $950. He returned in 1853 and engaged in farming and commenced
building, and had at his death one of the finest farms in Norfolk, containing 250 acres of
land. He was one of the first to start a stage line in this section, and drove the first
stage from Norfolk to St. Regis, and was one of the proprietors of the route. He
was a drover and drove cattle to Montreal and Quebec. He was highway commis
sioner fifteen years, and built two iron bridges over the Racquette river at Norfolk.
He died November 7, 1881. George W. Shepard, our subject, was reared on a farm
and educated in the common schools and Ogdensburg Academy. Farming has
always been his occupation and he owns at present 256 acres of land and keeps a
dairy of twenty-five cows. He breeds Ayrshire cattle and Berkshire swine. Mr.
Shepard has been twice married, first to Clara Yale in 1860. She was a daughter
of Lloyd Yale of Norfolk. Mr. Shepard and wife had two children: Chauncy L.,
and Laura L., deceased. Mrs. Shepard died July 22, 1866, and January 5, 1872, he
married Ellen T. Bartlett, a native of Norfolk, daughter of Lester Bartlett, who was
born in Vermont in 1816. He came to Bangor, Franklin county, when a young
man and in 1831 came to Norfolk, and here died in 1850. His wife was Theodosia

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 141
McDowell of Waddington, by whom he had two sons and three daughters. Mrs.
Bartlett married for her second husband, Joseph Bartlett, a brother of her first husband,
and they now reside in Norfolk. Mr. Shepard and wife have had six children : Leroy
B., William H., Clara T., Fannie M., George L., and Ellen E., deceased. In politics Mr.
Shepard is a Democrat. He is a member of What Cheer Lodge No; 689 of Norwood,
also of the Norfolk Grange No. 541.
Smith, Bela B., Madrid, was born in the town of De Peyster, St. Lawrence county,
February 23, 1835. His father was a native of Vermont, born in Pittsford, July 14,
1805, and came to St. Lawrence county when twenty-one years of age. He took up a
tract of land in De Peyster, where he reared a family of three children and spent nearly
the whole of his life. He died April 4, 1387, in the village of Heuvelton, to which he
and his wife retired in Sepember, 1881. The mother of our subject, Eliza Bell, was a
native of Canada, born in 1804, and she died March 28, 1888. John W. Smith, the
oldest son, is a resident of Heuvelton. The sister, Priscilla, married Charles P. Ander
son of Oswegatchie, and they are now residents of Heuvelton. The early life of our
subject was spent in De Peyster. He was educated in the common school and lived
on the old homestead farm until in 1886 he sold the farm and went to Heuvelton to
take care of his parents. In May, 1888, after their death, he came to Madrid, where he
bought a half interest in partnership with W. B. Maloney in the grist mill, and at
the expiration of three years he sold his interest to Mr. Maloney. After two years he,
in company with W. H. Hall of Madrid, bought back the mill, which they now con
duct. Mr. Smith was a Republican until 1885, when he believed it his duty to work
for temperance, and he has since been an avowed Prohibitionist. He and his family
are members of the Methodist church, and he is treasurer and trustee of the Madrid
church. He married, December 26, 1855, Elizabeth, daughter of William Anderson of
Oswegatchie, and they have one child, Cynthia S., married October 28, 1890, James R.
Fisher of Madrid, who forms part of the family of our subject, he being employed in
the mill.
Smith, James, Madrid, was born in County Manahan, Ireland, May 1, 1840, and was
only fourteen years of age when he took up his residence in this country, landing in
New York in July, 1854. In August of that year he came to Madrid, and began an
apprenticeship at shoemaking with Smith & McCall. He was with his cousin, Captain
Smith, until 1857, when he went to Potsdam and was employed with Clark, Walker &
Co., and afterward with Zenas Clark, and later with Theo. Clark and N. S. Elderkin.
In 1860 he returned to Madrid where he was employed by Henry McCall until 1868.
That year he established the manufacture of boots and shoes, and the same year put
in a stock of ready-made goods. During the years of Mr. Smith's venture for himself
he usually employed two or three men besides himself. He is now located on the west
side of Main street. His stock is composed of the finest as well as the most serviceable
of goods. Mr. Smith has always taken an active interest in politics and was a support
er of the Republican party until 1872, when he joined the liberal Democrats. In 1893
he was elected excise commissioner. He is a member of St. John the Baptist church,
of which he has at various times been a trustee. He married, May 13, 1875, Dora,
daughter of Ruther Hargrave of Waddington.

142 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Simmons, Philander, Potsdam, was born on a farm in Potsdam, November 24, 1832.
Stillman Simmons, the father of our subject, was a native of Vermont, born in Wood
stock, August 16, 1800. He was reared in his native State and learned the shoemaker's
trade. About 1825 he emigrated to St. Lawrence county, living one season at Morley.
He then came to Potsdam and located at Yaleville, where he followed his trade for a
few years, and then engaged in farming, which he followed a short time, when he re
sumed his trade. He died in July, 1877. He married in Vermont, Sophronia Walker,
a native of Bridgewater, Vt, and they had ten children, three now living: Mrs. Fidelia
Harris of Potsdam ; Volney, working in lumber mills at Antigo, Langlade county, Wis.;
and Philander. Mrs. Simmons is still living at ninety-two years of age. The whole
life of our subject has been spent in this town. He was educated in the common
schools and when of age he learned the shoemaker's trade. About thirty years ago
Mr. Simmons engaged in the mercantile business in West Potsdam, where he has ever
since conducted a store. Under Lincoln's administration Mr. Simmons was appointed
postmaster, and held the office of constable two years, also justice of the peace eight
years. He married in 1857, Margaret, daughter of William Benson, a native of Eng
land, whose daughter was born in Norfolk. Mr. Simmons has one son and a daughter:
Frank Leslie, a partner in the store ; and Clara L., wife of William Wilcox, a farmer
of Potsdam. His beautiful residence was erected by him in 1882, after the old home
stead was burned. Frank L. is a cheesemaker by trade, but is now in partnership with
his father. He is justice of the peace of West Potsdam.
Skinner, Rev. W. F., Gouverneur, was born in Kingsbridge, N. Y., April 13, 1856.
He received his college education at the State University of Iowa, and his theological
education at Princeton Seminary. He graduated from college in 1881, and was or
dained in 1887. In this year he came to Gouverneur as pastor of the First Presby
terian church, and since he took charge the congregation has built a magnificent church
on Main street of the village. Mr. Skinner's father, Cortland Skinner, was a farmer.
His mother was Rhoda (Sherman) Skinner.
Shaw, Eli M., Stockholm, was born in Williston, Vt, June 7, 1838, a son of Hon.
Daniel Shaw of that town, born in 1811. He was educated in the schools of Williston
and engaged as clerk at sixteen years of age. After four years he went to Enosburg
Centre, Vt, and engaged in the mercantile business four years. In 1846 he came to
Stockholm and engaged in farming for three years, and then acted as clerk for Curtis
Holmes at Stockholm Centre. After two years he came to Stockholm Depot, and had
charge of the Union store for two years, when he and J. W. Sterns bought out
the store and continued until 1865. They then sold to our subject and Frank Hulburd,
who, the next year, closed out the stock to H. M. Hubbard. In February, 1866 Daniel
Shaw, J. W. Sterns and E. M. Shaw formed the new company of Shaw, Sterns & Co.,
and were in business for three years when Mr. Sterns died and his wife took his place
until 1873. The stock was then sold to 0. P. and S. H. Sterns, and then Daniel and
and his two sons, Eli M. and John B. Shaw, engaged in business in the building
now occupied by E. M. Shaw. Daniel Shaw, the father, died in 1884 John B.
died in 1875, and E. M. Shaw has since carried on the business alone. Daniel Shaw

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 143
was twice married, first in 1836 to Sarah Murray of Williston, Vt, by whom he had
one son, our subject. Mrs. Shaw died in 1838, and he married, second, Eunice B. Bar-
num, a distant relative of P. T. Barnum, and they had one son and two daughters.
Mrs. Shaw died in 1888. Mr. Shaw was a Democrat in early life, but later was a
Republican. He was supervisor for a number of years, justice of the peace for
about twelve years and collector for one year. He represented St. Lawrence county
in the Assembly in 1866, served two years and was re-elected. He was a member
of the I. 0. 0. F. at Stockholm Depot. Eli M. was eight years old when he came
to Stockholm with his parents. He was educated in the common schools of the
town, and engaged in the mercantile business as mentioned above, having first served
as clerk. He is now the oldest merchant in Stockholm. Mr. Shaw has been twice
married, first to Abbie Eldridge, a native of Brasher, by whom he had one son,
John E. Mrs. Shaw died in April, 1884, and in 1885 he married Florence Wheeler
of Madrid. Mr. Shaw is a Republican, and was clerk in the postoffice during the
Buchanan administration. In 1866 he was appointed assistant postmaster under J.
W. Sterns, and held that position until the death of Mr. Sterns, when he became
postmaster until 1874, and then his father held the office until his death and our
subject was assistant Mr. Shaw was then appointed postmaster and held until
Cleveland's administration, when he again became assistant under H. H. Mullarney,
and at the close of his administration Mr. Shaw was appointed postmaster and has
since held that office.
Selleck, Truman M., Stockholm, was born in Parishville, June 18, 1836. He is a
son of Josiah Selleck, a native of Vermont, who came to Parishville when a young
man. He drove the stage route from Parishville to Ogdensburg and to Plattsburg,
for a Mr. Thompson for sixteen years. Mr. Selleck ma'ried Sophia Hogie, by
whom he had two sons and two daughters. He resided in Parishville, and then
went to Brandon, where he lived about twenty-three years, and then went to
Chateaugay, Franklin county, and there spent the remainder of his days. He was
killed by a horse in May, 1891, and his wife died September 3, 1877. Truman M.
Selleck was reared in Parishville and educated in the common schools. He married
Ellen Berdrow, December 11, 1861. She was a daughter of Francis Berdrow and
Adalaide Love of Canada. Mr. Selleck and wife have had eight children : Herbert
F. Fred L., Hattie E. (deceased), Lottie S., George J., Albert H., Warren W.. and
Emma E. Mr. Selleck has always followed farming, and except three years in
Franklin county, has always resided in St. Lawrence county. He purchased the
farm he now owns of 138 acres in 1888, and follows general farming and dairying.
He is a Republican and member of the G. A. R, No. 421, Capt Gibson Post, Bick
nellville ; also a member of P. of H. No. 638 of Winthrop. Mr. Selleck enlisted in
the 11th N. Y. Cavalry, Co. M, August 28, 1862, and was discharged June 12, 1865,
at Memphis, Tenn. Mrs. Selleck is a member of the First Congregational church at
Winthrop. Stephens, David, Ogdensburg, was born in Ontario, Canada, December 14, 1843. His
parents moved to St. Lawrence county when he was eleven years of age. They settled

144 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
at Black Lakeland engaged in farming. David when seventeen years of age began learn
ing the painting industry, and prior to becoming a member of the firm of Bowen &
Stephens, was in the employ of Mr. Bowen twenty-three years. David Stephens mar
ried in 1871, Emily Jane Collins of Black Lake, and they have a son and one daughter.
Mr. Stephens is a Knight Templar Mason, a deacon in the Congregational church, and
one of Ogdensburg's most highly regarded and substantial citizens. The firm of Bowen
& Stephens of which he is a member, is the leading one engaged in this branch of in
dustry in St. Lawrence county, and has executed most all of the fine work done in
Ogdensburg and vicinity. They furnish employment to a considerable force of work
men. Spencer, Capt. James M., Gouverneur, was born in Gouverneur, Jannary 23, 1845.
He studied with Dr. A. J. Wade and graduated D. D. S. in 1872 in the Philadelphia
Dental College. Captain Spencer is one of the best known veterans of the war in
St. Lawrence county, and has a record as one of the bravest. In 1861 he enlisted in
16th New York Infantry, and subsequently became captain of Co. H, 20th New York
Cavalry, which gained renown for its fighting qualities. Captain Spencer is a member
of the G. A. R., is a Mason of high degree, belonging to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and
Commandery, and is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters.
Smead, Oscar H., Madrid, was born in Lawrenceville, December 4, 1826. His father,
Walter, was a native of Vermont, born June 1, 1801, and came to this country when a
young man just after his marriage, and with a very small start. He brought all his
goods and his wife on a pair of bob-sleds from his native State, and took up a tract of
land in the town of Lawrence, becoming one of the prominent farmers of that town,
of which he was a great many years justice of the peace. He married in Vermont,
December 21, 1825, Mary M. Osgood, and they had four sons: Nelson of Washington ;
Darwin D. of Leeds, Dakota; David M., a carpenter of Madrid; and Oscar, the oldest
son and our subject. Walter Smead died December 22, 1874, and his wife October 31,
1872. The early life of Oscar was speit in the town of his birth. He was educated in
the common schools and remained on the old homestead farm until about thirty-two
years of age. In 1858 he, with his parents, moved into Potsdam, where they remained
but a year. In 1859 Mr. Smead bought a farm of 144 acres, where they spent the bal
ance of their days. Madrid Springs twenty years ago was very popular, but a lack of
development has weakened their use. In 1887 Mr. Smead bought the forty acre farm
on which the springs were located, and here he died January 20, 1892. Mr. Smead was
always interested in church work and was connected with the Baptist society. He mar
ried in 1885, Maggie, daughter of John White, a farmer of Lisbon, who still survives
him. Tracy, Family, Massena. Samuel Tracy was born January 30, 1789, in Windham,
Conn. He came to Oswego, N. Y, in 1815, and a year later to Massena, where he
bought seventy-three acres of land. He then returned to Connecticut and brought his
wife and three children, traveling with a span of horses and wagon, which latter was
said to be the only one in the town at the time. He was a successful farmer and to his
original purchase he added 300 acres. Mr. Tracy married Theda, daughter of Levi and

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 145
Lydia Snow of Becket, Mass. She was born December 3, 1788. Their children were :
Eunice O, Eliza, Sybel, Diah, Lydia L., Samuel, Kingsley, Daniel, Edward and Flavia
C. Daniel was born October 3, 1824, in Massena, was educated at Potsdam and
Ogdensburg, and taught school for several years. After this he removed to Boston
and entered the wholesale milk trade, remaining there about four years. From there
he went to Australia in search of a fortune in the gold fields of the country, remaining
eighteen years, and was successful in the mining business but lost the most of his money
in other business enterprises. He returned to his native town in 1870. He then en
gaged in farming on the old homestead, and remained there till his death, June 6, 1892.
He was supervisor of Massena in 1880-81, in politics was a Republican, and was deacon
of the Congregational church at the time of his death. He married Eleanor, daughter
of James and Mary (Doran) Carton of this town. Mrs. Tracy is still living on the old
homestead. Tracey, James D., Canton, was born in Cornwall, Ont, January 29, 1834, and came
to Potsdam at the age of sixteen, where he entered a printing office and completed his
apprenticeship, after which he went to Canton and for a brief period published the
St. Lawrence Democrat. He subsequently worked in various printing offices in New
York and other States, and was one time foreman of the Chisago Republican, now the
Chicago Inter- Ocean. In 1873 he established the Commercial Advertiser at Norwood,
and in 1877 removed the office to Canton, where he has since conducted it. Charles E.
Hall .was associated with him from 1873 to 1886. In 1871 Mr. Tracey married Lida
Conrad of Berlin, Pa. The father of James D. was James Tracey, also a native of
Canada, who married Catharine Smith of Cornwall, Ont, in 1830. Mr. Tracey is a
member of the Episcopal church, of which he is also vestryman, and is one of the man
agers of the St. Lawrence State Hospital located at Point Airy.
Tate, Thomas B., Ogdensburg, was born in England in 1814, and came to this coun
try when three years of age with his father, Robert Tate, C. E. Robert Tate purchased
a farm in Madrid, on which he lived some years, although he followed his profession.
He afterwards located permanently in Lisbon. Thomas B. received his education in
schools of Madrid and Ogdensburg High School, and studied civil engineering with his
father. When a young man he bought an interest in an iron mine in Hermon, which
he conducted eight years in company with others, manufacturing bar iron. He ran the
first line of railroad through Canada, called the St. Lawrence and Lake Huron railroad.
He also constructed the Brighton and Marman line in 1854, was chief engineer of the
railroad from Potsdam Junction to Potsdam, of the railroad from Tardins Junction to
Ogdensburg, and many others. In i834 he raised a uniformed company of light artil
lery, of which he was elected captain by the company and commissioned by Gov. W.
L. Marcy. He was major one year and two years lieutenant-colonel of the 153d N. Y.
Regiment, 49th Brigade, 29th Division, Infantry. He was president of the court-
martial of the 153d Regiment when only twenty-two years of age. His company was
first known as the Grass River Company and was organized May 22, 1834. His com
mission of lieutenant-colonel is signed by Gov. William H. Seward. Colonel Tate has
been twice married, and has two children by his first wife. He is a most profound civil

146 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
engineer, a brilliant mathematician, and a gentleman of unbounded energy and perse
verance, whose skill, ingenuity and thoroughness will long be remembered in this
vicinity, where he has so long lived, esteemed and respected by all.
Thompson, John S., Stockholm, was born in Pittstown, Rensselaer county, May 28,
1821. His father was Anthony Thompson, son of Samnel Thompson. The latter was
many years a resident of Dutchess county, but spent his last days in Rensselaer county.
His wife was Rebecca Thompson, by whom he had eight children. Anthony Thompson
was born in Dutchess county in 1792. He was thrice married, first to Miss Warren,
second to Sallie Lampson, born in 1800, died in 1833, by whom he had two children :
John S., and Esther, born in 1819. The third wife of Mr. Thompson was Mrs. Bicknell
of Stockholm. In 1821 Mr. Thompson came to Stockholm, and settled on a farm now
owned by Elisha Bradley. Here he lived eight years, and then took up the farm now
owned by subject, where he lived until his death in 1880. Mr. Thompson was early in
life a Whig, but afterwards a Republican. He held the office of justice of the peace
and assessor a number of years. Esther, daughter of Anthony Thompson, was twice
married, first to Philander Sarvin, by whom she had two children ; and second to A. H.
Andrews, by whom she has one son, Charles. John S. Thompson was reared on a farm,
and educated in the common schools and St. Lawrence Academy at Potsdam. He is a
general farmer and dairyman, owns 450 acres of land and keeps thirty-five cows. He
has been salesman for the Riverside butter factory since its organization. In 1851 Mr.
Thompson married Eliza M. Welch, a native of Rensselaer county, born in 1828. She
is a daughter of Daniel and Rebecca Welch, he of Vermont and she of Rensselaer
county. Mr. Welch died in Rensselaer county, and Mrs. Welch in Stockholm in 1876.
They had three children, of whom only Mrs. Thompson survives. The children of Mr.
and Mrs. Thompson are : Howard E., who married Gertrude, daughter of J. W. Culver
of Bicknellville, is practicing law at White Sulphur Springs, Montana, has one daugh
ter, Jeane. Florence E. married David McCharles and resides at Tustin City, Cal.
They have one son, Carl, and a daughter, Edith C, who married James McNaughton, a
journalist of Manistique, Mich., and has one son, John E. Mr. Thompson is a Republi
can, , and has been supervisor of the town two years and justice of the peace two terms.
He is a member of P. of H. Potsdam Lodge No. 39.
Tallman, William H., Canton, one of the trustees of the First Presbyterian church, was
born in Oswegatchie, a son of John E. Tallman, a native of Troy, who settled in
this county in 1820. William H. came to Canton in 1876, and settled on the farm
where he now lives. His great uncle was Major-General John E. Wool, who ranked
next to General Scott in the Rebellion. John E. Tallman married Elizabeth Rose-
"grant, a native of Herkimer. She was a niece of General Herkimer, also of General
Rosegrant. William H. Tallman married Margaret Doran, a native of this county
and daughter of Jacob I. Doran of Morristown. They have nine children : Charles
F. is a hardware man. He learned the trade with R. H. Sackrider of this place
then formed a partnership with Spohnenberg & Sterling of Watertown, also with
E. F. Tupper. He was for five years of the firm of Tallman & Howe of this place.
Jacob I. graduated at the St. Lawrence University and commenced teaching, read

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 147
law with Nelson Robinson, then with Beck & Botsford of Plattsburg. William J.
was educated a Canton Union School and Eastman's Business College of Pough
keepsie. Frederick T„ who was also educated at Canton Union School, is at home.
Harriet E. married Carlos Gulley of the firm of Conkey & Gulley. Hannah M.
married Merton H. Farmer of Canton. Fanny M. married Frank E. Everett of
Potsdam. Ida Elnora is at home. Katie May is attending the St Lawrence Uni
versity. Tait, G. P., Gouverneur, was born in Rossie, March 9, 1839, and has been in
the dry goods business since seventeen years of age. In 1858 he came to Gouverneur,
and now has one of the largest establishments of the place. In 1864 he married Lucre
tia Barnes, and they had three children : Mrs. J. 0. Sheldon of Gouverneur, Mildred
and E. D. Tait, who has been a partner with his father since 1890. His first wife died
in 1887, and in 1889 Mr. Tait married Helen Mosher. He is a member of the Presby
terian church, and one of the leading men of Gouverneur. He enlisted in July, 1862,
in Co. B, 142d Regiment, N. Y. Vol., was elected first lieutenant and served with the
company until he was taken with a severe attack of inflammatory rheumatism which
compelled him to resign his commission.
Taitt, James D., Gouverneur, was born in Rossie, August 5, 1848. His father, James
Taitt, was a farmer, and James D. worked on the farm until twenty-one years of age.
He was then for two years a colporteur for the Presbyterian Church, after which he
entered mercantile business in Stanley, and afterward at Spencer, Mass. He also
spent some years out west, being located in Cherokee county, la., where he was
quite active in politics. Two years ago he came to Gouverneur. In 1874 he married'
Mary E. Bryant, of Paxton, Mass. He is superintendent of the Presbyterian Sunday-
school, and an elder in the church. In 1819, John Tait the prqjenitor of this family,
came from Scotland, but the family date their lineage back to one Normand Tait, of
of the twelfth century.
Timerman, M. W., Hammond, was born in Orleans, Jefferson county, September
14, 1853, and has followed farming most of his life. In 1879 he married Lizzie W.
Cooper, of Theresa. Mr. Timerman has always taken ah active part in politics on the
Democratic side, and May 22, 1893, he was appointed deputy collector and inspector
of customs at Oak Point. He is a member of the Foresters and was past chief ranger
two years. His father was William H. Timerman, of Jefferson county. The family is
of Mohawk Dutch descent.
Thompson, Robert, Waddington, was born at Brockville, Canada, March 8, 1845.
His father, John Thompson, was born in Paisley, Scotland, of Irish parents. In 1833
he emigrated to Brockville, Canada, and in 1846 removed to Dundas county, where
he spent the remainder of his days. He was by occupation a farmer. He married in
Brockville in 1841, Mary Ross, of Highland Scotch parentage, and they had ten sons,
' nine of whom are now living : John, George, Edward, Sidney and James, farmers in
Dundas county, Canada; Hugh, who resides in Princeton, Cal., and David and William,
general merchants in Black River Falls, Wis. John Thompson, father of Robert, died
in 1881. Our subject was reared on a farm and received a common school education.

148 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Beginning at sixteen years of age as a clerk, he in early life gained a good knowledge
of his business. He was at one time clerk for Morris Rosendorff, also Lord & Taylor,
of New York. In 1869 he went to California, where he remained one year, afterward
coming to Waddington, where he engaged as salesman with the late Robert Dezell,
April 1, 1870, and after six months as salesman was admitted as a partner, the firm
name being Dezell & Thompson, and continued until the death of Robert Dezell in 1874.
At this time Mr. Thompson engaged in business by himself, his trade having grown
until he now occupies a two-story building eighty-six feet deep, carrying a stock of
about $20,000. In 1890 he became proprietor of the Clark House, and his reputation
for hotel keeping has grown rapidly. A Republican in politics, he has served as village
president three years and justice of the peace eleven years, being re-elected in 1893.
He has also been notary public for a number of years, and a warm friend of the soldiers,
assisting many of them in receiving pensions. Mr. Thompson married Charlotte J.
Parlow, daughter of James and Ann Parlow, of Waddington, in September, 1873, and
they have two sons, Raymond W., a graduate of Union Free School, of Waddington,
class of '93, and Ross H., both of whom assist their father in his business. Mrs. Thomp
son died October 18, 1881.
Tuck, Andrew, Lisbon, was born in Lisbon, November 9, 1833. He was educated at
the public schools, and has been engaged in farming all his life. In 1865 he married
Maria Lynch, and they have five children : Andrew E., Charles U, William F., John
B., and Mary Agnes, wife of Mr. Lucy, a lawyer, of Ogdensburg. Mr. Tuck is promi
nent in Lisbon in every way, was supervisor of the town for years and held a seat in
the Assembly in 1885 and '86, and was loan commissioner from 1882 to 1893. His
father was John Tuck, a native of Ireland, who came to America in 1832.
Taylor, P. R., Hammond, was born in Granville, Quebec, December 25, 1832. At
three weeks of age he came to Hammond. His father was John Taylor, and his
mother Helen (Smith) Taylor. July 8, 1858, he married Janet B., daughter of Andrew
Shiell, and they have five children: Helen Smith, Henry P., George R., Mary C, and
Lotta B. Mr. Taylor was a trustee of the Presbyterian church for twenty-six years.
Usher, Luke, Potsdam, was born in Herkimer county, April 22, 1830, a son of
Bloomfield Usher, a manufacturer of Herkimer. Luke was the youngest of nine chil
dren, and was educated at Little Falls Academy. His first position was as civil engineer
on the enlargement of the Erie canal. In 1851 he came to Potsdam where he became
the cashier of the old Frontier Bank and continued as such until in 1866, when that in
stitution was succeeded by the National Bank of Potsdam, and he became its cashier.
January, 1890, he was elected president by the board of directors, a position which he
now holds. During all this time he has been prominent in forming the policy of the
bank and in the general management of its business. He is a manufacturer as well as
a banker, being the head of the Potsdam Lumber Company, located at Hewittville, in
connection with which he owns large interests in the forest lands of the Adirondacks.
He married in 1856, Hannah E. Small of Little Falls, and they have three children:
Frank L., superintendent of the lumber company ; Mrs. N. R., wife of Lieut. N. R. Usher
of the U. S.'N. ; and Miss Susan S. Usher.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 149
Volans, Thomas, Ogdensburg, was born in May, 1828, in England. His parents came
to this country when he was a child four years old, and settled in Oswegatchie. Mr.
Volans owns a fine farm of 270 acres, with good buildings thereon. He has been twice
married, and had seven children, only two of whom are now living. Mr. Volans attends
regularly to all the duties of the farm and. all that demands his attention.
Valley, Mab, Potsdam, was born in Montreal, November 7, 1816. The early ances
try of the family were French. Mr. Valley was only a child when his father died and
his mother moved from Montreal to Ottawa, where the family lived until he was seven
teen years of age. In 1838 he came to New York State, locating for a short time in
Madrid, and then settled in Potsdam, where he was employed as a carpenter and
joiner. In 1853 he moved to Norwood, where he was employed by B. G. Baldwin on
the erection of the first hotel of this village. In 1860 he established a dry goods store,
which he conducted two years, when he sold his stock to the Ashley s and conducted a gen
eral grocery and provision store. In 1 880 the block where Mr. Ashley's store was located
was destroyed by fire and he immediately built a two-story brick block which is now leased
to other parties for stores and offices. In 1888 Mr. Valley, in partnership with Ira C.
Russell, bought the adjoining block, of which he became the sole owner in 1889. In
1888 he was employed to conduct the general store of the manufacturing company,
which store he bought in 1891 and conducted until 1893, when he transferred the store
to his son, Joseph A. Mr. Valley has been a member of the Masonic fraternity fifteen
years, is a member of the Episcopal church of Norwood, has been the treasurer since
its establishment, and was the leading one in its founding. Mr. Valley married in 1840,
Angeline Barnhardt of Potsdam. Two children are left of this union : Mrs. L. R. Ash
ley of Norwood and Joseph A. Valley, a merchant of Norwood. Mrs. Valley died in
1855 and he married second, Miss Lucetta Drake of Middlebury, Vt.
Vilas, Erastus, Ogdensburg, was born in Antwerp, Jefferson county, October 13, 1824.
His ancestors, originally from England, settled in this country early in the seventeenth
century. His father, Nathaniel Vilas, jr., was born in Alstead, N. H., June 19, 1795,
and died in Wisconsin, August 19, 1880. Erastus Vilas first married Emma Lake of
Sterling, Cayuga county, May 22, 1853, by whom he had two children : Calvin E. and
George B. His second wife is Sarah P. Ballard. Mr. Vilas has been for forty-three
years engaged in the tanning business, during forty of which he has conducted the
business either as owner or as manager. He has served as a member of the board of
education, as water commissioner, as superintendent of the yoor, and in various other
capacities, but of late years his business interests have required his entire attention.
He is a Republican in politics. His uncle, Erastus Vilas, built the tannery in 1828.
The eldest son, Calvin E., is in Seattle, general manager of the Washington National
Loan Association ; and George B. has been connected with the Northwestern Railway
Company for five years, being now agent at Kenosha, Wis.
Willis, Austin, Parishville, was born in Lyme, N. H., in 1808, and at the age of twelve
came with his parents to Parishville, where he married Emily Brown, daughter of
Varnum Brown of this town. Mr. and Mrs. Willis had seven children, three of whom
reached maturity. Mr. Willis was a farmer, and a Republican in politics, having been

150 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
supervisor, justice of the peace, etc. He was also captain of militia and deacon in the
church many years. Mrs. Willis died in April, 1849, and Mr. Willis married, second,
Mrs. Amarilla (Ford) Christy, whose first husband was Nathan Christy, who came
from Vermont to Parishville in 1825, and took up the farm now owned by Emma J.
Willis, where he died. He was a Republican and twice supervisor of his town. He
was born October I, 1797, and died February 29, 1852. His parents were Asa and
Sally Christy, early settlers of Vermont, where Mr. Christy died January 5, 1848, and
his wife July 17, 1850. Austin Willis died May 15, 1861, and his wife September 9,
1889. Wilson, Myron, Potsdam, was born on a farm in Potsdam, February 16, 1826.
Reuben, father of Myron was a native of Vermont, born in Colchester in May, 1786.
He served in the war of 1812, and was wounded at Lundy's Lane. At the close of the
war he came to St. Lawrence county and located. In 1835 he moved into the town of
Pierrepont, where he spent the balance of his days. He died June 8, 1842. The
mother of our subject, Roxanna Church, was also a native of Vermont, born in Dorset,
Februrary 22, 1790. She died January 4, 1874. Myron is the only one living of eight
children. He was educated in the common schools and lived on his parents' farm until
he reached his majority. He took up farming, the first farm was one of one hundred
acres in the town of Pierrepont, where he made his home until 1880, and that year
came to Potsdam. Retaining the one in Pierrepont he also bought one hundred and
nine acres on which he has erected a beautiful residence and conducts a dairy farm. .
Mr. Wilson is one of the representative farmers of this town and one of the early
settlers of the county. He is a staunch Democrat He married in 1852, Malvina D.,
daughter of Frederick R. and Betsey (Potter) Pierce, of Paris, Oneida county, and they
have two living children: Archie L., a graduate of Rochester Business University, now
conducting his father's farm. He married December 21, 1892, Edith M., daughter of
Norman L. Benson, of Potsdam ; and Reuben O, now employed as a book and time
keeper in mines in Colorado. He graduated at the Eastman Business College, Pough
keepsie, N. Y., in March, 1887.
Williams, Isaac B., Potsdam,, was born in Massena, April 19, 1849, a son of James, a
native of Canada. Isaac was the second son of seven children, and was only one year
old when his parents returned to Canada, where he was reared until he was thirteen,
when he went to the west, remaining two years, and after his return located in Pots
dam (in 1866.) His first occupation here was in Swan's" livery, where he spent about
eighteen years. In 1884, after the death of Mr. Swan, Mr. Williams bought part of
the stock and engaged in the business for himself, and has ever since conducted the
Albion House livery. He has twenty-seven horses and carriages, also hacks, sleighs
and everything needed in the conducting of a first-class livery. He is a Mason of both
Blue Lodge and Lodge of Perfection. Mr. Williams married in 1875, Nellie Halligan,
of Potsdam, and they have a beautiful residence on Main street.
Weed, William W., Potsdam, was born in the town of Leray, Jefferson county, June
21, 1824. His father, Seneca, was born in Saratoga county in 1797. He was quite a
politician, but never held other than town offices. He lived to be ninety-one years of

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 151
age, and died in Greenfield, Saratoga county. The mother of our subject, Catherine
Proctor Drake, was born in Saratoga county in 1794. Our subject was educated in
Glens Falls Academy, and when sixteen began teaching, spending four years at this.
He then went into a dry goods store where he sold goods. In 1864 he engaged in the
lumber business at Glens Falls. In 1886 he came to Potsdam, where he has ever since
been engaged in the lumber business, and in 1889 established the Racquette Valley
stock farm. He married in 1849, Anner D., daughter of Augustus Sherman, of Glens
Falls, and they have three sons and a daughter. Mrs. Weed died March 28, 1889.
Williams, William G., Potsdam, was born in Lancaster, Canada, December 5, 1850.
James, father of our subject, is a native of St. Lawrence county, having always fol
lowed farming, and is still living in Lancaster, now about seventy-six years of age.
Our subject was only about fifteen years of age when he came to Potsdam, and for six
years worked for George E. Swan, and was four years with W. W. Morgan, stock
dealer in Potsdam. He then went to Connecticut, following various employments.
until 1877, when he returned to Potsdam. In 1878 he established a livery business,
which he conducted six years. He was four years stock dealing, and in 1888 bought
the Empire Exchange Hotel in Colton, which he conducted three years, sold it, and
bought the Parrishville Hotel, which he owned but a year when he exchanged it for the
livery business he now conducts. His stable contains about eighteen horses and car
riages, hacks, hearse, sleighs, and all things that go to make a first-class livery stable.
He married in 1880, Charlotte Charters, of Potsdam, and they have two children, Mar
garet and Marion.
Westurn, Thomas, Stockholm, was born in Stockholm, on the farm he now owns,
March 10, 1839. His father, Freeman, was a son of James Westurn, the latter born in
Devonshire, England, March 30, 1760, and died January 25, 1834, aged seventy-four.
He served seven years in the wars in the old country, and seven in the Revolutionary
war. He was a weaver, and married Ann Hayford, a native of Pembroke, Mass., born
June 3, 1760, who died January 4, 1839, aged seventy-nine. They had four sons and
three daughters. Freeman Westurn was born in Orwell, Vt, November 25, 1795, and
came to Stockholm with his parents in 1824. His wife was Omira Rowley, born
January 6, 1829, and they had eight sons and three daughters, all born on the farm
now occupied by our subject. Five sons were in the late war, and two died in the
service. Mr. Westurn died March 29, 1874. Thomas Westurn was educated m the
common schools, and is a farmer. His wife holds the deed of their farm of two hun
dred and eighty acres of land, and they keep twenty-four cows, fourteen horses and
twelve sheep and a flock of one hundred fowls. January 9, 1862, he married Martha
M. Eastman, a native of Parishville, and a daughter of Samuel Eastman. The latter
was born November 6, 1796, a son of Samuel Eastman. Samuel, jr., married Phoebe
Orvis, born October 21, 1801, and they had five sons and six daughters. Mr. Eastman
died July 22, 1869, and his wife September 24, 1868. Mr. Westurn and wife have had
three children: Henry E.. aged twenty-two; Mary E., who died July 25, 1876, and M.
Alice, aged fourteen. He is a Republican, and a member of Amber Lodge, No. 395,
F. & A. M.. and P. of H., Depot Lodge, No. 538, of Stockholm. His wife and son are

152 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
also members of the latter. Mrs. Westurn is a member of the Baptist church at Parish
ville, and with Henry and Alice is also a member of P. of I. Henry Westurn is a
member of I. 0. 0. F., Winthrop Lodge.
Whitney, D. J., Gouverneur, one of five children of Nathan E. and Esther (Stephen
son) Whitney, was born in the town of Canton, February 15, 1848. In 1859 the family
moved to Ogdensburg and he was educated in the Ogdensburg Academy. In October,
1863, he enlisted in the 24th N. Y. Cavalry, serving until the close of the war. He
was in the engagements of Tolopotomy and Bethesda Church, was wounded at Cold
Harbor, was at Poplar Springs Church, where he was wounded and lay three months in
the hospital, was at the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, assault on Petersburg
and was taken prisoner at Five Forks, March 31, 1865, by General Lee's army. The
regiment lost 672 men in eleven months, 117 of whom were killed in action. After the
close of the war he went into business with his father, in marble cutting, etc., until the
death of his father in 1868. In 1871 he was engaged as foreman of stone cutters on
the Capitol at Albany. In the spring of 1876 Mr. Whitney, his brother, T. J., and Mr.
Honeycomb, operated a quarry in Gouverneur, he continuing in that business to the
present time in the town, with the exception of one and one-half years spent in devel
oping quarries in Canada. In 1889 he took the management of the Gouverneur quarry,
which position he now occupies. This company produces monumental stock principally
and is the leading producer of the section in that direction. Mr. Whitney married
December 2, 1866, Augusta D. Ayres, daughter of Ebenezer and Laura (Smith) Ayres,
early settlers of Gonverneur. They have four children : De Witt C, Bertha A., Everett
A. and Mildred E. Mr. Whitney is a Knight Templar and a thirty-second degree
Mason. Wilson, Loren U, Canton, sheriff of St. Lawrence county, was born in De Peyster,
March 15, 1844, and was elected sheriff in 1891. He married Sarna, daughter of John
S. Snyder, for many years supervisor of the town of Macomb. He was also school
superintendent of that town for a number of years. Loren H. Wilson is a son of Loren
Wilson, who died September 17, 1880, and his wife, Polly (Austin) Wilson, died April
24, 1880. They had nine children, of whom Loren H. was the seventh. Loren H.
Wilson enlisted in 1862 in Company C, 106th Regiment, N. Y. Vol., and served until
discharged in 1865, at the close of the war. He has three living children : Laura K.,
Lou and Loren Leslie Wilson.
Walling, Col. William H., Potsdam, was born in Hartford, Washington county,
September 3, 1830, and was the only son of Joshua and Mary Walling. The former was
born in 1796 and died in 1842. The latter was born in 1799 and died in 1835. To them
were born one son and four daughters. Joshua married for his second wife, Eveline
Atwood, who died in 1835, leaving one daughter. For a third wife he married Elmira
Inglesbee, who had one daughter. In the year 1834 Joshua moved his family and
settled in the town of Gouverneur. Four of his sisters are now living : Mrs. W. W.
Gillett of Glens Falls, Misses Meriba and Elizabeth of Gouverneur, and Mrs. Mary E.
Jameson of Alton, III. The latter has been for fifteen years a missionary to Burmah.
William H. received his education in the district schools and Gouverneur Wesleyan

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 153
Seminary. In the spring of 1855 he went to Wisconsin and in the following year to
Hastings, Minn., and was there appointed deputy co mty surveyor of Dakota county,
which office he held until he left the State in 1859. Late in the fall of that year he
went to St. Louis and engaged in the produce business, and not meeting with very good
success he went to Belleville, 111., and there received the appointment of deputy county
surveyor of St. Clair county. This office he held at the breaking out of the Rebellion.
The day before the rebels opened fire on Sumter he started for his old home in New
York. On his arrival in Gouverneur the war excitement was at fever heat. A meeting
of citizens was called and enlistments made. Gen. A. M. Barney and Colonel Walling
were the first to enlist. Active measures were taken by George Parker, A. M. Barney
R. P. Willson and W. H. Walling to raise a company. At the formation of the com
pany the first three were selected for commissioned officers and the latter for orderly
sergeant. This company became later Co. D of the 16th Regiment, N. Y. Volunteers.
Sergeant Walling was promoted to second lieutenant September 10, 1861, and first
lieutenant June 26, 1862. Nearly the whole of the last year of service he was in com
mand of Co. D. Captain Parker was on the staff of General Sedgwick, Lieutenant
Barney was promoted captain of Co. E, and Lieutenant Willson was captain on the
staff of General Bartlett. The regiment served in all the battles of McClellan's Pen
insular campaign, Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, first and second Fredericks
burg, and after its two years' service was mustered out and disbanded at Albany, June
1863. On reaching Gouverneur Lieutenant Walling found aletterfrom General Curtis,
then colonel in command of the 142d Regiment, N. Y. Vol., soliciting him to accept a
commission as first lieutenant in Co. G of his regiment. On account of wounds re
ceived at Salem Church, he was prevented from joining the army again until the last
of August. In December, 1864, he received a captain's commission and was assigned
to Co. C. In the assault on Fort Gilmor, Va., known as the battle of Chapin's Farm,
he was severely wounded by a rebel bullet passing through his right lung, and it came
near terminating his life on that bloody field. General Grant in his final report of the
war refers to this assault on Fort Gilmor by the division of General Foster as
"gallant," but "unsuccessful." Nearly all of the line officers of the 142d were wounded
and Lieutenant-Colonel Barney was the senior officer in command of the brigade. Gen
eral Dagget, its commander, was among the wounded. In December of that year,
Captain Walling had so far recovered from his wounds that he joined his regiment just
as the troops under General Terry were embarking at Bermuda Hundred, Va., on
the first expedition to Fort Fisher, N. C. The 142d Regiment was among the
first to disembark and Co. G was immediately sent forward as skirmishers with the
remaining companies as its support. When the skirmish line was about 150 yards
from the fort, the rebel flag floating over Stephen's battery had its staff cut off by
a shot from the navy. Captain Walling passed through a hole in the stockade
went upon the parapet of the fort and captured the rebel flag. For this act of
gallantry President Johnson brevetted him major and lieutenant-colonel. At the
taking of the fort he had received his commission as captain and had been assigned
to Co. C. In March, 1892, he received the following communication :
t

154 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
War Department, Washington City, March 28, 1892.
Captain William H. Walling, Late iqzd Regiment, New York Vols.:
Sir : I have the honor to inform you that I have this day forwarded to you by registered mail a
Medal of Honor awarded you by the Secretary of War for gallantry in action at Fort Fisher, North
Carolina, December, 25 1864, in accordance with the Act of Congress approved March 3, 1863, pro
viding for the presentation of Medals of Honor to such officers, non-commissioned officers and
privates as have most distinguished themselves in action.
Very Respectfully, F. E. AINSWORTH,
Major and Surgeon, TJ. S. Army.
The regiment was mustered out at Raleigh, N. C, June 7, 1865, and was dis
banded at Ogdensburg. July 3, 1865, he returned to Gouverneur and for the next
five years he was engaged in the clothing trade with James Brodie. In the winter
ter of 1867-68 he was inspector of customs under Gen. N. M. Curtis at Ogdensburg,
and in 1868-70 he was assistaut assessor in the internal revenue service. In No
vember. 1870, he was elected sheriff of St. Lawrence county. At the expiration of
his term of office, in 1874, he moved to the village of Potsdam, where he has since
been engaged in conducting the hardware trade, carrying a general line of hardware
and builder's materials. Mr. Walling is a trustee of school district No. 8, a member
of the Baptist church, and one of its trustees. He has served two terms on the
board of village trustees, six years on the board of water commissioners, and is now
chairman of the board. Colonel Walling married, May 20, 1868, Sarah M., daughter of
the late Abram Thompson of Gouverneur, and they have four children : William W.,
Julia T., Mary Louise anu Ruth E. The three oldest are graduates of the Postsdam
Normal and Training School.
Waldron, T. F., Ogdensburg, was born in Belleville, Ont, April 23, 1872. He received
his education in the schools of that town and in Ogdensburg, to which city his mother
removed when he was about twelve years of age. She purchased the New York
Hotel, and Mr. Waldron has supervised all details and virtually conducted the house for
some years. His mother, Mrs. Joseph Martin, lives in this hotel. Her husband is a
piominent horse dealer and at their stables may be seen some of the finest breeds of
Kentucky stock.
Wright, Melville S., Oswegatchie, the only son of Rev. Benjamin S. Wright, was
born in Oswegatchie, March 17, 1836. He was educated at Lowville Academy, and at
sixteen years of age went to live on a farm situated six miles above Ogdensburg, on
the banks of the St. Lawrence river, the purchase of his great-grandfather, Samuel
Wright, A. D. 1815. He was married to Mary Duy, January 4, 1855, and they have a
son and daughter : Levings L., and Florence. Mr. Wright's ancestors were famous
people in the olden days in this part of the country, being closely connected to Gover
nor Silas Wright.
Whitney, A. S., Gouverneur, one of the four sons of Nathan E., and Esther
(Stephenson) Whitney, was born in the town of Morley, May 13, 1854. The family
moved to Ogdensburg when he was five years of age, where he lived until the spring
of 1867. When fifteen years of age he entered the employ of the Central Railroad at
Albany, where he remained for one year. He then returned to Gouverneur, and

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 155
learned the trade of marble cutter. He was for several years in the employ of D. J.
& T. J. Whitney, and in 1877 bought the business and continued it until January, 1889,
when he sold out and went into the coal business, in which he is now engaged doing a
large business. He married December 28, 1870, Ella McKean, of Gouverneur,
daughter of William and Mary (Hudson) McKean, whose ancestors were among the
first settlers here. They have two children: Clara (Mrs. W. P. Legate, of Gouver
neur) and Nathan W.
Stewart, Wiley, Pierrepont, was born in Russell, November 7, 1828, a son of Russell
Stewart, a native of Blandford, Hampden county, Mass., born in 1793. His wife was
Sophia Bruce, a native of Washington county, born November 17, 1791, by whom he
had ten children. They came to Russell in 1817 and settled on a farm, where they
lived until 1839, then came to Edwards, this county, where Mr. Stewart died in 1880,
(May 1) and his wife, November 1, 1877. He served in the war of 1812. Wiley
Stewart has always been engaged in agriculture, and owns at present one hundred and
thirty seven acres which is devoted to general farming and dairying, with ten cows
and young stock. January 5, 1863, Mr. Stewart married Mary Sabin, a native of Ver
mont, born March 22, 1833, and a daughter of Dexter and Hannah (Liscomb) Sabin,
natives of Vermont, both born in 1800, who came to Pierrepont in 1839, and settled on
a farm near where Mr. Stewart resides, and there lived and died ; he in 1876, July 31,
and she in 1882. They had six children. To Mr. Stewart and 'wife was born one
son, Elmer A., born September 30, 1863. He was reared on a farm and educated in
the common schools. He has always resided at home, and engaged in farming. He is
a Republican in politics and attends the Episcopal church, of Colton. Wiley Stewart
is Republican in politics, and has been since the organization of the party. He and
wife are members of the Free Will Baptist church. W. A. Stewart, a brother of our
subject, came to Pierrepont in 1848, and has here since resided. He has been twice
married, first to Eunice Hosmer, who died April 31, 1876, aged fifty-nine years. His
second wife was Sarah Oglesby, who died October 11, 1889, aged fifty-four years.
Crampton, L., Pierrepont, was born in Pierrepont, March 7, 1825, one of seven
children of Andrew A., and Lucy (Leonard) Crampton, the former a native of Pittsford,
Vt, born October 13, 1795. His wife died in 1835, and he married second Calista
Tupper. Mr. Crampton came to Pierrepont in 1815, and was appointed to two offices
when the town was organized in 1818. He subsequently held all the town offices,
being postmaster seventeen years and magistrate twenty-five years. He died Septem
ber 16, 1866, and his wife died in 1867. L. Crampton was reared on a farm and edu -
cated in the common schools. In 1846 he married Sallie Brown, of Parishville, who
died in 1849, and in 1850 he married Amanda Chamberlain, by whom he had four
children : Marion, M. Minnie, Guy A., and Fritz B., who died aged nineteen. Mr.
Crampton has always been a Republican, and was assessor nine years, supervisor two
years and has been justice of the peace one year. He and his wife attend the M. E.
Church. The parents of Mrs. Crampton were Anson and Betsey (McKnight) Chamber
lain, who were among the early settlers of Parishville. They had seven children. Mr.
Chamberlain died in 1851 and his wife in 1890. Moses Leonard, the maternal grand
father of our subject, was a native of Springfield, Mass.

156 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Whitney, Milton A., Madrid, was born in Madrid, June 30, 1845. The earliest
ancestor recorded of this family is the great-grandfather of our subject, Daniel, who
was a resident of Shrewsbury, Mass. He married Catherine Stone of Oxford,
Mass., and they had seven sons: Jonah, John, Daniel, Luther, Isaac, William and
Orange; and two daughters. Jonah, the oldest son, was born in Old Shrewsbury,
Mass., September 3, 1772. He married in 1802, Sarah Wilder of Wilmington, Vt,
and came to St Lawrence county in 1808, where his father had settled about three
years previous. Daniel Whitney died December 29, 1809, at Madrid, aged sixty-
five years. Catherine, his wife, died May 10, 1817, aged sixty-five years. Jonah
Whitney was the father of seven children: Harriet, married Lyman Moss in
December, 1822, and died in 1830: Elisha, died in July, 1879; Olive, married
Leonard Doran in 1823, and died in July, 1860 ; Phoebe, married Valentine
Simons in 1836, and died in February, 1883; Orris, died March 6, 1876; Mary
Ann, married Denison G. Wilmarth in 1839, and died April 19, 1889; Daniel,
the fifth child and father of our subject, was born at Madrid, May 10, 1811. He
was a farmer in early life, and was afterward in a hotel and later in trade. He
was a staunch Democrat, held many offices of trust in his town, and was a man
who commanded the respect of his townspeople. He was regarded as one of the
leading men of this place. He was an earnest supporter of the Universalist church
and his death occurred September 6, 1876, a severe loss to the community. He
married January 11, 1844, Louisa M., daughter of Abner Hall of Potsdam, and they
had three children: George A., died August 11, 1866, aged nineteen years; Abner
D., is a manufacturer and farmer of Madrid; and the oldest son is our subject.
Mrs. Whitney is still living in her seventy-third year. Milton A. has always made
his home in this town and has devoted himself to the management of the farms, of
which he and his brother are the owners of 600 acres and large village property.
For the last ten years he has been an active member of the Methodist church and
is one of the trustees. He married in 1870, Emiline Currier of Madrid, who died
October 20, 1875, and left one child, Emiline L., a student of Potsdam State Normal
School. Mr. Whitney again married, January 15, 1880, Ida M., daughter of Elizah
M. Stearns of Madrid, and they have one daughter, Mabel Caroline.
Whitney, Abner D., Madrid, was born in Madrid, March 2, 1842, received his educa
tion in the common schools, and has always been a resident of this town. His early life
was spent on a farm, and on March 20,1893, he became interested in the Madrid Woolen
Mills, of which he is the president and manager, a stock company having been formed
in 1893, for the purpose of increasing the manufacture of cloth and converting the
product into clothing. The board of directors is composed of A. D. Whitney, president
and treasurer ; Dr. E. C. Walsh, vice-president ; F. C. Merriman, secretary ; with M.
A. Whitney, R. N. Walsh, and D. D. Bryson, foreman of the mill. Mr. Whitney is also
president of the Madrid branch of the Genesee Building and Loan Association. He is
held in esteem by his townsmen, as was his father before him, and has been honored
by many local offices. He has been assessor three years, and is now a member of the
board of education. Mr. Whitney married, January 31, 1877, Lucy M. Robinson of
this town, and they have one child, Florence M., a student at Madrid School.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 157
Worden, H. E., Brier Hill, was born on the farm where he now resides, August 3, '
1848. He received a liberal education and taught school six years before taking up
farming. He is also engaged in the coal and wood business at Morristown. Mr. Wor
den married Florida, daughter of Ethan R. Hammond, June 22, 1875, and they have
one daughter, Lula B. Mr. Worden's father was Nathaniel, and his mother Anna
(Fraser) Worden, who still survives him.
Williamson, William O, Hammond, was born in Hammond, December 17, 1847, and
he has lived in the town all his life. He is an intelligent farmer, highly respected by
all. He married, April 9, 1878, Jennette A., daughter of Robert Wilson of Hammond,
who died September 19, 1881. He married, second, June 24, 1891, Ruth E., daughter
of Andrus Hicks of Hammond. The father of William C. was Thomas Williamson, a
native of England, and his mother was Jane B. Tyler of Hammond.
Welch, David M., Hammond, was born in Hammond, November 12, 1844, and he is
one of the leading farmers of that town. In January, 1872, he married Alice Zoller of
Hammond, daughter of Jeremiah Zoller. They have four children : Lucy, Bertha, Ruby
and Newell. Mr. Welch's father was Robert Welch, a native of England, who came
to America in infancy. His mother was Mary (Moore) Welch, a native of Scotland,
Wilson, George E., Morristown, was born in Morristown, January 2, 1851. He was
engaged in business in the village for fifteen years and in 1886 gave up mercantile lines
for farming, which he has successfully pursued. In 1876 he married Frances A. Brooks,
daughter of the late John Brooks. His father, Hercules W. Wilson, was the first white
male child born in the town of Morristown, being born October 22, 1818.
West, Harvey C, Madrid, was born in Washtenaw county, Mich., January 16, 1834.
His father, Samuel J., was a native of Clinton county, born in 1804, and was thirty
years of age when he went west, locating in Michigan, where he followed farming until
his death in 1835. His wife, Nancy Chaffin, was a native of New Hampshire, born in
1804, and they had four children : James M., died in Clinton county at nineteen years
of age ; Hiram J. and Horace T., died in boyhood ; and Harvey C. The mother of our
subject died in 1879. Harvey being only an infant when his father died, his mother
married again, and a year and a half later returned to Clinton county. He was educated
in the common schools and a select school in Peru, Clinton county. His first occupa
tion was farming. In the spring of 1857 he moved into St. Lawrence county, locating
on a farm in the town of Lawrence, where he remained three years, and in the spring
of 1860 bought a farm of 150 acres, where he has ever since made his home. Since
coming here Mr. West has made many valuable improvements and has reclaimed a por
tion of the land. He conducts it as a dairy farm with twenty-three head of Durham
and Holstein cattle. He is a firm supporter of the Democratic party and has been
delegate to numerous State and county conventions. For five years he held the office
of commissioner of highways. He is a member of Silas Wright Grange of Canton
Mr. West married in 1866, Sarah A., daughter of Peter White, a farmer of Potsdam,
and they have two children : Anna L., a graduate of Canton University; and James
Arthur, who is a graduate of Madrid School, now assisting his father on the farm.

158 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Watt, George T., Ogdensburg, was born in Toronto, Ontario,. February 7, 1845. His
father died when he was but a child, and his mother removed from Brockville to Ogdens
burg, where George T. received his education. Upon the breaking out of he war he
enlisted in the 1 1th U. S. Regulars, under Lieutenant Greeley, and served three years. He
was taken prisoner at the battle of Cold Harbor, and was confined in Andersonville,
Milne and Savannah prisons for a period of six months. Mr. Watt received his discharge
at Richmond, immediately after the surrender of Lee. He then returned to Ogdens
burg and attended Bryant & Stratton's Business College, after which he went west,
remaining in St. Louis, Mo., some time. In 1867 he returned to Ogdensburg and en
gaged in the meat business on State street. He sold this business after two years and
went to Dakota on a prospecting tour. Returning, he again opened a meat business on
Ford street, which he gradually merged into a grocery, and which he has successfully
conducted for the past sixteen years. Mr. Watt also conducted a drug business in
connection with his grocery for many years, which department he lately sold, substitu
ting crockery. During his identification with the drug business, he became proprietor
of a few celebrated staple medicines, among which we mention Watt's Extracts, Hore-
hound and Tar Remedy, Headache and Liver Pills, plasters and other articles which are
in demand throughout the State. He is an influential member of the G. A. R., the
Methodist church and the board of education, besides being a Mason. He married in
1872, Libbie Green, and they have had eight children, four of whom are living.
Zellar, Henry F., Hammond, was born in the town of Springfield, Otsego county,
November 23, 1 823 ; at the age of nine years moved with his father's family to the
town of Pamelia, Jefferson county, and lived there five years; and moved from there
to Hammond, arriving on March 17, 1837, and has since been a resident here. He has
always been a farmer. February 22, 1849, he married Charlotte, daughter of Ebenezer
N. Demick, who died April 28, 1884. H. F. Zellar's father was Henry Zoller of Min
den, Montgomery county, and his mother was Nancy Fralick of the same place, both of
German descent. H. F. Zellar has been ajustice of the peace for twelve years, and
overseer of the poor for two years. He has been a Republican since 1857, has been
active in politics, and steadfast to the principles laid down by his party, believing them
to be for the best interests of the country. He has voted at every general election to
date. Young, W. H., Ogdensburg, is a native of Steuben county, where he was born Jan
uary 19, 1821. He started business in Ogdensburg in 1851, next door to his present
stand on Ford street, and ever since that period has remained in close proximity to the
old stand. In 1852 he was burned out, and ten days thereafter was doing business in
a shanty improvised for the occasion. Mr. W. H. Young represented the third ward
of Ogdensburg for some time as alderman. He married in 1852, Miss Bacon, of this
city, and has had four children, one of whom, C. F. Young, the junior member of the
firm, was born in Ogdensburg, July 13, 1856. He received his education in the schools
here and eventually graduated from the Hungerford Collegiate Institute. Some time
after leaving school he represented for eight years a prominent clothing firm on the
road, and five years ago returned to Ogdensburg, and in connection with his father
inaugurated the present firm. C. F. Young married Miss J. Durfee, and they have a

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 159
son and a daughter. Mr Young is a prominent Odd Fellow, having passed through all
the degrees from past grand. He was one of the charter members of Elijah White
lodge. This firm is among our representative establishments, and its members are
much respected and esteemed by all.
Vilas, Alden, Ogdensburg, was born July 13, 1806, in Derby, Orleans county, Vt,
and came to Ogdensburg early in 1822, travelling most of the way from the head of
Lake Memphramagog, to the foot, on the ice, and thence made his way from Derby,
Vt, to Montreal on foot through the wilderness, when the route was followed by
blazed trees. From that city he made his way slowly on through Prescott, Ontario,
and crossed the St. Lawrence river to Ogdensburg, where he had a cousin who was
engaged in the tanning business, with whom he remained in an important capacity
until 1831. He became a partner for three years in 1844, and then purchased the
entire interests of the concern and conducted it most successfully the following ten
years, at the expiration of which time he centered all his interests in his present boot
and shoe business on Ford street which he had been conducting along with his tanning
business. In 1837 he married Ella Baldwin, by whom he had six daughters and four
sons; one daughter being deceased. His daughters are Mrs. Dr. Southwick, Mrs. J. C.
Sprague, of Ogdensburg ; Mrs. M. Halcomb, of New York City, and one daughter un
married. During his long and eventful career in this city Mr. Vilas has always been
found strictly conscientious and rigidly upright in all business transactions. He has
been the friend of all good and proper measures tending to the prosperity of Ogdens
burg, and has, through his kindly, genial and cheerful nature, made a host of friends,
many dating back to his earlier days, as well as among the younger generation. He is
one of the pioneers of the city, still hale and hearty and attends strictly to business.
Nyhan, Rev. William B., Brasher, pastor of St. Patrick's Church, Brasher Falls,
was born in Cork, Ireland, September 22, 1846, and came to America when two years
old. His family resided in Syracuse, where his education began. In Niagara College
he made his classics and philosophy, studied theology in St. Joseph's Provincial Semi
nary, Troy, was ordained to the priesthood in October of 1869, by Rt. Rev. Bishop
Conroy and appointed to the curacy of St. John's church, Albany. His first parish
was Lowville, Lewis county, where he remained for fourteen years, and which he left
to take charge of his present mission. Since his arrival in Brasher a large and flourish
ing parochial school has been established by the "Sisters of Mercy,'' a new pastoral
residence has been erected and various repairs have been made on the church property.
During his administration Rev. Father Nyhan has removed the entire debt of the
parish. McMillan, Angus, Hermon, was born in Cornwall, Ontario, August 3, 1842. He
began to learn the harness trade a the age of fifteen and at eighteen went to Canton,
where he remained a year. He then spent a short time in Gouverneur, and after
working about a year in Waddington, he came to this town. In 1866 he went to
Russell, where he carried on his business till 1382, then returned here, and has since
conducted his harness business. He is town clerk at the present time. January 5,
1862 Mr. McMillan married Rua R. Hill and they have three sons : Edson, William and

160 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Pliny. Our subject's father, Alexander McMillan, was a Scotchman, and his mother
was Elizabeth Crites, of Mohawk Dutch descent.
The Richardson Family, Brasher Falls. This family is descended from English stock,
and the members thereof trace their lineage back to 1600, from Nicholas Richardson,
of Durham county, who was granted arms by the king in 1615, and it is believed that
one of his sons came to America about 1630. Lemuel Richardson, son of Thomas, was
born in Woburn, Mass., July 31, 1734, and was the great-grandfather of David, of
Brasher Falls. He died at the age of eighty-seven years. David, his third son, was
born in Sutton, Mass., July 25, 1766, and was a farmer at Alstead, N. IT., and later at
Barre, Vt, where he died April 26, 1845. In 1788 he married Rhoda Gale, of Al
stead, by whom he had these children : Rhoda, David, Rhoda 2d, Roxanna, Mary,
Lemuel, Susan, Polly 0., and one who died in infancy. The third child, David, was
born at Alstead, N. H., May 7, 1792, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. He
married, September 30, 1819, Hortensia Richards, of his native town. In 1823, he
came from Barre, Vt., to St Lawrence county and settled in Brasher, then a dense
wilderness. He was a prominent and influential man in his town, and a man of great
industry and perseverance. He died August 9, 1866, aged seventy-four. He had
twelve children, the fourth of whom, David IJathaniel, was born on the homestead
where he now lives, August 2, 1831. December 27, 1859, he married Harriet Burget,
who died March 8, 1874. Their three children were: Frank, born December 8, 1860;
W. Warren, born June 24, 1863, and Anna B., born September 27, 1869. Mr. Rich
ardson married second, March 17, 1875, Sarah Capell. He is a Republican, and has
been overseer of the poor nine years, and attends the Presbyterian church. Among
his ancestors have been many noted men, both in England and America.
Colton, Carlos, Pierrepont, was born in Hanover, N. H., April 5, 1834. His father
was Zebina, a native of Johnson, Vt., born March 27, 1802. He married Lois Buck,
by whom he had three children, two of whom survive. In 1838 Mr. Colton and wife
came to Parishville, and in 1840 to this town, Pierrepont, where he located on the farm
now owned by our subject. Here he died November 6, 1855, and his wife May 1.
1859. Carlos was educated in the common schools and St Lawrence Academy, grad
uating from the Albany Normal School in 1857. He followed teaching for a number
of years, but his principal occupation has been farming, and he now owns two hun
dred acres, keeping twenty cows. Mr. Colton has been twice married, his first wife
being Hannah Smith, a native of Vermont, who died February 22, 1890. In 1892 he
married Ella H. Leach, a1 native of Hopkinton, and daughter of David and Mary
Leach, of Hopkinton. Mr. Colton is a Prohibitionist in politics. Carlos was a mere
child when he came to this town and has witnessed over half a century of its growth
and prosperity : has seen the forests cleared away and the rude dwellings of the early
settlers removed and more elegant ones erected in their places ; has seen those sturdy
pioneers and their companions carried to their last resting places in the rural cemeteries
and how appropriate that their descendants who enjoy happy homes and till fertile
fields, the result of their self denial, privations and toil, should pay a tribute of respect
to their memory :

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 161
He has plowed his last furrow
She has spun her last skein;
No sound shall awake them to labor again.
But happiness springeth wherever they trod;
How noble their mission, how great their reward.
For whose deeds are more worthy to be rewarded in history, or whose simple
virtues better fitted to enrich the poet's verse, than those of the noble pioneer and his
wife? Potter, Henry, Colton, was born in Essex county, July 13, 1847. His father was
Philip Potter, a native of Pultney, Vt, born December 18, 1813. The mother of
Philip died when he was young and he was obliged to make his own way in life.
He worked on the canal when young and afterwards ran a saw mill. In 1848 he
came to Colton, and here for many years he owned a gristmill, also dealing in
lnmber and real estate He was a Democrat and a member of High Falls Lodge
No. 428, F. & A. M. His wife was Miranda Squires of Essex county, by whom he
had two sons. Mr. Potter died September 12, 1887, and his widow resides in
Colton at the age of seventy-five years. Henry Potter was reared and educated
in the village of Colton, and engaged in the lumber business until 1892. In that
year the Racquette River Pulp Company was organized, consisting of Charles Clark
of Rochester, Charles Fuller and Fred H. Hall of Gouverneur, Simeon Austin of
Fowler, James Speard of Canton and Henry Potter. They occupy the building
originally built for a chair factory, and employ about twenty hands, with A. Searcey
as manager. July 2, 1884, Mr. Potter married Hattie, daughter of Edmund and
Harriet Sanborn of Colton. Mr. Potter is a Pemocrat, and he and wife attend the
Episcopal church.
Harvey, Orson, Colton, was born in Canton, October 15, 1822, a son of Jonathan
and Polly (Kingsbury) Harvey, the former a native of New Hampshire, born in
1788, and the latter of Connecticut They early came to Canton and here Mr. Har
vey died in 1832, and his wife in 1842. They had six children who grew to maturity.
The father of Mrs. Harvey was Thomas Kingsbury, a soldier in the Revolution. Orson
Harvey was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. At the age of
fifteen he went to work in a woolen factory and has been engaged most of his life in
the manufacture of woolen goods, first at Norfolk and then at Potsdam. He is now
engaged in wool carding at Colton. He was burned out in 1871, when the firm was
known as Butler, Beckwith & Harvey. Since this Mr. Harvey has been engaged in
business alone. He has been three times married, first in 1847 to Phoebe Spink, by
whom he had two children : Henrietta and Phoebe. He married, second, Lavona Cope-
land of Potsdam, by whom he had two children : Arvilla J. and Ellen V. His third wife
was Mary A. Ellis, widow of George Ellis of Potsdam, who died in 1864. He left
three children : Kate E., wife of Daniel J. Avery, one of the leading lawyers of Chicago f
also president of the Northwestern Masonic Aid of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Avery
have had four children : Louise, who died aged twelve years, Mary M., Kate L. and
Daniel E. The second child of Mr. and Mrs. Ellis is Mary L., wife of Dr. J. E. Colburn,
eye and ear specialist of Chicago, who has three sons : George A., Avery and Joe

162 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Elliot. The third child is George A. Ellis of New York city, who has one daughter,
Grace Ellis. Mrs. Harvey is a daughter of Jonathan Swift, son of Thomas Swift, and
brother of the late Thomas Swift of Potsdam. Mrs. Harvey's father died in 1842 and
her mother in 1881. Mr. Harvey is an ardent Republican and has served as deputy
sheriff nine years, constable seven years and overseer of the poor three years.
Hawley, Morris B., Colton, was born in Colton, September 12, 1845. His father,
Silas, was a native of Vermont, who went to Washington county with his parents, and
was there reared and educated. He married Henrietta Morris, a native of Hampton,
N. Y., born in 1812, by whom he had four children, of whom Morris B. is the only one
living. Silas and family came to Colton in the year 1832, where he followed his trade
of blacksmith, taking an active interest in politics, and holding several town offices. He
was also land agent for A. B. James of Ogdensburg. He was one of the charter mem
bers and also the first master of High Falls Lodge No. 428, F. & A. M. He died in
Colton, October 15, 1877, and his widow now lives with Morris B. The latter was
reared in Colton and educated in the common schools and Canton University. When
nineteen years old he formed a partnership with James Cook in the furniture and un
dertaking business, continuing until March 1, 1890, since which Mr. Hawley has carried
on the business alone. He has been twice married, first, February 22, 1866, to Julia
Felton of Colton, a daughter of C. C. Felton of Norwood. They had two children,
Alice M. and Asa W. He married, second, Lucia P. Hodgkin, daughter of George R.
Hodgkin of Hopkinton, N. Y., and they had one son, Jean H. Mr. Hawley is a Re
publican and is now serving his fifth term as supervisor. He is a member of High
Falls Lodge No. 428, F. & A. M., and has served as master six years.
Chaney, John H., Colton, was born in Orange, Franklin county, Mass., August 16,
1832, a son of John, a native of the same place, who married Harriet Thurston, by
whom he had four children. In 1848 Mr. Chaney and family came to Potsdam, and
there they lived and died, the former July 23, 1873, aged seventy- one years, and the
latter May 17, 1869, aged sixty-three. John H. Chaney was sixteen years of age when
his parents came to Potsdam, and he was educated in the common schools, and has been
engaged in farming and also the manufacture of lumber. In 1863 he came to Colton,
where he has since resided. In 1856 he married Almira W. Howard of Potsdam, a
daughter of Elisha Howard, a native of Vermont, and one of Potsdam's early settlers.
Mr. and Mrs. Chaney had seven children: Nettie, Levi, Maria, Julia, Philip (deceased),
Hattie and Lena. He is a Republican in politics and has been highway commissioner
two years, and is also serving his second term as poormaster. He is a member of High
Falls Lodge No. 428, F. & A. M., being treasurer of same. Mr. Chaney owns about
1,000 acres of wild land in Colton, 150 acres in Clare and a house and lot in Colton
with one and a half acres of land and two tenant houses. He also owns a farm of 150
acres in Colton.
Jennings, John (deceased), Brasher, was a native of Ireland and came to America
when a young man. In 1847 he settled on the farm in Brasher, where his widow now
lives. He cleared the land and made many other improvements. He was a man of
great energy of character, and just and honorable in all his dealings. He was a con-

PERSONAL SKETCHES 163
sistent member of the M. E. church. In politics he was a Republican. He died in his
seventy-fourth year, in 1886. March 9, 1847, he married Margaret Kingston of Brasher,
born March 1, 1828, a daughter of Thomas and Ursula (Chambers) Kingston, both of
Ireland, who came to America when young. Mr. and Mrs. Jennings had five children,
four of whom survive : George E., born August 24, 1849, married in 1887, Carrie Mc-
Kerson, and is a grocer in Bismarck, N. D., where he went in 1880 ; Thomas E., born
November 29, 1851, an architect and builder; Almeda M., born June 22, 1853, a suc
cessful teacher in our public schools from 1874 to 1888, when she married John
Yandoh, a cheese and butter maker, who. at present lives on the homestead. The
youngest, Eliza N., was born December 19, 1866. Mrs. Jennings had two brothers in
the late war : John Kingston, who enlisted in the 106th Regiment, N. Y. Vol., was
lieutenant of his company and was killed at the battle of Monocacy Junction, Md. ;
and Samuel, who was a surgeon in the army and served from the autumn of 1862 to
the close of the war.
Howard, Ansel T., Pierrepont, was born in Pierrepont, June 6, 1845, a son of Orrin
Howard. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common school and follows
general farming and dairying, owning 143 acres of land and keeping about twenty-five
cows. Mr. Howard has been twice married, first on February 23, 1869, to Cynthia
Hubbard, a native of Vermont, and daughter of Ira Hubbard. Mrs. Howard died Feb
ruary 7, 1873, and September 8, 1875, Mr. Howard married Lucretia Malaney, a native
of Canada, by whom he had two children : De Forest M. and Orrin A. Mr. Howard
is a Republican and has been overseer of the poor and justice of the peace, and at
present holds the latter office. He and wife are members of Crary's Mills Grange No.
54. The parents of Lucretia Howard were James and Lucretia (Loomis) Malaney, the
former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Vermont. They reared six children.
Mr. Malaney died in Canada in 1852, after which Mrs. Malany came to Clinton county.
She died in Vermont in 1882.
Walker, Charles R, De Kalb, was born in Richville, October 28, 1844, a son of Ho
ratio Walker, one of the early settlers of this part of the town. At the age of eighteen
Charles R. left the farm and began a mercantile career. He is one of the most pro
gressive farmers of the county. He was the first in his town to carry to successful
use the feeding of ensilage. His principal business is dealing in cheese aud produce.
In 1870 Mr. Walker married Louisa E. Rich, only daughter of William B. Rich, a
descendant of one of the oldest and best families of De Kalb. Her great-grandfather,
Salmon Rich, was one of the early settlers of the town. In 1804 he took up a tract
of 11,000 acres of land, including the tract where Richville now stands, and the village
was named for him. Mr. Walker has always taken a deep interest in the progress of
this town, of which he was supervisor three years. He is a Mason of high standing
and a man much esteemed for his upright character.
Crary, Ezra, Pierrepont, was born in Pierrepont, January 18, 1825, a son of Appleton,
son of Nathan Crary, whose father was Ezra, a descendant of one of three brothers who
came to America from Scotland. Ezra lived and died in Vermont. Nathan was born
in Wallingford, Vt, in 1762 and was a soldier in the Revolution. His wife was Lydia

164 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Arnold of Rhode Island, by whom he had fourteen children, one now living, John Wes
ley Crary of St. Paul, Minn. In 1804 he and his wife came to Potsdam, where he was
a farmer and local preacher. Later he came to Pierrepont where he died in 1852, his
wife dying a year later. His son, Appleton, was born in Wallingford, Vt, in 1789, and
he was also a farmer and local preacher. In 1808 he married Roby Hopkins, a native
of Pittsford, Vt., born in 1791, a daughter of John and Hannah (Mead) Hopkins. Mr.
and Mrs. Crary had fourteen children, four now living. He was a Whig and a strong
Abolitionist, and died in 1867. His wife died in 1882. Ezra Crary, our subject, was
educated in the common schools and began teaching at the age of nineteen and taught
seventeen terms, though his chief occupation has been farming. He now owns 324
acres and keeps a dairy of twenty-eight cows. May 8, 1850, he married Julia A.
Brown, a native of Addison, Vt, and daughter of Isaac S. and Anna A. (Lewis) Brown
who came to St. Lawrence county in 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Crary had two children, who
died young. Mrs. Crary died December, 1853, and he married, second, Margaret Bell,
a native of Vaughn, Ontario, born in 1834, a daughter of John and Margaret (Currier)
Bell, natives of Argyleshire, Scotland. By his second wife Mr. Crary has had these
children : John H., born May 22, 1856 ; William A., born July 4, 1858 ; Merrill M.,
born April 28, 1860, died December 17, 1885 ; Edward B., born February 21, 1862 ;
Philip S., born November 11, 1864, died May 22, 1889 ; Francis O, born July 11, 1866;
EzraM., born September 30, 1868 ; Albert M., born October 22, 1870; Clayton B., born
September 17, 1872; Lydia L., born September 16, 1875. Mr. Crary is a Republican
and has been justice of the peace eight years and assessor for the same length of time.
He was superintendent of schools in Eldorado, Wis., for four years.
Shattuck, Henry B., Brasher Falls, was born in Brasher, November 1, 1836, a son of
Elisha and Angeline (Walker) Shattuck, both natives of Vermont. He was a carpen
ter and farmer, and came to Brasher in early life. They had eight children : George,
a mechanic, of Brushton ; Henry B., Horace C, a farmer of this town ; David, who
died aged ten years ; Willis, a farmer of this town ; Orilla, wife of George Hammond ;
Cordelia, wife of G. B. Herriman, and Justin. Mr. Shattuck was for eighteen months
a soldier in the civil war, and was wounded in the left hand at the battle of Bethesda
Church, Virginia. He has been for many years a sawyer in mills and a farmer, owning
now a fine farm near Brasher Center. He is a Republican, and has been assessor of the
town six years, and has also held other offices. March 13, 1866, he married Maria
Dudley, born in Potsdam September 1, 1841 , daughter of David and Harriet C. (Mon
tague) Dudley, descendants of Puritan families of the early days .of this country. Of
this family there have been many noted people, among them being the mother of George
Washington, who was a Miss Ball. The earliest ancestor claimed by the family of Mrs.
Shattuck is one Richard Montague, whose first home is still standing at Hadley, Mass.,
where, in 1882, the family held the 282d anniversary of the family in America, there
being 600 members present.
Sturtevant, De Witt 0., Pierrepont, was born in Sandy Hill, Washington county,
October 16, 1838, a son of Peter, a native of the same place, born in 1803. Peter
Sturtevant was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools, lived and died in

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 165
his native place. November 14, 1832, he married Laura A. Howard, a native of Fort
Ann, born September 11, 1812, who is one of the sixth generation from John Howard,
who came over in the Mayflower with his brother James. Mr. and Mrs. Sturtevant
had five children. Mr. Sturtevant was a prominent military man, having held all the
positions, from corporal to colonel. He was also a prominent politician. He died July
24, 1849, and his wife October 12, 1893. De Witt C. was educated in the common
schools and St. Lawrence Academy, following teaching eight years. His mother
married William M. Robeson, and came to Colton in 1850, where they remained two
years, then removed to this town and settled on the farm now owned by our subject.
Mr. Sturtevant owns one hundred and fifty acres of land aud follows general farming
and dairying, keeping about twenty-three cows, besides young stock, amounting to
thirty head. February 4, 1890, he married Alda B. Schwartz, a native of Pillar Point,
Jefferson county, born January 22, 1865, daughter of Adolphus P. Schwartz and Mary
A Baker. Mr. Sturtevant is a Republican in politics, and he and his wife attend the
M. E. Church, of which his parents were members also, his mother having belonged to
it for sixty- six years.
Vebber, William, Pierrepont, was born in De Kalb, July 14, 1835, a son of Larra
Vebber, a native of Shelburne Falls, Mass. He came to Jefferson county when a
young man, his parents having died when he was ten years old. He married Salinda
Wood, a native of Jefferson county, and a daughter of John and Polly Wood. Of
their five children three • survive. Mr. Vebber and wife came to De Kalb in 1833,
where they spent the rest of their days. Mr. Vebber was an influential man in De
Kalb, having been assessor for two years, aud the owner of a great deal of land.
William was educated in the common schools and has always followed farming, owning
one hundred and ten acres of land. He has a dairy of twelve cows, and also owns the
Cook's Corners cheese factory, with an annual output of 60,000 pounds. Mr. Vebber
has been twice married, first to Elmira, daughter of John and Zilpha Harvey. Mr. and
Mrs. Vebber had two daughters : Minnie, wife of Irwin Hamilton, of Pierrepont, who
have^two children, Lila and Hazel ; and Lillie, wife of Pierce Beswick, of this town,
and they have one child, Elmira. Mrs. Vebber died in August, 1887, and November 23,
1892, Mr. Vebber married Lavora Bancroft, daughter of Morris and Laura Macdonald,
natives of Vermont, who came to this country when youcg. Mrs. Vebber was the
widow of Burton Bancroft, by whom she had two children, Ernest, E., and Laura I.
Mr. Bancroft died in January, 1882. Mr. Vebber has served as highway commissioner
seven years, and is a Republicau.
Willis, Eben, Colton, was born in Lyme, N. H., December 1, 1823, a son of Roswell
O. and Lydia (Stark) Willis, natives of New Hampshire, who came to Parishville in
1826, and finally settled in Colton. He died in Massachusetts in 1851 and his wife in
1849. They had seven children. Eben was nineteen years old when he went to New
Hampshire, where he worked a s a farmer, then became overseer in a match factory for
two years. In 1849 he married Sophronia Stoddard, born in that State, July 17, 1833,
a daughter of Joshua and Anna (Wilder) Stoddard, natives of Cohassett, Massachuetts.
Mr. Stoddard died in 1843 and his wife in 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Willis came to Colton

166 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
in 1852, and after seven years removed to a farm in Pierrepont, and here lived until
1872, then returned to Colton, where they have since resided. For the past sixteen
years Mr. Willis has been engaged in the manufacture of sap spouts, his own patent,
of the year 1866, also of the year 1891, also patented in Canada. Mr. Willis is also the
inventor of an arch for boiling sap, sorghum, etc., of which he has patents of 1886, and
is engaged in the manufacture of these also. He has also dealt in lumber and real estate.
He is a Republican and has been assessor six years and highway commissioner two
years. He is a member of High Falls Lodge No. 428, F. & A. M. They have had three
children : E. Almeron, born September 20, 1850, who married Milllie O, daughter of
Orrin Howard of Pierrepont, and has three children, Howard 0., Allie B. and Susie S.;
Althea I., born November 12, 1851, in Massachusetts, who married Herbert M. Hep
burn, March 16, 1872, and has one daughter, Cordelia I., who has been reared by her
grandparents, Mrs. Hepburn dying March 27, 1875. The third child of Mr. and Mrs.
Willis, Olcott A., died in infancy.
Brogan, Henry, Pierrepont, was born in Ireland in 1837, a son of Robert Brogan and
Mary Smith, both natives of Ireland, who had four children. Of these three sons grew
to manhood. Both parents died in their native country. Henry was reared in Navan,
County Meath, and educated in the common schools, coming to this country at the
age of seventeen, and locating in Canton. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. A, 83d N. Y.
Infantry, serving till the close of the war. November 27, 1863, he was taken pris
oner at Mine Run, and was held until the end of the strife. Returning to Canton
he married, September 30, 1872, Catherine Welch, a native of Winchester, Canada,
by whom he has had two children : Patrick and Mary. Mr. Brogan is a farmer,
and owns 133 acres of land. He follows general farming and dairying, and keeps
about twelve cows. He is a Republican and was an assessor in Clare for one year,
and poormaster two years. He is a member of the G. A. R. Martin Post No. 346.
Lynde, D. S., Canton, was born in Antwerp, July 1, 1833. After some experi
ence as a bookkeeper and later as a clerk, he embarked in the mercantile business
for himself in Hermon, N. Y., where he remained thirty years. He has been six
years in Canton, and has been president of the First National Bank of Canton, which he
organized in 1877, for six years. He is also treasurer of the South Edwards Pulp
Company. In -1853 Mr. Lynde married Esther S. Caul, and they have one adopted
daughter, Grace P. Lynde. Our subject was supervisor of Hermon seven years,
was member of assembly four years, and for six years was a member of the Senate
of New York.
Babcock, Z. W., Hermon, was born in the town of Russell, February 15, 1830,
and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner and cabinet maker with his father.
In 1852 he left home and sailed for California, called at Rio de Janiero, went
through the Straits of Magellan and visited nearly all the principal seaport towns
on the western coast of North and South America. He left California for Australia,
touching the Society Islands on his way. He remained in Australia until 1859,
and came home by way of England. In 1867 he married Nellie Acres and their
living issue is two children : Juan A. and Murray A. Mr. Babcock is regarded as

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 167
one of Hermon's representative men. He was supervisor six years, member of the
board of education nine years and justice of the peace six years, and is now secretary
and treasurer of the Hermon Cemetery Association and is interested in every project
that helps to build up and benefit the town.
Wells, Wallace H., Brasher Falls, postmaster and telegraph operator at Brasher Falls,
was born December 23, 1849, a son of Thomas W. Wells and Susan S. Morse, the
former born August 9, 1815, in Plymouth, Conn., and the latter born in Litchfield,
Conn., February 1, 1814, a relative of Prof. S. F. B. Morse, the inventor of the telegraph.
The parents were married May 7, 1840, the father being a clock maker, who, in con
nection with his brother Joseph and a Mr. Boardman, were among the first clock
makers in the country. Thomas W. continued in the business here about thirty years
dying in 1876. He was also postmaster, and at his death was succeeded by his son,
our subject, who has held the office since, wi th the exception of one and a half vears
under President Cleveland. His mother died July 27, 1872, aged fifty-eight years.
He has been telegraph operator for the past twenty years, and was also for several
years in the mercantile trade. He married June 27, 1872, Carrie E. Boynton born
April 28, 1852, and they have one child, N. Anna, born September 3, 1874.
Taylor, Randolph, Brasher Falls, was a native of Alstead, N. H., a blacksmith by
trade, and of English and Scotch descent. About 1800 he came with his family to Jay,
Essex county, N. Y., and a few years later to Parishville, where he died, aged about
ninety. Pardon R. Taylor, his oldest son, was born about 1780, at Alstead, N. H., and
came with his father to this county, where they worked at their trade. The son was
also a contractor and built the turnpike in Essex county, to the iron ore regions. He
married Polly Ames, a relative of the celebrated family of that name in Massachusetts.
He d;ed at the age of fifty-two years, and his wife aged eighty-two. Their seven
children were as follows : Thomas R., John A., Mary, Dorcas L., Pamelia S., Alice.
Henry F., our subject, was born in Jay, Essex county, October 22, 1824, educated in
Clintonville, and in 1840 engaged in the manufacture of forks and hoes, and in 1846 he
removed to Brasher Falls, where he continued in the same line, doing a prosperous
business for some years. In 1852 he discontinued the business and engaged in insur
ance, both fire and life, at which he has continued since. Mr. Taylor is a prominent
member of the Presbyterian church and has been an elder there many years. August
8, 1848, he married Harriet L. Taft, born March 18, 1830, daughter of Silas and Tri-
phena (Clinton) Taft, the former a relative of Judge Taft, of Ohio, also Lieutenant-
Governor Taft, of Vermont. The Tafts are of English ancestry and traee their lineage
back to 1680, to one Robert Taft, of Massachusetts. The mother was a relative of the
celebrated De Witt Clinton. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have three children : Bell H., born
June 16, 1853; Carrie G, born August 29, 1855; and Theodore" R., born November 8
1862, who is in life insurance business.
McCarthy, John H., Brasher, was born in Brasher, May 1, 1850, a son of John and
Mary (Lorden) McCarthy, natives of County Cork, Ireland, who came to America in
1846, and settled in this town. The father died December 15, 1883, at the age of
seventy-three, and the mother, July 6, 1892, also aged seventy-three. Their seven

168 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
children were : Eugene, a farmer in Kansas ; Michael, merchant, of Chicago ; Thomas,
a farmer, of Stockholm ; Margaret, wife of Edward Roekford, of Stockholm ; John H.,
merchant; Mary, wife of Daniel Sullivan, of Chicago; and Daniel D., a policeman, of
Chicago. John H. was educated in the schools of Brasher and followed farming till
the age of thirty-six, when he engaged in the mercantile trade in Brasher Falls, where
he has a general store. He is also town clerk. The last thirteen years of his farm life
he was in the employ of Hon. 0. T. Hulburd, having charge of his farm and dairy.
February 4, 1875, Mr. McCarthy married Mary McCuin, born December 6, 1845, a
daughter of James and Isabella (Hart) McCuin, natives of Ireland, who came to
America when young. Our subject has three children : Bertha B., born June 17, 1876 ;
Walter H., born March 8, 1879 ; and Charles J., born January 3, 1881. Mr. McCarthy
is a' Republican, and one of the leading merchants in this section.
Gardner, Clark A., De Kalb, was born in Rodman, Jefferson county, June 20, 1839.
His father was a farmer and he has been interested in that occupation all his life. In
1862 he enlisted in Company B, Tenth N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and served two years
and four months. Aftar the war he resumed farming, and came to De Kalb in 1868.
The same year he married Amorett Doane, and they have two children : Jennie J., and
Jay William. Mr. Gardner's father, Peleg Gardner, was a son of William, who settled
in Lewis county in 1812. Our subject's maternal grandfather was Reuben Waite, a
captain in the war of 1812.
Hulburd, Luther (deceased), Brasher Falls, was a native of Orwell, Vt., born May 1,
1785, a son of Ebenezer Hulburd of Puritan ancestry, the founder of the family in this
country having come from Wales in the early part of 1600. Hon. Calvin T. Hulburd is a
nephew of Luther, who came from Vermont about 1803 and settled in Stockholm, this
county, where he spent most of his life on a farm. He married Lydia Tilden, a sister
of Calvin's mother, and a relative of the late Hon. Samuel J. Tilden. Luther had eight
children : Melissa, Clarinda, Lucius, Oliver, Hiland, Luther, Henry M. and Wesley.
He died February 6. 1874, aged eighty-nine. Henry M. was born in Stockholm on the
farm, March 19, 1824, educated in the common schools and Potsdam Academy, and
was for some years a clerk at Portsmouth, N. H. In 1852 he engaged in the mercantile
business for himself at Brasher Falls, where he has since continued a successful busi
ness. He has been a Republican since the organization of the party. He married, May
1, 1853, Margaret W. Foster of Andover, Mass., born November 15, 1830, a daughter
of Timothy and Lydia Foster, descendants of the Forsters of Bamborough Castle,
Northumberland, England. Mrs. Hulburd died April 19, 1887. Of their five children,
two survive : Alice L. and Harry F. Mr. Hulburd married for his second wife, May 16,
1889, Mary B. Chittenden of Hopkinton. The family are members of the Presbyterian
church. Hulburd, Sandford W„ Brasher Falls, manufacturer of potato starch and broom
handles at Brasher Falls, was born in Lawrenceville, St. Lawrence county, June 12,
1845, a son of Lucius and Cordelia (Whittemore) Hulburd, the father a native of Stock
holm, and the mother of St. Albans, Vt. Sanford W. was reared in Lawrenceville and
was in business with his father until twenty-seven years of age, and in 1872 he engaged

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 169
in his present business in Brasher Falls. August 17, 1870, he married J. Amanda Chit
tenden, born August 23, 1849, daughter of Asahel Chittenden of Hopkinton, and sister
of Mrs. Henry M. Hulburd. Her grandfather Chittenden was in the war of the Rev
olution at the age of sixteen, serving seven years. He was born in Connecticut and
died in Hopkinton, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Hulburd have had four children: Leroy C,
born May 6, 1873, a student at the Norwich University, Vermont ; Annabel A., born
October 19, 1876 ; Lucius S., born June 2, 1879 ; and Ethel O., born July 16, 1882.
Mr. Hulburd is a Republican and one of the representative businessmen of the place.
Crouch, C. F., Stockholm, was born June 24, 1816, in Shelburne, Vt His father was
Aaron Crouch, a native of Paulett, Vt., who married Lucy Blair, a native of Williams-
town, Mass. They have four sons and five daughters. Mr. Crouch died May 22, 1848,
and his wife January 27, 1837. O. F. Crouch was reared on a farm and educated in
the common schools, and at the early age of eight years started in life for himself by
working on a farm. In 1850 he came to Stockholm and married Emma Chandler, a
native of Fairfield, Vt. He then returned to Vermont, and after remaining two years
went to Bombay, Franklin county, N. Y., and purchased a small farm on which he re
sided for nine years. He then sold his farm and in 1861 again came to Stockholm and
located on the farm of 175 acres which he now owns. He is a general farmer and
dairyman, keeping an average of twenty cows. Mr. Crouch is a Republican in politics
and liberal in religion. He is a member of the P. of I., Eureka Lodge No. 162. He has
two daughters, Jennie L., wife of Verne A. Kirk, a farmer of Parishville; and E. Myra,
wife of Charles H. Flannigan, a native of Stockholm. Mr. Flannigan at present has charge
of the farm owned by Mr. Crouch. Miss Blair, wife of Aaron Crouch, was a daughter
of Ezekiel Blair, a captain in the Revolutionary war, who was at the battle of Bunker
Hill. The latter married Elizabeth Deming, a native of Massachusetts. She was one
of the girls who raised onions and sold them in England to build a church in Wethers-
field, Conn. She died in Shelburne, Vt, in 1836.
Crossman, Marcus, Pierrepont, was born in Pierrepont, October 26, 1843, a son of
Abner Crossman, a native of Vermont, born February 12, 1809. The latter was a son
of Carmi, one of the first settlers of Pierrepont, where he died, aged ninety-one. Abner
Crossman came to Pierrepont when a young man. He married Hily A. Doolittle of
Vermont who also came to this town with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Crossman had
six children. They settled on a farm in Pierrepont, where the father died October 29,
1865. He was twice married, his second wife being Clarinda Pryor. Marcus Cross-
man lost his mother at the age of six years. He had his own way to make and fol
lowed farming until the age of eighteen years, when he enlisted in August, 1862, in
Co. I, 142d N. Y. Infantry, serving till the close of the war. September 29, 1864, he
was taken prisoner at Chapin's Farm, Va., where he was also wounded badly, and
at the end of ten days was paroled and sent to Annapolis, Md., thence to Balti
more, and was discharged from the Camden Street Hospital at the close of the ser
vice. Returning home he married, January 17, 1867, Charlotte C, daughter of
Loren and Eliza J. Couch of Lewis county, who came to Canton and settled. Mrs.
Crossman was educated at Canton College and taught for several terms. They have

170 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
had five children : Merton L., who died aged four years ; Gertrude, who died aged
three years; Orra W.. who lives at home ; Gilfred A., who died November 12, 1893,
aged seventeen years; James E., and Maude A., an adopted daughter. Mr. Cross-
man is a farmer and owns 175 acres of land, keeping a dairy of twenty-five cows.
In politics he is a Republican, taking an active interest in local affairs. For five
years he has been engaged in life insurance, representing the Connecticut General
Life Insurance Company of Hartford, Conn. He is a member of High Falls Lodge
No. 428, F. & A. M., and of Martin Post No. 346, G. A. R., Department of New
York, and also of P. of H. No. 54 of Crary's Mills.
Bell, Oliver (deceased), Brasher Falls, was born on the farm where his sons and
and widow now live, March 15, 1830, and died January 7, 1878. He was a son of J.
Bell, a native of Vermont, who came to this locality when the place was a wilderness,
and bought 200 acres of land, which he converted into a fine farm. He was a great
hunter, and killed many deer, bear, etc. He was murdered while in his camp in the
woods, at the age of fifty years. Oliver Bell and his brothers added to the farm from
time to time until the family owned nearly 600 acres. Oliver married, November 4,
1863, Eliza A. Wood, who was born March 5, 1833, a daughter of Elijah and Phoebe
(Corbin) Wood, Quakers, as were also the maternal grandparents. Mr. and Mrs. Bell
had two sons, Warren E. and William J. The farm, which now comprises about 210
acres, is under a fine state of cultivation, and the brothers have recently erected a cream
ery with all modern machinery, and have a fine dairy of their own. Warren E. mar
ried, February 15, 1893, Ella, daughter of David Floyd of Crown Point.
Squires, John B., Pierrepont, was born in Canton, February 26, 1846, a son o£
Isaac A., son of Salmon W. and Anna (Wells) Squires, who came from Dorset, Vt., in
1806. Mr. Squires had previously, in 1799, visited Canton and assisted in surveying
the town. Here he selected a site on which he afterwards located, building a log house
on Grannis' Brook. Frederick, brother of Samuel W., was one of Captain Forsyth's
men in Rifle Company, and was wounded at Ogdensburg. Isaac A. Squires was born
in the log house previously mentioned, March 8, 1810, and was twice married. First,
July 19, 1836, to Candis (Dimick) Kingsbury, born in 1803, by whom he had two chil
dren, who died young. Mrs. Squires died July 6, 1844, and December 31, 1844, he
married, second, Sarah Hull, of Potsdam, born April 28, 1815, and by her he had a son
and three daughters. Mr. Squires was an extensive real estate owner, having land in
Canton, Potsdam, etc. He died August 14, 1887, while residing with John B. Mrs.
Squires died in June, 1886. John B. was educated in St. Lawrence University, and in
1870 came to Pierrepont from Potsdam, where he had lived since two years of age, and
located on the farm of 260 acres which he now owns. He follows general farming
and dairying. In 1867 Mr. Squires married Ellen M., daughter of George Crandall, a
native of Vermont, born in 1812, and one of the early settlers of Pierrepont. His wife
was Maria Bicknell, by whom he had six children, three of whom grew to maturity.
Mr. and Mrs. Squires have five children: Nellie K., Martha A., Mabel E., Grace M.
and Elizabeth M. Mr. Squires is a Republican, and has been justice of the peace four
years, assessor eight years, and is how serving his fifth term as supervisor. He is a

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 171
member of Raquette River Lodge No. 213, F. & A. M., of Potsdam, and of Crary's
Mill Grange No. 54.
Stafford, Thomas, Brasher Falls, was a native of Peru, Clinton county, and came to
Potsdam in 1818. He was a blacksmith by trade. He married Lydia Green, a native
of Clinton county, by whom he had seven children. He lived to the age of eighty-
eight years, and his wife to the age of ninety. Erastus, the second child, was born in
1800, and came with his father to this county. In 1843 moved to Stockholm, where he
worked at wool carding and dressing cloth. He "died in January, 1861. His wife was
Prudence Perkins, of Potsdam, by whom he had twelve children, eight now living. John
P., the third child, was born January 4, 1828, at Stafford's Corners (in Potsdam), and
in early life engaged with his father in the manufacture of cloth in Stockholm. He
came to Brasher in 1866, and engaged in the same business, which he still continues.
In 1853 he married Martha Bicknell, whose grandfather, Amos B., was the original
settler of Bicknellville, in Stockholm, and after whom the place was named. Mr. and
Mrs. Stafford had two children : Ella, deceased, and Oassius. Mr. Stafford is a Re
publican, and his wife is an active member of the M. E. Church.
Skinner, John F, Brasher Center, a merchant at Brasher Center, was borninSalona,
Clinton county, Pa., September 21, 1826, a son of John Cotton Skinner, and Deborah,
Hanna. This family trace their ancestry from the year 1600, the founder of the family
in America having been Joseph Skinner, born in England in that year, who came to
America in 1620 with the Pilgrims. His son Joseph was born in 1668, his son John
was born in 1725, the son of John being Cotton, born in 1770, and his son, John Cotton
Skinner, father of our subject, was born in 1800, in Cayuga county. John F. Skinner
was educated in the schools of his native town and Moravia Institute. He learned the
trade of a moulder, serving three years, and for several years he worked at his trade.
Then he became superintendent for his uncle, Isaac W. Skinner, in a large iron foundry,
at Brasher Iron Works, N. Y., where he remained till the death of his uncle in 1874.
Soon after this he bought the plant, which he conducted about ten years, when in 1887
he was burned out. Since that he has been in the mercantile business at Brasher Iron
Works, until October, 1893, when he moved to Brasher Center. He is a Republican,
and has been justice of the peace for about twenty- two years, justice of sessions for
two years, supervisor of the town two years, town clerk two years, also overseer of" the
poor. He married first, January 24, 1847, Mary Ann McCune, born in 1829. They
had ten children : Leonidas H., Deborah C, Margaret L., John C, Isaac W., Jacob B.,
Franklin R., Mary E., Joseph H., and Laura E. His wife died April 9, 1882, and he
married second, July 10, 1883, Tryphena Collamer, of Ogdensburg, N. Y.
Kennehan, Patrick E., Brasher Falls, was born in Asnabrook, Ontario, April 26,
1848, a son of Patrick and Margaret (Mahon) Kennehan, of Kings county, Ireland,
who came to Quebec and went to Asnabrook, where they remained until 1850, when
they came to St. Lawrence county, where the father followed railroad work for a time,
and later engaged with Hon. C. T. Hulburd as gardener, which was his trade, and
which he followed while living in Asnabrook. He worked as gardener for Mr. Hub
bard twenty -five years, when he engaged in farming for himself, now owning a fine

172 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
tract of land east of Brasher Falls. Our subject was educated in the schools of Brasher,
and served three years as a machinist in the shops of Davis & Co., which he now owns,
engaging in business for himself at the age of twenty-five, in 1873. Soon after this,
he and Joseph Dishan bought the whole business, under the firm name of Dishan &
Kennehan, and in 1883 he bought the business interest of his partner. He is a Demo
crat in politics. In November, 1893 he was appointed postmaster. December 28, 1875,
he married Anna J. Butler, born in this town in 1852 (August 9), a daughter of John
and Eliza (Hamil) Butler. Mr. and Mrs. Kennehan have had five children : Oswald J ,
born July 26, 1878, who was drowned August 14, 1891, aged thirteen years ; George
P., born January 22, 1881 ; Francis Henry, born April 15, 1885, who died at the age
of nine days ; Marion M., born October 29, 1889 ; Mabel E., born July 20, 1892. Mr.
Kennehan manufactures threshing machines, sawing machines and all kinds of agricul
tural implements. He also has a good repair shop and manufactures all kinds of
creamery fixtures. His shop is the best equipped shop in northern New York.
Goodale, R. P., Colton, was born in Pittsford, Vt., March 11, 1822, a son of F. 0.
Goodale, of New Hampshire, born in 1793, who married in 1815, Ruth St. John, of
Hubbardton, Vt, by whom he had six children. In 1825 he came to Parishville with
his family. He and wife were prominent members of the Methodist church, and as
sisted in building the Parishville edifice. He died m 1842, in his forty-ninth year.
His wife died in 1840, in her forty- third year. R. P. Goodale learned the blacksmith's
trade at the age of eighteen and when twenty years of age went to Vermont and
worked with his Uncle St. John, with whom he had lived since nine years of age till
the time he was fourteen. Here he remained one year, then went to Framingham,
Mass., and worked one summer at his trade, then went to Dedham and worked a short
time. Returning to Parishville, he worked on a farm two years. He and his brother
worked at the blacksmith trade one year. He married, August 8, 1846, Susan L.
McOmber, a native of Bristol, Vt, and a member of the M. E- Church , of Colton, born
September 3, 1829, a daughter of Harmon McOmber and Lydia E. Wright, the former
a native of Vermont, (died December 29, 1869), and the latter of New Hampshire,
(died February 14, 1887), who came to Parishville in 1837, and who were the parents
of fifteen children. One son, Adolphus, was killed in the war, at the battle of G aines
Mill. Eleven children lived to maturity, and were married before another death
occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Goodale had three children : Earl D., of Potsdam, who married
Etta Lyman, and has three children; Grace C, Gertrude E., and Uel Rolla. The sec
ond son, Delmer I., a farmer, of Colton, who owns a half interest and has charge of his
father's farm, married Catherine M. Sullivan, and has one child, Jessie M. The third
child, Alice, married Jackson Collins, of Colton, and died November 22, 1882. Soon
after his marriage, Mr. Goodale went to Rensselaer Falls, and worked at his trade. In
1847 he bought the farm he now owns, to which he has since added, owning now
one hundred and fifty-three acres. His first house was a log cabin, with bark roof.
He has been a railroad man for some time, having been connected with the Hud0on
River Railroad Company. He then went to Boundbrook, N. J., and was engaged in
lengthening locks on the canal one winter, and then went to Connecticut and for a
year was foreman of the grading department at Waterville. He worked at blasting

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 173
and then went to Fort Deposit, and was foreman in taking dimensions for stone in
bridge building. He next went to Dover and had charge of surfacing the track. Mr.
Goodale is a Republican, and has been assessor, but resigned after serving one year.
He has since served as assessor and highway commissioner. December 12, 1861, he en
listed in Company D., Scott's Nine Hundred, but changed to the Eleventh N. Y.
Cavalry, and served two and a half years, He was orderly sergeant and was promoted
second lieutenant, and then to first lieutenant. He is a member of the High Falls
Lodge, No. 428, F. & A. M., and of the G. A. R., Wait Post, No. 581.
O'Driscoll, Father James, Canton, was born in Ireland, March 17, 1842, and re
ceived his education in Dublin. He was ordained in 1867, and came to America the
same year, locating in Albany. He removed to Oswego and then to Lewis county.
Twenty-two years ago he came to Canton, where he has done a great deal for the
church and his people. He has built one of the finest edifices in Northern New York,
at a cost of $60,000, and his congregation numbers 1,000 souls.
Howard, Gilfred E., Pierrepont, was born on the farm he now owns in Pierrepont,
June 1, 1851. His father, Orrin A., was a son of Aaron, a native of Massachu
setts, born in 1780, who went to St. Albans, Vt, and there married Dolly Crary,
by whom he had five sons and one daughter. In 1819 Mrs. Howard died and he
married, second, Mrs. Lucy (Gates) Brooks, by whom he had two sons. In 1835
Mr. Howard came to Pierrepont, where he lived until his death in 1865. His wife
died two years later. Orrin A. was born in St Albans, Vt, September 16, 1816,
and at the age of fourteen came to Pierrepont, where he was reared by his maternal
grandfather, his mother having died when he was three years old. He was educated
in Potsdam Academy, and when quite young began teaching, which he followed
ten years. In 1850 he bought the farm now owned by our subject. He took an
active part in politics, and for many years was one of the leading men of the town,
holding the offices of town clerk, collector, constable, assessor, supervisor, highway
commissioner and school superintendent. In 1843 he married Susan Tupper, bom
August* 13, 1819, a daughter of Ansel and Callista (Reynolds) Tupper, and they had
four children : Ansel T., Millie C, Gilfred E. and Nellie D. Mr. Howard died May
13, 1883. Gilfred E. was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools.
He is a general farmer and dairyman and owns 153 acres of land. He has been
twice married, first to Flora Moore of Potsdam, who died in 1876 ; and second, in 1878,
he married Mamie Madden of Morristown, by whom he had six children : Grace,
who died aged nine months; Florence O, Horton E., Wayne P., Eldon E. and
Ruth E. Mr. Howard is a Republican and he and wife are members of Crary'
Mills Grange No. 54.
Russell, Oscar, Colton, was born in Colton, August 20, 1851, a son of S. K. Rus
sell, elsewhere mentioned here. Oscar was reared on a farm and received his
education in the common schools, having also been a farmer all his life. He owns
100 acres of land, and keeps an average of about fourteen cows for dairying. Jan
uary 28, 1879, Mr. Russell married Relief Leonard, a native of Colton, and a daugh
ter of James Leonard of Vermont, born September 4, 1822, who came to this town

174 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
at an early date. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have had one son, 0. Leonard. Our sub
ject is a Republican and has been assessor one term.
Baker, Alexander W., Brasher, a veterinary surgeon, was born in North George
town, Quebec, October 28, 1844. His was George W. Baker of Burlington, Vt, a
farmer and justice of the peace who died there June 7, 1863, aged sixty-two years. The
wife of the latter was Mary Ann De Boovis, a native of France, who died in 1872 aged
sixty-eight years. Naham Baker, father of George, was born in Massachusetts, April
9, 1762, and married Rhoda Adams, born in Farmington, Conn., February 19, 1769.
They were married October 29, 1792, and had two children : George W. and Rhoda,
Maria. Naham died October 12, 1821, and his wife April 11, 1852. Their son
George W., was born November 11, 1801, and the daughter, Rhoda M., was born No-
vamber 11, 1803. Naham served in Revolution and was at Bunker Hill. He was one
of the sentry guards over Major Andre the night before he was executed. The Bakers
and Adams were from Puritan stock and can trace their lineage back to the landing of
the Mayflower. The grandmother was connected to both Presidents J. Q. and John
Adams. Our subject, Alexander W., was reared in Canada until his twentieth year and
learned blaoksmithing and then studied veterinary surgery at Ottawa. He located at
North Lawrence, this county, for about a year, then came to Brasher Falls and carried
on blaoksmithing in connection with his profession. He is the only veterinary surgeon
in this section of the county, and he has by patience and industry accumulated a nice
property. He married in 1863, Eliza March, a native of Canada, born in Elgin, Hunt
ington county, June 22, 1846. Her father was from Ireland, and her mother was born
in Franklin county, of Irish parentage. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have had six children, five
surviving : George A., born December 28, 1864, who is also a blacksmith and veterinary
surgeon ; Agnes E., born August 22, 1866; Frank J., born June 2, 1872, also a black
smith ; Anna E„ born February 22, 1875 ; and May B., born May 17, 1877. Mr. Baker
and his sons are Republicans.
Wrigglesworth, Mrs. Jane, widow of Andrew Wrigglesworth, Russell, who was born
in De Kalb, January 6, 1833, a daughter of Enoch Taylor, who was a son of Nathan
Taylor, born in South Hadley, Mass., who married Deborah Robinson, by whom he had
two sons and two daughters. They spent their last days in Hammond, N. Y., where
he died in 1838, and his wife in 1851. Enoch Taylor came to Hammond when a
young man and followed teaching for several years, being also a farmer and mechanic.
He was a great reader and a well informed man. He married, in 1837, RuhamaDudy
born in Georgia, Vt, in 1815, a daughter of Obediah and Zilpha Dudy, natives of Ver
mont. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor had three children : George, a farmer of Russell ; Jane as
above; and Mary, who lives with her sister. Mr. Taylor died May 6, 1876, and his
wife, who still survives, resides with our subject Jane began teaching at the age of
fifteen, which vocation she followed many years. She married Andrew Wrigglesworth
by whom she had one daughter, who graduated from the St. Lawrence University, class
of 1890, and is now a teacher in Brooklyn. Mr. Wrigglesworth was a farmer owning
a place in North Russell. He died August 25, 1868. His father, Joseph, was a native
of England, who came to De Kalb when a young man. He married Sarah, widow of

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 175
James Aastman, by whom he had nine children. After the death of her husband Mrs.
Wrigglesworth sold the farm and followed teaching until 1885, when she bought the
cheese factory now known as the Palmersville Factory, of which she has since been pro
prietor, the output being about 90,000 pounds annually.
Benham, S. R., Colton, was born in Shiek's Island, Canada, December 2, 1829, a son
of Harvey Benham, a native of Stansted, Vt, born June 25, 1802. He married in
Lower Canada Orrilla Hackett, a native of Massachusetts, who went to Canada with
her parents at an early day. They went to Shiek's Island, which was owned by two
of his uncles, Solomon and William Raymond. After a short time Mr. and Mrs. Ben
ham came to Louisville, N. Y., where they resided till 1842, and then came to Colton,
where he died in 1891, and his wife in 1885. They had eight children. S. R. Benham
was reared on a farm, and at the age of twelve came with his parents to Colton, and
has there spent his life chiefly, though he was in Michigan about two years and in
Hanawa six years. He has acted as guide in the woods for many years, and spent the
winters in lumbering. July 29, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and
Sixth N. Y. Volunteers, and served till the close of the war, being honorably discharged
in July, 1865. He participated in the following battles: Wilderness, Spottsylvania,
Cold Harbor, Kelly's Ford, Manassas Gap, Locust Grove, Mine Run, Martinsburg, Phil-
lipi, Five Forks, Petersburg, and Sailor's Creek. He was also at Appomattox. Sep
tember 9, 1854, he married Augusta Glidden, of Essex county, daughter of James and
Emeline (Hill) Glidden, she being the widow of Mr. Hill, maiden name Hodgkin. She
died in 1850 and Mr. Glidden in 1859. They had five children. Mr. and Mrs. Ben
ham have had two children : James D., who married Sylvia Bicknell, and has one
daughter, Grace; and Nina A., wife of Warren Daniels, of Sing Sing. They are both
graduates of Potsdam Norman School. Mr. Benham is a Republican, a member of
the G. A. R., Wait Post of Colton, and he and wife are members of the M. E. Church.
Gates, Arba, Russell, was born in Lewis county, July 24, 1830. His father, Arba, sr.,
was a native of Windsor, Vt., and came to Champion, Jefferson county, with his parents,
who later went to Lewis county, where they died. Arba, sr., was married in Lewis
county to Susan Clintsman, by whom he had eleven children. He moved to Fowler in
1838 and about twenty years later went west. He died in Wisconsin in 1888, and his
wife in 1890. Arba Gates, jr., came with his parents to Fowler, and has since been a
resident of this county. He has always followed agriculture, and owns seventy acres
in one place and sixty in another. He came to Russell in 1868 and bought the Palmer-
ville saw-mill, which he still owns. In 1885 he added a grist mill, and does a success
ful business. He also has one burr and two metal mills. He manufactures from 500,-
000 to 600 000 feet of lumber yearly, and from 500,000 to 700,000 shingles yearly.
Mr. Gates is a Democrat, and has served as commissioner of highways two terms. He
has been twice married, first to Minerva Stone, of Fowler, by whom he had four chil
dren : Emma Ett, Abram F., Dora, and one who died in infancy. His second wife was
Sarah A. Brown, born in Wilna, Jefferson county, but a resident of Russell, and they
have -had eight children : John F., Thomas H., Susan. George, Mona, Charles, Harry,
and Carl who died aged two years. Mr. Gates is a Universalist in religious belief, and

176 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
his family attend the M. E. Church. He is a Mason of Russell Lodge No. 566, and was
a member of the State militia.
Fletcher, Calvin T., Brasher, was born in Lawrence, September 17, 1838, a son of
Chauncey and Orpha S. (Ketch) Fletcher, the former born in Mansfield, Conn., June 2,
1800, and the latter born in Starkboro, Vt, October 11, 1800. They came to this
county when it was a wilderness, and had these children: Nancy, Janet, Julius A.,
Cleora A., Franklin R., Charles A., Olive A., Clark, Calvin T., and Martha S. Chauncey
Fletcher died February 3, 1386, and his wife November 25, 1860. The family trace
their ancestry in a direct line back to William the Conqueror. Rev. Richard Fletcher,
chaplain to Queen Elizabeth, was also one of the family. He afterwards became bishop
of London. The American branch of the family have many of them followed agricult
ure, and descended in direct line from Robert Fletcher, who came to America in 1630
and settled near Boston. Our subject was educated in the Lawrenceville Academy,
studied law at Malone, and was admitted to the bar in 1864, practicing a few years, and
then engaging in mercantile pursuits with his first wife's father, J. G. Reynolds, at
Bombay. In 1871 he came to Helena, where he engaged in trade. October 12, 1865,
he married Fredonia A., daughter of J. G. Reynolds, of Bombay. She died August 30,
1870. Their children were: Gates R., born in 1866, died in 1868; Ernest T., bornNo-
vember 2, 1868 ; Ormel, born and died in 1870. He married second Augusta A.,
daughter of John Sengfeld, of West Chazy, N. Y., November 9, 1871, and their chil
dren were : Lura F., born November 29, 1875 ; Clark E., bom October 14, 1879 ;
Charles F., born October 16, 1881. Mr. Fletcher is a Democrat, and has been supervi
sor several years, also notary public for many years. He has a fine trade, and owns
several farms. His oldest son, Ernest T., is a successful merchant in Tupper Lake, N.
Y., and was recently appointed postmaster.
Burt, G. W., Russell, was born in Dickerson, this county, May 15, 1848. His father,
David, was a son of Seaborn, who was so named from having been born on the ocean
while coming from England to America. His parents settled in Canada, and later came
to Dickinson in Franklin county, and to Russell, where they spent their days. David
Burt was born in Canada and came with his parents to St. Lawrence county when a
young man. He was a carpenter. He married Evaline Wood, of Jefferson county by
whom he had six sons and four daughters. Three of the sons, John, Silas, and Elmer,
also our subject, were in the late war, where all were killed save the latter. Mr. Burt
lived in Russell about forty-three years. G. W. Burt was reared and educated in Rus
sell, and at the age of fourteen enlisted in Company E, Fourteenth N. Y. Heavy Ar
tillery, serving till the close of the war. He participated in the battle of the Wilder
ness, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, and others. He was taken sick at North Anna
River and carried to the First Division Hospital, then to Mount Pleasant Hospital,
Washington, and after two months was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, then
sent to Indianapolis, and later to Cleveland, 0., most of the time on detached service.
At the close of the war he returned to Russell, and after one year in school went to
Illinois and Wisconsin, remaining about five months, when he married, November 26
1866, Anna Hill, a native of Louisville, N. Y., and daughter of William Hill, whose

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 177
father, William, sr., came from England. The father of the latter fitted out a ship to
send him to the West Indies to settle the estate of his two brothers, but he was ship
wrecked, and by chance brought to America, and settled in Vermont, removed to Louis
ville, St. Lawrence county, where he died aged ninety-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Burt
have had six sons, one who died in infancy ; Mayon E., who died aged seven ; RoUa
0., who died aged twelve; George M., Wilton D., and Roy D., now living. Mr. Burt
is a painter by trade, which he followed till 1882, when he engaged in the mercantile
business, where he carries a general stock of millinery goods, groceries, boots and shoes,
clothing, patent medicines, etc. Previous to this Mr. Burt was in business in Rich
ville. He is a Prohibitionist in politics, and has served as town clerk one year. He is
a member of Rice Post No. 169 G. A. R., and he and wife are members of the M. E.
Church, of which he has been Sunday-school superintendent for thirteen or fourteen
years. Sheldon, George A., De Kalb Junction, was born in Brooklyn, December 22, 1860.
At the age of five years he removed with his parents to Rutland, Vt., where he lived
fourteen years, and learned the tinner's trade. He then spent a year and a half in
Gouverneur, and then, on account of ill health, went to Brooklyn for the winter, spend
ing the following summer in Rutland. In October he returned to Gouverneur, but after
a stay of only a week he came to De Kalb Junction, and at once took a position with
S. T. Walker, October 30, 1882, and worked for him five and a half years. He then
entered the employ of M. D. Alvison, and after ten months with that house embarked
in business for himself; November 1, 1888, he took the stand where he now is. The
business at that time was very small, but by excellent work, superior business methods
and close attention he has built up a large and constantly increasing trade. He carries
a full and complete stock of shelf and heavy hardware, stoves, crockery, paints, glass,
etc., besides doing a large tinning business, requiring the services of three skilled work
men. In 1884 Mr. Sheldon married Ida Smith, and they have one daughter, Mabel.
He is a staunch Republican.
Horton, W. J., Colton, was born in London, England, July 30, 1848, a son of Jacob
and Emma (Wetland) Horton, also of England, who reared six sons and four daughters.
In 1853 Mr. Horton and family, and Mrs. Horton's mother and stepfather, Mr. Murry,
with an uncle, Robert Wetland, a sailor who brought the family, all came to this coun
try. The sailor returned to the ocean and has never since been heard of. The family
lived in Boston for five years, and in 1858 came to Colton, where the father died in
1885, his widow now residing in the town. Wm. J. Horton was about five years of
age when he came to America. The family came to a farm in Colton when he was ten
years old. When about twenty-one he engaged in jobbing, and soon bought a farm of
150 acres improved land and about 1,800 acres of wild land. In 1888 he engaged in
mercantile business at South Colton, buying out F. F. Flint & Co., and has a fine store,
keeping a good stock of general merchandise. Mr. Horton married first, January ],
1871, Sarah Tilton, by whom he had three children: Harriette, Willie Royal, and
Sarah. Harriette is the wife of James Bump, of Parishville ; Sarah married a Mr. Hol-
lenbeck, an inspector of car wheels at Norwood ; and Willie is now in Colton. Mrs.

178 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Horton died January 28, 1875, and our subject married second Wealtha E„ daughter of
the late Edward Spear, of Parishville, and they have had four children : Etta, Mary,
Myrtle, and Winifred. Mr. Horton is a Republican, and has been collector and con
stable eleven years. He enlisted in the late war under Edward Knapp, of Potsdam, but
the company being full he was returned.
Libbey, George E., Colton, was born in Benton, Me., February 20, 1836, a son of
Aaron, a native of Socco, Me., and of the seventh generation from John Libbey who
came from England. Aaron married Emily Woodsome, of Maine, by whom he had
seven children. He was a prominent man of affairs in the town and held many public
offices. He died September 25, 1866, and his wife died August 3, 1867. George E.
Libbey started out in life for himself at the age of nineteen and first learned the carpen
ter's trade, following this for a number of years. In 1863 he went to California, work
ing at his trade and also in the manufacture of wagons, and in 1867 returned to Maine
and engaged in farming and lumbering until 1879, when he came to Colton as agent for
F. Shaw & Bros., of Boston, who owned the St. Lawrence Tannery and the St. Regis
Tannery. Mr. Libbey has since lived here continuously. He is one of the stockholders
of the First National Bank at Canton, is a Democrat, and held several town offices in
Maine. He married first Rosella Humphrey, of Maine, by whom he had no children.
She died in 1861, and he married second Mahala M. Mills, also a native of Maine, and
they have two children : George W., a student in medicine at the university of Bur
lington ; and Rose M., a teacher in Minnesota. Mr. Libbey is a member of High Falls
Lodge No. 428 F. & A. M., also of Potsdam Chapter No. 39 and St. Lawrence Com
mandery No. 28, K. T. of Canton.
Bullis, Lewis, Pierrepont, was born in Plattsburg, Clinton county, June 16, 1837, a
son of John W., a native of that place, born in 1804, who married Mercy R. Fonda, by
whom he had five sons and five daughters. In 1841 Mr. Bullis came to Pierrepont and
settled on what is known as the '' Waterman Hill Stock Farm," owned by our subject
and his brother Miad, who was born in Pierrepont. J. W. died in Canton in 1884, and
his wife died in 1887. Lewis Bullis has always followed farming and dairying, and
now owns 200 acres of the old homestead and 200 additional in Canton, Russell and
Pierrepont, and also keeps about thirty-five cows. In 1870 he married Susan E.
Lewis, a native of Hermon, and daughter of Roswell and Betsey (Thompson) Lewis,
early settlers of Hermon. Mr. and Mrs. Bullis have had two children: Jerm and
Mernie. Baker, Lucius B., M.D., Russell, is a native of Russell, born February 17, 1846, a son
of the Rev. Lucius S. Baker, the oldest Baptist minister in St Lawrence county, who
was born in Chester, Vt, August 8, 1810. He was the oldest son, in a family of ten
children, of Bezaleel Baker, born in New Hampshire, whose father was a native of Nova
Scotia. Rev. L. S. Baker came to this county in 1842, where he has since lived. He
was educated in Colgate University, formerly Madison, and commenced the ministry in
1837, which he has continued until within about five years, since which time he has
ceased from active work. January 27, 1837, he married Hannah G. Walker, a native
of , Vermont, born April 21, 1814, died August 8, 1887, and they had three children :

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 179
Celestine N„ born March 28, 1839, died October 6, 1890 ; Lucius B., as above; and
Roger J., born November 17, 1854, died February 6, 1882. Lucius B. was educated in
St. Lawrence Academy, Potsdam, N. Y., and the medical department of the University
of Vermont, from which he graduated in 1868. He began practice in Clifton, N. Y.,
and in September, 1869, was appointed house physician in the Rochester City Hospital,
where he remained three years, then was elected city physician, practicing six years,
and then came to Russell, where he has since lived, giving his time entirely to his
chosen profession. He married in Rochester, in 1874, Sarah C. Markley, a native of
Winchester, Va., by whom he had one child, Kittie H., born June 28, 1875, died Sep
tember 3, 1893. Dr. Baker is a charter member of the board of trustees of the Roches
ter Free Dispensatory and the Rochester Pathological Society ; he is also a member of
the St. Lawrence County Medical Society, and for several years health officer of the
towns of Russell, Clifton and Clare. He is liberal in religious belief, and a Republican
in politics.
Brown, Orson L., Colton, was born in Colton, June 5, 1847, a son of David Brown,
whose father came from Vermont to Colton about 1825. David was born in Plymouth,
Mass., in 1805, and married Eunice Long, born in Potsdam in 1808, a daughter of Jona
than Long. Mr. Brown came to Colton about 1822 and settled on the farm now owned
by Orson L. Here he died February 9, 1881, and his wife March 23, 1890. They had
one son, Orson L., who was reared on the farm he now owns, and has here spent his
life. He was educated in the St. Lawrence Academy, and has always been a farmer,
owning now over 300 acres and keeping a dairy of twenty-eight cows. December 7,
1869, he married Alzina Adams, of Parishville, a daughter of Ambrose Adams, one of
the first settlers of the town. They had one child, Louisa E., born June 28, 1876.
September 19, 1884, Mrs. Brown died, and he married, September 29, 1885, Edna A.
Howe, of Parishville, daughter of Roderick Howe. Mr. Brown is a Republican, and
one of the assessors of the town. He is a member of High Falls Lodge No. 428, F. &
A. M. He and his wife are members of Adirondack Chapter O. E. S. of Colton, N. Y.
Bedal, T. W., Colton, was born in 1815 at Hartford, N. Y., a son of Joshua, a native
of Bath, N. H., born January 25, 1782, whose father, Joshua Bedal, was a native of
France, bom in 1740, who came to America with two brothers, Jacob and Richard, who
were killed at the battle of Bunker Hill. 3 oshua fought in the French and Indian and
the Revolutionary Wars, and was under Wolfe, Washington, and Lafayette. Joseph's
children were: Joshua, Jacob, Ruth, Louisa. Of these children Jacob married Nellie
Carr, of Royalton, N. H., whose father was taken captive by the Indians at the mas
sacre at Royalton and kept in captivity seven years. Jacob and wife had seven chil
dren : Daniel, William, Henry, Amasa, George, Albert and Hiram. Timothy Bedal, our
subject, was one of fourteen children, of whom Louisa died in 1829 ; George died aged
eighteen, being shot by a robber ; Angeline died in Vermont when a child ; Isabel mar
ried Benjamin Patch, of Vermont ; Alonzo is a farmer of Vermont ; Lafayette was
killed in the late war ; Cynthia married a Mr. Ellenwood, and died in Vermont about
1867; Langdon died in Sheldon, Vt, about 1887; Harriet married a Mr. May, son of
Judge May, of Detroit ; Maria married George Mihill, of Essex county, N. Y. ; Sarah,

180 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
wife of Nathan Wheeler, of Wisconsin ; Augusta, married Joseph Petit and lives in
Wisconsin ; Jane married Frank Carr, of Meridan, Minn. ; and Timothy, who came
from Vermont to Chateaugay in 1840. In 1846 he came to Colton, when the town was
but a wilderness, and here he cleared a home for himself and earned a living by making
black salts. He bought 100 acres of land, later disposing of fifty acres. He married
in June, 1835, Miss Ann Bean, and they had seven children : one who died in infancy ;
Mary, born November 25, 1836, wife of James Irish. She died December 7, 1864, and
left two children, Viroqua and Elva, both of whom are deceased. Melvina, born June
19, 1838, died December 10, 1841 ; Jane, born May 20, 1841, died October 9, 1880, the
wife of Frank Carr, of Minnesota, and had seven children : Ellen, Allen, Edson, Clar
ence, Elsie, Frank, Mary, Alva S. The latter was born March 1, 1843, and married Lucy
L. Smith, of Colton, by whom he had four children : Bertha, born August 6, 1871, mar
ried, August 30, 1890, Lewis R. Crump, now of Colton ; Arvilla, born September 4,
1873 ; Edson A., born March 21, 1876 ; Lydia L., born December 13, 1878. They are
all musicians, and under the name Crump's Orchestra furnish music for many of the
leading balls. Alvah Bedal enlisted in the Thirteenth N. Y. Cavalry on August 27,
1864, with his brother, Allen F, and served till the close of the war ; Allan F. was born
April 19, 1845, and was killed at what was known as the hay fight in 1865 ; Rose
Augusta was born February 4, 1847, and died in youth. Alvah Bedal now resides at
home with his parents, and is the owner of 157 acres of land. He and his father are
both Republicans, and liberal in religious views.
Botsford, Dr. Llewellyn T., Colton, was born in Canton, May 27, 1852, a son of
Cyrenus Z., a native of Lewis county, N. Y., born in 1813, who settled about 1830 in
Canton and was there educated. In early life he was turnkey of the jail at Canton and
attended school, later he followed teaching. He was thrice married, his last wife being
Aunlla King, of Canton, and soon after his marriage he moved on the farm where he
now lives. He is a Republican, and was a prominent member of the Union League.
He had three children: Elizabeth, wife of William H. Lewis, of West Potsdam; Jen
nie, wife of Adelbert C. Clark, of North Russell ; and Llewellyn T. The latter attended
the public schools and Canton Academy, and after reaching his majority he worked on
a farm and taught school to earn funds to continue his education. He then entered
St. Lawrence University, remaining two years, then began the study of medicine with
Sanford S. Hoag, of Canton. He spent one year in the medical department of Bur
lington (Vt.) University, and graduated from the New York Homoeopathic Medical
College in 1878. Since this, with the exception of three years in Canton, he has had a
successful practice in Colton. In 1880 Dr. Botsford married Jennie Potter, daughter of
Pelopides Potter, of Colton, and they had three children: Lelon P., Julia G., and Millie
R. Mrs. Botsford died December 10, 1890. Dr. Botsford is a Republican, and has
served several years as health officer, coroner for six years, and was one of the Board
of Education three years. He is a member of High Falls Lodge No. 428, F. & A. M.,
and he and family attend the Episcopal Church.
Ashton. William H., Brasher Falls, dealer in and manufacturer of carriages, also
general dealer in farm implements. Born May 18, 1834. A son of Walker and Pris-

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 181
cilia (Evans) Ashton. They came to America in the years 1819-1822 from England.
Walker, the father, was a dealer in silks and jewelry, dealing between New York and
Montreal until 1828; in the years from 1835 to 1838 was high sheriff of Yamaskia
county, P. Q. He died May 20, 1838, aged fifty-two years. Priscilla, the mother, was
married first to Samuel Goulding, 1815, who died in 1821 in Montreal, Canada. She
again was married to Samuel McCall, 1823, who died in 1830. She, the widow McCall,
married Walker Ashton in 1 832, who died May 20, 1838. After being a widow for forty-
eight years, and after passing through many of the hardships and trials of this world, she
died at Waterloo, Canada, March 8, 1886, in her ninetieth year. They were all mem
bers of the church of. England. Walker Ashton, son of Mathew Ashton, had four
brothers and three sisters: John, Robert, William, James, Mary, Salley and Eliza.
John died in Parishville, N. Y., in 1857, aged seventy-four years ; Robert died in Shef-
ford, Canada, in 1874, aged eighty-four years; William died in 1882, aged eighty- eight
years, in Shefford, Canada; James, residence unknown; Mary, wife of Thomas Stone,
died in Parishville in 1880, aged ninety years ; Salley died in Montreal, aged eighty-
five years ; Eliza died in Merry worth Castle, Kent, England, wife of Lord Fallmouth, in
her ninety- seventh year. Our subject began to learn his carriage trade at the age
of nineteen with E. B. Rounds, of Swanton, Vt, and in the year 1856 came to Brasher
Falls, N. Y., where he has always been in business, conducting his carriage shop and
also a farmer. He has been a. constable for twenty years and deputy sheriff for six
years ; is now serving his ninth year as a township assessor. He has been a Re
publican ever since the party was organized in 1856. August 14, 1859, W. H. Ashton
married Julia A. Frary, of Stockholm, N. Y. Her parents came from Lewis county,
N. Y. She died May 24, 1884, aged forty-five years, leaving three children : Arthur
D., born December 14, 1860, who is in business with his father, married Jessie Tripp, of
Stockholm, N. Y., daughter of John Tripp ; Agnes P., a twin sister of Arthur D., who
lives with her father ; and Charles W., born June, 1862, who is also in business with
his father at Brasher Falls, N. Y.
Close, Henry J., Colton, was born in Canada, March 22, 1867, a son of William, a
native of Chateaugay, born March 17, 1834, and the latter was a son of John Close,
who was engaged in the manufacture of shingles. In 1868 Mr. Close came to Colton,
where he and his brother John bought the farm now owned by John Close. William
sold his interest in this and bought the S. D. Buttles farm of 175 acres, and for three
years resided in South Colton, having erected the building now owned by our sub
ject. He was postmaster three years during Cleveland's first administration. He died
February 3, 1889, and his son, Henry J., held the office the balance of the term. Will
iam and wife had four sons and four daughters, all now living except Gertrude, who
died aged two years. Mrs. Close died January 19, 1893. Henry J. was raised on a
farm, educated in the common schools, and engaged in farming until November, 1893,
when he was appointed postmaster of South Colton, and has since lived there. He is
a Democrat, and has been inspector of elections three years. Mr. Close and family are
members of the Catholic church.
Day, Chester, Colton, was born in Canton in 1825. He is the son of Jonathan Day,
a native of Cheshire, Mass., born in 1771, who married at Addison, Vt, Rebecca Olin,

182 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
born in 1782. They had ten children. In 1801 Mr. Day came to Canton, there being
but four families in the town at the time. Here he resided on a farm until within a
few vears of his death, when he removed to another farm, and died in 1866 (February
2S). his wife having died May 8, 1862. He had charge of the county house, the first
one built, for several years. Chester Day was reared on a farm aud had a common
school education. He learned the cooper's trade, and is also a carpenter, and for a
number of years built boats. He married Sarah L. Ames, of Canton, born June 19, 1S25,
by whom he has had seven children : Sarah L., born November 18, 1845, who married
William Smith, of Stockholm, and they have one son, William H.. born December 19,
1847 ; Frances L., born May 16, 1852, who died in 1S93, and who was the wife of
Stillman Loop. She had two children, Harley D. and Ed i ill M. ; Marion A., who lives
at home, born in 1854; Eva E., born July 24, 1864, died in infancy; Mary L., born
April IS. 1863, married Wilbur Page, of Potsdam ; Eva M., born June 2, 1865, married
Orin Bradish, of Colton, and has one child, Ha. Mr. Day came to Colton in 1852, and
has lived here ever since. He has been a guide in the South woods for the Kildare
and Hollywood clubs for fifteen years, and has been employed in the woods for thirty-
five years. Mrs. Day died May 4, 1879. He went to work for Pratt & Co. in the spring
of 1852. and worked for the company about seven years, having charge of the lumber
yard five years. In 1882 he went to Jourdon Pond with Henry Day ; he had charge
of the building of the Kildare club house which was buiit that year.
Reynolds. J., Colton, was born in Canada, February 8, 1820. a son of J. C. and Polly
(Mooney) Reynolds, both of New Hampshire, who raised eleven children. In 1835
they came to Pierrepont, and settled on a farm, where they died. Joseph, grandfather
of our subject, was a native of Massachusetts, and died in Canada. His wife was Mary
Reynolds, by whom he had twelve children. Our subject was raised on a farm, and in
1848 he married Mary J., daughter of George W. and Mary E. (Reynolds) Marden.
He was a native of New Hampshire and she of Vermont, and they had twelve children.
They came to Parishville about 1840, and now reside in South Colton with their son.
Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds have had seven children : Milton E., Charles, Hector, Ernest,
Minnie, Nellie B. and William. Mr. Reynolds came to Colton in 1853, and has lived
here ever since. He built the hotel which burned down on the site of the present Em
pire Exchange of Colton (also built by him), and was its proprietor three years when
he sold out and built the Reynolds block, opposite. He sold this and removed to the
Plains in 1877, where he bought a farm of 500 acres, and now resides thereon. He also
built a hotel at Hollywood, Stillwater, in 1889. of which his son, William W., is now
proprietor. This summer resort is pleasantly located on the west side of Racket River,
has good conveniences for travelers, and its rates are reasonable. The daily stage from
Potsdam connects with the daily at South Colton for the Hollywood House and the
hotel has a livery in connection. Mr. Reynolds is a Democrat, and has been assessor
four years, pooi master many years, inspector of elections two years, and has always
been a worker in his party. He has been postmaster at Hollywood four years.
Aikens, John, Colton, was born in Barnard, Vt, May 7, 1795, a son of Nathaniel,
who married a Miss Mary Tupper, and had two sons and six daughters. In 1811 he

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 183
came to Potsdam and settled on a farm, where he remained until his death in 1839.
John was sixteen years old when he came to Potsdam, and was educated in the com
mon schools and Potsdam Academy. In 1840 he married Eliza Beach, of Pierrepont,
born in Vermont, August 3, 1812, who came with her parents in 1818 to Pierrepont.
Mr. and Mrs. Aikens had two children, John H., born in 1841, who enlisted in the Six
teenth N. Y. Infantry, was transferred to the One Hundred and Twenty-first, and was
wounded at the battle of the Wilderness May 10, and died in Fredericksburgh May 13,
186 — . The second child, Mary E., was bom in 1847, and died at the age of nine
months. Mr. Aikens came to Colton in 1841 and settled on the farm now owned by
Mrs. Aikens. He died January 25, 1883, and his wife is still living at the age of eighty-
two years. Ebenezer and Mabel (Henry) Beach, the parents of Mrs. Aikens, had seven
children, and came to Pierrepont, where they settled on a farm now owned by a Mr.
Sabin. They later went to Wayne county, where Mr. Beach died in 1841, and his wife
in 1848, in Illinois.
Rodger. G. H., M.D., Hermon, was born in Hammond, this county, April 4, 1860.
He was educated in Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary and Hamilton College, from which
he graduated in 1883. He studied medicine in the University of New York, and grad
uated in 1888, beginning practice in Seattle, Wash., where he remained three years, but
on November 26, 1892, he returned to Hermon, this county, where he has since prac
ticed successfully. William, father of Dr. Rodgers, married Isabella Shiell, they being
both of Scotch descent.
Wilson, John, Brasher, of Helena, was born in Brasher, May 30, 1847, a son of John
and Lavina (Vosburg) Wilson, both of Canada. The father was a farmer and came to
this county in 1835, making for himself a fine home in the wilderness. He was a Whig
and Republican, and several of his wife's ancestors were soldiers in the Revolution.
The father died at the age of eighty-two in 1888, and the mother aged seventy-five
years. Of their five children our subject was the fourth. He was a soldier in the civil
war in Company — , Sixth N. Y. Heavy Artillery, serving from December, 1863, to
August, 1865, and participating in the battle of the Wilderness, front of Petersburg, etc.
He is now a pensioner and a member of the G. A. R. He is a Republican in politics,
and has held offices in his town. October 3, 1869, Mr. Wilson married Nancy Payden
(who died June 10, 1876), a daughter of Joseph and Mary J. Payden, of Ireland, who
came to this country while young. May 24, 1877, he married second Mrs. Agnes
O'Brien Bowns, born October 12, 1852, widow of Thomas Bowns. Mr. Wilson's chil
dren are as follows : Agnes, aged — ; Frank, aged twenty-four ; Mary Lovina, aged
twenty-two ; Chloe, Elizabeth, aged twenty ; Frederick, aged nineteen ; Eva, aged
twenty-one ; Joseph John, aged eighteen ; Mabel, aged fifteen; Bertha, aged thirteen ;
Alice, aged ten; George, aged four; Ida, who died February 2, 1893, aged two years;
and Eddie, aged seventeen.
Richards, James A., Brasher, of Helena, was born in Waterford, Vt., February 1,
1826, a son of Samuel and Rachel (Jacobs) Richards, also natives of Vermont, who
came to Brasher in 1839 and settled at Helena. He was a soldier in the war of 1812,
and died aged eighty-seven years, his wife dying at the same age. Our subject grew

184 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
up on the farm, and has always followed agriculture, having accumulated a fine prop
erty. He is one of the most successful farmers in the town. Mr. Richards married,
January 12, 1853, Jane Houghton, a native of this town, whose parents were among
the pioneers. They have had nine children, seven of whom survive : Amelia, wife of
Arthur Cunningham, of Tilton, N. H. ; Emma, wife of Edward Cunningham, of Helena;
Philena, wife of Daniel Ward, of Boston, Mass. ; Sarah, wife of C. Turner, of Moira,
N. Y. ; Effie, wife of Harry Blanchard, of Bombay, N. Y. ; Horace, and James W.,
who live at home. Mr. Richards is a Republican, and has held several offices in the
township. Day, William H., Colton, was born in Canton, December 19, 1847, a son of Chester
Day. He married Lucinda H. Morrison, and they have had five children: Alfred G,
who married Carrie Hogie and had two children, Henry and Almond, Almond 2d next
dead; Charles H., who married Dora Coleman, and has two sons, Harry and Walter;
Leon and Lila, who live at home. Mr. Day has been a guide in the South woods for
many years, and for twelve years has been superintendent of the Vanderbilt Kildare
club house, holding that position now. Mr. Day is a Republican, but not an aspirant to
office. He is a member of High Falls Lodge No. 428, F. & A. M.
Pelsue, Orson J., Colton, was born in Stockholm, October 17, 1843, a son of George
Pelsue, a native of the same place, bom December 22, 1820, and died at Antwerp, De
cember 6, 1879. He was a son of George Pelsue, a native of Vermont, mentioned
elsewhere in this book. George, father of Orson J., married Fannie J. Eldridge, and
they had four children. Orson J. came to this town with his parents at the age of six,
and four years later went to live with his uncle, F. V. Ellis, of Stockholm, remaining
till he was seventeen, when he and his father enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixth
N. Y. Volunteers, and served three years, being honorably discharged in 1865. They
were in the battles of Cold Harbor, Monaccay and the Wilderness, among others.
Soon after their return from the war they bought the hotel property at Stark, where
they kept hotel for eleven years. Mr. Pelsue married first Sarah Remington, and they
had one child, Frank R., born November 3, 1870, who married Mabel Richey, Novem
ber 1, 1893. Mr. Pelsue married second, May 9, 1872, Melinda, daughter of Woodard
Brown, of Parishville, born September 22, 1848, and they have had two children : Nel
lie, born June 8, 1878, died January 14, 1879 ; and Grace B., born March 1, 1874, now
living at home. From the hotel our subject went into the livery business at Norwood
for about a year, then kept hotel at Parishville for the same length of time, and then
kept hotel at the Head of Bog for two years. Soon after leaving the Bog he engaged
as book-keeper for L. Usher, of Potsdam, and kept his boarding-house at the Head of
Plains for four years. Next he came to Stark and bought a small farm, where he now
lives. He has been justice of the peace about fifteen years, and his wife is at present
postmistress at Stark.
Webster, W. A., Hammond, was born in Hammond on the farm where he now lives
May 12, 1843. He followed farming actively up to ten years ago, since which time he
has been giving his attention to the lumber trade principally. He owns a fine sash
door and blind factory in Clayton and 475 acres of land. In 1871 he married Charlotte

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 185
Dygert, of Herkimer county, and they have one son, William L., who is studying medi
cine. Mr. Webster is one of the best known magistrates of this county. His father
was Samuel Webster, a native of New Hampshire. His mother was Harriet (Beach)
Webster, of Connecticut. Mr. Webster enlisted in Company A, Sixteenth N. Y. Heavy
Artillery in 1863, and served until the end of the war. He is a member of J. B. Camp
bell Post 424, department Redwood.
Gustin, A. H., Colton, was born in Stanstead, Canada, March 6, 1828, a son of Aaron,
son of Josiah Gustin, of New Hampshire, who was a captain in the Revolution. His
wife was Margaret Wardner, born on the ocean while her parents were coming from
Holland to America. Aaron was born in Marlow, N. H., April 5, 1793, and married
Miriam Flanders, of Strafford, N. H., February 15, 1817, she having been born Novem
ber 9, 1799. They had thirteen children : Lyman H., born March 5, 1818 ; Laura, born
October 21, 1817, died in Illinois in 1893 ; Emily, born February 7, 1822 ; Levi B.,
born April 10, 1824; John E., born April 12, 1826, died in 1890; A. H., as above;
Joseph F., born June 8, 1830, died aged five years : Orlin, born June 11, 1832, died
April 19, 1837 ; Marshall, born March 7, 1834, died in Iowa in 1879; Samantha, born
in 1836 ; Mary, born July 22, 1838, died June 8, 1853 ; Lovina, born February 15, 1841,
died in Missouri in 1871 ; and Julia A., born October 3, 1846. Mr. Gustin died in 1864,
and his wife died in 1890 in Canada. A. H., our subject, was educated at the common
schools, and at the age of twenty-two years came to this county (May 17, 1850). He
married, January 4, 1853, Harriet, daughter of Richard Roberson, an early settler of
Hammond, and they had three children : Florence E., born October 14, 1853 ; Charles
J., born February 12, 1860 ; and Albert L., born December 31, 1865. Mrs. Gustin died
December 10, 1879, aged fifty years, and on December 5, 1883, our subject married
second Elma A. Perkins, daughter of Amos F. Perkins, of Stockholm, and they have
one child, Hazel M., born July 15, 1887. Mr. Gustin is well known throughout the
county and surrounding localities as a builder and contractor, and has built or superin
tended over half of the buildings in Colton village ; also the steam laundry at Potsdam,
the American Hotel at Norwood, Stark Falls Hotel, and the hotel at Hollywood. He
is a Republican, and has been assessor ten years, al«o has served as constable, collector,
highway commissioner, etc. He is a member of High Falls Lodge No. 428, F. & A. M.,
and president of the Pleasant Mound Cemetery Association, which office he has held
twelve years.
McMullin, Paul, Lisbon, was born in Oswegatchie in November, 1857. His parents
emigrated from Ireland and settled in this county in 1818. Paul received his education
in the public schools, and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He married
in 1861 Miss C. Collins, and they have six children. Mr. McMullin has for the past
eight years been a tenant, possessing however a fine drove of thirteen head of cattle,
four horses, and sixteen sheep, besides all the requisite utensils necessary for the prose
cution of his business. He is an energetic, hardworking and successful man, respected
and esteemed by all.
Long, Ransom B., Parishville, was born in Parishville, October 12, 1840. His father
was Justin, son of Jonathan, a native of Vermont, who married Matilda Copeland, and

186 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
came to Potsdam about 1809 with an ox-team. Here they cleared a farm and settled,
but later went to what is now the town of Colton, where they died. They had four
sons and two daughters. Justin Long was born April 4, 1812, at Potsdam, and mar
ried Emily Belding, a native of Pierrepont, by whom he had a son and a daughter, the
latter the wife of Edson Perkins. Mr. Long owned 400 acres of land, and was a Re
publican in politics. He died March 16, 1889, and his wife on December 6 of the same
year. Ransom B. Long was reared on a farm and received a common school education.
He is a general farmer and owns 500 acres of dairy land. March 27, 1890, Nora Whit
taker became his wife, and they have one son, Glenn. Mrs. Long is a native of Parish
ville, and a daughter of Simom Whittaker, of Stockholm. The latter was a son of
Alanson Whittaker, one of the earliest settlers of that town. Mr. Long is a Republican
in politics.
Martin, Orrin E., Ogdensburg, was born in Westville, Franklin county, December 22,
1847. His father, Hollis S., was a son of Samuel Martin, and was bom in Compton,
P. Q., in 1822. Samuel was born in Londonderry, N. H., in 1775, and his father, Na
thaniel, served as body guard to General Washington. Hollis S. moved to Westville
with his father in 1834, and after receiving his education learned the blacksmith's trade.
He married Paulina E. Ellsworth, of Dear River, Fort Covington, Franklin county, in
1845, and in 1853 they moved to Chateaugay, Franklin county, where he carried on
carriagemaking and blaoksmithing till 1868. He then removed to Norfolk, this county,
and began the manufacture of wagon hubs and shingles, this being the first hub factory
in Northern New York. In 1872 he moved to Norwood, where he and his son Orrin
built a large factory and continued the business till 1877, when he sold out to his son
Orrin, though he continues to live at Norwood. He had six children : Sidney A., Or
rin E., Laura A., Hollis L., Charles A. and Herbert D. His wife died May 5, 1887, and
Hollis L. died at Monterey, Mexico, August 24, 1 891. The latter was a Republican.
Orrin E. was educated in the common schools of Chateaugay, and worked at black-
smithing with his father till the age of eighteen, then went to Malone and engaged with
Whittlesy, Perkins & Co. in the machine shop, remaining there one year, then returned
to Chateaugay and engaged in the hub business with his father. In 1877 he bought his
father's interest, and in 1878 the factory with all its contents was burned, with a loss
of $20,000 and no insurance. The factory was immediately rebuilt and the business
continued till 1880, when Mr. Martin moved to Ogdensburg and leased the Craghton's
brewery property, building it over into a hub factory and shingle mill. This also was
burned a year later with a loss of $9,000, $1,500 insurance. He then leased the Hart
pottery property and carried on business till 1887, when he formed a company known
as the [O. E. Martin Hub Company, incorporated, and associated with him Henry F.
James and James G. Westbrook, of Ogdensburg. They continued in business a year,
and built large buildings on River street in which to carry on the hub business. The
next year Mr. Martin sold bis business to Henry F. James, and then bought the stock
of the Dunkirk Hub Company of Dunkirk, N. Y., which he later disposed of, and in
1889 bought the Norwood Agricultural Works, formerly owned by S. W. Davis. Mr.
Martin built a pulp mill on this place with a capacity of 4,200 tons of wood pulp an
nually. He also owns a grist mill and built a butter factory in 1893. February 15

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 187
1876, he married Mary J. Butler, only daughter of the late William Butler, of Pots
dam, and they have three children : Edith L., Hollis W., and Arthur H. Mr. Martin
lives in Ogdensburg and is a Republican in politics, and he and his wife are members of
the M. E. Church.
Curtis, Lafayette, Brasher, of Brasher Falls, was born February 10, 1834, a son of
Stephen and Hannah (Powers) Curtis, natives of Hardwich, Vt, who came to St. Law
rence county about 1826. They had five children: Otis, William, Martha, Lafayette,
and Mary. Our subject was a soldier in the late war, having enlisted in Company M,
Sixth N. Y. Heavy Artillery in December, 1863, and served nearly two years. He was
at the battle of the Wilderness and in front of Petersburg, under Sheridan in the Shen
andoah, etc. Since the war he has followed farming, now owning two fine farms, one
of 150 and one of 114 acres. The homestead is the old Wright farm, owned by his
wife's father. February 8, 1863, he married Lucinda Wright, born on the farm where
she now lives July 7, 1842, a daughter of Ira B. and Jerusha (Hilliard) Wright, of Con
necticut and Canada, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have had five children : Silas,
born September 10, 1870, died in March, 1871 ; Lemuel, born June 11, 1872 ; Abbie,
born August 20, 1875, died November 1, 1889 ; Hosea, born January 27, 1878 ; and
May, born May 18, 1880. Mr. Curtis is a Republican, a member of the G. A. R., of the
Grangers, and also of the Masons, belonging to Lodge 441 of Brasher Falls. He and
wife are members of the M. E. Church.
Clark, Edmund, Russell, was born in Russell, April 25, 1815. His father was Ed
mund, son of Samuel, a native of Blandford, Mass., who came to this town in 1807 and
here spent the remainder of his days. Edmund, sr., was born in Blandford, Mass., on
March 19, 1780, and died August 14, 1860. His wife was Chloe Brainard, born in
Blandford, June 6, 1779, and died August 19, 1860. Our subject was educated in the
public schools and has always been a farmer. He now owns a place of 180 acres and
keeps a dairy of twenty-three cows. He married, May 11, 1845, Janet Smith, daugh
ter of Rollin Smith, and they have had these sons and daughters : C. Rollin, Frank E.,
Myron B., Cyrus F., and Silas W. and Flora A. (twins).
Gilman, Alman, Russell, was born in Colchester, Vt., October 24, 1827, a son of
Antapath and Theodora (Hudson) Gilman, natives of New Hampshire, from whence
they emigrated to Vermont Mr. Gilman was an engineer and farmer, but followed
farming the greater part of his life. Of their eight children two survive : Sophrona,
wife of J. L. Fish, a farmer of Mt. Gilead, O., and Alman, our subject. The latter came
to New York State in 1852 and settled on wild land in Pierrepont. In 1847 he mar
ried Celia Caswell, of Vermont, by whom he had eight children, three now living :
George, an engineer in the pump works in Chicago, who married Lucinda Brooks, and
has one son, Arthur ; Betsey, wife of William Matthew, a farmer of Canton ; and L. H .
Gilman, now engaged in farming in Russell. The latter married Ella, daughter of Aus
tin Clark of this town. The names of those deceased are as follows : Luther, Herbert,
Solomon, Miley, and Eugene. Mrs. Gilman died in 1875 (June 19), and he married
second Fannie, daughter of Zerah Burdic, of Pierrepont, by whom he had one daugh
ter, bom February 3, 1880, who died October 13, 1887. Mr. Gilman remained on the

188 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
farm about seven years, then moved to Pierrepont and engaged in the saw-milling busi
ness, continuing until 1868, with the exception of his war service. September 30, 1862,
he enlisted in Company K, Ninety-second N. Y. Infantry and remained about seven
months, being discharged on account of sickness. He returned to the service as soon
as he could be accepted and remained till the close of the war. He participated in the
battles of Kingston and other engagements. Returning home he sold the mill arid
built another in Russell, which was burned February 1, 1891, he losing about $3,000.
He had always had a large patronage, and was able to replace the mill promptly, it be
ing in readiness for business just one month from the time of the fire. He is now
carrying on a successful business of manufacturing lumber at the rate of about
200,000 feet annually, and has a feed mill with which he grinds from 3,000 to 5,000
bushels of grain per year. He also makes about 200 barrels of cider yearly.
Risley, Hubbard, Russell, was born in Greenfield, Mass., October 25, 1818, a son of
Asel Risley, whose father, Asel, sr.,iwas a native of England, who came with his two
brothers to America and settled in Greenfield, Mass., buying two townships, and here
they lived and died, Asel leaving four children. Asel, jr., was born in 1777, and was
twice married, his first wife being a Miss Grant, by whom he had seven children. He
came to Canton at an early day, and after the death of his wife returned to Massachu
setts and married Sophia Griswold, by whom he had seven children. He returned to
Canton, where he lived for a time, but died in Hermon in 1843, and his wife in 1841
in Massachusetts. Our subject was reared on the farm and educated in the public
schools. He came to Canton in infancy with his parents and here he has spent most of
his life. He was for three years in Onondaga county in the manufacture of salt, but
returned to St. Lawrence county. In 1839 he married Susan, died April, 1884, daugh
ter of James Beard, one of the early settlers of Jefferson county, who died in Canton.
Mr. and Mrs. Risley have had eight children : Sarahette, wife of James K. Hale, of
Hermon, who has one child, Morse G. ; Charles, who married Mary Varsen, and had
one child, George V., died April, 1877 ; Marion, wife of Charles Risley, by whom she
has one son, Manley ; Louisa, deceased wife of Robert Davidson ; Sylvester H., born
in Russell, October 6, 1848, who married Alice, daughter of Philander Chapin, of Og
densburg, who married Harriet Jarvis, of Canton, and had seven children. Mr. and
Mrs. Risley have had one son, Bruce C, born April 7, 1881 ; Augustus W., who mar
ried Mariette Nickerson, and has one child, George N. ; Eliza, deceased wife of Horace
Chapin, who left one child, A. Bernice; and Vinnie E., wife of George Lewis. Mr.
Risley was a Democrat in early life, but has many years been a Republican. He
bought his present farm of 200 acres in 1848, and keeps a large dairy.
Buck, Epaphroditus, Russell, was born in Heath, Franklin county, Mass., December
9, 1820, a son of Hiram Buck, a son of John, also of Heath, Mass., where he spent most
of his life. The latter was in the Revolutionary War, for which he drew a pension
He married a Miss Smith, and had ten children. He came to Pitcairn, this county,
where he died in 1844 at the age of nearly one hundred years. Hiram, father of our
subject, was born in Heath, Mass., and when a young man came to Massena with two
yoke of cattle for one Smith, which he drove about 300 hundred miles. He worked a

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 189
year or two, then returned to Massachusetts, where he married Harriet Blodgett, a
daughter of Samuel Blodgett, who came to Jefferson county, and later went to Albany,
where he died. Mr. and Mrs. Buck had five sons and four daughters. In 1821 he and
wife went to Antwerp, where they remained till 1837, then came to Russell, and later
went to Hermon, where they died, the father at the age of eighty-eight, and the
mother aged eighty-two. Our subject was seventeen years of age when he came to
Russell. He was educated in the common schools and the academy at Gouverneur.
He started in business on a farm of. a few acres, to which he has since added until he
now he has a valuable farm of 200 acres, where he now resides. In 1848 Mr. Buck
married Phoebe Russ, a native of Onondaga county, born in 1828, a daughter of Russell
and Anna (Hall) Russ, natives of Onondaga county, who removed to Wilna and from
there to Russell about 1822, where they died. Mr. and Mrs. Buck have had eleven
children : Harriet, Wyman L., Eugene (deceased), Duane, Arthur (deceased), Ella A.,
Charles W., Edwin E., Addie E., Elton E., Carrie E. Mr. Buck has always been a
Republican since the organization. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church.
Sanford, Silas H., Hopkinton, was born March 9, 1849, a son of Jonah Sanford (see
biography of C. K. Sanford). His birthplace was the farm on the old turnpike in the
town of Hopkinton, where his father settled soon after his marriage. He was educated
in the common schools and the Lawrenceville Academy, and worked with his father
on the farm until the latter's death, October 18, 1886, when he fell heir to considerable
property, including the old homestead of 320 acres, where our subject at present re
sides. By careful management and good business tact and sagacity, he has added
largely to his property. Recently he bought 174 acres adjoining his farm, known as
the Judge Sanford homestead. His dairy consists of upwards of eighty cows, being
the largest in the town. He is now erecting a butter factory. Mr. Sanford is a genial,
social man ; knows every one within a radius of several miles of his home, and is re
spected and liked by all. In politics he is an ardent Republican and has held the office
of justice of the peace several years. He is a member of Amber Lodge No. 375, F.
and A. M.
Brush, Charles H., Hopkinton, was born in Hopkinton on the farm he now occupies,
November 4, 1866, and traces his ancestry to one Robert Brush, whose father came
from Wales and settled on Long Island in 1666. Reuben, a son of Robert, was bom
on Long Island in 1711, and married Ruth Wood, born in 1715. Elkanah Brush, young
est son of Reuben, was born in Connecticut March 9, 1762, and married Althea Fink,
who was born in 1764. They had nine children, the oldest of whom, Eliphalet, was
born in Bennington, Vt, November 12, 1781. His parents soon moved to Vergennes,
Vt., from whence he came in 1802, with the first company of white men, to what is
now Hopkinton. He selected 100 acres and paid for them by working for Mr. Hopkins
summers, and teaching school in Vermont winters. In 1805 he drove in the first ox
team and cart for Mr. Hopkins. February 22, 1810, he married Linda Pier, born in
New Haven, Vt, May 21, 1790. They had six children. He was a Whig and a Re
publican, voting at every election for sixty-five consecutive years from 1807. Mrs.
Brush died September_15, 1862, and the death of Mr. Brush occurred January 11, 1873.

190 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Their lives had been spent in steady, honest toil, and both were early and valued mem
bers of the Congregational church. Jason 0., their third child, was born January 22,
1822. January 1, 1856, he married Olivia Chittenden, who died September 7, 1858,
leaving one daughter, Ella 0., now wife of Arthur L. Bonney of Potsdam. Novem
ber 6, 1862, he married Annice P. Ayers of Lawrence, by whom he had two children,
our subject and Grace L., wife of W. L. Pert of Potsdam. Mr. Brush was remarkably
energetic and industrious, a valued member of the Congregational church, a Whig in
early life and a staunch Republican later. His death occurred May 25, 1891, at the
farm where he was born and had always labored. Charles H. Brush was educated at
the Potsdam Normal School, but by reason of his father's ill health, the care of the
farm early devolved upon him, and he did not graduate. He has purchased the Mead
farm of about 140 acres, and with his mother owns the homestead of 200 acres. In
politics he is a Republican, and he and his mother are members of the Congregational
church. He has in his possession the ox cart which his grandfather drove through the
woods from Vermont, and a gun taken from the British in the Revolution and handed
down from his great-grandfather.
Dixon, William Henry, Madrid, was born near Yorkshire, England, July 1, 1824,
and was six years old when his parents came to this country. His father, Robert, took
up land on the Ogden tract in the town of Potsdam, where he reared a family of five
children and spent the balance of his days. He died in October, 1854. The mother of
our subject, Ann Allenby, also a native of England, died in April, 1858. The early life
of our subject was spent in Potsdam. He was educated in the common schools and
took up farming,- which he followed with his father until after marriage when he bought
a farm of 120 acres in Potsdam and lived on it until April 1, 1852, when he sold and
bought a farm in Madrid, which he cultivated and increased, until at the time of his
death. November 19, 1875, he owned 330 acres. He also owned village property in
Madrid village. Mr. Dixon was always a Republican. He was many years a trustee
of the school, and was a member of the Congregational church of Madrid, and a trustee
for a number of years. He always lived a very quiet and retired life, and maintained
a great influence among his townspeople. He married April 23, 1846, Mary L., daugh
ter of Israel P. Haskell, one of the earliest settlers in Madrid. They have had eleven
children, only three of whom are living: Julia A., wife of James Fox, a commercial
traveler of Potsdam; M. Christene, who lives with her mother ; Mabel Katherine, a
student of Potsdam State Normal School. Mary Louisa Haskell Dixon was born and
brought up in the town of Madrid, and was the daughter of Israel Putnam Haskell and
Pollie Williams Haskell of Vermont, her parents being among the early settlers and
her father a descendant of Israel Putnam of Revolutionary fame. She received her
education in the Madrid school and the district school in her father's neighborhood and
united with the Congregational church in Madrid village, May 28, 1841. She led a
quiet life, loved by all who knew her, was the means of bringing a great many to Christ
by the pure life she led, as she was a person who would not have an enemy, and was a
thorough Christian lady. She married William H. Dixon April 23, 1846. She lived in
the village of Madrid after her husband's death, until the time of her death December
6, 1893, and was sixty-four years old. The cause of her death was congestion of the

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 191
lungs, or pneumonia, and she was sick four days. Below are the resolutions drawn up
after her death by the Ladies' Aid Society of which she was a member :
As God in His providence has seen fit to remove by death from our midst one of our old and
faithful members, Mrs. Dixon, we would offer our deepest sympathy to the afflicted friends, and
assure them of our regret that so useful a life has been brought to its earthly close. Believing
that a better world has opened to her its joys, we submit to this sad providence with chastened
hearts, and would express our gratitude for the influence of her Christian life, which in its peace
and serenity breathed forth the spirit of the Master. And since we mourn our loss — not as those
without hope for the future — we can safely and trustfully commend her sorrowing daughters to
the " Godiof all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to com
fort them which are in trouble, by the comfort whereby we ourselves are comforted of God."
Lathrop, Mrs. Serepta S. Merrill, Lawrence, was born in Vermont in 1811, a daughter
of John Merrill, who during the War of 1812-15 was captain of a Vermont militia
company and participated in the battle of Plattsburg, and granddaughter of John Mer
rill, who served seven years in the Revolution. In 1837 she married Rial Lathrop of
Chelsea, Vt, and they had two children : Hiram, who died at the age of six years ; and
Clarinda, who resided with her mother until her death, aged fifty years. Mr. Lathrop
and family came in 1867 to Nicholville, where he engaged in the meat business. He
was a man of means, and generosity in all public works. In politics he was a Whig,
and later a Republican, and served in various offices in his native town. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Lathrop were life -long members of the Methodist church, of which the former
was a liberal supporter, and Mrs. Lathrop has willed the church $4,000, having also
given liberally to all public enterprises, no one in need being ever turned away from
her door. She has always been a great reader, and although eighty- three years of age
she is well informed on the leading topics of the day, and especially takes a great inter
est in politics, being a strong advocate of the principles of the Republican party. Since
her husband's death in 1884 she has resided in Nicholville.
Glazier, Ward, was born in the town of Oakham, Worcester county, Mass., Septem
ber 22, 1818. His father Jabez, immigrated to the then wilderness township of Fow
ler, St Lawrence county, N. Y., the following year and soon became one of the
leading business men of the town. Appointed by Theodocius 0. Fowler, the owner of
the township, as his agent, for the sale of his lands and the general management of his
business affairs, was postmaster, justice of the peace, for many years, and held various
other town offices. Ward's minority was spent in assisting clearing land and running a
saw mill built by his father in the wilderness on his farm. His early opportunity for
procuring an education was very limited, and having a strong desire for one, he, at the
age of 21 commenced a two years' course at the Gouverneur Academy and at the ex
piration of said time while on a visit to his relatives in Massachusetts he married Miss
Mehitable C. Bolton, daughter of William Bolton, of the town of West Boylston, Mass.,
and returning to Fowler settled on a farm near the village of Little York since known as
Maple Grove or the Glazier homestead. Was engaged in farming and mercantile pursuits.
At the breaking out of the civil war, he in company with others in August, 1861, re
cruited and organized Co. I, 92d N. Y. Regt. of Inft, then being organized by Col. Jonah
Sanford, served with his regiment in Penensular Campaign under General McClellan,
wounded in action at the battle of Fair Oaks, Va., and on account of said wound and fail-

192 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ing health he was forced to leave the service and was honorably discharged. An incident
of Mr. Glazier's career was his going over to Ottawa, Canada, for recruits ; as this was a
serious breach of international law. Glazier had a narrow escape from arrest by the
Canadian authorities, but guessing their intent he cleverly made his escape, at the same
time drawing forty men into the service of the United States. After the war he re
turned to the farm where he remained until 1885, when he took up the pension and
claim agency, removed to Gouverneur and opened an office. The children of Mr. and
Mrs. Glazier were eight in number, namely ; Willard, Elvira, Marjory, Caroline, Ar
thur, Lina, George H. and Arthur W. (Caroline and Arthur died in infancy). Willard
the eldest has distinguished himself as soldier, author and explorer. As a soldier he
served with credit in the Harris Light or 2d N. Y. Cavalry, under Generals Bayard,
Stoneman, Pleasanton, Gregg, Custer and Kilpatrick, earning his various promotions
on battlefields, from a private to a brevet captaincy. Since the war he has published
several works relating to his army experiences, travels and explorations. Capt. Glazier
explored the head waters of the Mississippi and located the true source in a fine lake
beyond Itasca which geographers now recognize as the principal reservoir. Elvira
graduated from the State Normal School at Albany, N. Y., taught several terms of
school and died at the age of twenty. Marjory was a graduate from Miss Willard's
Female Seminary, at Troy, N. Y., taught several terms of school, married Madison
Buck, of Wheaton, 111., and died at the age of twenty-six years. Lina J. married
Simeon Smith and resides at Fowler, N. Y. George H. is in business in Chicago, 111.
and Arthur W. is on the homestead in Fowler engaged in farming and pension attor
ney. The ancestors of the subject of this sketch were natives of Massachusetts for
several generations and came originally from England. His grandfather, Oliver Glazier,
was a soldier of the Revolution and a pensioner. They came originally from England.
Flood, J. Q., M. D., Hopkinton, was born April 29, 1845, in the town of Montague,
County of Lanark, Ontario, Canada. His parents were of Scotch-Irish descent; he taught
school for many years, until he came to Canton in 1870. He received his medical education
in the universities of New York city and Burlington, Vt., and graduated in 1880. He
practiced his profession in Norwood until February, 1881, then located in Hopkinton,
where he has secured a very large and lucrative practice. He is a member of the St.
Lawrence County Medical Society, of the Medical Association of Northern New York,
and is an active member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Elk Lodge No. 577
and Elk Chapter No. 197 of Nicholville, N. Y., also of St. Lawrence Commandery No.
28, of Canton. He is an active, aggressive Democrat, and served as postmaster in this
town during Cleveland's first administration, from 1885 to 1889, resigning on the 4th
of March, 1889, when his party went out. His family consists of his wife Lillie L.
Shannon, and son, Armand Ault, born October 26, 1890. They are members of the
Protestant Episcopal Church.
Davis, P. A., Hopkinton, was born in Stockholm, November 24, 1838, a son of Francis
Davis, born in Hancock, N. H., in 1805, whose father was Edmond, born in Hancock in
1781. He was a noted teacher. His wife was Mary Graves, and they had seven sons and a
daughter. He was for many years postmaster of East Washington, and also a justice

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 193
of the peace. Francis Davis was at one time a teacher, but for the greater part of his
life he was a saw-miller, also owning a grist mill. October 12, 1828, he married Bet
sey Converse Knights, (widow of E. Knights), by whom he had five children : Mary,
Julia, Martha, Francis and Philo. The latter was educated in the schools of Hopkin
ton and Potsdam Academy and has always followed farming, except for a few years
during which he was engaged in a creamery. A few years ago he rented his farm and
now lives at Fort Jackson. He owns the old Davis homestead. September 18, 1860,
he married Anna Lobdell, who was born December 27, 1837, at Plattsburg, a daughter
of D. S. Lobdell, whose wife was Loretta Leonard. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have had four
children : Edith L., born June 21, 1861, wife of Rev. J. M. Bartholomew of New York
city, assistant pastor of Holy Trinity church ; Martha E., born March 13, 1863, wife of
Professor T. W. White, teacher and superintendent of schools at Westboro', Mass. ;
Francis D., born July 25, 1866, a graduate in mechanical engineering from Cornell
University, class of '90, who is now in the employ of Yale & Town of Stamford, Conn.;
Harry D., born May 19, 1872, died at the age of nine years. In politics Mr. Davis is a
Democrat. He is a member of Elk Lodge, No. 577, F. & A. M.
Chittenden, Varick A., Hopkinton, son of Clark S., was born in Hopkinton, February
6, 1838. He was educated in the Potsdam Academy, and in 1857, in partnership with
his brother, King S., engaged in the mercantile business in this town. The partnership
lasted until 1874, when our subject bought out his brother and carried on the business
till 1893, when he sold to his son, J. H., who now carries it on, the business having been
continued in this family since 1823. V. A., in partnership with his brother, owns the
old homestead of 435 acres, where they carry on general farming, and are also largely
interested in the stock business. Mr. Chittenden is a Republican and was town clerk
for twenty-one years. He is now serving his fifth year as postmaster of Hopkinton.
He married first Charlotte Risdon, of Hopkinton, by whom he has had three children :
Bertha, wife of H. J. Sanford, a merchant of Parishville, by whom she has one daugh
ter, Alice ; Edna M., wife of E. M. Kent, of Westfield, a manufacturer of paper ; J. H.,
who was educated in the Ogdensburg Academy and the Albany Business College, from
which he graduated in 1886. In 1893 he married Gertrude Hoyt, of Parishville. The
wife of our subject died March 5, 1871, and he married second Laura A. Lawrence, of
Hopkinton, by whom he had two children : Mabel, who died aged three years, and
Lawrence A., a student at the Ogdensburg Academy. (See biography of K. S. Chit
tenden). Chittenden, King S., Hopkinton, was born in Hopkinton, February 20, 1833, a son of
Clark S., son of Solomon Chittenden, of Connecticut, whose ancestors were Welsh and
English. He married in Vermont Susannah Sanford, by whom he had five sons, and
he and wife spent their last days in Hopkinton. He was a soldier in the Revolution,
and died at the age of ninety-six, and his wife aged ninety-two. Clark S. was bom in
Benson, Vt., May 16, 1803, and at the age of sixteen began to learh the currier's and
tanner's trade, at which he worked four summers, attending school winters. Early in
life he engaged in the mercantile business in Hopkinton, which by strict attention to
business and by honorable methods he made into a prosperous trade, which he contin-
y

194 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ued forty years, then turned over to his sons King S. and Varick A. January 8, 1828,
he married Julia A. Sheldon, born May 27, 1808, in Hopkinton, a daughter of Abram
Sheldon, one of the pioneers of the town. They had five children, two surviving, our
subject and V. A. Chittenden. He was justice of the peace forty- three years, postmas
ter sixteen years, supervisor six years, and member of the State Legislature two years,
1859-60. He was always in favor of good schools, and he and wife were members of
the Congregational church. He died May 18, 1890, and his wife May 19, 1880. King
S. was educated in Potsdam Academy and at Bakersfield, Vt, and clerked in the post-
office under William L. Knowles in 1851-52. In 1857, in partnership with his brother,
V. A., he engaged in the mercantile business until 1874, when he sold his interest to his
brother and took charge of their farm and stock business, in which they had also been
engaged for a number of years. They own 435 acres of land, the homestead of their
father. In their business career they have built up an enviable reputation for integrity
and liberality. In politics our subject is a Republican and has served as town clerk and
as supervisor, which latter office he held from 1888 to 1894, when he refused a renomi
nation. He has been postmaster in this town for twenty years. October 10, 1859, he
married Sarah E. Hopkins, of Potsdam, daughter of Aaron T. Hopkins, who came to
Potsdam in 1828, and married Betsey Eastman, daughter of Samuel Eastman, a pioneer
of Hopkinton. He engaged in the leather business, and in 1840 built the large stone
tannery at Potsdam. He was supervisor nine terms. Mr. Chittenden and wife reared
Emma S. Ingalls, who married Sanford H. Chittenden, who died December 22, 1887,
leaving two sons, S. King and Sidney I.
Brush, Joseph A., Hopkinton, was bom in Hopkinton, May 10, 1816. He was a son
of Joseph Brush, a native of Bennington, Vt., born September 18, 1783, who died here
January 18, 1879. His wife was Clarissa Armstrong, who was the widow of Abram
Sheldon, and they had two sons. He came to Hopkinton in 1808 and settled on the
farm now owned by Mr. Haselton in 1814. He died January 18, 1879, and his wife
October 6, 1868. Joseph A., our subject, was born and reared on the farm, and edu
cated in the St. Lawrence Academy. He was always a farmer and owned considerable
real estate in the town. In politics he was a Republican and was highway commis
sioner several years. He and wife were members of the Congregational church. Sep
tember 12, 1842, he married Adaline Wright, who was born in Hopkinton in 1818, a
daughter of Caleb Wright. The latter was born in Vermont in 1787, and at the age of
sixteen came to Hopkinton, where he spent his life. His wife was Rosalinda Smith, a
native of Massachusetts, born in 1784, by whom he had five children. Her father was
Simon Smith, a soldier of the Revolution, who lived and died in Vermont The date of
Caleb Wright's death being November 14, 1839, and that of his wife August 8, 1861.
Mr. J. A. Brush died December 4, 1884.
Woodward, G. W., Hopkinton, was born in Franklin county, August 16, 1847, a son
of J. W. Woodward, whose parents were William and Sarah Woodward, of Vermont
The father of our subject was born December 27, 1815, and March 20, 1842, he married
Sarah Peck, born July 20, 1820, a daughter of William and Mary Ann (Martin) Peck,
and they had two sons and three daughters. Mr. Woodward died November 14, 1858,

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 195
and his wife August 14, 1870. G. W. Woodward was sixteen years of age when the
war broke out, and was anxious to enlist, but was persuaded to remain at home with
his widowed mother, whom he took care of until her death. Soon afteward he went to
Massachusetts, where he remained until 1881, being engaged in various occupations.
He was six years in the fire department at Holyoke. July 17, 1881, he came to this
county and bought his present farm, carrying on a general line and making a spe
cialty of dairying. He has about twenty-five head of high bred stock, and the milk
from his cows stood first in the test at the factory. December 22/1877, he married
Em L. Sheldon, born November 15, 1848, daughter of Asa U. Sheldon, born in this
county in 1809, whose father, Gaius, was a pioneer of this town. Mr. and Mrs. Wood
ward have had two sons and one daughter : Wright W., born May 10, 1880, at Hol
yoke, Mass. ; Mark Roy, born April 28, 1882 ; Ruth Gail, born February 29, 1887.
Mr. Woodward is a Republican, and he and family attend and support the M. E.
church. Wells, Henry, Fort Jackson, was born in Lawrence, April 17, 1850, a son of Deacon
Robert Wells. Mr. Wells was educated in the Lawrenceville Academy and the New
Hampton Institute, N. H., graduating from the latter in 1866. He started as a clerk,
and was with James Sherar & Son, of Nicholville, one year, also with S. Sweet & Co.,
wholesale clothing, of the same place, then engaged as traveling salesman with Andrew
Montrait, of Troy, N. H. After one year he, with J. S. Kellogg, bought a store of gen
eral merchandise of Franklin Kellogg at Fort Jackson, and a year later Mr. Wells
bought out his partner and continued the business a year, then sold out to Frank
lin Kellogg, went to Detroit, Mich., and for four years was foreman for a livery firm.
He then came to Potsdam, and after clerking for H. M. Storey and E. D. Brooks
about eight years, his brother's death occurred and our subject returned home to
look after his parents in their old age. He now owns and lives on the old home
stead, and is also engaged with the firm of Miller & Ober of Fort Jackson. Mr.
Wells is a Republican, and a member of the I. O. O. F. No. 620 of Winthrop, N. Y. In
1890 he married Edith Austin, and he and family attend the Free Will Baptist church
at Fort Jackson.
Lucey, D. B., Ogdensburg, was born in Boston, Mass., August 17, 1858, of Irish-
American parentage. He received his elementary education in the public schools of this
county and the Normal School at Oswego, and graduated at the Normal School at
Potsdam in the classical course in 1883. He then accepted the position of principal of
the Ogdensburg Grammar School, and after one year received the appointment to the
chair of Natural and Physical Sciences in the Free Academy in the same city, which
position he held for three years. During this time he studied law and was admitted
to the bar in September, 1886. In June following he retired from the academy and
commenced the practice of his profession in Ogdensburg. In 1890 he formed a copart
nership with Hon. George R. Malby for the general practice of law, which relation still
continues. Has been connected with the successful prosecution or defense of many
important litigations, including some large corporation suits and criminal trials. June
30, 1891, was married to Mary Agnes Tuck, daughter of Andrew Tuck, of Lisbon. Is

196 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
a member of the Board of Education of the city of Ogdensburg, the Ogdensburg and
Oswegatchie clubs, and a lieutenant in the Fortieth Separate Company, New York Na
tional Guards.
Curtis, Francis, Russell, was born in Oswego county, August 14, 1835. He is a son
of Ashabel C, a native of Oswego county, .born May 29, 1805, who came to Russell
in 1836. He married Jane White, born in Vermont, July 14, 1808, and they had nine
children. He is a Democrat in politics and a member of the M. E. church. His father
was Isaac J. Curtis. Francis M., our subject, was reared on a farm and educated in
the common schools. At the age of eighteen months he and his parents came to Rus
sell, where he has since lived. He has always worked at farming and carpentry. He
married in 1862 Mary, daughter of Henry and Chloe (Pomeroy) Barnes, of Jefferson
county, who came to Russell in 1850, where they both died. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have
had three children : Linda M., wife of Edward Brown ; Erwin V., and Middie L. In ,
politics Mr. Curtis is a Democrat.
Van Ornum, Chester, Russell, was bom in Russell, September 14, 1861. His father,
Chester L., a son of Abram and grandson of Abram (a pioneer of the town of Russell),
was a carpenter and joiner by trade and was bom in the town of Edwards, January 2,
1827, coming to this town in 1849, where he settled at Elm Creek. He soon returned
to Edwards and bought a saw mill and grist mill, which was later destroyed by fire, he
sustaining a loss of about $5,000. He soon rebuilt the mill and continued the business
about three years, then sold out and came to Russell, where he worked at his trade five
years. He bought a farm on Elm Creek, but in 1873 he removed to Silver Hill and took
charge of the Palmer mill which he conducted the remainder of his life. February 11,
1849, he married Mary E. Nelson, daughter of Abel and Sophia Nelson, both of Herki
mer county, and they had two sons and two daughters : Ella V., born February 25,
1852, who married, first, Henry Rushton, and, second, Charles T. Freeman of Edwards;
Nelson A., a farmer of this town, who married Mary Noble ; Stella, wife of A. L. Free
man, a farmer of Edwards ; and Chester, who worked for his father at farming and
lumbering, and at the death of his father took charge of the mill. He manufactures
lumber of all kinds, and also does custom work, having a planing mill in connection.
November 24, 1886, he married Agnes, daughter of D. M. Noble, and they have one
danghter, Vera, born September 22, 1887. In politics the family are Republicans.
The father was a member of the Baptist church, and his widow, who now resides with
our subject, is also a Baptist. The founders of this family in America were three
brothers who came from Holland at an early day and settled in the Mohawk Valley.
Smith, John O, Russell, was born in Russell, July 3, 1851. He is a son of John T.
Smith, who was born in Russell April 5, 1822, and was a farmer by occupation. He
married Alzina Chapman of Stone, Vt., by whom he had five children. He died July
12, 1858, and his wife in November, 1870. Our subject was educated in the public
schools, but his parents dying, he and his brother, R. G. Smith, carried on the homestead
until John C. became of age, when the place was sold. At the age of nineteen the
latter began work on a farm, and in 1877 he and his brothers, R. G. and E. L., engaged
in the hardware business, he soon buying out the interest of R. G. Smith, and later he

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 197
and E. L. sold to the former, and engaged in farming. After four years John C. re
turned to Russell, where he has since lived. In 1884 he bought the building now occu
pied by R. G. Smith, and he and the latter now occupy the upper story in the manufac
ture of the Gibbons washing machine. He also owns a farm of 193 acres, which he
uses as a dairy farm. He is a Democrat in politics, and is serving his second term as
justice of the peace. He is a member of Russell Lodge No. 566, F. & A. M. July 2
1878, he married Ella C, daughter of Calvin H. Knox. The latter was a son of Chester,
whose father, John Knox, came from Blandford, Mass., to Russell in 1805. Calvin H.
was born here December 3, 1824, and died November 10, 1891. March 2, 1858 he
married Priscilla Barker, by whom he had two children: the wife of Mr. Smith, and
Justine E., deceased wife of F. A. Gray of Russell. Mrs. Knox died March 9, 1864.
Fairbanks, Richmond J., Russell, was born in Hermon, October 25, 1858, a son of
Reuben J. and Harriet (Eggleston) Fairbanks. Reuben was a son of Oshea and Me-
hetabel (Powers) Fairbanks. Oshea and wife came to Gouverneur about 1823, and a
year later to Hermon, being pioneer settlers of that town. He went west about 1850
and little has been known of him since. He had five sons and three daughters, of whom
Reuben J. was born February 7, 1828. He enlisted October 16, 1861, in Co. F, 60th
N. Y. Volunteers, and served throughout the war. November 24, 1863, he was wounded
at Lookout Mountain, Tenn. He participated in the battles of Gettysburg and Chan-
cellorsville, and was with Sherman iu his famous march to the sea. Mr. Fairbanks and
wife were married April 20, 1852, and had six sons and five daughters : Florence, Mari-
dana, Samuel, Harriet, Cynthia, Rosina, Rodger E., Clark, Perry, Leroy D. and R. J.,
our subject. The later was educated in the school at Hermon, and at the age of seven
teen began his business career as a teamster and farm hand. He afterwards attended
school one year, and then worked a year each at teaming and in the cheese factory. At
the age of twenty he bought out the Leathe's route from De Kalb to Fine, and had
charge of this for eight years and four months. This proved a very successful under
taking for our subject, he buying during this time 370 acres of land, to which he has
added about 250 acres. In 1889 he built a saw mill on his farm, and now manufactures
lumber iu all dimensions, both rough and finished, shingles and cheese boxes, sawing
about 500,000 for market annually. He also has an interest in the Iron-Clad Mills at
De Kalb Junction. He has an interest in the Kelly Wagon Works also, and is presi
dent of the company. October 28, 1880, he married Sarah Cousins, born September 7,
1856, daughter of William and Janette (Cleland) Cousins, he a native of Ireland, born
Februrary 10, 1819, and she of Scotland, born January 29, 1826. The former died in
June, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks have had three sons : Milton J., born July 27,
1882 ; Howard C, born December 6, 1885 ; and Richmond Worth, born June 1, 1887.
In politics our subject is a Republican. He is a member of the Independent Order of
Foresters, Court 1,241, Hermon Lodge.
Compton, H. M., Russell, was born near Milford, Pike county, Pa., April 19, 1848, a son
of Ricmond and Eleanor (Drake) Compton. Richmond was born at Fort Richmond,
Staten Island, July 19, 1812, his wife being a native of Pike county, Pa., born March
6, 1815. Richmond was a lumberman, and the owner of large tracts of timbered land,
which he manufactured in lumber. He had five sons and three daughters, the former

198 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
all (except one who died in infancy) being soldiers in the late war, who served with
distinction. Our subject enlisted also, when sixteen years old in the Eleventh Penn
sylvania Volunteer Cavalry and was in Grant's campaign around Richmond, and was
connected with the Armies of the James and Potomac, participating in the battle of
Cold Harbor, Drury's Bluff and other hard fought encounters. He received his educa
tion in the common schools of Monroe county, Pa., and began work at lumbering at
the age of fifteen. At the age of nineteen he acted as director and manager of lum
bering, serving in that capacity for several years. For over ten years he had charge of
a wholesale lumber yard in Pennsylvania, and remained four years as manager of the
A. Lewis Lumber Co. He then became one of the managers of the lumber works at
Pittston, and in 1S91 came to Clifton, N. Y., and took charge of the land and lumber
interests of Clark & Thompson, of New York city. They furnish the Canton Lumber
Co. 6,000,000 feet of spruce annually, also furnishing large quantities of pulp wood to
the High Falls Pulp Co. In 1871 our subject married E. Grace, daughter of Nelson
Underwood, and they have had one son and two daughters, all now attending the
Normal School at Potsdam: Iva, born October 6, 1S72. A. Lewis, born August 5,
1875, and E. Jeannette, born March 20, 1878, the youngest pupil admitted to the Nor
mal School. Mr. Compton is a G. A. R. man, belonging to the Pittston Post He is a
Republican and he and family are members of the M. E. church.
Robertson, Alexander M., Colton, was born in Louisville, this county, June 22, 1838.
His parents, Alexander and Jane (Martin) Robertson, were Scotch, though the latter
was a resident of the north of Ireland, and came to Canada when young. Here they
were married, and later moved to St Lawrence county where they lived a number of
years. Mr. Robertson, sr., died in Canada August 12, 1887, and his wife September
1, 1S92. Alexander M. came to Colton in 1863 and there learned the cabinet maker's
trade, which occupation he followed till 1870. Subsequently he worked as a carpenter
eight years, and for four years occupied the position of clerk and bookkeeper for the
St. Lawrence Tanning Co., then three years at carpentry. In 1885 he bnilt for H. J.
Goodwin the veneer mill which is now owned by S. D. Goodwin, and took charge of
the finishing department till 1889, since which he has been manager until January 1,
1894, when he became a partner with a half interest in the business. Mr. Robertson
was a Republican, but has been a Prohibitionist since 1884, and has been collector of
Colton three years. He is a member of the First M. E. church of Colton, and a mem
ber of High Falls Lodge No. 428, F. & A. M. March 10, 1869, he married Jennie Fos
ter, and they have two children : Nennie I., the elder, is a graduate of St Lawrence
University, and is the wife of Rev. E. G. Mason, pastor of the First Universalist church
at Oakland, Me., and Hattie E. the younger is now a student at the St. Lawrence Uni
versity. Smith, R. G., Russell, was bora in Russell, April 1, 1849. His father, John T., was
a son of Rollin Smith, a native of Blandford, Mass., born October 24, 1788. December
2, 1817, he married Olive Gibbs, who was born February 28, 1791, and they had six
children, four now living : Mrs. Edmond Clark, of North Russell ; Mrs. Ansil Doolittle,
of Russell ; Mrs. Samuel Moore, of Russell ; and Mrs. Zenas Squires, of Canton. Mr.
Smith came to Russell about 1813, and here spent his life, teaching the first school in

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 199
Russell village. He was quite a conspicuous figure in the early history of this town,
having served eight terms as supervisor, and was also justice of the peace. He died in
1866 and his wife in 1881. The father of Rollin was John Smith, who lived and died
in Massachusetts. Our subject was born and reared on a farm, and his father dying
when he was nine years old, he was in early life thrown on his own resources, and be
ing the oldest son he had much responsibility thrust upon him in caring for the family.
He was educated in the common schools, and spent several years in teaching school,
beginning at the age of seventeen. He also attended the Canton Academy, and at the
age of twenty-four took a course in penmanship and telegraphy at Eastman's Busir ess
College, graduating in 1873. He next went to northern Wisconsin and taught for
some time and in 1874 took a course in the Oshkosh Business College, and taught one
year after that. In 1875 he returned to Russell and engaged in farming, but his health
failing he organized a select school of sixty pupils in Russell and taught one term.
February 29, 1876, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Hugh Miller, of Russell, and they
have had four children : Roy L., John L., Grace, who died aged seven years ; and
Goldia. In 1877 Mr. Smith and brothers John C. and Eugene L. engaged in the hard
ware business in Russell, but our subject soon sold out to John C, and later repurchased
the entire stock and has since had a very successful business, carrying all classes of
hardware and tinware. For several years he has also dealt in butter tubs, and has
handled real estate also. He is a Republican, has served as justice of the peace two
terms and is now filling his third term as supervisor. He is a member of Russell Lodge
No. 566 F. & A. M.
Moore, Samuel, Russell, was born in Remsen, Oneida county, December 20, 1825. a
son of Samuel M. Moore, whose father, King Moore, was a native of Wales, and an
early settler of Connecticut, where he died. Samuel M. was bom in Connecticut Feb
ruary 25, 1794, was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He came
to Remsen when a young man and there married Uruslia Young, a native of Steuben, born
February 12, 1797, by whom he had six children. They came to Russell in 1838 and
settled on a farm where our subiect now resides, and here he died in 1883, and his wife
in 1871. Samuel Moore came to Russell when twelve years of age and has here since
resided. He owns a place of 131 acres and follows general farming and dairying. In
1851 he married Clarissa C. Smith, bom April 3, 1826, a daughter of Rollin Smith, and
they have had six children : Chauncey L., of Russell, who married Attie E. Foster and
has two children, Foster L. and Lela M. : George A., of Pierrepont, who married Lillian
M. Farmer and has six children, Floyd E., Gertrude L., Rollin E., John, Bessie and
Roy H. ; Hattie L., wife of Elgin D. Owen of Russell, who has two children, Jerm B.
and Donna O. ; Eliza, who lives at home ; Carrie J., wife of Joseph F. Gray of Canton ;
and Sidney A., at home. Mr. Moore is a Democrat and in religious belief a Universal
ist. Olive Gibbs Smith, mother of Mrs. Moore, traces her ancestry back seven genera
tions to one William Gibbs of Lenharn, Yorkshire, England, who obtained a grant of
land four miles square in his town for signal services.
Merriman, Fred J., Madrid, was born in Somerville, St. Lawrence county, July 9,
1856, a son of Lyman Merriman, a farmer of Gouvernour. His mother, Caroline H.
daughter of Oren Freeman. The boyhood of our subject was spent in the towns of

200 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Rossie and Gouverneur. His parents moved on the farm in the latter town when Fred
was seven years of age. His first education was received at the common schools, and
when he was seventeen years old he was sent to Wesleyan Seminary in Gouverneur.
His first occupation was a teacher, which he began in his nineteenth year. The year
he was twenty-one he went to Watertown, where he began the study of law in the
office of McOartin & Williams. He was in the office as student and clerk about four
and one-half years, and was admitted to the bar January 9, 1880. He was in the office
of H. M. Wilbur as clerk and practicing for himself about a year and a half and was
with Henry Purcell then city recorder, a year and a half. In 1884 he moved to the
village of Madrid, where he opened an office and established a practice that has since
occupied his attention. The winter of 1879 he was clerk to the committee on printing,
and committee on militia in the Assembly Chambers at Albany. September 1, 1890,
Mr. Merriman was appointed by A. Von Landburg, deputy collector of Internal Revenue
for the third Division of the 21st District, consisting of the counties of Franklin, St.
Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis, an office he has filled with satisfaction to his superiors
and credit to himself. He is a retired member of the State militia, serving five years
with the 39th Separate Company and retired as corporal. He married September 2,
1886, Edith T., daughter of the late 0. C. Robinson of Madrid. They have one
daughter, Jessie Viles.
Gray, C. F., Russell, was born in Russell, February 25, 1863, a son of Daniel C. Gray,
who is also a native of this county and a son of Daniel Gray, who was a native of
Massachusetts and came here at an early day. D. C. Gray was born February 8, 1833,
and has always followed farming until the last three years. He resided in Chicago for
some time. He married Sarah E. Winslow of this county, who bore him three chil
dren. Our subject was educated in the common schools and has always followed agri
culture. He has 160 acres of land and keeps twenty-five cows, also sheep. February
23, 1887, he married Carrie, daughter of Frank and Sarah (Gilman) Towner, the latter
being a daughter of Antipath Gilman, mentioned in this work. Mrs. Towner died in
1880. Mr. Gray is a Republican, and he and his wife are liberal in their religious
views. Sanford, Herbert J., Parishville, was born in Hopkinton, April 1, 1861, a son of
Jonah Sanford. He was educated in the Lawrenceville Academy and in Potsdam Nor
mal School. Mr. Sanford spent one year at the tanning business in Hopkinton, and
three years in the mercantile and lumber trade in Parishville, under the firm name
of Clark, Sanford & Co. In 1886 he engaged in the mercantile business for himself
and has since done a very successful business. June 28, 1882, he married Bertha,
daughter of Varick A. Chittenden, a retired merchant of Hopkinton. Mr. Sanford
and wife have had three children: Infant son, born July 15, 1884, died September 6
1884 ; Alice Edna, born December 23, 1887 ; Floyd H., born January 5, 1891 died
October 6, 1891. Mr. Sanford is a Republican in politics, and he and his wife attend
the Congregational church.
Millar, William John L., M.D., Russell, was born in Newboro, Ontario, Canada, June
27, 1839. His father, William J. Millar, M.D., was a native of Belfast, Ireland
born in 1795, and was a son of Captain Alexander Millar of the English army, a

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 201
Scotchman by birth, who was killed during the rebellion in Ireland in 1798. Will
iam J. Millar, M.D., came to America about 1835, and was a graduate of Dublin Uni
versity, Ireland. After coming to this country he taught Greek and Latin for two
years in the College of Geneva, N. Y. From here he returned to Canada, and began
the practice of medicine and surgery at Newboro, Ont., and there he remained in active
practice up to the time of his death in February, 1858. In 1837 he married Eliza
Moore of Brockville, and they had eight children, four sons and four daughters,
of whom our subject, William J. L, is the oldest. He was educated at Buffalo, N.
Y., and is a graduate from the Buffalo University. He came to Russell in 1867,
and has since been in active practice here and in surrounding towns. In 1862 he
married Ada J. B. West, daughter of James West of South Mountain, Ont, a sur
veyor and civil engineer, who was the son of Capt. Henry West of Canterbury,
England. Dr. and Mrs. Millar have four sons : James C. W., born in South Mountain
June 10, 1864, who is principal of a school in Montana; William J. L., 2d, now
practicing medicine with his father. He was born May 26, 1865, and graduated
from Buffalo University in May, 1893. He married Edith L. Wilson of Heuvelton,
and they have one child, William J. L., 3d, born May 16, 1802. Arthur W. W.,
born June 12, 1867, at Russell, is a farmer and married Florence May Sanderson ;
Reginald C. M., was born November 7, 1877, at Russell, is teaching school and
lives at home. Dr. Millar js a member of the St. Lawrence County Medical Society,
is a Democrat and attends the Methodist church.
Fanning, Benajah C, Russell, was born in Russell, October 29, 1836, a son of Caleb,
who was born in Herkimer county, November 14/ 1807. He was a son of William
and Elsie (Corp) Fanning, who came from Herkimer to St. Lawrence county when
Caleb was a boy. In 1830 they came to Russell, where he died in 1835, and his wife
several years later. Caleb was twenty-three years old when he came to this town, and
he has lived on the same farm since 1832. In 1833 he married Jane Brown of Edwards,
born March 26, 1816, a daughter of Jonathan Brown. To Caleb and wife were born
eleven children, of whom seven grew to maturity : Emily, wife of Hezekiah Carr; Ben
ajah, our subject ; Vaniah, who married Clarissa Stafford; Andrew, who lives on the
old homestead and married Annie Nolan ; Hezekiah, who married Elizabeth McCon
nell ; D. C, wife of Victor Hatch. Mr. Fanning is a Republican. Benajah C. worked
at farming at home till the age of twenty-seven, and then rented the homestead for
four years. In 1868 he bought his present place of 135 acres, which he has cleared
and improved, and he keeps a dairy of fourteen cows and young stock. In 1863 he
married Susan, daughter of Ashabel Curtis of Russell, and they have had two children :
Jessie, wife of Albert Hughes of Russell, and Lynn, who lives at home.
Stearns, Nathan W., of Brasher Center, was born in Stockholm, November 1, 1827,
a son of Abel H. and Deborah (Kelcey) Stearns, the former born February 8, 1786,
and the latter July 22, 1790. They were married February 2, 1809, and came to
Stockholm among the pioneers, where the father died May 13, 1843, and the mother
October 16, 1845. The had nine children: Ralph P., Jonathan W., Isaac K, Abel
H., jr., Eliza Ann, Jason W., Benjamin H., Reuben R., and Nathan W, The latter

202 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
was reared a farmer and was for several years a olerk at Brasher Center, and about
two years a merchant. For the past thirty years he has been engaged in farming.
now owning a farm of about eighty acres. He is a Republican, and has been over
seer of the poor, etc. March 8. 1854, he married Maria I. Talcott, born August 14.
1826, daughter of Dr. Giles L. and Charlotte W. (Goodnough) Talcott of New Eug^
land, and afterward of Stockholm. Mr. and Mrs. Stearns have had five children:
Msreia M., bom March 3. 1855. wife of Dr. M. B. Holcomb of Keeseville : Giles
H.. bom March 27. 1858. married Lilly M. Bentiey : Elva J., bom April 30. 1803,
wife of H. S. Taylor of Brasher; Bertha E.. bora February 2, I860, wife of M. E.
Shoen of Massena: Charles H.. bom February -t. 1809. married Emma J. Allen, and
is a farmer at home. Isaac Kelcey, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a
pioneer in the county and a man of considerable influence in his day. The village
of Winthrop is on what was Isaac Kelcey s farm, where he lived after coming to
the county. His nearest white neighbors on the northeast were at Cornwall. P. Q.,
some twenty-five miles distant: though the red men were all about him. He lived
in perfect, peace and tranquillity among them.
Rider, James M., Russell, was bora in Vermont in 1839. a son of James l\. whose
father was one of the pioneers of St. Lawrence county. James D. married Sarah Pot
ter, bom in Vermont, and they settled on a farm in Hopkinton. James M.. our subiect
was reared on a farm and received his education in the district schools of Parishville
and Hopkinton. At the age of eighteen he began work on a farm at very low wages.
and continued in this line for about fifteen years. By industry and frugality he soon
became possessor of one of the most valuable farms in the town. In 1806 he married
Maria M.. daughter of Harry West of Vermont, and they have five children : Minnie
Backus, born in Hopkinton April 3. 1808. married Myron Backus and has one child.
Fredda W.; Gertrude, bora in Canton June 9, 1871; Eve Knox, born in Canton April
28. 1873. married Burtiss S. Knox : Jay, born in Russell January 1, 1875 : William,
born in Russell June 27, 1S78. Mr. Rider first bought a farm in Hopkinton, where he
lived one year, then rented in Canton five years, and then bought the farm of over 200
acres, which he now owns and works He carries on general farming and dairying.
keeping about twenty cows and other stock, sheep, etc. He is a Republican in his
politics, but has never cared for office. His family attends the Methodist church.
Young, Enoch, Brier Hill, was born in Hammond, December 8, 1835. and came to
Morristown in 1844. His father was Zenas Young, and his grandfather, Enoch Young
of Dutchess county. His mother was E valine (Battel!) Young. Mr. Young is an ex
tensive farmer and prominent in Morristown. He is a Republican in politics, has been
delegate to the county and State conventions, and has been supervisor of Morristown
for eleven years.
Yerden. George S., Brier Hill, was born in Montgomery county, July 29, 1832, and
has lived in Brier Hill for sixty years He first followed painting with his father, but
subsequently became a carpenter and joiner, which he followed till 1883, when he
opened a general store at Brier Hill. He was appointed postmaster there August 15,
1889. Mr. Yerden has been married twice. His first wife was Mary E. Burnett, whom

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 203
he married October 13, 1859. His second wife, Mrs. Bridget Bracey, he married Sep
tember 25, 1888. Mr. Yerden is a Republican, and highly esteemed by a large circle
of acquaintances.
Wilson, George B„ Colton, was born in Gilboa, Schoharie county, June 5, 1836, a son
of Benjamin, a native of that county, born August 21, 1799, who married Elizabeth
Fianklin, of Vermont, and had seven children who grew to maturity. George B. lived
on a farm till the age of fifteen, and was then apprenticed to learn the tailor's trade,
which he soon abandoned and learned tanning, working first in Gilboa, and then in
Delaware and Hamilton counties. At the age of twenty-two he came to Colton and
entered a tannery, working in the rolling department for Lorenzo Hull, and with the
exception of four years spent on his farm in Pierrepont he has been engaged in the
St. Lawrence Tannery most of the time since, holding the position of foreman. Mr.
Wilson owns 240 acres of land in Pierrepont and a lot in Colton. May 9, 1863, he
married Ellen J. Jones, of Vermont, and they had four children : Fred W., Charles, who
died aged ten years, Frank H., and Alice. In 1861 Mr. Wilson enlisted in Company H,
Ninety-second N. Y. Volunteer Infantry, and after serving one year was discharged
for disability. He is a member of G. A. R., Wait Post No. 581 of Colton. Fred W.
Wilson was born in Colton, November 10, 1864, was educated in the St. Lawrence Uni
versity, and spent some time as clerk in a drug store, having been connected with
Hepburn & Spear seven years. Since April 15, 1889, he has been engaged in the gen
eral merchandise business, also handling hay and wood. October 11, 1893, he married
Louisa A. Johnson, of Richville, daughter of James Johnson, of Philadelphia. Mr. Wil
son is a Republican and has been town clerk one year. February 2, 1892, he was ap
pointed postmaster and has since held that office. He is a member of High Falls Lodge
No. 428 F. & A. M.
Wainwright, J. W., Gouverneur, was born in Prescott, January 4, 1847, and spent
his early years on the farm. Twenty-five years ago he came to Gouverneur. In 1868
he married Olive Haskins, and they have three children : Mrs. William Baker, Elmer,
and Tunis. Seven years ago Mr. Wainwright opened his hotel in Brooklyn, which he
will greatly enlarge this year. His father was Mathew Wainwright, and his mother
Adelaide (Thornton) Wainwright.
Walker, William, De Kalb, was born in Richville, April 8, 1843, His father, Horatio,
was one of the early settlers of De Kalb, who came from Massachusetts. He married
Ruth Smith, a native of De Kalb. Our subject followed farming till thirty years of
age, when he engaged in the mercantile business in his present place. He has con
ducted a most successful business for twenty years, and has won the esteem of his
townspeople. In 1869 he married Amelia E. Lynd, and they have one daughter,
Ada L.
Wainwright, Lorin M., De Kalb, was born in Macomb, November 13, 1853. He re
mained on his father's farm until twenty-five years of age, when he embarked in the
mercantile business, conducting a general store and meat market, which latter branch
he gave up after operating it ten years, and now devotes himself to the general store,
with which he also has open sheds for farmers' use. In 1874 he married Ella Bar-

204 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ber, who died in 1876. In 1877 he married again and has four daughters. Mr. Wain
wright has been very successful in his business operations, and is regarded as one of
the enterprising men of De Kalb. He is a Mason and an active Democrat.
Wright, S. B., Hammond, was born in Oswegatchie, July 19, 1833. He was a farm
er's son, and after teaching school eight winters he returned to farming, which he
has followed ever since. In 1857 he married Martha Moyer. Mr. Wright has been as
sessor of Hammond ten years. In 1890 he was elected magistrate. His father was
William H. Wright, a native of Canada. His grandfather was Timothy Wright, a nat
ive of Vermont, and his mother was Mary (Taylor) Wright.
Walrath, Philip, Edwardsville, was born in Herkimer county, August 15, 1818, but
has resided in Morristown for fifty years, and during a great part of this time has
been one of the active and leading men of the town, holding public offices. In 1844
he married Pluma, daughter of Dr. Willis, of Springfield, Otsego county, and they have
three children: Mrs. Craigs, Solomon, and Alfred Willis. Mr. Walrath has been a
member of the Lutheran church for forty-five years.
Wright, I. W., Gouverneur, was born in Canada, May 2, 1826. He learned the trade
of carpenter and joiner and followed it many years. In 1868 he came to Wegatchie
and embarked in the manufacture of woolen goods. He has a fine woolen mill, in
which he put all the machinery himself. Mr. Wright married Maria Fishbeck in Jan
uary, 1851. They have one son and two daughters : Ida Louisa, Venetta Estelle,
and J. H. Wright. Mr. Wright manufactures cashmeres, flannels, cotton wraps, etc.
Wand, Philip, Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, January 14, 1853. His father
inaugurated business here forty- two years ago. Philip learned the trade of a wagon
and carriagemaker with his father, with whom he worked, and upon the death of that
gentleman succeeded him in the business. About sixteen years ago they moved their
business from down town up to their present stand on New York avenue, which
property they purchased and built upon. Philip married in 1880 Sarah Connor, and
they have two children. Mr. Wand is an energetic and enterprising gentleman, much
respected, and his establishment is among the oldest in this city.
Wood, Henry H., Ogdensburg.— His ancestors came to this country in the Mayflower
and settled in Norwich, Conn. They afterward participated in the Revolutionary War
in General Gates's army, and in the War of 1812. A branch of the family settled in
the Genesee Valley and Black River country. From this branch Henry IT. is in direct
descent. He received his education in the schools of Hammond, and was brought up
by his grandfather, Henry C, his father, Henry F., having died in early manhood.
He has been in Ogdensburg for the past thirty years and is general manager for S. G.
Pope, which position he has held for the past thirteen years. Prior to this time he
was employed by the railroad for many years. He married in 1872 Jane A. Smith.
Watkins, Henry, Potsdam, was born in Rutland, Vt., in October, 1819. He gradu
ated from Middlebury College and came to Potsdam to reside about 1842. Here he
entered St. Lawrence Academy as professor of mathematics and remained in this posi
tion for several years. In 1847 he engaged in the foundry business, later forming

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 205
a partnership with Charles W. Leete in the hardware trade. In 1863 Messrs. Watkins
& Leete purchased an interest in the saw mill property on the west side of the river,
and continued business together in both these branches of industry until 1872, when
the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Leete taking the hardware and foundry, and Mr.
Watkins the saw mill property, with wnich he was connected until his death. When
the movement was started to secure the location of one of the State Normal Schools
in this village, Mr. Watkins entered into it heart and soul. He was active and untiring
iu all the plans, details and management connected with the building of this great
and beneficent institution. As a fit recognition of his services he was made president
of the first local board appointed for the school, and continued to hold the position un
til his death. His interest in this institution never for a moment flagged, and every
movement for its advancement and success received his earnest and effective sup
port. Mr. Watkins was a member of the Presbyterian church, with which he united
early in life. He took an active part in the building of the present church edifice of
that society in this village. He was one of the solid and substantial business men of
the place, and for half a century was closely identified with the social, moral and ma
terial life and growth of Potsdam. He died in Potsdam, March 29, 1891, of typhoid
pneumonia in his seventy-second year.
Wait, Myron H., Potsdam, was born in Potsdam, May 17, 1825. Allen Wait, father
of our subject, was a native of Vermont, born in Shoreham, March 11, 1780, and was
one of the first settlers of the town of Potsdam, coming here in 1802, when the town
was a wilderness. He took up 100 acres in the northwestern part, and his first resi
dence was a log house, which was superseded in 1825 by a frame house. Allen Wait
took little interest in public affairs, but devoted his whole time to his home interests.
His wife was Abigail Bailey, also a native of Vermont, and they had ten children, only
two of whom are living : Allen Wait, the second, a farmer of this town ; and Myron
H. Allen Wait, sr., is dead, and Mrs. Wait died in December, 1839. The whole life of
our subject was spent in this town, living on the old homestead farm until he was
fifteen, when the family moved to the western part of Potsdam. When he was twenty-
one he started out for himself, but returned after two years to spend four years with
his father. In 1853 he moved to Hopkinton, where he bought a farm of sixty acres,
and cultivated it three years, returning in 1856 to Potsdam, buying a farm of ninety-six
acres to which he added until he owned 176 acres. He left this in 1871 to settle on his
present farm, a fine place of 167 acres and also an adjoining one of fifteen acres. The
farm is devoted mainly to dairying, and Mr. Wait conducts a milk route in Potsdam,
where he disposes of about 150 quarts per day. He also makes butter from the fur
nishing of thirty-six cows. Mr. Wait married in 1854, Eliza J., daughter of Benjamin
Butler, a farmer of Potsdam, who was a native of Vermont, coming to this country
when seven years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Wait had two children : Ida Elizabeth, wife
of Ezra S. Smith of Des Moines, la.; and Emma Sophronia, now a teacher in the
Normal School at Shippenburg, Pa.
Wait, John, Potsdam, was born in Clayton, August 10, 1855, a son of Jason, a native
of Jefferson county, where he was born July 25, 1833. He is a ship builder by trade
and has built a number of lake vessels. He married Sarah A. Angsbery of Jefferson

206 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
county, and they had three children, all living. Mr. Wait died in 1862. John was
educated in the common schools of Clayton and when sixteen years of age went into
the organ factory of A. M. Brush at Clayton, where he spent five years, and in 1872
they removed to Potsdam and Mr. Wait came with them, and has ever since lived here.
He is a Democrat and takes an active interest in politics. He married, September 14,
1880, Sarah E. Fling, a native of Potsdam.
Weagant, Ernest E., D.S., Potsdam, was born in Canada, August 6, 1859, a son of
Herman G, now in his seventy-fourth year and still practicing dental surgery in Mor-
risburg, Canada. The early life of Ernest E. was spent in the town of his birth. He
was educated in the common and high schools of Morrisburg. His first study of den
tistry was in his father's office, and in 1887 he entered Philadelphia Dental College,
from which he graduated with the degree of D.D.S., March 1, 1888. The same year,
in May, he came to Potsdam where he bought the office and practice of Dr. H. M.
Welch, and he has ever since been engaged in the practice of his profession. He
has spacious parlors and office in the Ives Block on Market street, and has built
up a practice second to none in the town, making a specialty of crown and bridge
work.
, Whalen, Thomas, Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, September 12, 1830. His
parents settled in St. Lawrence county about 1822. Thomas was educated in the com
mon schools and worked with his father on the farm until twenty years of age, when
he commenced learning the carpenter's trade, after the completion of which he became
actively engaged in contracting and building, which occupation he has since success
fully followed and in the course of which he has erected many important buildings,
among others we mention the annex to the academy, several buildings on the hospital
grounds, etc. He married Elizabeth Burns, and has three sons and three daughters.
Mr. Whalen has served the city as alderman, assessor, etc. He is a member of the
Oswegatchie club, and is identified with the city's best interests. He furnishes con
stant employment to a considerable force of hands.
Williams, C. E., Ogdensburg, was born in Vermont, December 11, 1867. He was
liberally educated in the schools of Turin, Lewis county, after which he served an ap
prenticeship for five years in pharmacy, eventually graduating from the National Insti
tute of Pharmacy in Chicago. In 1890 Mr. Williams purchased the drug establishment
for many years conducted by George Watt, and has been very successful. He handles
a number of specialties, and is well adapted for the business.
Westbrook Family, The, Ogdensburg. — Members of this family settled in Ulster county
about 1640. Charles R. Westbrook, father of James, came to Ogdensburg from Kings
ton, Ulster county, in 1855, and followed the practice of his profession here for eight
years. He then was appointed manager of the Parish property, and five years after
ward assumed charge of the Power Iron Works, which position he held for twenty
years. After this Mr. Westbrook was in the customs department in New York city
and also had charge of the Sterlington Iron Works there. He is at present practicing
law in that city. James Westbrook was born in Ogdensburg, September 29, 1860 was
educated in the schools here, and in July, 1879, entered the O. L. & C. Railroad office

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 207
nere as clerk. He is now agent of the business. Mr. Westbrook married a daugh
ter of Stillman Forte and they have three children. Mr. Westbrook is a member of
the Ogdensburg Club, etc., and upon his mother's side is a descendant of Judge John
Scott, whose history is identified with St. Lawrence county.
Welch, Michael, Stockholm, is a son of Michael and Frances Welch, natives of Ire
land, where they died. Michael, jr., was born in Ireland, and when fourteen years
of age went to Nova Scotia, where he remained until twenty-one and then went to
Boston. In 1841 Mr. Welch came to Stockholm, where he has since resided. He at
first settled on a farm of seventy-five acres, but has added to it until now he owns 106
acres, on which he has made improvements. Mr. Welch married in Massachusetts
Catherine Kelley, a native of Ireland, by whom he has eight children : Margaret, James,
John, Michael, Charley, Patrick, Edward, and William. Mr. Welch is a Republican in
politics, and is a member of the G. A. R., Captain Gibson Post. In 1861 Mr. Welch
enlisted in the Ninety-second N. Y. Infantry, Company D, and served until the close of
the war. During the last two years he was in the Ninety-sixth N. Y. Infantry, Com
pany G.
Whitton, I. R., Gouverneur, was born at Smith's Mills, June 7, 1867. His father is
a farmer and he lived for some years on the farm. Four years ago he opened a
store at Smith's Mills, which he still conducts with marked success. In 1884 he mar
ried Adele, daughter of Earlton Heath. They have three children : Selee, Hazel Belle
and Claude. Mr. Whitton's father is George Whitton. His grandfather was James
Whitton. Wood, J. H., Gouverneur, was born in Jefferson county, September 12, 1853. In
1881 he married M. E. Comstock. His father, Andrew Wood, was a native of Scot
land, and came to America when a young man. Mr. Wood is a self-made man, and
is much respected by all. He has been collector for several years and occupied other
public positions. He owns a fine farm of 168 acres, and carries on dairying and grain
raising. Welch, Sylvester, Ogdensburg, was born in the town of Philadelphia, Jefferson
county, March 29, 1842. He received his education in the district schools and early
commenced to learn the trade of blacksmith at Oxbow, after the completion of which
he came to Ogdensburg in 1875, and has conducted this branch of industry here since
that time. He married in 1861 and has four children. Mr. Welch is a descendant of
an old American family of Revolutionary antecedents. His great-grandfather was an
active participant of these stirring times, as was that ancestor upon the mother's side.
Weston, John R., Potsdam, was born in Canada, March 22, 1863, and came to Mor
ristown, St. Lawrence county, when seventeen years of age. He was educated in
Brockville High School, and his first occupation was as a bookkeeper for W. H. Com
stock, of Morristown, a position he held for four years, and for four years traveled
for the same firm. In 1889 he came to Potsdam, where he was in partnership with
Zenas Clark, jr., in the book and stationery business. They were burned out a year
after the establishment of the company, and in 1890 he formed a partnership with Fred-

208 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
erick A. Wood and occupied the store in the new Ives block. Mr. Weston is a member
of Raquette River Lodge No. 213, F. & A. M. ; St. Lawrence Chapter No. 24 ; and St.
Lawrence Commandery No. 28. He has advanced to the thirty-second degree. Mr.
Weston married in 1890 Mary J. Lynde, of Gouverneur.
Whitney, Thomas J., Gouverneur, was born in the town of Morley, St. Lawrence
county, September 23, 1850, one of five children of Nathan E. and Esther (Stephenson)
Whitney. In 1865 Nathan E. removed to Gouverneur and settled, that his four boys
might learn the trade of stone cutter. In 1876 the first marble was quarried in Gouver
neur by T. J. Whitney & Bro. T. Whitney went to Rutland, Vt, in 1879, and spent
three years there in the employ of the Rutland Marble Company. In 1882 he organized
the Whitney Marble Company, and in 1884 organized the St. Lawrence Marble Com
pany, and has been superintendent since that time. They ship marble all over the
United States and Canada, and have the largest mill in the region, using sixteen gangs
and employing 100 men the year around. T. J. Whitney married in 1872 Alice M.,
daughter of Benjamin and Selina F. (Bignall) Kinney, of Gouverneur. Mr. Whitney
has been a member of the Board of Trustees for eight years, and was president of
the Water Commission when the new system of works was constructed. He was also
district commissioner of the fourth judicial district of the exhibit of the State of New
York at the World's Columbian Exposition.
Veitch, Thomas A., Waddington, was born in Waddington, June 4, 1836. He is a
son of Adam Veitch, a native of Scotland, born in 1805, who came to Waddington when
fifteen years of age with his parents, Thomas and Isabell (Trumbull) Veitch, who set
tled on a farm where they lived and died. Adam Veitch was educated in Scotland.
He married Ann Nesbit, a native of Scotland, by whom he had a family of four chil
dren, of whom three are now living. Mr. Vekch died in 1864, and his wife in 1882.
Thomas A. was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of Wadding
ton. He has always followed farming and now owns 321 acres of land, used princi
pally for dairying, and keeps thirty-five cows. Mr. Veitch married, August 19, 1859,
Elizabeth Young, of Waddington, a daughter of Walter Young, of Scotland, who came
to Waddington, and here spent most of his life, dying in California. Mr. Veitch and
wife have three children : Adam, Angenett, and Walter. Mr. Veitch is a Republican,
and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian church of Waddington.
Vanderburg, Fred, Pierrepont, was born in Antwerp, Jefferson county, May 6, 1836,
a son of James and Roby (Knight) Vanderburg, the former a native of Herkimer
county, and his wife of Rhode Island. They had four sons and three daughters. In
1837 Mr. Vanderburg and parents came to Pierrepont from Jefferson county, where
they lived a number of years. The family afterwards went to Lewis county, where
Mr. Vanderburg died in 1869, and his wife in 1853 in Pierrepont. Our subject, Fred
Vanderburg, was reared on a farm and has always followed farming, owning now 230
acres of land and keeping twenty-four cows. He has been three times married ¦ first
to Catharine Daniels, of Pierrepont, by whom he had three children : Flora, Kittie L.
and L. Luella, who died aged two and a half years. He married second Mary J. Coon,
of Pierrepont, and third Josephine Hibbard, a native of Pierrepont, by whom he has

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 209
had five children : Ida, Julia, Maleta, Fred, and Charles H. Mr. Vanderburg is a Demo
crat and has been highway commissioner four years.
Taylor, George F., Waddington, was born in Waddington, April 7, 1821. His father
was John Taylor, who was born in Scotland, November 22, 1789, and in 1819 came to
Waddington and settled on a farm now owned by his son John. He was a large real
estate owner, having at one time about 700 acres of land. He married Isabella Turn-
bull of Scotland, born December 15, 1793, by whom he had four sons and two daugh
ters. He was a Whig in politics, and he and his wife were members of the Scotch
Presbyterian church. He died May 1, 1843, and his wife February 19, 1883. George
F. was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. Farming has been his
life occupation. He resided in Lisbon for a number of years, then came to Wadding
ton and purchased a farm of 112 acres, on which he lived until three years ago, when
he removed to the village and his adopted son, Homer Taylor, has charge of the farm.
October 30, 1847, Mr. Taylor married Anna, daughter of Andrew Veitch of Wadding
ton. Mr. Veitch came from Scotland in 1818, and lived and died on the farm he set
tled. His wife was Janet Porteous of Scotland, and they had six children, of whom
five grew to maturity. Mr. Taylor has always been a Republican in politics. He and
wife are members of the Second Reformed Presbyterian church of Lisbon, but at pres
ent attend and support the M. E. church of Waddington. John Taylor, brother of
subject was born in Waddington, October 4, 1829. He resides on the old homestead
and has 230 acres of land. He married, October 29, 1862, Isabel, daughter of John
Hobkirk. Mr. Taylor and wife have nine children, all living. He is a Republican, and
he and wife are members of the Scotch Presbyterian church.
Thomas, John, Pierrepont, was born in Wales, February 3, 1830, a son of Will
iam, a native of the same place. He married Ann Davis, and they had nine chil
dren. In 1833 they came to Clinton county, N. Y., finally settling in St. Lawrence
county, town of Rossie, and later in Pierrepont, on the farm now owned by our
subject, where they both died. John was reared on the farm and educated in the
common schools. He is the owner of 160 acres of land, and followed general
farming and dairying, keeping fifteen cows. In 1857 Mr. Thomas married Helen
S. Barker, a native of Moriah, Essex county, born in 1839, daughter of Orrin and
Harriet (Potter) Barker, natives of Vermont and Essex county respectively. Mr.
Barker died in 1880 and his wife in 1852. Mr. and Mr. Thomas have had three
children: Rena, wife of George L. Isham of Colton; William J., a farmer who mar
ried Lena Chaney ; and Orrin B., who lives at home. Mr. Thomas is a Republican.
Tann, J. M., Edwardsville, was born in Jefferson county, October 4, 1856, and was
engaged in farming until 1887, when he embarked in the cheese business with W. D.
Austin. In 1882 Mr. Tann married Maggie, daughter of M. P. Ehle. He is a member
of the Masonic fraternity, a Republican in politics, and has held local office. Mr. Tann's
father is William Tann, a prosperous farmer of Edwardsville.
Taylor, D. R., Fowler, was born in England, April 2, 1846, and came to Canada with
his parents in 1349, where his father died. In 1868 he came to this country, and has
been engaged in farming principally, and has done some mining. In 1876 he married

210 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Clara, daughter of Chauncey House of Macomb. Mr. Taylor is an ardent Prohibition
ist, and a member of the Methodist church. His children are : Earle, Edmond, Ivan,
Nellie and Ormond.
Stone, Oscar 0., Parishville, was born in Parishville, November 16, 1843, a son of
Thomas Stone, a native of Ireland, born August 19, 1811, who came to this country
and settled finally in Parishville. December 15, 1836, he married Almira Boland, a
native of Rutland, Vt, and daughter of William Boland, a native of Scotland, who came
to Parishville in 1830, where he died six years later. Mr. and Mrs. Stone had two
two children, Oscar 0., being the only survivor. Mr. Stone died April 5, 1885, and his
wife resides with our subject. Oscar 0. was reared on a farm and educated in the
public schools. He follows farming and at present owns 227 acres of land, keeping a
dairy of twenty-seven cows. He is a Republican and has always taken an active in
terest in politics. He has been twice married, his first wife being Maria Batty, by
whom he had one child who died in infancy. Mrs. Stone died in 1870, and in 1871 he
married second Sarah Cowles, daughter of Charles Cowles of Parishville, by whom
he has had two children : Maria (deceased), and Lizzie, at home.
Sayer, M., Morristown, was born in Macomb, February 20, 1855, and has followed
farming all his life. In 1879 he married Ella Lowes. His father was James, and his
mother Jane (Farley) Sayer, both of England. Mr. Sayer is a member of the Fores
ters, an active Republican, and an enterprising business man.
Soper, William, Waddington, was born July 8, 1817. His father, David Soper, was
a native of Essex, Vt , and at the age of eight years came to Waddington with his
mother and stepfather, his own father dying when he was a child. He bought one of
the first farms in what is now Waddington. This farm of 120 acres, said to be the
best in the town, is now owned by William Soper. The wife of David Soper was
Mary Straiter, of Brockville, Canada, by whom he had three sons and three daughters.
Mr. Soper died in February, 1875. Mr. Soper in early life was a farmer and lumber
man. Mr. Soper married Elizabeth, daughter of John Thompson, of England, who came
to Waddington when Mr. Soper was six years of age. Mr. Soper and wife have two
children: Nancy J., widow of Sidney Monroe (killed in the late Rebellion), and Avilla,
wife of Hiram H. Peacock, who at present has charge of Mr. Soper's farm. Mr. Pea
cock was born in Waddington, a son of Matthew Peacock, who came to Waddington
from England in 1826, and is now a resident of Waddington village. He married
Elizabeth Stearns, of Vermont, and they have had four sons and five daughters. He
is a stone mason. Hiram H. Peacock and wife have one daughter, Eva H. He is a
member of Waddington Lodge No. 393 F. & A. M. ; is a Republican in politics, and a
great lover of fine horses, taking pride in having as good if not the best team in the
town. Snyder, John, Heuvelton, was born in Oswegatchie, July 9, 1832. His parents were
of Mohawk Dutch descent, who for a time resided in Canada, and afterward at Fort
Plain. John received his education in this State, and May 2, 1861, enlisted in the Six
teenth N. Y. Volunteers, and went to Albany. He was transferred shortly afterward
to the Sixtieth N. Y. Volunteers, in which he served one and one-half years, at the ex-

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 211
piration of which he entered the Fourteenth N. Y. Infantry, and served two years
and eleven months, during which he was taken prisoner at the battle of Petersburg,
June 17, 1861, and confined in Libby Prison until May 4, 1865, when he again suc
ceeded in returning to his regiment. He participated in all the battles of the Army of
the Potomac which occurred during his service, with the exception of the time he was
a prisoner, and was also in numerous skirmishes. After the war he returned to
Heuvelton and engaged in hotel keeping until within the past few years, since which
he has conducted a general store. He married Sarah Moore, of Oswegatchie. John
Snyder was a brave soldier, and is an upright, conscientious and energetic business
man. Stowe, Thomas, Morristown, was born in Morristown, October 5, 1847. He and his
brother, John H. Stowe, own the old homestead. Their father was Robert Stowe, who
came from England and settled here in 1836, and their mother was Johanna (Hayes)
Stowe. Thomas married Catherine McPhail, and they have one son, Earle Vincent.
The Stowe brothers are well known breeders of Holstein cattle and high grade
sheep. Steinburg, Harvey, Ogdensburg, was born in Dundas county, Canada, June 2, 1851.
He learned the meat business in that country and located during 1889 in Ogdensburg.
May 18, 1892, he moved upon New York avenue where he enjoys a large and first class
patronage. Mr. Steinburg married in 1875 Miss Mcintosh, of Canada, and they have
two sons. Mr. Steinburg has been remarkably successful since coming to Ogdensburg.
He is a thorough business man and enjoys the respect and confidence of the public.
Scullin, Nicholas, Potsdam, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, August 11, 1800.
His father died when he was quite young, and he came to this country in 1819 with
his mother. His mother located in the town of Brasher, where she reared a family of
eleven children. Nicholas worked with his brother Felix on the farm until he was
twenty-five years of age, and then learned the mason's trade, which he followed in dif
ferent places until 1872. The spring of that year he bought a farm of 146 acres in
Potsdam, where he spent the balance of his days. He died February 11, 1892. He
married, February 11, 1830, Mary Colligan, and they have had eleven children, eight
of whom are living : Mary, wife of Robert Grow, of Brasher ; Felix, a farmer of Pots
dam ; John, of St. Louis, is prominently connected with the street railroads of that
city ; Henry J.,, a farmer of Potsdam; James, a contractor of St. Louis; Nancy, of
the Convent of the Good Shepard in Chicago ; Kate, wife of Henry Loomis, of Mes
sina ; and Eunice, who lives at home. The family are members of the Catholic church
at Potsdam. The farm is conducted as a dairy farm, with fifteen cows. Mr. Scullin is
a Democrat and holds the offices of collector and constable, and was for two years a
trustee of schools.
Stanton, Alexander B., Potsdam, was born in Pittsford, Rutland county, Vt, Sep
tember 25, 1821. The father of our subject, John S., was also a native of Vermont,
born in Essex county in 1789 He was a farmer and a member of the Congregational
church. He married in 1820 Lucy Hubbell, of Pittsford, Vt, whose father, Oliver
Bogue came to Vermont from Connecticut among the earliest settlers of the State, and

212 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
was an old Revolutionary soldier. John S. Stanton was the father of four children, three
now living: George Franklin, a mechanic and farmer of Westport; Alex B., and a
daughter, Mrs. Helen Curren, of Peterboro, Ontario. Mr. Stanton was educated in the
common schools, and when seventeen years of age started for himself working for
farmers. In the fall of 1849 he came to St. Lawrence county, where he bought a
farm of sixty-five acres in Potsdam. Since that time he has increased the she of
the farm by purchase of one of five acres and one of forty-eight, making now 110. He
has erected a good residence, three large barns and a cheese factory on the place. Mr.
Stanton married in 1847 Minerva Baldwin, of Westport, and they had five children
One died at three years of age; Marthesia, wife of John Speed, of Santa Anna, Cal.
Lucy, wife of John Clark ; Fred. A. ; and Minnie, wife of Fred Hill, of Boston, Mass
Mrs. Stanton died September 7, 1869, and he married second, April 12, 1870, Angeline,
daughter of George Thompson, of Potsdam, and they have one daughter, Grace M.
Mr. Stanton built a cheese factory in 1878, and sold it in 1882 to D. Frank Ellis ; it is
now standing idle.
Farmer Brothers, Gouverneur. — This firm conducts one of the leading merchant tailor
ing establishments in this part of the country and their trade extends in every direc
tion outside of Gouverneur, besides their large local custom. The firm is composed of
F. A. and H. G. Farmer, the former managing the business and the latter traveling for a
New York fur house. Both are natives of Fowler and sons of Francis Farmer of
that town. Their grandfather was John Farmer, formerly of Herkimer, and the fam
ily is descended from the Mohawk Dutch. Their mother was Louisa Homer. F. A.
Farmer has resided in Gouverneur for thirteen years, during nine years of which he
has been in business. He began his mercantile career as a clerk, and learned the ait
o£ cutting (in which he excels) with James Brodie, He is recognized as one of the
leading business men of the town, and is well and favorably known in social circles,
being a Master Mason and a member of the Royal Arcanum. In 1883 he married
Susan, daughter of Lewis Hale, of Gouverneur, and they have two daughters. Mr.
Farmer is an adherent of the Baptist church, of which Mrs. Farmer is a member.
Swift, Norman, Potsdam, was born on a farm in Potsdam, August 24, 1824. Foster
Swift, father of our subject, was a native of Vermont, born in Barnard, Vt, in 1796.
He was a son of ' Levi Swift who came to this county in 1805, and moved his family
here in March, 1806. He took up a tract of 300 acres where he reared his family.
Foster Swift married Nancy, daughter of Jonas Fay of Royalton, Vt, and they have
had eight children, three of whom are living: Heman, of Oshkosh, Wis., George, a
contractor of Potsdam, and Norman. Foster Swift made his home on this farm until
1838, when he bought a farm about two miles west where he lived until 1856, when he
moved to Wisconsin and died in 1868. Our subject was educated in the common
schools and learned the carpenter's trade. About four years after he took up mill
wright work, which he followed about eight years, most of the time with Shaw of
Glens Falls. He also built the Sissonville mill and a steam mill in Clinton county. In
1850 he bought the homestead farm back and has since increased it from thirty-three
to 167 acres, where he has reared his family and still makes it his home. In 1868 he
began to take contracts for bridge building, water dams, heavy roofing, and work of

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 213
that class, and has ever since been engaged in the same. He has held the office of
highway commissioner, and was town hall commissioner at the time of its erection.
January 1, 1851, he married Jane, daughter of Ansel Merritt and Betsey (Howard)
Meacham, and they have had seven children, five now living : George H., a farmer and
contractor of South Colton ; Marian, wife of Edward C. Batchelder ; Elizabeth J., wife
of John L. Brown, a druggist of North Lawrence ; Frank M., a surveyor, who makes
his home with his parents ; and Fred N., who is his father's assistant. This is consid
ered one of the best farms of this section for dairy. Mr. Swift keeps about forty head
of cattle and sends his milk to the butter factory.
Sheldon, G. B., Gouverneur, was born on the homestead in Gouverneur, August 24,
1827, he being one of twelve children of Timothy and Nancy (Bowen) Sheldon. The
Bowen ancestry were natives of Pawtucket, R. I., as were also the Sheldons. Timothy,
the father, came from Pawtucket to Oneida county when a boy with his father, James
Sheldon, who came as agent of Brown's tract. He was a native of Pawtucket, born in
1776. The father, Timothy Sheldon, came to Gouverneur in early life and settled on
the farm now owned by his descendants, when it was an unbroken wilderness. G. B.
Sheldon was married in 1857 to Fedora Babcock, daughter of Perry Babcock, one of the
first settlers in Gouverneur. They have one son, Leroy Sheldon, who was born August
25, 1865. After receiving the benefit of the schools of Gouverneur he went to Cornell
in 1884 where he spent two years in a special course, including agriculture, dairying,
soils, etc., since which time he has been engaged with his father in carrying on the
dairy business. They have a fine farm of nearly 400 acres and have a dairy of forty-
five cows, making butter exclusively the year around by the latest and most approved
methods, using steam power, seperator, etc., their enterprise proving successful to an
uncommon degree. They also have a flock of eighty sheep of high grade, their horns
being notable for their convenience and adaptability to the requirements of their busi
ness. Leroy G. was married in 1882 to Millicent Pope, daughter of George and Eliza
beth (Soper) Pope, of Morristown. They have two children : Lillian and Percy.
Sellers, George W., Gouverneur, was born in Gouverneur, October 16, 1855, and
learned the trade of cabinet making with S. B. Van Duzee. Seven years ago he em
barked in business, starting a general store in Brooklyn, and with much success. Mr-
Sellers takes a lively interest in the welfare of Gouverneur, and is one of the village
trustees. He married in 1875 and has tix daughters. His father, George Sellers, is a
respected citizen of Gouverneur and a native of England. Mr. Sellers and family are
members of the Methodist church.
Sheldon, E. H., Ogdensburg, was born in Lisbon, St. Lawrence couuty, March 15,
1859. His earlier years were passed upon a farm, and through earnest work and
frugality he gradually succeeded in accumulating sufficient funds to come to Ogdens
burg and enter into the carriage and agricultural business in 1886, since which time he
has rapidly increased his connections until last year he sold over $14,000 worth. Mr.
Sheldon keeps on hand a full line of carriages, wagons, mowers, reapers, road machines,
engines, plows and binders, hay tedders, and in fact everything in his special line of
business, and all of the very best and most improved manufacture. He married in 1886

214 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
and has two children. Mr. Sheldon is a Mason, and is one of Ogdensburg's most re
spected business men and citizens.
St. Germain, Frank, Ogdensburg, was born in Montreal in 1837. For twenty years
he has been conducting his present business of boat building. He has a shop and
livery at the foot of State street where he has a large supply of skiffs, paddling and
sailing canoes, oars, paddles, sails, etc., and also furnishes guides, fishing tackle and
minnows to the general public. He was married about thirty-two years ago to Miss
E. Lesperance, and they have seven children living. One of his sons, Frank, jr., is a
partner in the business. His wife was Libbie Pero, and they have three children.
Stowe, Charles A., Norfolk, was born in Norfolk, October 12, 1823, a son of Chris
topher G. Stowe, a native of Grafton, Mass., where he lived until nineteen years of age.
He then went to Vermont with his parents, where his mother died. His father returned
to Massachusetts, where he died. Christopher G. was born August 4, 1782. In 1809
he came to Norfolk and a year later contracted for land now owned by Charles A. Mr.
Stowe returnedfcto Vermont, and there married, March 30, 1814, Polly Webster, a na
tive of jNew Hampshire, born August 28, 1784. He then settled on his farm in Nor
folk, and there spent the remainder of his days. November 4, 1820, he married second
Lucretia Dearborn, born January 11, 1784, widow of Asa Lord, by whom she had two
children. By his second marriage Mr. Stowe had two sons and two daughters. He
served in the War of 1812, was county superintendent of the poor thirteen years, super
visor and overseer of the poor. He assisted in surveying the town of Norfolk. He
and his wife were members of the Congregational church, of which he was forty years
a deacon. He died September 12, 1859, and his wife May 19, 1843. Charles A. Stowe
was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of Norfolk. He taught
school for a short time, and at the age of twenty-three went to California, then spent
four years traveling in this country and South America. He then engaged in farming
and dairying, owning now 105 acres. October 9, 1851, he married Mary L. Kimball, a
native of Norfolk and daughter of Amos and Hannah (Poor) Kimball. Mrs. Kimball
was a native of Vermont, born in 1800. Mr. Stowe and wife have one adopted daugh
ter, Emma L., wife of Elbert Hack. Mr. Stowe is a Republican, and has been high
way commissioner and overseer of the poor. He and wife are members of the Congre
gational church at Norfolk, of which Mr. Stowe has been deacon twelve years.
Soper, William, Hammond, was born in Theresa, January 15, 1858. In 1882 he
married Emma Pierce. He followed steamboating for five years and then built his
fine sash, door and blind factory, where he conducts a large and constantly increasing
business. His father was Orrin Soper, and his mother Clarissa (Ward) Soper.
Stevens, Lewis E., Canton, proprietor of the Hodskin street boarding house was
born in Lowville, Lewis county, May 28, 1825. He is a son of Ashbel Stevens, a Bap
tist minister, who was the first white male child born in Lowville. He was a son of
one of the first settlers of that county. Ashbel moved to this county on the county
line and got together a church called the Antwerp and Fowler church. Lewis E. at
the age of eleven years carried the mail from Summerville to Shingle Creek. Elder
Ashbel Stevens preached three sermons on Sunday, and died on the Thursday after,

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 215
March 17, 1842. He preach his last sermon in the house where he died. He left three
children : Lewis E. and Caroline B. by his first wife, and Mary M. by his second wife,
who was Polly Wilcox. His first wife was Betsey Morse. Lewis E. Stevens married
Mary Smith, who died leaving three children : Martha, Henry and Elbert E. He mar
ried second Jennie Smith, a sister of his first wife, who died leaving two children : Jen
nie and Josie. He married third, Maria Griswold, widow of Leonard Frye. Lewis E.
Stevens came to Canton and settled here in 1860, and established a large insurance bus
iness as an agent of the Agricultural Company of Watertown, N. Y. He was appointed
recruiting agent for this district in 1862. He is a member of the Baptist church of
Canton, and is a very earnest worker in the cause of temperance and established the
Temperance Grove meetings here. Elder Ashbel Stevens was a son of Elisha Stevens,
a native of Connecticut
Simpson, Thomas, Waddington, was born in Waddington, November 13, 1850. His
father, Samuel, was born January 3, 1818, and when a boy came with his parents to
Canada. He came to Waddington and worked at the blacksmith trade. In 1840 he
purchased the farm now owned by Thomas Simpson. He married Maria, daughter of
George and Rosana Abbie, natives of England and early settlers of Waddington. Mr.
Abbie was a farmer for the Ogdens for a number of years, and both he and his wife
died in Waddington. Samuel Simpson and wife have had three children, of whom
Thomas is the only one living. Mr. Simpson was a Republican, and he and his wife
attended and supported the M. E. church. He died October 16, 1889, and his wife
October 7, 1892. Thomas Simpson was reared and educated in Waddington, has always
been a farmer, and now owns 250 acres of land. He keeps a dairy of twenty cows.
Mr. Simpson is a Republican, and has always attended and supported the M. E. church
November 28, 1875, he married Libbie Dawley of Lisbon, daughter of William and
Hannah Dawley of England, early settlers of Lisbon. Mr. Simpson and wife had one
daughter, Libbie L., living at home. Mrs. Simpson died July 10, 1877.
Storie, George D., Gouverneur was born in Rossie, February 5, 1858, and learned
the trade of spoke manufacturer. In September, 1883, he opened a general store in
Wegatchie and has since conducted it with great success, occupying spacious premises
and carrying a large stock of goods. In 1880 he married Ella 0., daughter of David
Henderson, and they have one son, Ebert Storie. Mr. Storie's father was David M.
Storie, a native of Scotland. Mr. George D. Storie is postmaster of Wegatchie, serv
ing his second term, and has been magistrate since twenty-one years of age.
Stephenson, A. Revis,. V. S., Ogdensburg, was born in 1857 in Ontario, Canada. He
was graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College of Toronto in April, 1878, and
came to Ogdensburg in September, 1892. Dr. Stephenson is making arrangements to
conduct'a superior infirmary here. He possesses already every requisite facility and
convenience, which combined with his well known skill has already brought him the
leading patronage of horsemen of this locality.
Sawin, J. P., Stockholm, was born in Potsdam, April 25, 1845. His father was
Philander Sawin, who came to Potsdam when a young man, and here married Esther,
daughter of Anthony Thompson. To Mr. Sawin and wife were born two children : J.

216 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
P., and Jane, wife of William C. Wait, of Stockholm. Mr. Sawin was a mechanic by
trade. He died in August, 1847, and his wife August 8, 1877. J. P. Sawin was a
mere child when his father died, and he was reared hy his grandfather, Anthony
Thompson. He received a common school education, and early in life engaged in farm
ing, which he has since made his occupation, owning at present 250 acres in Stockholm.
Mr. Sawin has been twice married ; first to Anna A. Davis, a native of Stockholm and
daughter of Bradley Davis. They had one child, Riley, who died aged nine years.
Mrs. Sawin died July 2, 1874, and he married second Lois P. Munson, a native of Stock
holm and daughter of Henry Munson of that place. In politics our subject is a Repub
lican. He has held the office of highway commissioner over seven years ; is a mem
ber of the I. 0. 0. F., Winthrop Lodge No. 620, and of the P. of H„ Stockholm Depot
Lodge No. 538. Mr. Sawin is a Universalist, and the family attend and support that
church. Spaulding, B. D., Fowler, was born in De Kalb, April 2, 1866. His father, Wilson
M. Spaulding, was a farmer, and our subject learned the trade of cheesemaker, at
which he continued for seven years. December 1, 1892, he started in mercantile busi
ness at Hailesboro, and is conducting a most successful establishment. In 1891 Mr.
Spaulding married Maude M. Reed, daughter of Alpheus Reed, of Hermon. His an
cestors were among the early settlers of De Kalb.
Schwartzman, J., Gouverneur, was born December 25, 1864, and came to America in
1883. He has been engaged in the mercantile business continuously in this country,
and with much success, starting in business in Gouverneur in February, 1892, as a
dealer in ready-made clothing, men's furnishings, boots and shoes, etc. He now has
one of the leading establishments in his line in Gouverneur. Our subject married Etta
Jacobs, of Syracuse, January 10, 1893. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is a
popular business man of. the place.
Spinks, Levi, Colton, was bom in Hampton, Vt., June 10, 1816. His father was
William, a native of the same place, born in 1790, a son of E. Spink, also of Vermont.
William married Priscilla Wood, and they had seven children, all now deceased except
our subject. At the age of eight years Levi came with his parents to Parishville, and
in 1834 they moved to Colton, the father purchasing a farm on which he spent the re
mainder of his life. Levi worked with his father until the age of twenty-three, when
he began for himself, working by the month on a farm. He married, February 15,
1841, Harriet, daughter of Henry Gibbons, of English descent, though a resident of
South Colton. At this time he bought a farm of fifty acres, to which he later added
200. Mr. Spinks and wife have prospered, owing to industry and perseverance, and
have experienced all the hardships and privations of pioneer life, but now they are en
joying the fruits of their early exertions. Two children have been born to them, but
both have died, one of them in infancy, and the other, Philo, born March 10, 1861, mar
ried Tina Blanchard, daughter of Albert Blanchard, of Colton, and died May 19, 1888.
Smith, Robert W., Brasher, a farmer of Brasher Iron Works, was born June 13, 1823,
at Fort Covington, N. Y., a son of Daniel S. and Mary (Mansfield) Smith. His father
was a native of Connecticut, born in 1784. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 217
died at the age of eighty four years. His mother was a native of Vermont, and died
aged seventy-one years. Our subject's grandfather Smith was a soldier under Washing
ton, and spent a winter at Valley Forge. Amos Mansfield, an uncle, was a captain in
the War of 1812, and served at the battle of Plattsburg. Robert W. Smith was reared
on the farm, and at the age of twenty-one he bought his first farm in Brasher, to which
he has added from year to year until he now owns nearly 1,200 acres. April 10, 1850,
he married Emily J. Cooper, born October 3, 1830, a daughter of James and Jane (Kin-
caid) Cooper, natives of Salem, N. Y., and Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had six children :
Daniel H., born February 2, 1851, who married Carrie E. Holcomb, and owns part of
the old homestead; Deforest J., born October 4, 1853, married Addie C. Wells, and also
lives on part of the old farm; Cora E., born July 8, 1859, wife of Charles C. Drake ;
Wright A., born February 6, 1862, married Alice E. Holcomb, and he also lives on part
of the old farm ; Orvis O., bom October 1, 1864, who lives at home ; Lottie, born July
9, 1870, lives at home. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are both members of the M. E. church,
and he is a Reoublican.
Smith, Frank L., Potsdam, was born in Mansfield, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., May
27, 1860. On the paternal side the ancestors were from Rhode Island, and were of
English descent. On the maternal side they were of Scotch origin. The grandfather
of our subject, Hezekiah, was a captain of militia and a native of this State. Lorenzo
H., father of our subject, was born in Otsego county, followed farming and is now a
resident of Cherry Creek, Chautauqua county. Our subject was one of a family of six,
of whom Frank was the oldest son. His early life was spent in Cattaraugus county.
He was educated in the common schools and assisted on the homestead until twenty
years of age. In 1880 he was engaged as bookkeeper in the bank of Ellicottville, Cat
taraugus county, where he was employed until 1887, rising from one position to an
other until he became the head bookkeeper. In December, 1886, he came to Norwood
for the purpose of starting a bank, and the project culminated in January, 1887, Mr.
Smith taking the position of cashier. The State Bank of Norwood was opened for busi
ness May 1, 1887, and under the efficient management of Mr. Smith it has grown to be
a financially successful institution, and a great benefit to the community at large. Mr.
Smith is a member of Norwood Lodge I. O. 0. F. He married in 1887 Carrie B. Arm
strong, of Mansfield, Cattaraugus county.
Smith, Carlton, Potsdam, was born on a farm in Potsdam, May 12, 1822, a son of
Manassa Smith, who was a native of Vermont, one of the earliest settlers of the town,
and a member of the union who settled the Ogden tract. Manassa Smith married Judith
Walker, of Vermont, and they were the parents of six children, two now living : Silas.
a farmer of Wisconsin ; and Carlton. Carlton was educated in the common schools
and took up farming. He lived at home until he was twenty-three years of age, when
he moved on his wife's farm in Bicknellville, where he made his home until 1883. Dur
ing this time he built and conducted an iron foundry in that village, which he still
owns. In 1880 he bought a farm of 1 76 acres in Potsdam, and in 1883 moved and set
tled here. Mr. Smith is a Democrat and has held the office of road commissioner for
three terms in the town of Stockholm. He married in 1844 Betsey A., daughter of
bb

218 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Zebina Bicknell, a farmer of Stockholm, and they were the parents of four children :
Mrs. Hannah Emery, of Norwood ; Eugene, a farmer of Stockholm ; George C, who
lives on the homestead farm ; and one died in infancy. The farm of Mr. Smith is con
ducted as a dairy farm, with twenty-five head of cattle. His residence is one of the
finest old places in this town, built over sixty years ago of field stone, and to-day is as
staunch as when erected.
Smith, {fit. F., Gouverneur. was born in Gouverneur, May 20, 1863. He learned the
art of cheesemaking, and- has been following that business four years. He now con
ducts the Smith's Mills factory, with an annual output of 150,000 pounds of cheese.
In the spring of 1893 Mr. Smith married Bessie, daughter of William Brown. His
father was Chauncey Smith, who died in 1884. His mother was Helen (Griffith) Smith.
Spear, George, Colton, was born in Royalton, Vt, one of nine sons and three daugh
ters of John and Axie (Hibbard) Spear, who came to Parishville in an early day.
George was educated in the public schools, and married, September 30, 1848, Clarissa
Ellis, of Morley, N. Y., born June 11, 1825. Their children were : Henry, born June 1,
1851 ; James, born August 27, 1853 ; Fred, born February 9, 1856 ; Frank, born April
1, 1867 ; Amy, born October 20, 1862 ; George T., born February 17, 1864; Marion ;
and Adele E. Mr. Spear died April 28, 1892, and his widow lives in Colton. Mrs.
Spear is a daughter of James S. Ellis, a son of Ziba Ellis, of New Bedford, Mass., born
June 29, 1774, who married Rhoda Nickerson and had eight children. James S. Ellis
was born December 15, 1801, in New Bedford, Mass., and married Malinda Wilson, of
Shoreham, Vt, by whom he had nine children. In 1825 he came to this State and
finally settled in Colton, where he died March 1, 1870, and his wife June 7, 1871.
Frank and George T., sons of our subject, formed a partnership in 1885 in the drug
business in Colton and have since carried on a successful trade. Frank worked at the
lumber business previous to 1885. August 4, 1883, he married Hannah Mahoney, of
Colton, daughter of John and Julia Mahoney, of Ireland, who came to this country when
young. Mr. Spear and wife have three children : Ernestine, Nettie, and Marion.
George T. Spear married in 1886 Leora Little, of South Canton, by whom he has had
two children : Muriel, who died aged one year ; and Maleska, aged four years. He has
served as town clerk two years.
Southwell, Daniel, De Kalb, was born in England, July 14, 1840, and came to Amer
ica in 1868. He has resided in Richville four years, and conducts the milling busi
ness of the place. He married Sarah Miles and they have four children, one son
and three daughters. Mr. Southwell is a Democrat in politics ; an Odd Fellow, and an
adherent of the Episcopal church.
Robinson, J. E., Hermon, was born in Gouverneur, April 10, 1868, and at the age of
twelve years came to Hermon, where he was employed in the post-office for some time.
In 1880 he began his mercantile career as clerk, and purchased a drug and stationery
business in 1890, which he now conducts. He was appointed postmaster of his town
November 5, 1893. He is an active and successful young business man and holds a
prominent place among the Democrats of Hermon.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 219
Rider Family, The. — Robert Rider, sr., and Esther (White) Rider were natives of
Ireland, who came to this country in June, 1812, and settled in Hebron, Washington
county. Their original plan was to go to New York city, but on account of the war
they changed their destination and went to Washington county, via Boston, Mass.
Robert Rider was born near Ogdensburg, February 15, 1830, and his parents finally
settled in Waddington, his father following the occupation of weaver in Washington
county for two years, and operated a farm near Waddington for about ten years.
Robert attended the public schools in Ogdensburg and was engaged in clerking after
wards for eight years. He also engaged in farming and through industry and frugality
succeeded in amassing considerable property. He now owns 800 acres of land in this
vicinity, besides quite an amount of city property. He and his brother William sup
ported their parent for many years prior to their deaths, his father dying in 1850 and his
mother in 1869. Robert has now retired somewhat from active work, although he still
manages his large property interests here. Mr. Rider is emphatically the architect of
his own fortunes, possessing that strength of mind and character which almost always
raises a man above the generality of his fellows. He resides in Ford street, Ogdens
burg, where he is a large tax payer.
Rutherford, John D., Waddington, was bom in Waddington on the farm he now
owns, October 13, 1811. His father, Richard, was a native of Scotland, who came to
Waddington about 1801 with three other brothers, there being only one house in the town
at that time. They purchased of the Ogdens a mile square, and lived and died farmers.
Richard Rutherford married in Waddington, Margaret, daughter of John Dunn, and
they had four children, of whom three grew to maturity. Mrs. Rutherford died in
1820, and Mr. Rutherford married a lady from Scotland, by whom he had three sons
and five daughters. Mr. Rutherford and wife assisted largely in building the First
Presbyterian church. Panthers, bears and wolves were plenty, and the subject of this
sketch had a narrow escape from a panther when eight years of age. John D. was
educated on the farm he now owns, and has always followed farming. He now has
eighty-two acres and engages in general farming and dairying. He has cleared his
own farm and erected all the buildings. Mr. Rutherford married in 1833, Mary, daugh
ter of John Hamiah of Lisbon, N. Y., and they had six sons and three daughters : Rich
ard, Thomas and William reside in Oregon, and John and James reside in Waddington ;
Alexander died in San Francisco, Cal.; Elizabeth died in Waddington; Mary and Jane
live in Waddington. Mr. Rutherford was a Whig in early life and later a Republican.
He voted for William H. Harrison, and for his grandson. twice. Mr. Rutherford died
December 1, 1892.
Rich, S. D., Gouverneur, was born in Hailesborough in November, 1831. He learned
the milling trade and followed it for many years. He enlisted August 12, 1862, in Co.
I 11th N. Y. Cavalry. His regiment was stationed at Washington from 1864 to 1865.
Mr. Rich has been in the hotel business in Hailesborough twenty-one years and is
widely known all over St. Lawrence county, both because of his life long residence
here, his success and geniality, and also for his uncompromising political opinions, being
an aggressive Republican. In 1856 he married Lucy Walde, and they have one daugh-

220 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ter, Mrs. F. N. Kilburn of Copenhagen. Mr. Kilburn owns one of the finest stud farms
in America.
Ramsey, Isaac, Morristown, son of George and Lena (Elwood) Ramsey, was born in
Morristown, October 13, 1852. His life occupation has been farming, at which he is
very successful. In 1818 his father left England with his grandfather, Cuthbert Ram
sey. They settled in Canada, but after a short time came to Morristown and were
among the earliest settlers in this part of the country.
Rutherford, R. Edward, Waddington, was born January 24, 1860. He is a son of
William J., son of Rex, who was a son of George Rutherford. Robert R. was born in
Scotland in 1793, and came to Waddington with his parents in 1801. He was a self-
educated man and well informed. He married Ann Porteous of Scotland, by whom he
had five sons and two daughters. He owned 450 acres in Waddington. He was killed
by falling from a stage in going from the fair ground at Morrisburg, Canada, in 1872.
William J. Rutherford was born in Waddington, August 4, 1832. He married Isabel,
daughter of Adam Veitch, and they had six children, of whom five survive. Mr. Ruth
erford lived and died on the farm he owned. He was a Republican and was assessor
three terms. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church for a number of years. He
died July 21, 1887, and his wife is still living on the farm. R. Edward Rutherford
was reared on a farm and educated in the common school and Eastman's Business Col
lege at Poughkeepsie, graduating in 1885. Mr. Rutherford has always been a farmer,
and the estate has 222 acres, the principal business being dairying. The farm sup
ports twenty-five cows. Mr. Rutherford married, February 22, 1887, Florence Moul
ton, a native of Waddington, and they have had one daughter, Ann Isabelle. Mr. Ruth -
erford is a Republican, and he and family are members of the Presbyterian church of
Waddington. Read, James C, Gouverneur, was born in Vermont, February 21, 1809, and came to
Gouverneur in 1827. He was first a farmer and then a carpenter and joiner. In Jan
uary, 1837, he married Sarah E., daughter of Jabez Miller. Mr. Read's father, Will
iam, was a native of Vermont.
Rex, Joseph, Ogdensburg, was born at Lachine, Canada, August 22, 1844. His pa
rents moved here when Joseph was only eighteen months old, and as soon as he was able
it was necessary for him to assist in obtaining a livelihood, and as a consequence he
did not obtain the educational advantages most children obtain. At a very early age
he entered the shingle mill owned by the Lyons and subsequently the factory of Mr.
Pope, in which latter concern he commenced just before the war. In the spring of
1863 he enlisted in the 14th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, under Captain Oliver Flagg, and
participated in thirteen engagement. He was mustered out at the close of the war,
and returned to the employ of the Pope factory. When the fire occurred and these
mills were burned, he went with Mr. Welch, father of Sylvester Welch, with whom he
remained thirteen years, at the expiration of which time Mr. Welch died, and then Mr.
Rex returned to the Pope mills, in which he has since held a very important position.
Mr. Rex has been twice married and has one son. Besides his mill work Mr. Rex
also owns a grocery store in this city, which is conducted by competent assistants.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 221
Rutherford, Alexander, Waddington, was born in Waddington, April 16, 1833.
He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, and went to Cali
fornia in 1861 and spent five years there and in Nevada. Returning to New York
he worked for his father about two and a half years, and then went to Wisconsin
for about a year. Then, in company with his brother Duncan, he went to Cali
fornia and was there about two years, when he returned again to Waddington and
a year later went to California, but on account of his father's death returned to
Waddington. Mr. Rutherford then worked for his brother, Nelson, for six years
and then purchased a farm of fifty acres in Canada, and there lived for five years,
when he sold and came to Waddington on the farm he now owns. He has 127
acres and keeps a small dairy. Mr. Rutherford married in March, 1879, Eliza J.
Johnson, a native of Canada. Mr. Rutherford is a Republican. He is inclined
toward the Presbyterian church, but has freely supported other denominations.
Rutherford, James, Madrid, was born in Northumberlandshire, England, April 13,
1826, and came with his parents to this country in 1832. William, his father, settled
on a farm in Madrid of eighty acres of uncleared land. The first residence was a log
hut. The father and two sons cleared the land, and in a few years had made it a
good average farm and had increased it to 164 acres. William Rutherford died on the
old homestead July 4, 1878, aged seventy-five years. The mother of our subject, Vio
let Amos, was also a native of the same county in England, born in 1805. They had
eight children, six of whom survive. The mother of our subject died in August, 1888.
James, the oldest son, was educated in the common schools, and made the farm his
home until twenty-seven years of age. He then married and rented a farm in Pots
dam, afterwards buying 174 acres, where he lived for ten years. In 1865 he bought a
farm of 266 acres in Madrid, where he has since resided. Mr. Rutherford is a staunch
Republican, and has been the town assessor in Madrid. He married in 1853 Sarah,
daughter of Putnam Haskell, the first settler of this part of the town, and they had four
children : Polly, wife of William Rutherford, of Madrid ; William, who lives on the
Haskell farm ; Mary Rutherford, of Boulder, Col. ; and one who died in infancy. Mrs.
Rutherford died April 16, 1883, aged fifty-six years. William Rutherford was born
on the old farm December 29, 1857, was educated in the common schools, and has
always been engaged in farming. He married, September 7, 1880, Maggie, daughter of
John W. Rutherford.
Rutherford, Andrew J., Madrid, brother of Deacon Thomas, was born on a farm in
Potsdam, February 10, 1834, a son of James, who was a native of Scotland, born in
Northumberland county, July 16, 1785, and came to this country in 1825. He took up
a tract of 100 acres in Potsdam, where he spent the balance of his days. Andrew J.
was the seventh son-of this early settler, and was educated in the common schools, and
assisted his father on the farm until he was thirty-two years of age. In the fall of
1866 he bought a farm of eighty-two acres in Madrid, where he has ever since made
his home. He also owns twenty-eight acres on lot seventy-four. Mr. Rutherford has
made many valuable improvements to this property, and has erected a beautiful resi
dence, large barn, etc., and it is to-dav one of the finest places of this section. He con
ducts a dairy with ten cows, finding a market at Boynton's factory adjoining. He has

222 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
also five horses and young stock. Mr. Rutherford is a staunch Republican, and was
for a number of years trustee of the school. He is a member of Norfolk Grange No.
541. He married, February 2, 1865, Isabelle, daughter of John Mowitt, of Louisville,
and they have two children : Mattie B. and Ella M.
Rodger, John T., Hammond, one of the leading business men of Hammond, was born
in this town July 4, 1864. His father, Rutherford Rodger, is one of the best known
farmers in Hammond. At twenty-three years of age Mr. Rodger embarked in mercan
tile business. He conducted a store at Edwardsville for some time, and has been in
Hammond since September 1, 1892. In 1890 he married Ella E. Smith. Mr. Rodger
is a member of the Order of Foresters, and is a Republican in politics.
Rhodes, Harlow, Fowler, was born on the farm where he now resides in Fowler,
January 11, 1849. He married in December, 1870, Mary L. Hitchcock, and they have
one daughter, Carrie L. Mr. Rhodes's father was Beloved Rhodes, and his grandfather
Aaron Rhodes. Mr. Rhodes is a Democrat in politics, and is a successful and enterpris
ing farmer.
Riggs, Philo P., Stockholm, was born in Stockholm, May 21, 1847. His father was
John, son of John G. Riggs. John Riggs was born in Cornish, N. H., June 8, 1811.
He was nine years of age when he came with his parents to Stockholm, and was there
reared and educated. His wife was Lucina Sheldon, a native of Hopkinton, N. Y.,
born September 1, 1814, and they had three daughters and one son. Mrs. Riggs died
May 10, 1852, and he married second Marion Sheldon, sister of his first wife. Mr.
Riggs was a farmer and a Republican. His death occurred November 21, 1884, and
that of his wife June 25, 1893. Philo P. Riggs is a general farmer and dairyman, and
owns 115 acres. He has made a specialty of breeding ''Phil Sheridan" stock, and
Wilkes strain of Hambletonian stock. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member
of I. 0. 0. F., Winthrop Lodge No. 620, and P. of H., Stockholm Depot Lodge No.
538. In 1868 Mr. Riggs married Lorette A. Palmer, a native of Lincoln, Vt. She
came with her parents to Hopkinton, N. Y., when a child. Mr. Riggs and wife have
these children : Bert F., born September 11, 1869 ; Leslie E., born February 6, 1874 ¦
and Ettie A., born December 30, 1879. The sisters of subject are: Adaline M.,
born September 3, 1837; Louisa, born September 11, 1842; and Lucina S., born May
4, 1852.
Sweatt, Charles A., Hopkinton, was born in New Hampshire, August 18, 1835, a son
of John and Susan (Putnam) Sweatt, of New Hampshire, who came to the town of
Hopkinton in 1844 and settled on the farm now owned by Mrs. Sweatt. They went to
Iowa in 1864 and there lived and died, he in 1883 and his wife in 1882. Charles A.
was educated in the public school and engaged in farming. He owned the home
stead, to which he added eighty acres, making 160 acres in all. He was a Repub
lican and served as assessor six years. His father was a farmer and minister, preach
ing in the Free Will Baptist church of Hopkinton, which he founded, and which his
son always attended and supported. Mr. Sweatt married in 1854 Cornelia Kimpton, a
native of Vermont, and a daughter of Josiah and Jerusha (Nay) Kimpton, of Ver
mont, who came here in 1844, where they have since lived. Mr. and Mrs. Sweatt have

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 223
had one daughter, Lora J., wife of Charles Brown, of Stockholm, and they have one
son, Floyd S. Mr. Brown resides with his daughter on the old homestead. He was a
clerk in Bicknellville for a number of years, and also clerked for Miller & Ober some
time at Fort Jackson.
Rowell, George W., Ogdensburg, was born in St Lawrence county, February 18,
1848. He was educated in the common schools at Black Lake, and came to Ogdens
burg eighteen years ago, where he has been engaged in the manufacture of sash, doors,
etc., and is also conducting an undertaking business here. He married March 18, 1859,
Elizabeth Nichols, and has a son and daughter. Mr. Rowell is a member of the Pro
hibition party, and of the Masonic Order. His family were of New England stock, and
some of his ancestors upon both his father's and mother's side participated in the Revo
lutionary War.
Roach, E. W., Colton, was born in Pierrepont in 1851, a son of Morris Roach of Ire
land, who was born in 1811 and married Joanna O'Kief, by whom he had eleven chil
dren, four sons and two daughters now surviving. In 1845 Mr. Roach and family came
to Potsdam, and he worked on the Northern railroad for several years. He then
worked on a farm, and also rented farm land. About 1848 he came to Pierrepont and
settled, owning now a place of 140 acres. E. W. Roach was reared on a farm and
educated in the common schools. He early engaged in farming and now owns 137
acres in Colton, besides two houses and lots. He was for a time engaged in the lum
ber business, and was also proprietor of the Stark Hotel at Stark Falls for about three
years. In 1889 he came to this village and has since been engaged in the restaurant
business. He married in 1887, Kittie Clohosey, a native of Pierrepont, and daughter
of Edward Clohosey, a native of Ireland, who came to America with his parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Roach have three children : Vernice, Grace E. and Leo. Mr. Roach is a
Democrat, but has never aspired to office. He and family are members of the Catholic
church. Russell, S. K, Colton, was born in 1814, a son of Abram Russell, a native of Rhode
Island, born March 17, 1789. From there he went to Vermont and in 1835 came to
New York State, settling in Parishville, but soon after removing to Dickerson. He
was one of the first settlers of the town of Colton. He married Mercy Kenyon, and
had four daughters and one son. Mrs. Russell died in 1855, and in 1870 he also
passed away. S. K. Russell was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools,
and at the age of twenty-one he came to Colton, where he has since resided. He mar
ried Caroline Rawson, a native of Potsdam, by whom he has had ten children, five sons
and five daughters. Mrs. S. K. Russell died in March, 1889.
Russell, William H., Potsdam, was born on a farm in the town of Pierrepont, May
8, 1852, a son of Benjamin B., born in Malone, Franklin county, February 3, 1819. He
moved to Pierrepont when twenty-five years of age. Here he conducted a farm until
1882, when he came to Potsdam where he died, December 25, 1890. The mother of
our subject was Nancy Wilkinson, a native of Plattsburg. She is still living at the age
of sixty-seven years. They had two children : Lorinda, married Alonzo P. Raymond,
died October 25, 1875 ; and William H. The latter lived with his parents until he was

224 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
eighteeen years of age. He was educated in the common schools and at eighteen
started for himself. After working one year on a farm he engaged in the meat busi
ness in partnership with Nelson Belding. This partnership lasted nine years, and
afterwards he had different partners in conducting a meat market and fruit and vegeta
ble store. In May, 1890, he sold out his business and bought a farm of 220 acres in
Potsdam, where he now resides, and which is devoted to dairying. He keeps thirty
cows and thirty sheep. He married in 1870, Mary E. Drury of Pierrepont, who died
November 2, 1875. Mr. Russell married second, August 26, 1876, Eva T. Kelsey of
Stockholm, and they have two children : Ina Belle and Delos Leslie.
Runions, Oscar, Pierrepont, was born in Lisbon, this county, February 7, 1857, a son
of J. N. Runions of Canton. Oscar was reared on a farm, educated in the public
schools and at seventeen years of age came to Crary's Mills, where he learned the car
penter's trade. He afterwards rented a saw mill of J. V. Harper and in 1888 bought
the mill and has since been engaged manufacturing lumber, sawing 600,000 feet yearly.
November 28, 1891, the mill burned, and Mr. Runions has since rebuilt it, his new mill
being 135 feet long, equipped with new machinery, and capable of handling dimension
timber of any size and length, both hard and soft wood. He manufactures lath, shin
gles, etc., and has a grist mill to grind coarse feed and crush corn in the cob. The
machinery is run by steam and water power. In 1884 Mr. Runions married Mabel
Stinehour, a native of Crary's Mills, by whom he has had four children. In politics he
is a Democrat.
Popple, William J., Hermon, was born in Heuvelton, August 11, 1861, and has been
in the hardware business since the age of sixteen. He began first as a tinner with his
brother in Heuvelton, following this trade for ten years. Five years ago he came to
Hermon and established his present hardware business, in which he has been very suc
cessful. In 1889 Mr. Popple married Florence McCallum of Hermon. He is a member
of both the Foresters and the Masons. The father of our subject was Lorenzo Dow
Popple, and his mother was Ann Ireland, a native of England.
Potter, Edson, Colton, was born in Essex county, March 18, 1842, a son of Philip
Potter. Our subject was six years old when he came to Colton with his parents. He
was educated in the public schools of that town, and at the outbreak of the war en
listed in Co. K, 106th N. Y. Infantry, and served three years. He participated in
twenty-eight battles, and was with Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley. In 1866 Mr.
Potter married Mary Read, a native of Morley, this county, by whom he had four chil
dren : Mary, Alvira (deceased), Philip (deceased) and Myra, wife of Frank Cushing.
Since the war Mr. Potter has been engaged in farming. He is a fine violinist, having
been a pupil of Prof. C. D. Lyons of Boston, and John Esputa of Washington. He has
been engaged in musical affairs for thirty years, and during the war serenaded the lead
ing generals in the array during winter seasons. Mr. Potter is a Republican and has
been constable for twenty years and deputy sheriff two years. He is a member of
the High Falls Lodge No. 428, F. & A. M. He is commander of the G. A. R., Warren
B. Wait Post No. 581 of Colton.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 225
Phillips, D., Ogdensburg, established his furniture and second hand store here in
1889, and has since, through hard work and strict attention to business, built up a large
trade. His store in located at 266 Ford street, and in it may be seen everything
usually pertaining to this line of business, including furniture, household goods, crock
ery, ironware, jewelry, etc. Prior to establishing business here Mr. Phillips peddled
goods in St. Lawrence county and along the borders of Canada. He is married, has a
family of four children and is a bright, hard-working and energetic man.
Parr, William, Stockholm, was bom at Brasher Iron Works, N. Y., October 9, 1842.
His father was Moses S., son of Thomas Parr, the latter a native of Vermont, where he
married a Miss Sweet, by whom he had nine children. Mrs. Parr died in 1836, and he
married second a Miss Truebell. In an early day Mr. Parr went to Bombay, Franklin
county, and there died in 1854. Moses S. Parr was born in Vermont, March 27, 1800,
and came to Franklin county when a young man. His wife was Sarah Babcock, a nat
ive of Vermont, born December 10, 1804, and they had four sons and two daughters.
In an early day Mr Parr and family went to Helena, St. Lawrence county, and after
ward to Brasher Iron Works, where they resided until 1857, when they went to Brasher
Falls. Mr. Parr was a Republican in politics and held the office of constable for twenty
years. They spent their last days in Stockholm with their son, subject of sketch, Will
iam Parr. The latter received a common school education, and previous to the war he
worked as a machinist, also at farming. He spent a short time in a pail factory at
Bicknellville and in a shingle mill at Brasher Iron Works. He was at the latter place
when the war broke out. July 21, 1863, he enlisted in the Fourteenth N. Y. Heavy
Artillery, Company A, but served in the infantry. He was in the following battles :
Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Road, before Petersburg
and Fort Steadman. At the close of the war he received his discharge and returned to
Brasher Falls, where he spent two years in the machine shop, since which time farming
has been his occupation. November 12, 1867, he married Ellen Morris, a native of Can
ada, bom October 28, 1849. She was one of nine children of Hugh and Sarah (Thomp
son) Morris, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to Canada and later settled in this coun
try, in Brasher, where Mr. Morris died in 1886, and his wife in 1891. He was in the
battles of Fair Oaks, Seven Days before Richmond, and at Yorktown. Mr. Parr and
wife have five children: Fred, Lavina S., Willie H., Hugh, and Lottie. He is a Repub
lican, and he and wife are members of P. and I., Banner Lodge No. 160. He is also a
member of P. of H., Winthrop Lodge. Mrs. Parr is a member of the Catholic church.
Subject has but one brother (Joel) now living. He resides at Brasher Falls. He
also has a sister, Mrs. Eliza E. Dustin, who resides at Brasher Falls. Amanda, his
oldest sister, married Sylvester Rich, and they had three children, all of whom are dead.
Newell Parr, a brother, was in the Mexican War and died at Vera Cruz.
Proctor, Charles Davis, Ogdensburg, was born in New Hampshire, February 22, 1856.
He received a common school education, and followed farming for about twenty years,
then came to this city and engaged with his brother, H. I. Proctor, as foreman and gen
eral manager of yards in the lumber business. He married in 1880 Miss A. Alden, and
they have two children, a son and daughter. He is a member of the Baptist church,
and one of Ogdensburg's most respected citizens.

226 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Paige, J. W., Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, March 27, 1841. He received
his education in the schools of this city, and has since been identified with the brick-
making'.business, which was inaugurated by his father, the late Smith Paige, in 1830,
and which is now owned and conducted by himself and his elder brother, A. A.
Paige. Mr. Paige married in 1869 Elizabeth Hewett, and they have two sons and
two daughters. He is a high degree Mason, takes especial interest in historical and
literary matters, and is highly regarded as a gentleman of superior attainments and
ability. Perrin, Walter W., Gouverneur, of the firm of Dewey & Perrin, druggists, was born
in Potsdam, November 27, 1864, he being one of three children of Philander and Louise
(Fay) Perrin. The father spent his early life in Vermont, coming to Potsdam when
twenty-five years of age, where he has since remained. The mother's ancestors were
also Vermont people. Walter W. was educated at the Potsdam Normal School. He
learned the drug business with Mr. Thatcher of that town, and in 1889 came to Gouv
erneur, and in company with A. W. Dewey purchased the drug store of William Whit
ney, where they are doing a large and successful business. Owing to their enterprise
and thorough knowledge of their business they stand notable among the younger ele
ment of Gouverneur business men.
Phelps Family, The, Potsdam. — In tracing the ancestry of this family we find that
in 1826 two brothers, George and William, came to this country from England with a
party of seventy in a sailing vessel under the leadership of Joseph Mygatt, a Presby
terian minister. The party founded the town of Litchfield, Conn., and the descendants
of William Phelps are the subjects of this sketch. Benajah Phelps, the great-grand
father of our subject, was a resident of Massachusetts. He was the father of fourteen
children, of whom Abel, the grandfather, was the oldest son. He was born in Massa
chusetts, April 28, 1774, and married in that State Mary Pelton. In 1801 they immi
grated to Vermont, locating in Alburg, Franklin county, now Grand Isle county. Abel
Phelps took up a tract of 400 acres, and in connection with its tilling conducted a ferry
between Alburg shore and the head of Grand Isle. He was the father of four sons
and two daughters: Benajah, Samuel Mix, Marcellus, Algernon Sidney, Olivia, and
Mariaette. Abel died April 16, 1859, and Mrs. Phelps October 20, 1860. Samuel Mix,
the second son and father of our subject, was born at Alburg, Vt, March 25, 1806,
where he was educated and made his home until twenty-nine years of age. In March,
1835, he moved into St. Lawrence county and located in the village of Norfolk, where
he conducted a hotel until 1851. The fall of that year he went to California, and was
four years engaged in mining and mercantile business. Returning to St. Lawrence
county he engaged in dealing in stock for the Montreal market, a business he fol
lowed until the time of his death, February 17, 1856. The mother of our subject,
Katherine A. Hoxie, was of Scotch ancestry, and she married Mr. Phelps in Vermont,
March 11, 1831. They had seven sons and two daughters, five still living. Hanson
Colson Phelps was born at Alburg, Vt., August 10, 1834. His early life was spent in
the town of Norfolk. He was educated in the common schools, and the year of
1850 he spent in Malone and Fort Covington Academies. He was one year a clerk in a
Madrid store, taught school one winter, and then went to Wisconsin, where he spent

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 227
seven months, and taught school the following winter in Madrid. The spring of 1854
he went to Chicago, where he was employed until July 1, 1858, as chief clerk in the
office of the M. S. and Northern Indiana Railroad. He then returned and was for two
years bookkeeper for Carpenter & Hall at Raymondville. In 1860 he engaged in the
manufacture of shingles at Kent's mills in the town of Norfolk, running six ma
chines with a capacity of 60,000 per day, and was engaged in this business sixteen
years. In 1876 he removed to Norwood and for nine years was employed as a com
mercial traveler for a clothing firm. November 16, 1885, he was appointed postmaster
of the fourth class office at Norwood. In 1888, by the efforts of Mr. Phelps, this
office was raised to the third class, and Mr. Phelps was appointed by President Cleve
land postmaster for four years, but was removed by President Harrison, March 1, 1890,
one year and ten months previous to the expiration of his term of appointment. He
returned to the business of commercial traveler, which he followed until January 1,
1892, and is now in the employ of the Norwood Elevator Company as bookkeeper.
Mr. Phelps has been a member of the Masonic fraternity thirty-four years. He mar
ried, October 18, 1859, Louise H., daughter of William Kent, a native of Vermont, and
they had five children. The eldest son, William Kent Phelps, was killed on the rail
road when twenty-two years of age. A daughter, Mabel L., died at nine years of age.
Samuel Mix Phelps is cashier of the Buffalo & Gladstone steamship line at Gladstone,
Mich. Fred G. is a traveling salesman for a hat and cap house in New York city.
Charles- H. is a clerk of the Elevator Company at Gladstone, Mich. Sidney Roland
Phelps was born in the town of Norfolk, July 28, 1838. He lived in his native town
and attended the common schools until 1855. That year he conducted the Empire Ex
change Hotel at Colton, and in 1856 he was the steward of the steamer Jenny Lind,
plying between Ogdensburg and Montreal. The spring of 1857 he went to Chicago,
where he was in the employ of the M. S. and Northern Indiana Railroad until July 5,
1858. He was from that time until October, 1858, engaged as conductor on the first
street car ever run in that city. After his return he was for several years in the live
stock trade, and October 15, 1866, purchased the Whitney House at Norwood of Ben
jamin Whitney, where he has ever since been the landlord. Mr. Phelps is a model
hotel manager. He has been rewarded for his faithfulness to the business by the ac
cumulation of a large property, enjoying the distinction of being the most popular land
lord in St. Lawrence county. The house is always filled with guests, and some of the
greatest men of our time have been entertained here. Mr. Phelps is an ardent Demo
crat and in 1892 represented his district in the National Convention at Chicago. He
married in 1870 Emma Louise, daughter of Allen D. Calkins, a native of Clinton county,
now living at Norwood, and they have three children : Jesse Louise, Sidney Prentice,
and Harry Benton ; all live at home.
Wells, George K., Hopkinton, was born in Lawrence, March 28, 1842. His parents
were Robert and Mary A. (Bacheller) Wells, and the former came to this county
when a boy, and with his savings bought a farm in Lawrence, which he sold after
wards, and in 1855 came to Hopkinton and bought the farm of 302 acres, part of
which is now owned by Mrs. Wells, widow of our subject. He had three sons.
Mr. Wells died July 31, 1890, and his wife October 20, 1890. George K. was edu-

228 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
cated in the Lawrenceville Academy and followed farming, doing also an extensive
business in the manufacture of lumber, shingles and lath. He built the shingle mill
at Fort Jackson, a large steam mill in Hopkinton and a blacksmith shop at Fort
Jackson. September 21, 1863, he married Caroline P. Adams of Lawrence. She
was a daughter of Daniel H. and Irene (Bishop) Adams, the former a native of
Providence, R. I., and the latter of Hindsburg, Vt, who came to Lawrence in an
early day, where they died. They had three sons and seven daughters. Mr. Adams
died July 14, 1877, aged seventy-seven years, and his wife October 1, 1893, aged
ninety-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Wells had one child, Cora A., wife of Frank C.
Locke of Stockholm, by whom she has one daughter, Hazel B. Mr. Wells died
October 5, 1887.
Perrin, Byron (deceased), Potsdam, was born in Potsdam, October 21, 1821, a son of
Noah Perrin, a native of Vermont, who was a son of Asa Perrin, one of the earliest
settlers of this town, who came here and settled on a farm in Potsdam, where he reared
a family of eleven children, of which Noah was the third son. Noah learned the tan
ner's trade, which he followed most of his life. After active business life was over he
was ordained a minister. He died October 15, 1875. He was twice married. His
first wife, and mother of our subject, was Paulina Lindsley of Potsdam, and they had
two children. Pamelia, the daughter, died at thirteen years of age, Byron was edu
cated in the St. Lawrence Academy, and learned the tanner's trade, which he followed
most of his life. In 1855 he came to the farm where he spent the remainder of his
life. He died January 9, 1891. He married in December, 1845, Amarilla, daughter of
Eleazer and Philena (Wright) Emery of Potsdam. They were the parents of four chil
dren, only one of whom is now living, Noah Byron Perrin, born July 11, 1847. He
was educated in the old St. Lawrence Academy, and after finishing his schooling trav
eled very extensively through the west, and after returning home learned the mason's
trade, which he has ever since followed. After his father's death he came into posses
sion of the farm where he now resides. He married, August 10, 1876, Jennie, daugh
ter of Patrick and Margaret (Sullivan) Devlin of Canton.
Pratt, Henry W., Waddington, was born in Waddington, January 19, 1817. His
father, Amasa Pratt, was a son of Capt. Elias Pratt, who commanded a company of
volunteer militia during the Revolutionary War, and served until peace was declared.
Captain Elias was born November 16, 1763, at Oxford, Mass., his father having come
from England at a very early day. Amasa Pratt was born in Oxford, May 7, 1787.
He spent his youth in Worcester county, Mass., where he learned the hatter's trade.
Coming to Ogdensburg he worked at his trade for Sylvester Gilbert. In 1810 he re
moved to Hamilton, now Waddington, and engaged in the mercantile business in con
nection with his former trade. June 12, 1814, he married Fannie Conner, daughter of
James Connor of Amsterdam, N. Y. She was born October 18, 1793, and they had
five children : Emmeline J., Henry W., Miriam, Amasa and Eleanor. Three of them
are living : Emmeline J. of Waddington ; Eleanor, wife of W. L. Rutherford of Wad-
cington ; and Henry W. Mr. Pratt was lieutenant in the State militia, and was a
member of the first Masonic lodge in Madrid. He died May 27, 1830, and his wife
April 11, 1873, Henry W. Pratt received his education in the common schools at Wad-

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 229
dington, and at sixteen years of age went to Ogdensburg and learned the hatter's
trade, serving four years with Field & Robbins. He returned to Waddington and en
gaged in his trade, which he abandoned after two years, when he lost his right arm
while firing a salute on Washington's birthday, 1839. Mr. Pratt served three years as
deputy sheriff of St. Lawrence county, was postmaster under William H. Harrison and
Fillmore, and was justice of the peace fifteen years. He has also been a member of the
town board several years, and of the board of education, in which latter he has always
been deeply interested. At the breaking out of the Rebellion Mr. Pratt took an active
part in recruiting volunteers to fill the quotas of his town. In 1877 he was appointed
collector of customs and inspector at Waddington port, which position he held nine
years. He was at one time a member of the I. 0. 0. F. In 1852 he married Sylvia
A. Pratt, daughter of John M. Pratt of Dudley, Mass, and of English descent. Mrs.
Pratt has been for many years a member of the Presbyterian church, and especially
interested in Sabbath school work.
Popple, G. N., Heuvelton, was bom in Waddington, October 28, 1854. He received
an excellent education in the schools of Heuvelton, and when about nineteen years of
age began learning the tinner's trade which in time he completed, and soon after estab
lished himself in business at De Kalb Junction in company with Roach, now of Ogdens-
bnrg. He dissolved this partnership in three years and established a hardware and tin
business in Heuvelton (1881) which he has since successfully conducted. Mr. Popple
married in 1878, Carrie Basterline, and they have two children. His parents were of
New England descent and settled in this State about forty years ago. G. N. Popple
is a very thorough workman, honest and upright in all his business transactions.
Price, John E., Gouverneur, was born in Gouverneur, December 9, 1856. He owns
a farm of 102 acres devoted to dairying and farming. In February, 1878, he married,
and has three children : Eugene, Alice A. and Lena. Mr. Price is a Democrat and a
member of the Baptist church. His father was Jonas Price, a native of Herkimer
county. Pike, Nelson W., Madrid, was born in the town of Potsdam, March 7, 1835. The
earliest ancestor of our subject who came to this country was Orrison Pike, his grand
father. He- was the father of three child] en, of whom Alanson Pike, father of our
subject, was the oldest. He was born in the town of Potsdam, February 27, 1809. He
took up farming and tilled the soil his father had reclaimed from a wilderness. In
1828 he married Amanda Hall, a native of Vermont, and they were the parents of
three children who reached adult age : Laura L., widow of Charles R. McClellan of
Madrid ; Preston H., followed farming, was a clerk for a few years, was in California
during the gold excitement, became a lumber manufacturing overseer and in his later
years was engaged in railroading. He died November 30, 1890, at fifty-three years of
age. Alanson Pike, father of our subject, died November 27, 1865, and Mrs. Pike,
February 5, 1867. The boyhood of our subject was spent on the farm in Potsdam.
He was educated in the common schools and the old St. Lawrence Academy, and at
seventeen years of age came with his parents to the village of Madrid, where the same
year they built the present residence of our subject. At eighteen years of age he went

230 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
as an apprentice in the cabinet shop of E. D. Peck in the village of Nicholville, where
he spent two and a half years learning the trade. The summer of 1856 he was employed
on the erection of the Theological Institute at Canton, and the following winter he was
employed on a house in Potsdam. In the spring of 1857 he returned to Madrid, bought
a cabinet shop and established a cabinet shop and undertaking rooms, and has ever since
been engaged in the same business in this town, the oldest established business in the
town conducted by its founder. Mr. Pike has been a Republican since the first organ
ization of the party, and has held numerous offices of honor and trust in his town, now
serving his ninth consecutive years as assessor. He married, May 26, 1863, Laura A.,
daughter of Jared Abernethy of Madrid, and they have one son and one daughter: A.
Stanley Pike, principal of the graded school at Bangor, Franklin county; and Florence
May, a student, of the Potsdam State Normal School!
Phair, William, Gouverneur, was born in Ottawa, Canada, April 3, 1838, and
came to Gouverneur in 1868. He had been in the Southern States for ten years
previously, engaged in the furniture business. He has now been in the S. B. Van
Duzee Company for twenty-five years, and is superintendent of the planing mill.
In 1869 Mr. Phair married Harriet Newell, and they have four daughters.
Pickrell, Dr. Evan, Brasher, was born in Augusta, Ky., December 15, 1862, where
he was educated, also at Georgetown College, and studied medicine at Minerva,
Ky., with Dr. John A. Reed, and attended lectures at the medical department of
the University of Philadelphia four years, graduating in 1890. For about two years
he engaged in practice at Augusta, Ky., then came to this county and began the
practice of his profession at Brasher Falls, where he is working up a fine practice,
and becoming very popular in his adopted town.
Pringle, Ralph &., Madrid, was born on a farm in Madrid, on the Potsdam town line,
August 17, 1860, a son of William Pringle and Mary B. Goldie. William Pringle was
the twin brother of Gilbert Pringle, the oldest sons of Ralph Pringle. He was born
June 25, 1834, in the town of Potsdam, and was educated in the common schools, and
assisted his father on the farm until his marriage in 1859. His father had bought a
farm in 1857 and William moved there after his marriage, and made his home there
seven years. In 1866 he bought a farm of 118 acres, which he afterwards increased to
178, by the purchase of sixty acres known as the Hall lot. It was on this farm Mr.
Pringle spent the balance of his days. In politics he was an active Republican, and
held the office of assessor and commissioner of highways. He was always interested
in church work and for many years was a member of the Reformed church of Potsdam,
also of Norfolk Grange. He held the highest esteem and respect of his townspeople.
Charitable and liberal to a fault, his death was a severe blow to the town and a great
loss to his family. He died November 14, 1889. His widow and four children survive
him. These children are : William J., principal of Northfield public school in Minne
sota, a graduate at Grinnell, la. ; Samuel J., a blacksmith of California ; Margaret J.,
a graduate of Potsdam Normal School ; and Ralph G. The latter was educated in the
common schools and Madrid public schools, and took up farming. At the death of
his father he assumed the management of the farm, which became his at his death. He

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 231
conducts it as a dairy, with twenty-two cows and other stock. Mr. Pringle is a mem
ber of the Congregational church of Madrid. He is one of the directors of the Madrid
Branch Genesee Building and Loan Association, and a member of Madrid Grange No.
727, of which he is the overseer.
^Pringle, Gilbert, Madrid, was born on a farm in Potsdam, June 25, 1834. Ralph
Pringle, the father, was a native of England, bom in Northumberland eountv. He
married Janette Young, a native of Roxburyshire, Scotland. They had four children,
only two of whom are living: Ralph, a farmer of Potsdam, and Gilbert The early life
of the latter was spent on the old homestead in Potsdam. His education was derived
in the public schools and he took up farming. In 1667 he started out for himself on a
farm of 115 acres, on the town line of Potsdam and Madrid, and for four years spec
ulated in cattle and stock. In 1868 he sold the first farm and bought the Dailey
farm of eighty-one acres in Madrid. He stocked this place with young cattle for two
years, and leased it two years, and in March, 1871. bought his present residence, known
as the Daniel Forbes farm of 100 acres. Mr. Pringle has made many valuable im
provements to this property in the way of repairing the stone residence, erected
over fifty years ago. He has also erected new barns and other outbuildings, and
now has one of the best farms of this section. He has always been a firm Repub
lican, bnt never aspired to public office. He and his family are members of the Re
formed Presbyterian church of Potsdam. He married, March 1, 1871, Betsey, daugh
ter of Thomas Blythe, a farmer of Waddington, and they have two children : Elizabeth
and Thomas Ralph.
Pelsue, James B., Stockholm, was bom in WallingfoFd, Vt.. February 16, 1829. His
father was George Pelsue, a native of West Chelmsford, Mass.. born in 1786. George
Pelsue was reared on a farm and in an early day came to Stockholm. Here in 1818 he
married Mrs. Phoebe Chase, born in 1796, and widow of Edmund Chase, who was
drowned in attempting to rescue two children from the St. Regis River. Mr. Pelsue
removed to WaUingford, Vt, where he remained until 1832, when he returned to Stock
holm, where he spent the remainder of his days. Mr. Pelsue and wife have had four
sons and six daughters. He died February 21, 1868, and his wife November 14, 1870.
The father of George was James B. Pelsue, who lived and died in West Chelmsford,
Mass. The maternal grandparents of subject were Caleb and Phoebe (Parlin) Newell,
natives of Connecticut and early settlers of Stockholm. The death of Mr. and Mrs.
Newell occurred in Potsdam. Our subject, James B., was educated in the public schools.
At the age of thirteen years he undertook and accomplished the task of paying for a
small piece of land for which he induced his father to bargain. He acquired a farm of
125 acres with good buildings', and is now one of the leading farmers of his town. Oc
tober 21, 1856, Mr. Pelsue married Luthera J., eldest of six children of Lewis and Al-
mira (Newton) Marsh, of Stockholm. Lewis Marsh was born in Sharon, Vt. in 1803.
His father was Isaac Marsh, a native of Vermont and a pioneer of Stockholm. He was
twice married, first to Mercy Percival and second to Lucy Mason. Lewis Marsh was one
of the representative fanners of his town. He died in 1873, and his wife in 1872 in De
troit, Mich., while on a visit to that place. Lewis N. Marsh, brother of Mrs. Pelsue, died at
Sandy Hook during the late war. James B. Pelsue and wife have had five children :

232 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Hattie L., wife of Lloyd N. Allen, of Detroit, by whom he has had two children, Ruby
M. and Earl F. ; Edson J., who married Emma I. Gilby, of Iowa, and had one son,
Harold G. : George L., at home; Joel M., traveling salesman for Sanford Whip Com
pany ; and Early M., at home. Mr. Pelsue is a Republican in politics. He has often
represented his party in town and county conventions, and in 1892 was chosen delegate
to the State convention. He was a member of the State militia eleven years, was cap
tain five years, and lieutenant two years. Mr. Pelsue and family are liberal in religious
views. He is a member of P. of H. of Potsdam, No. 39.
O'Driscoll, Father James, Canton, was born in Ireland, March 27, 1842, and received
his education in Dublin. He was ordained in 1867, and came to America the same year,
locating in Albany. He removed to Oswego and then to .Lewis county. Twenty-two
years ago he came to Canton, where he has done a great deal for the church and his
people. He has built one of the finest edifices in Northern New York, at a cost of
$60,000, and his congregation numbers 1,000 souls.
O'Brien & Maxfield, Potsdam. — Franz B. Maxtield was born in Parishville, Novem
ber 20, 1860, a son of Samuel, a native of Vermont, who came to this country in 1858.
He was a carpenter and also a farmer, and was the father of six children, of whom
Franz was next to the oldest. .• Our subject was educated in the common schools and at
Potsdam State Normal School, after which he taught for one year. In 1885 he was
engaged as clerk and bookkeeper for F. B. Mathews in his hardware store. In Novem
ber, 1 889, Mr. Maxfield, in company with Frank F. Flint, purchased the business of
Mr. Mathews and this firm existed until April 1, 1891. On that date T. O'Brien pur
chased the interest of Mr. Flint and the firm has since been O'Brien & Maxfield. Their
store is located on the south side of Main street in the O'Brien block ; has a frontage
of twenty-four feet, and seventy-five feet depth, with a tin shop in the rear. They
carry a full line of stoves and shelf hardware and are contractors for tinning, plumbing
and furnace work. The second story is used as store room for reserve stock. . Mr.
Maxfield is a member of the S. 0. V. He married in 1887, Nellie J. Currier of Pots
dam, and they have had four children : Grace G, Carolyn R., and Jennie C. and Nellie
G (twins). The latter died April 4, 1893. Mrs. Maxfield died January 23, 1893.
Olmstead, William H., Potsdam, was born on a farm in Potsdam, October 12, 1825.
Lester, father of our subject, was a native of Vermont and came to St. Lawrence county
when about twenty-four years of age. He was born December 9, 1795. When he
came to Northern New York he took up a tract of fifty acres in Potsdam, which he
afterwards increased by a purchase of forty acres more. Lester Olmstead died on this
farm August 31, 1878. The mother of our subject, Freelove Benson, was also a native
of Benson, Vt. They were the parents of ten children, five now living : Polly, wife of
Freeman McAllister of Potsdam ; Allen, a farmer of Potsdam, who owns the old home
stead; Almeda, widow of C. A. Richards of Ogdensburg; Rufus, of Oklahoma- and
William H. The early life of our subject was spent on his father's farm. He was edu
cated in the common schools and after reaching his majority he worked for eight years
on different farms, and in 1853 bought a farm of 125 acres, on which he has built a
beautiful residence and reared his family. He has since purchased about forty acres

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 233
which he has added, and now conducts a dairy farm. He married, January 2, 1849,
Susan J., daughter of Spalding and Dorcas (Parmenter) Waterman, and they have six
living children : M. Lester, who owns a farm in Pierrepont; George W., who conducts
his father's farm ; William H., a shipping clerk in a button factory in Springfield, Mass.;
Albert G, a maker of sewing machine needles in Springfield ; Mandana L., wife of Lewis
D. Partridge of Potsdam ; and Rhoda A., wife of Moses M. Emery of Orange, Mass.
Mr. Olmstead is one of the representative farmers of this town.
Olin, Charles M., Canton, was born in this town, August 11, 1832. He is a son of
Joseph M. Olin of Chittenden county, Vt, who came here with his father, Joseph M.,
a son of David Olin, one of the first settlers of this town, who came here from Ver
mont. Joseph Mitchell Olin had twelve children : Polly, Joseph M., George S., Risce-
lus, Asa, Charlotte, James, Almina, Sally, Daniel, Huldah and Edward. The second
child, Joseph M , had seven children : Charles M., Martha, Elmina, Elizabeth, Thankful
Andrew and Dann. Charles M. married Betsey Ann Davis, who died May 23, 1892.
She was a daughter of John Davis of Canton, formerly of Herkimer county.
Northrup, Lorenzo, Pierrepont, was born in Pierrepont, September 10, 1823. His
father, Samuel, was a native of Shoreham, Vt, born in 1793, and who married Abigail
Doolittle of the same place, by whom he had three sons. He served in the War of
1812, after which he came to Pierrepont and settled. He was supervisor six years,
assessor eight years and justice of the peace about forty years. He died December 22,
1841, and his wife August 23, 1843. Lorenzo was educated in the common and select
schools of his day and has always been engaged in farming, owning 180 acres of land.
August 2, 1857, he married Patty M. Morrill, a native of Huntington, Vt., born in 1825,
and a daughter of James and Eunice Morrill, who came to Pierrepont in 1835. Mr.
and Mrs. Northrup had two daughters, Josephine A. and Deiphine E., wife of George
Hitchcock of Pierrepont. Mr. Northrup is a Republican and has been justice of the
peace for about forty years in succession, except one term, and has served as town
clerk for eight years. In 1876 he was elected supervisor, which position he held six
years ; he was also poormaster for three years. Mr. ,Northrup is a member of the
Crary's Mills Grange.
Nash, Sidney L., Gouverneur, was bom in Richville, June 14, 1849, and has always
lived in this county. He learned the trade of blacksmith, and followed it sixteen years
in Somerville. He was subsequently engaged in the cattle business and finally began
hotel life, of which he has made a success. He built a hotel at Keene's and ran it five
years, then sold out and came to Gouverneur in 1889, and is proprietor of the Brooklyn
Hotel. In 1865 he married Jane M. Becker, and they have one child, Nina B.
Nightengale, John, Potsdam, was born on a farm in Potsdam, November 17, 1829.
The earliest ancestor we find trace of is Timothy Nightengale, grandfather of subject.
He was a native of Vermont and married Abigail Richardson. They were the parents
of one child, Timothy Perry Nightengale, who was born in Monkton in 1800. He was
educated in the common schools and took up farming, and when about twenty-five
years of age moved to St. Lawrence county, buying a farm in the west part of Stock
holm. He lived there but a short time when he bought a farm of seventy-five acres in
aa

234 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Potsdam, where he has since resided. He married when he first came to this town,
Mary, daughter of John and Rosanna Kerr, and they had eight children, of whom John
is the only one living. Timothy Nightengale died June 11, 1850, and Mrs. Nighten
gale, September 17, 1875, at seventy-five years of age. The whole life of our subject
has been spent on the homestead farm. He was educated in the common schools and
lived on the farm with his parents until the time of his father's death, when he con
ducted it for his mother until her death. After that it became his by right of inheri
tance. Mr. Nightengale is a Republican. He married, January 1, 1856, Catherine
Maria, daughter of David W. and Clarissa (Gardner) Kennedy, natives of Vermont, but
at that time residents of Parishville. They have been the parents of three children ;
Ida Estelle, wife of George Boody, a merchant of Parishville Center ; Carroll Chester,
who assists on his father's farm; and Clara Maria, who also lives at home. The farm.
is conducted as a dairy farm, with twelve head of cattle, fifty sheep and four horses.
The residence was erected about 1843 by Timothy Nightengale.
Noble, Tremont H., Gouverneur, was born in Gouverneur, May 10, 1852, and has
been a farmer all his life. In 1873 he married Nana, daughter of Eugene Finch, and
and they have one son and two daughters. Mr. Noble is a strong Republican and a
member of the Masonic fraternity. His father, Henry J., is still living, aged eighty-
three years. He is reputed to be the oldest resident of Gouverneur born in the town.
Newell, H. A., Gouverneur, was born in Gouverneur in 1859, and has resided on his
present farm since 1866. In 1884 he married Matie Thayer, and they have two daugh
ters, Gerty and Dela. Mr. Newell's grandfather lived on the Sogmadog River, and his
father, Beverly, has been a resident of Gouverneur nearly all his life, and is one of the
substantial land owners of the town. They keep a fine stud of the " Flying Cloud "
strain of horses.
Nevin, Henry F., Ogdensburg, was bom on the old homestead in Oswegatchie in
1845. He received a good education in the schools of this town and has always fol
lowed- agricultural pursuits. He owns the old homestead of 100 acres, located near
Ogdensburg on the Morristown road, and was married in 1889. He is a prominent
Mason and has served in various local offices. His ancestors date back to the May
flower in this country, and are of Scotch and Irish extraction. They participated
in the Revolutionary war, and have always been prominent citizens and influential
members of society.
Allen, Samuel, Russell, was born in Wilsborough, Vt, in the year 1770, came to New
York State and settled at Chateaugay, cleared a large farm, and afterward moved to
Waddington on the banks of St. Lawrence River, he being one of the three first settlers.
In the year 1790 he married Sally Powers, who was born at Brattleboro, Vt, in the
year 1773, her father being one of the earliest English settlers. There were born to
them two children, George R. and Nathaniel P. George R. born in the year 1 793, is
still living at Norwood, N. Y., he having celebrated his one hundredth birthday last De
cember. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, was badly wounded, taken prisoner,
and now draws a pension. His occupation since has been farming. Nathaniel P. was
born at Plattsburg, N. Y., March 11, 1796, was also a soldier in the War of 1812, and

PERSONAL SKETCHES 235
drew a pension up to the time of his death. Was married to Lovisa Rice in the year
of 1820, who was born in the year 1798 at Brattleboro, Vt, and died in the year 1857.
There were born to them eleven children, three of whom are still living : John, a wheel
wright by trade, resides at Degrasse, N. Y. ; Lovisa was married to Orsemas Harris in
the year 1854, moved to Nebraska, where they are now engaged in farming; Noble W.
was born at Stockholm, N. Y., in the year 1835, by trade a cooper, for the last twenty
years has followed farming and is now living at Clarksboro, N. Y. Nathaniel (now de
ceased), born 1822, by occupation a wholesale groceryman in Montreal, Canada. Sam
uel (also deceased), born 1825, by trade a cooper ; for twenty years a foreman in John
P. Wiser's distillery at Prescott, Canada. Orlena, born 1833, was married to C. C.
Towns in 1856. Mason (also deceased), born 1840, was married in 1860 to Frances Fisk,
daughter of Daniel and Harriet Fisk ; she died in March, 1865. In 1861 he enlisted
and saw service six months, when he was discharged on account of disability. There
were born to them two children : Hattie (who died when two years old) ; Alvah A.
(our subject), bom September 22, 1863, was educated in the district school in Russell.
At the age of thirteen years he began working for himself on a farm, and continued
farming untill he was twenty-five years of age. He then began the mercantile business
at Clarksboro, N. Y., and is now postmaster of that place.
Davenport, C. L., Russell, was born in Coopersville, N. Y., February 16, 1842, a son
of T. W. and Julia (Chilton) Davenport, both of Vermont. T. W. was born February
17, 1811, and came to this State about 1835, settling in Potsdam. He followed his
trade of blaoksmithing in that town and Canton, also at various other places, for a period
of sixty years, and he and wife now reside at Fine. Of their nine children six survive :
Albert, enlisted in Company A, Sixtieth N. Y. Infantry in 1861, and served three and
a half years, receiving an honorable discharge. In 1864 he joined an independent
squad tc fight the Indians, and has never since been heard of ; Laura married D. B.
Fell, of Fine ; Harriet is the wife of Charles Freely, of New York city ; Emma mar
ried James Lamb, of South Dakota; George is at Black River, Jefferson county;
Eugene lives at Cedar Springs, la. ; and G L. The latter was educated in the com
mon schools and learned his trade with his father, beginning at the age of fourteen
and remaining in his father's shop till about seventeen, when he began work for
himself at Hermon, where he remained two years and then removed to Edwards, where
he worked six years. From there he went to Fine and stayed two years, and in 1869
came to Russell, where he has since resided and worked at his trade, having a large
patronage. August 14, 1866, he married Sarah, daughter of John and Ann (Norris)
Rushton, of Bolton, Lancashire, England. She was born in Edwards, August 25, 1845,
and was a member of Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary. Mr. and Mrs. Davenport
have two children : Norris, born in Fine, June 21, 1858, who married Sadie Hill and has
one child, born December 15, 1893; and Amy, born in Russell, June 27, 1871, wife of
Harvey Partridge, of Potsdam, and have one child, born August 1, 1892. Mr. Daven
port enlisted in 1863 in the Twentieth N. Y. Cavalry, and remained as a blacksmith
till the close of the war. He is a member of Russell Lodge No. 566 F. & A. M. John
Rushton was twenty-six years old the year the battle of Waterloo was fought, and was
married six weeks after the battle.

236 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Armstrong, Abner H., Russell, was born in Theresa, Jefferson county, April 28, 1842,
a son of Edward, a son of John A., of Canada. The father of Abner H. was born
in Canada. In 1840 he married Rachel Spicer, a native of Bytown, Canada, and the
same year moved to Theresa. They had two children : Abner H. and Thomas. The
father of Abner H. went west and died there. Abner H. was reared on a farm, and
with his mother came to the town of Russell in 1856 ; he worked on a farm there
until August 13, 1862, when he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Sixth N.
Y. Volunteers, and served three years and one month ; he was in the following bat
tles: Martinsburg, Mead's retreat, from Culpepper to Washington Heights, Rappahan
nock and Bermuda Station ; with Grant from Culpepper to Petersburg, Weldon Rail
road, Fairmount, Monocacy, Opequan Creek and Winchester, where he lost his left leg
and received a flesh wound in his right leg; he also received a flesh wound in his
right leg at Spottsylvania Courthouse. He was discharged at David's Island, New
York, September 10, 1865. He began the mercantile business in 1868 and has con
tinued ever since at the same place where he now lives. February 10, 1868, he mar
ried Florence Spencer, daughter of William and Margaret (Flansburg) Spencer. They
have had five children : Charles, William, Spencer, Viola and Edna, all deceased except
Edna and Spencer ; the latter is now in partnership with his father at De Grasse. He
established the first post-office at this place in 1880 and has been postmaster ever since
excepting one year. He is a member of Rice Post No. 169 G. A. R., and also of the
Good Templars, Lodge' No. 650. All the family are members of the Baptist church.
His mother is still living with him at the advanced age of ninety-two.
Newton, A. L., Parishville, was born in Stockholm, August 4, 1846. He is a son of
Orange Newton mentioned in this work. Mr. Newton has always followed farming,
and is the owner of eighty acres of land which he uses for dairying. In 1873 he mar
ried in Parishville Harriet Adgate, a native of that place, and they have one son, Ern
est G, a teacher. In polities Mr. Newton is a Republican and is a member' of the Wes
leyan Methodist church of Stockholm. Mrs. Newton was one of five daughters of
Charles and Caroline (Merrick) Adgate. Her father was born December 21, 1803, and
in 1831 came to Parishville, where he settled on the farm now owned by our subject,
and here he died in April, 1889, and his wife November 1, 1890. Charles was a son of
Martin and Hannah (Hawley) Adgate, the former born July 14, 1778, and was drowned
at Troy, N. Y. His wife died September 29, 1821.
McClair, J. E., Edwardsville, was born in Macomb, June 24, 1861. He learned
cheesemaking and followed it eight years, when he took up farming. In 1887 he mar
ried Mary A., daughter of Samuel Cooper, of Morristown. Mr. McClair's father was
James A. McClair. His mother was Sarah (Partridge) McClair.
Morgan, Dorson D., Stockholm, was bom in Stockholm, April 13, 1829, a son of
Daniel, who was a son of Forest Morgan. Daniel was born in Vermont and when
a young man came to Potsdam. He afterwards went to Stockholm and settled on
a farm in the wilderness, where he lived and died. His wife was Cynthia Shaw,
a native of Vermont, and daughter of Daniel Shaw, an early settler of Potsdam.
Mr. Morgan and wife had two sons and five daughters, of whom two sons and one

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 237
daughter survive. He died in Stockholm, and his wife survives him and lives with
her son, Dorson D. The latter was reared on a farm and educated in the common
schools of Stockholm. He is a general farmer and dairyman and owns 140 acres.
In politics he is a Republican, and he and family attend the Congregational church.
The wife of Mr. Morgan was Mary Chandler, a native of Stockholm and daughter
of Daniel Chandler, a native of Vermont, and an early settler of Stockholm. Mr.
Morgan has eight children: George, Emma, Clara, Sarah, Cora, Hattie, Mary and
Harland. Mrs. Morgan died April 4, 1889.
Morgan, Charles G., Potsdam, was born on a farm in the town of Stockholm, May
9, 1832. The earliest ancestor we find in this family is Forrest Morgan, the grandfather
of our subject, a native of Vermont and the father of seven sons and five daughters,
one now living, Sereno E. Morgan, a retired farmer of Potsdam. Joel Morgan, the
second son, and father of our subject, was born in Rochester, Vt, in January, 1800, and
was only seven years of age when his parents moved into St. Lawrence county. For
rest Morgan took up a farm of 100 acres in Potsdam, which was then but a wilderness.
He reared his family on this farm, and Joel was sent to the district schools. Joel
started out for himself when he was of age, and his first pnrchase of land was a farm
of sixty-four acres in the town of Stockholm, where he has always made his home.
He married Rebecca Curren of Potsdam, and they were the parents of ten children,
eight now living: Silas and Maurice are in Kansas; Ira in Missouri; Albert, Mrs.
Daniels and Mrs. Helen Hines are in Michigan ; Marsden is a farmer of Stockholm ;
and Charles. Joel Morgan died in 1865, at sixty-five years of age. Our subject was
educated in the common schools and made his home with his mother until he was
twenty-seven years of age. He married in 1859, Arvilla Whitney of Louisville, and
they had one child, Myron J., a farmer of the town of Norfolk. In 1857 Mr. Morgan
bought his present farm and has added to it by purchase until now he owns a beautiful
farm of 135 acres, devoted to dairying, keeping nineteen head of stock besides six
horses and other stock. Mrs. Morgan died in June, 1865, and he married second in
1867, her sister, Susan J., who died later without issue. The present Mrs. Morgan was
Martha, daughter of Samuel Meecham of Lawrence and widow of Jerome Hathaway
of Westport, on Lake Champlain. They have one daughter, Gertrude L., a student of
Norwood Academy. Mr. Morgan is a Republican.
Maxfield, Elijah E., Potsdam, was born in Saranac, Clinton county, April 8, 1848, a
son of Elnathan, a contractor and builder, and a native of Hartford, Conn., who came
to Vermont when a young man, where he married Lucinda Knowlton. Later he went
to Michigan where he followed his trade until his death. He had ten children, four of
whom are living, our subject being the youngest of the family. He was educated in
the common schools of Plattsburg and the old St. Lawrence Academy, and after leaving
school followed mechanical pursuits until 1871. He went to Ottawa, where he had a
contract for finishing doors for the Australian market, until 1874. He then came to
Ogdensburg where he engaged in the hardware business for four years, and then re
turned to Potsdam. From that time he was engaged with Felton & Senter in the
grocery business until 1883, then he engaged in the clothing business for eight years,
and in 1891 became a partner with J. A. Cox in the dry goods store of Cox & Max-

238 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
field. Mr. Maxfield married in 1872, Emma M. Blood, a native of Massachusetts, and
they have had four children: Herbert R, Scott, -Bessie and Jennie L., who died in
1889, aged fourteen years.
Morehouse, Albert W., Potsdam, was born in Brockport, Monroe county, June 13,
1844. His father, Oliver, has been the principal of several academies in this State and
has taught over one hundred terms, has been an institute conductor, and was for six
years school commissioner of Orleans county. He is now seventy-nine years of age
and has retired from active work. He has had two children : our subject and a daugh
ter who died in 1864 at sixteen years of age. Prof. Oliver Morehouse and Dr. Mac-
Vicar were associate principals of the Brockport Collegiate Institute, which was after
ward merged into the State Normal. He was granted the degree of A.M. from Ro
chester University. Albert W. prepared for college in Albion Academy and Brockport
Collegiate Institute, and entered the sophomore class of Rochester University in Sep
tember, 1866, graduating with the degree of A.B. in July, 1869. He was granted a de
gree of A.M. in 1872. He was professor of languages in Albion Academy for one year,
and in September, 1871, became principal of Weedsport Union School, a position he
held until March, 1876. In November, 1875, he was elected school commissioner of
Cayuga county, serving three years. He was the principal of Port Byron Free School
and Academy from September, 1878, to September, 1888; was secretary of the '' State
Association of School Commissioners and City Superintendents" from December, 1875,
until January, 1880. He has also been the secretary of the New York State Teachers'
Association for eight years (1883-91). He has been a lecturer at teachers' institutes.
In September, 1888, he came to Potsdam, where he had accepted the position of teacher
of higher mathematics, geology and astronomy at the State Normal School, a position
he still holds. Mr. Morehouse is master of Raquette River Lodge No. 213, F. & A. M.,
now serving his second term, and a member of St Lawrence Chapter No. 24. Prof.
Morehouse married in Albion, November 25, 1869, Alice M. Conner, of Albion, and they
have had two children: Harry A., who died November 19, 1877, in his eighth year;
and Clara E., who lives with her parents.
McAllaster; J. E., Gouverneur, was born in Antwerp, Jefferson county, January 26,
1833. He was on a farm until twenty-one years of age, when he entered into mercan
tile business at Redwood, where he remained sixteen years. In 1858 he married Maria
F. Freeman, who died in 1867, and in 1871 he married again. His children are : A. F.
McAllaster, Adelaide M., and Fred B., by his first wife, and Lewis A. by his second.
In 1880 Mr. McAllaster opened the St. Lawrence quarry, the first opened in this part of
the country. His present business consists of a large dry goods establishment and his
milling interests.
Morgan, James, Potsdam, was born in County Dublin, Ireland, in August, 1823, and
was only five years old when his parents moved to this country. The father of James
settled on a farm in Potsdam, now occupied by a brother of subject, Daniel. James
was educated in the common schools and assisted on his father's farm until he was
about thirty years of age. In 1853 he bought a farm of eighty acres of the Reming
ton tract, on which he has erected a beautiful residence, two barns and a granary. He

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 239
has also increased the size of the place to 105 acres, which he conducts as a dairy farm
with seventeen head of cattle, three horses, sheep, etc. The milk is made into butter,
and the product is about 1,500 pounds per year. Mr. Morgan is a Democrat, but has
never been an aspirant for public office. He married, January 29, 1853, Jane, daughter
of Patrick and Alice (Murphy) McGouvern, and they had five children, all deceased.
They have two adopted daughters, Johannah and Jane Elizabeth.
Morgan. George, Potsdam, was bom on a farm in Potsdam, April 12, 1845, a son of
John and grandson of George. John Morgan was born in County Maith, Ireland, in
1813, and came here with his parents in 1830. He was employed by David Clarkson
about four years, and ten years after coming to this country bought a farm of one hun
dred acres in Potsdam, where his whole life was spent He married when a young man
Mary McGinness, also a native of Ireland, and they had six children, five of whom are
still living : James, a farmer of Potsdam ; Bridget, of Potsdam ; Ann, wife of Thomas
Horan, of Potsdam ; John, also a farmer of Potsdam ; and George. John, the father,
died September 20, 1888. Mrs. Moran is still living at seventy-six years of age. The
whole life of our subject has been spent in this town. He was given a good education
and in his younger days was employed in the neighboring mills. In 1883 he bought a
farm of 200 acres, known as the Leonard farm, and part of the Usher & Dart farm.
Mr. Morgan is a Democrat He was a trustee of St. Andrew's church for the year
1892. He married in 1870 Bridget, daughter of James O'Brien, a native of Canada, and
they had four children — one died in infancy, three now living : James William, John Les
lie, and Bridget Irene. Mrs. Morgan died November 28, 1887.
Morgan, Daniel. Potsdam, was bom in Ireland, November 25, 1825, and came with
his parents to this country in 1830, when he was only five years old. The family lived
six months at Waddington, and then settled in Potsdam. George Morgan, father of
Daniel, bought a farm of fifty acres. He married in Ireland Catherine Halligan, and
they had seven children, four of whom are still living: Mary, widow of Henry Crosby,
of Potsdam ; Margaret, widow of John O'Leary, of Norwood ; James, a farmer of Pots
dam ; and DanieL Subject was educated in the common schools and took up farming.
George Morgan died October 15, 1877. Our subject has been a very extensive dealer
in live stock, grain, fruit, etc. He has always been a Democrat, and has held the office
of commissioner of highways four years. He married in 1854 Catherine Sherlock,
of Russell, and they had seven children : Catherine Maria, wife of Richard Rice, of
Johnstown ; George C, who lives on the homestead ; Clara, also lives at home ; Fran
ces 'wife of Emmett Dardis, a farmer of Potsdam ; Lottie, wife of Dr. Du Bois, of Ma
lone. N. Y. ; Fred, in a railroad office at Denver, Col. ; and Sarah, principal of West
Chazy school, Clinton county. The residence of our subject was erected by him in
1853 and he has also been quite an extensive landholder, now having three farms
containing 167 acres.
Mackey, Thomas, Potsdam, was born in the town of Lisbon, June 3, 1845. The
father of our subject, Patrick Mackey, was a native of Ireland, bora about 1808, and
came to this country when about sixteen years of age. He first located in Essex
county, where he married Sarah Martin, a native of that county. They moved into

240 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
St. Lawrence county in 1837, and settled on a farm where he lived but a short time,
when he moved into the town of Lisbon, and died in August, 1880. He was the father
of eight children, six now living : Mary, wife of Edward Flemons, a farmer of Lisbon;
Henry, a stone dealer of Watertown ; Jame=, a farmer of Lisbon ; Edward, section
superintendent of the R., W. & 0. railroad lines at Norwood ; Michael, a farmer of
Lisbon ; and Thomas. The mother of our subject died December 24, 1890, at eighty-
four years of age. The boyhood of our subject was spent in the towns of Potsdam and
Lisbon. He attended the common schools and assisted on his father's farm until 1864,
when he bought a farm of sixty acres in Lisbon, which he afterwards increased to ninety
acres. He lived there nine years and then sold and bought eighty acres, where he has
since made his home. In March, 1888, he bought a farm of seventy acres, making 150
acres. Mr. Mackey has always been a Democrat. He was a soldier in the army, en
listing in July, 1865, and served until the close of the war. He married, December 1,
1867, Ann, daughter of Lawrence and Ann (Martin) Collins of Potsdam, and they
have one son, John Edward, born December 7, 1870, and one daughter, Ann Gertrude,
born September, 7, 1883.
Mills, J. A., Gouverneur, was born at Oxbow, Jefferson county, August 6, 1866, and
the whole of his business life has been spent at cheese making. He owns and operates
the fine cheese factory at Little Bow, turning out annually about 200,000 pounds of
high class cheese. In 1889 he married Jessie, daughter of Chauncey Smith. Mr. Mills
is a son of Thomas Mills.
McCaffrey, J. G., Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, January 5, 1866. He re
ceived his education in the schools of this city, after which he sought employment in
different capacities until March, 1889, he purchased a meat market business in Ford
street, which he has been most successfully conducting since that period. He married
in 1892, Ella Smith of this city. Mr. McCaffrey is one of our enterprising, energetic
young business men.
McGuire, James, Ogdensburg, was born in Ireland, June 24, 1822. His parents
came to this country in 1831 and settled in Waddington ; after a year at that place
they moved to Ogdensburg, where they permanently settled. James received his edu
cation in the schools of this city and afterward's learned the mason's trade, which he
has since successfully followed. During the past score of years he has erected many of
the most substantial buildings in this city and vicinity. He married in 1849 Annie
Smith, and has reared a large family. His children are among the city's best known
and substantial citizens. They are respectively : Alderman J. McGuire, Henry, Fred,
Albert, George M., Nettie, Annie, Minnie and Belle. Mr. McGuire has held the office
of assessor, etc., and is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Morley, George H., Ogdensburg, was born in Canada, May 13, 1843, of English
parentage. His parents moved into St. Lawrence county when he was fifteen years of
age, where he learned the stone mason's trade. In 1861 he enlisted in the 92d N. Y^
Vols., and served eleven months, participating in the battle of Fair Oaks, besides sev
eral skirmishes. He was mustered out at Washington. His brother was killed at De
troit during this period at the blowing up of the Brooklyn. Mr. Morley returned to

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 241
Ogdensbnrg and has since followed bricklaying, contracting, etc. He has built some of
the most important buildings and brick work here, among others, the marble front of
Ashley's hardware store, Hill's bakery, Rodie's engine house, West Side hose house
and many others. He married in 1867, Miss Marceau, and they have four children liv
ing : James Edward, Ada Matilda, Emmet Roscoe and William Frederick.
McCormick, Francis H., Madrid, was born in Schuyler Falls, Clinton county, Decem
ber 16, 1848. The father of our subject, James McCormick, was a native of Ireland,
born in 1808, and came to this country about 1830. He was a tailor by occupation
and followed his trade for a short time in Montreal, and then located in Plattsburg.
The spring of 1862 he located in Madrid. Starting in a small way he gradually in
creased his stock and business, until at the time our subject became a partner they were
doing a very extensive trade. Jacob McCormick died March 17,^1888. The mother of
our subject, Catherine Murphy, also a native of Ireland, came to this country when a
child. Of their four children, three now survive : Mary A. of Madrid ; Eliza A., wid
ow of James Halligan of Potsdam ; and Francis H. The latter was educated in the
town of his birth and at Madrid. As soon as he was old enough he entered the store
of his father and learned the trade, which he has ever since followed. In 1872 he
became a partner with his father, and became manager and proprietor. He now owns
a brick block and carries a complete line of ready-made clothing and does a general
merchant tailoring business. Mr. McCormick is a Democrat. He is a member of St.
John's church, and for thirteen years was treasurer of the society ; he has also been
one of its trustees. He married, August 16, 1882, Mary A. Coughlin of Madrid, and
they have one son, Leland Francis, now in his tenth year.
Madoek, John H., Gouverneur, was born August 28, 1851. His parents came to Little
Bow seventy-five years ago, and he has lived in this county all his life, except sixteen
years spent in Illinois. In 1860 he married Clara Basil, and they have one son, Charles.
Mr. Madoek enlisted in August, 1862, in Co. K, 96th N. Y. Vols., and served four
years. His father was Roger Madoek. He was an agent for Gouverneur Morris sev
enteen years. His mother was Adeline Harris. Mr. Madoek is a member of Barnes
Post, G. A. R., and has held every position in it except commander.
Miller, Benjamin H., Gouverneur, was born in Danville, N. Y., October 6, 1844.
He enlisted in Company H, 20th N. Y. Cavalry, in August, 1863. He was a mem
ber of Captain Spencer's company, and served till July 31, 1865. He then took up
the carpenter and millwright trades, and has been connected with Sterbuck & Mc
Carty 's mills for eleven years. He was contractor for A. L. McRae three years
previously. Mr. Miller married in 1870, Hattie Ives, and they have had seven chil
dren, four sons and three daughters. Mr. Miller's father was William Miller, a na
tive of England.
Murray, Andrew, Gouverneur, was born in Scotland, February 21, 1830, and came
to America in 1834, with his father's family. They settled in Prescott, Canada, and
Mr. Murray spent his early life on a stock farm. He then learned the trade of black
smith and moving to Hailesboro, this county, followed his trade five years. He then
took up farming with great success, being now a large land owner. In January, 1856,

242 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Mr. Murray married Susan A. Gates, and they have three children ; Andrew A., a
farmer; Leon, bookkeeper for the St. Lawrence Marble Company ; and Emma E., wife
of Dr. Eddy of Colby, Kan.
Mann, William T., Gouverneur, was bora in Franklin, Delaware county, July 5,
1861. He was a telegraph operator in Franklin before coming to Gouverneur in No
vember, 1889. He learned photography in Otsego county, and followed the business
there for some time. He opened his present studio in 1889, and is now considered the
leading photographer of Gouverneur. In 1884 he married Cora Brown, and they
have one daughter, Helena Allen Mann. Mr. Mann's father was Gilbert Mann of
Franklin. McDougall, John H., Morristown, was born in Morristown, Febuary 21, 1843. He
has always been a farmer, and except for twelve years has worked for himself. In
1864 he married Adelia S.. daughter of Henry Green, and they have two sons: James
Henry and Elmer; and one daughter, Louisa. Mr. McDougall's father was John Mc
Dougall, and his mother Elizabeth (Yayler) McDougall.
More, David A., Brier Hill, was born in Perthshire, Scotland, September 1, 1830,
and came to America with his parents in 1841. He has followed farming all his life.
In 1865 he margaret Hill, and they have one son, Elmer J. More. Mr. More's father,
James, was also a native of Scotland, as was his mother, Margaret (Anderson) More.
Miller, Edward H., Morristown, was born in Waddington, St. Lawrence county,
August 16, 1861. He has been connected with railroading for thirteen years, and was
seven years train dispatcher at Watertown and Carthage. In September, 1890, he was
appointed agent at Morristown. Previous to engaging in railroading Mr. Miller was
in the drug business. In February, 1888, he married Nettie M. Green, daughter of
Mowray Green (deceased). Mr. Miller is a son of Dr. J. H. Miller, a native of St.
Lawrence county, but now residing in California.
Mellette, Paul, Brasher Falls, was born in Massena, March 1, 1822, a son of John and
Jane (Mitchell) Mellette, the former of this county and of French ancestry, and the lat
ter a native of Quebec. John died in 1847 at the age of sixty-eight, and his wife
in 1868 at the age of seventy-seven. Their seven children were : Jane, Margaret,
John, Joseph, Paul, Angeline, and Lucy. Paul married, December 11, 1844, Annette
Deshow, a native of Canada. She was born June 14, 1825, a daughter of Emil
Deshow and Mary Show, natives of Canada, who came to this county in 1820, their
parents being natives of France. Mr. and Mrs. Mellette have had eleven children :
Paul, William, Gilbert, John, Henry, who died young, Frank, Joseph, Alline, Henry 2d,
Justus and Nancy. Mr. Mellette owns a nice farm of fifty acres, and is a Repub
lican in politics. He and wife are members of the St. Patrick's church at Brasher
Falls. Lamb, Harlan, Gouverneur, was born in Antwerp, Jefferson county, June 26, 1838.
He has been a farmer all his life and has been four years in his present residence,
while he has resided in this county since four years of age. In 1839 he married Jane
Blanchard, and they have one daughter, Ada. Mr. Lamb's father, Ira, was a native of
New Hampshire.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 243
Leach, J. S., Gouverneur, was born in Washington county, Vt., January 6, 1836.
His people moved to Gouverneur when he was an infant, and he has resided here
ever since. His father was John Leach. In October, 1870, Mr. Leach married Sarah,
daughter of Alvan Barrett, and they have four children : Joseph, Walter, Bertha,
and May. The young ladies are both teachers of high standing and superior intelli
gence. Lesperance, F. H., Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg in July, 1867. After re
ceiving a good education in the schools of this city he entered the photographic estab
lishment of Dow, where after a most successful and studious career he has succeeded in
becoming a high class artist in this profession. On August 15, 1892, he established him
self in business here, where he enjoys an influential patronage. Mr. Lesperance married
Annie Ward, of Ogdensburg, and they have one son.
Lavier, Thomas H., Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, July 18, 1862. At an
early age he was compelled to leave school and work to support his parents. He first
entered the store of H. D. Northrup, after which he was in the employ of Skelling &
Whitney, E. B. Eddy, and others, and also followed sailing for two seasons. In 1881
he commenced learning plumbing, and after completing it worked at the trade in 1889,
during which period he had charge of the Malone Gas Works for J. H. Findley.
In 1889 he established business for himself here, and has since done much notable work
in his line in Ogdensburg. He employs from seven to ten hands. Mr. Lavier married,
September 3, 1885, Miss L. Myers, and they have six children, only two of whom are
living. Mr. Lavier is identified with the Sons of Veterans, etc.
Lovejoy, Henry, Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, September 13, 1823. His
father was a native of Canada, having been born in Brockville in 1800, and came to
St. Lawrence county when Henry was only twelve years of age. Subject's mother
was born in Oswegatchie. His earlier years were passed in agricultural pursuits. For
the past twelve years he has conducted a sash, door and blind establishment in Ogdens-
busg, although he still retains his farm, possessing in all about 400 acres. He married
in 1844, and has two sons living. Mr. Lovejoy served as assessor for a number of
years, and is one of Ogdensburg's most respected citizens.
Lally, P., Ogdensburg, was born at Sing Sing, July 27, 1858, and after receiving an
excellent education he learned the butcher's trade. This he soon mastered in leading
establishments in Ottawa and New York, and in the fall of 1876 commenced operations
here in the line of flour and feed, in which he has been very successful. His premises
are located on Lake street near the bridge. Mr. Lally married in 1880 Clara Bishop,
and they have six children. Mr. Lally is a practical man and much esteemed here. He
is a member of the Catholic church.
Lalone, G. A., Gouverneur, was born in Lisbon, June 4, 1872, and came to Gouver
neur in 1890. He has been in business at Natural Dam two years. He was previously
engaged in clerking. Mr. Lalone is a young man of superior business attainments, and
is deputy postmaster at Natural Dam. He and his brother, now of the firm of Lalone
& Storie, have been in partnership for some time.

214 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Livingston, James N., Stockholm, was born in Crown Point, June 23, 1825. He is
a son of William Livingston, a native of Massachusetts, who, when a mere child, went
to New Hampshire with his parents. He was educated in Middlebury College, and at
the age of fifteen years went to New York city. He was a noted grammarian and as
sisted in revising one of the text books on that subject, and also introduced the ele
mentary system of teaching grammar in New York State. Lucy Chatterton, of Ac-
worth, N. H., became his wife, and they had nine children. In a very early day Mr.
Livingston emigrated to Crown Point, being one of the first settlers. Here he resided
about sixteen years, and March 19, 1836, came with a team to Stockholm, being four
days on the way. He settled on the farm now owned by William Livingston, and here
lived and died. In politics he was a Democrat. He and wife were members of the Con
gregational church, but for the last fifteen years of his life he was a member of the M. E.
church. He died January 25, 1863, and his wife April 14, 1877. Subject of sketch was
reared on a farm and educated in the common schools and Potsdam Academy. He was
a boatman when a young man and followed it on Lake Champlain. He afterwards
worked on the Rutland and Burlington Railroad. He was engaged in the mercantile
business at Bicknellville four years with Frank B. Peck and three years with J. B. Pal
mer. He owns 192 acres of land, follows general farming and dairying, and keeps
twenty-two cows. Mr. Livingston is a Republican, and has served as assessor for
eleven years. In religion he and family are liberal. His wife was Sarah M. Covey, a
native of Stockholm, and they have one adopted daughter, Mary I., at home.
Lytle, David, Lisbon, was born in 1816. He is a grandson of W. Lytle, who, to
gether with his son, James J. Lytle, the father of our subject, settled in Lisbon near the
Centre in 1801, where they took up 500 acres of land, which is still in the possession of
David and his brother Andrew, the surviving members of the Lytle family, which
originally consisted of three sons and six daughters. David Lytle is a most energetic
influential and prominent property owner and capitalist, and exerts considerable influ
ence in the material welfare of this town. He has never married and lives on the old
homestead with his brother Andrew.
Liddell, James, Lisbon, was born in Waddington, June 4, 1835. His father, James
Liddell, sr., was a native of Scotland, who came to this country and followed the occu
pation of merchant tailoring and farming. In 1870 subject of sketch purchased an ex
cellent farm of 105 acres near Ogdensburg, upon which he has since lived, engaged in
agricultural pursuits. He married in 1861 Jennett Graham, by whom he had seven
children : James Henry, William Thomas, Alex D., and four daughters, who married
gentlemen prominent in business and social circles in this county. Mr. Liddell has al
ways been a prominent factor in local affairs, and is a gentleman of sterling worth and
superior abilities. He enjoys the respect and esteem of all.
Losee, William, Morristown, was born in Morristown, May 24, 1858, and has followed
farming all his life. In 1881 he married Estella, daughter of Henry Butrick, of Ham
mond, and they have three children : Leon, Lena, and Florence. Mr. Losee is an act
ive Democrat and prominent on the town committees. He is also a member of the
Foresters. Theodore Losee, his father, was one of the leading men of his day in this
town.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 245
Leete, Asa H. (deceased), Potsdam, was born in Essex, Essex county, August 31,
1825, a son of Asa Leete and Hannah Randall, natives of Vermont. Our subject was
the oldest sou of a family of ten children. He was nine years old when the family
moved to St. Lawrence county and located in Potsdam, where the boyhood of our sub
ject was spent. He was educated in the common schools and assisted on his father's
farm until he was married in 1851. His wife was Samantha, daughter of Elisha Brad
ish, a farmer of Norfolk. After his marriage he bought a farm where he made his
home for a short time, and in the spring of 1854 bought the farm of 87IJ acres, which
was his home at the time of his death, January 6, 1881. His widow and four chil
dren survive him : Herbert W., who conducts the farm : Lida E., of Potsdam ; Elva L.,
wife of Charles I. Bailey, of Potsdam ; and Vila E., who lives at home. In the death
of Mr. Leete the community has lost a good citizen.
Lalone, J. H., Gouverneur, was born in Lisbon, January 22, 1864. He has been a
cheesemaker in several places, and finally embarked in mercantile business. He came
to Gouverneur in 1891, and with his brother established abusines at the Natural Dam.
In 1893 Mr. Lalone came into the village and formed a partnership with T. D. Storie in
the grocery business, retaining his interest in the business with his brother. Mr. Lalone
is a prominent Mason, passed to the Commandery. His father was Hugh, as was also
his grandfather, who was a native of Canada.
Lawyer, A. D., De Kalb, was born in Macomb, December 15, 1842. He was a farm
er's son, and followed agriculture till 1861, when he enlisted in the Sixtieth N. Y. Cav
alry, Company B, and served four years in Virginia and with Sherman. After the war
he followed farming for twenty years, and during the past seven years has been en
gaged in milling. Mr. Lawyer married Persis M. Murton, and they have three chil
dren: Albert B., Gertie and Merton. The family has resided in Richville about seven
years. Lindsay, William P., Colton, was born in West Poultney, Vt, September 21, 1840, a
son of Rufus H. Lindsay, a native of Vermont, born in 1797, who married Julia Potter
of the same State, and had three sons and three daughters. He was a blacksmith, and
died in Colton in 1866. He served in the War of 1812 and his widow drew a pension
for his services. William P. was reared in West Poultney, and educated in the com
mon schools and the West Poultney Seminary. He also learned the blacksmith's trade,
at which he worked for many years. September 22, 1862, he enlisted in Company K,
Ninety-second N. Y. Infantry, serving till the close of the war. He was transferred to
the Ninety-sixth Regiment later, and from which he was mustered out. He was a par
ticipant in the following battles : Kingston, Fort Anderson, and also many skirmishes.
He was taken prisoner at Fort Anderson, July 12, 1863, and held until November, 1864.
He was present at the taking of Richmond and was held prisoner at Gouldsboro as
hostage ; then at Richmond on Belle Island, and at Andersonville ; then at Savannah
and Milan, where he was released. At the close of the war he returned to Colton,
then went to Rockford, 111., and spent three years hunting on the plains and acting as
guide. His health failing he returned to New York and settled in Potsdam. After re
siding there two years he came to Colton, where he has worked at his trade and also as

246 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
guide. In 1879 Mr. Lindsay erected the ^Lindsay House at South Colton, of which he
has since been proprietor. In 1866 he married Bridget Linney, daughter of Henry Lin-
ney, of Potsdam, and they have had five children : Delia, Edwin, Arthur, Sylva, and
John (deceased). Mr. Lindsay is a member of High Falls Lodge, F. & A. M., also of
Wait Post, G. A. R, and an Odd Fellow of Potsdam.
Lavack, Alexander, Gouverneur, was born in Canada, February 15, 1834. He came
to the United States in 1844, and has resided on his present farm ever since. He
owns 110 acres of fine dairy land. In 1858 Mr. Lavack married D' Anise Lewar, and
they have three children : Alexander, George, and one daughter, Mrs. Reynolds, of
Depauville. Lynde, Elliot, Gouverneur, was born in Rossie, January 3, 1832. He was a mechanic
by trade, but has been a farmer for many years and has acquired a great deal of prop
erty. In 1852 he married Nancy Gleason, and they have seven children : G B., J. G,
H. G, E. W., Clara, Alice, and Mary.
Lyman, James W., Colton, was born in Colton, October 18, 1839, a son of R. K. Ly
man, whose father was Asa Lyman, an early settler of this county, who was drowned
in the Missouri River. R. K. Lyman was bora in Potsdam in 1817, was educated in
the common schools, and at the age of twelve years came to Colton. He married
Mary A. daughter of Abram Russell, and they had five children, of whom three sons
are living. Mr. Lyman died in 1871, and his widow lives in Colton. James W. was
educated in the common schools and engaged as clerk for G W. Gibbs of Ogdensburg
until the war broke out, when he enlisted, but was rejected. He then spent seven years
as clerk for 0. N. Hall of Colton and worked in a tub factory at Parish vil'e three years.
Since 1883 Mr. Lyman has been engaged with Cook & Hawley of this town. July 4,
1865, he married Amelia E., daughter of Calvin Fuller of Colton, and they have two
children : Ina, aged nineteen years, and Ida, aged fourteen. Mrs. Lyman and daugh
ters are members of the Episcopal church, of which Mr. Lyman is vestryman.
Laving, Andrew, jr., of Helana, Brasher, was born July 27, 1845, a son of Andrew
and Clarrisa (La Dean) Laving, natives of Canada, the former born August 20, 1812,
and the latter December 20, 1821. Both are now living. They had thirteen children,
nine surviving. Our subject was the fifth, and has been a farmer all his life. March
2, 1867, he married Mary Dow, born July 7, 1843, and they had three children, all of
whom died young. His wife was a daughter of John aud Mary (Laforsed) Dow, and
was born in Hogansburg, Franklin county, the fourth of eleven children. Her family
are both natives of Quebec. Mr. Laving has a fine farm of fifty acres, is a Democrat
in politics and a member of the Catholic church.
Knapp, Moore B., Stockholm, born in Stockholm, January 18, 1832, is a son of Moses
Knapp, whose father, John, was a native of New Hampshire, and there married and
reared a family of five sons. Later he settled about a mile east of Bicknellville, N. Y.
He died at Knapp's Station, in 1840. Moses Knapp was born in New Hampshire, and
when a young man came to Stockholm with his parents. In 1828 he married Rachael,
daughter of Peter Brasee, an early settler of Stockholm. In 1828 Mr. Knapp settled

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 247
at what is now known as Knapp's Station, which was named in his honor. He was a
farmer, owning 250 acres of land. In early life he was a Whig, but during the last
thirty years of his life he was a Democrat. He was a member of the Masonic lodge of
Potsdam, and he and wife were Universalists. Mrs. Knapp died in 1840, and Mr.
Knapp married second Julia Wetmore of Norfolk. Mr. Knapp died December 24, 1884.
Moore B. Knapp was reared on a farm until nineteen years of age, and was educated
in the common schools and in St Lawrence Academy. He taught school for a time,
and then for three years engaged as a clerk for Hitchins & Hall of Raymondville. In
1857 he came to Knapp's Station and erected the store building, which he now occu
pies. Here he has since, with the exception of eleven years, been engaged in the gen
eral merchandise business. In 1868 he built a steam saw mill and for eight years did a
successful business. He also owns and carries on a farm of 100 acres. In 1857 Mr.
Knapp married Louise D. Hale, a native of Norfolk, and daughter of Ira Hale. They
had one daughter, Carrie A. Mrs. Knapp died in 1865, and in 1867 Mr. Knapp mar
ried Lucinda B. Berry, a native of New York, and they had two children : Edwin R.
and Gertrude. Mrs. Knapp died in 1880. Mr. Knapp is a Democrat in politics.' He
is a member of What Cheer Lodge No. 689, F. and A. M., of Norwood, and I. O. O. F.
of Norfolk. He is a member of the Congregational church of Norwood.
Keenan, William L., Madrid, was born in Bombay, Franklin county, October 18,
1857. John Keenan, father cf our subject, was a native of this county, born in the
town of Brasher in 1822. He was a farmer and owned 153 acres in his native town.
In 1847 he married Mary M. Howe, a native of Vermont, born in 1830. They were
the parents of seven children, three still living : May E., wife of E. T. Fletcher of Tup
per Lake ; Ann Eliza, wife of E. W. Shepard of Lawrenceville ; and William L. John
Keenan died in January, 1868 ; Mrs. Keenan still survives him. The boyhood of our
subject was spent in the town of Brasher. When he was ten years old his parents
moved into the town of Lawrence, and it was in the common schools of that town and
Lawrenceville Academy he was educated. In his fourteenth year he started as an
apprentice in the blacksmith shop of Israel Dupee at Lawrenceville. He was employed
by the day at his trade for seven years. In 1878 he established a shop in Madrid, which
he conducted until the fall of 1889, when he gave up the business on account of lame
ness. October 18, 1889, he bought a half interest in the hardware store and tin shop
of Bartholomew & Bullard, established in 1886. The firm of Bullard & Keenan now
carry a full line of shelf and heavy hardware, and are agents for the Buckeye mowers
and reapers, Champion horse rake, the Mann seeder, and also dealers in harrows, plows
and all other agricultuaal implements. Since the founding of the above company their
business has grown to extensive proportions, and they are to-day the leaders in the
trade of this section. Mr. Keenan married in 1887, Nellie A., daughter of John Taylor,
a native of England, who for many years was engaged in farming and the butchering
business in Madrid.
Kennedy, William L., Waddington, was born in Ireland, November 12, 1852. His
father, Hugh, was born in Ireland in 1813, where he was reared and educated. He mar
ried Jane Torns, by whom he had seven sons and three daughters. In 1858 he came
with his family to Morrisburg, Canada, and after eight months removed to Wadding-

248 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ton and purchased fifty-six acres of land now owned by William L. After fifteen years
Mr. Kennedy added fifty acres to his first purchase and here he spent his life, dying in
the village, October 19, 1891. His widow now lives in Waddington village. William
L. was reared and educated in Waddington and early in life learned the ^shoemaker's
trade and carried on a very successful business in Waddington two years. In 1883 he
purchased the old homestead and has been a resident sitice 1885. L. Robella, daughter
of Robert Brown of Waddington, became his wife, November 20, 1878. Mr. Kennedy
is a Republican in politics and has always been a temperance man, never having used
liquor in any form. He has been a member of various temperance organizations, and
he and wife are Presbyterians. Mr. Kennedy was Sunday school superintendent one
year, secretary and treasurer five years and librarian seven years.
Killmer, John, Gouverneur, was born in Washington county, August 5, 1824, and
came to Gouverneur in 1834. He has been connected with farming part of his life,
but is now living retired. His active life has been spent chairmaking and painting.
January 7, 1852, Mr. Killmer married Sarah McKane, and they have two children
John P. and Ellen W., wife of A. S. Coates. Mr. Killmer was trustee of the village
seven years and excise commissioner five years.
Kelsey, Delos D., Stockholm, was born in Stockholm, [December 6, 1815, a son of
Sidney Kelsey. Our subject received a good education, and has made farming a life
occupation. He owned a farm upon the site of part of the village of Winthrop, and it
is due Mr. Kelsey to say that it was through his efforts that the village was built. He
is now the oldest settler living in the place. His first wife was Harriet Cook, by whom
he had one child, Weltha. His second wife was Nancy Perrine, by whom he had four
children, two of whom are living : Emma and Eva. His last wife was Annie Groves,
a native of Stonnont county, Canada, and the only survivor of five children bom to
John and Rachael (McLaughlin) Groves. Mr. Groves died in 1858, and his wife Feb
ruary, 1891. Mr. Kelsey is a Republican, and has always taked an active part in poli
tics. He is a member of Brasher Lodge N. 541, F. & A. M., and of the P. of H., Win
throp Lodge. He and wife are members of the Universalist church, of which they
have been very liberal supporters.
Kirby, Reynold Marvin, Potsdam, was born in Brownville, Jefferson county, April
6, 1844, a son of Col. Edmund Kirby of the U. S. A., and grandson of Gen. Jacob
Brown and Judge Ephraim Kirby. He graduated at Hobart College, Geneva, in 1865,
and taught school for a year at Bath, then entered the General Theological Seminary at
New York city, graduating in 1869. He was ordained deacon at Mount Morris, May
23, 1869, and priest at Christ church, Albion, August 21, 1870, by Bishop Coxe. He
was rector at Albion from 1869 to 1871, and was assistant minister of St. Mark's cathe
dral, Salt Lake City, Utah, from 1871 to 1882. He has been rector of Trinity church,
Potsdam, from 1882 to the present date.
Kennedy, Martin, Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, June 4, 1832. His parents
settled in this country about 1820 and were engaged in agricultural pursuits. Martin
entered the hardware establishment of Allen Chaney & Co., as clerk, where he re
mained three years, then for thirteen years he was identified with the dry goods store

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 249
of T. B. Jomes. After this Mr. Kennedy established a grocery store in Clayton and
conducted it for five years, and after disposing of this he returned to Ogdensburg and
established a grocery store on the west side, which he kept for four years. Since that
time Mr. Kennedy has followed the auctioneering business most successfully. Mr.
Kennedy has served as inspector of elections and in other capacities. He married in
1860 Ellen H. Marshall and they have five children living, three girls and two boys.
Kegle, M., Ogdensburg, was born in St. Johns, Canada, September 29, 1836. He
learned the trade of merchant tailor in that place, and conducted this branch of mer
cantile industry for some years prior to coming to Ogdensburg. He came here May 4,
1885, engaged in the same business, and gradually extended his connections and patron
age, until he conducts one of the leading merchant tailoring and men's furnishing estab
lishments located on Ford street. Mr. Kegle has been twice married. His first wife
was Jjlia Lucier, to whom he was married when seventeen years of age. His second
and present wife was Pamelia Carom. Mr. Kegle has eight children.
Kelley, J. H., Ogdensburg, was born in Canada, February 14, 1865. He came to
Ogdensburg about 1870, and was for twelve years a valued employee at Colnan's
mills. He was also identified with Ramsey's for four years. About two years ago
Mr. Kelley established a grocery business which has proved entirely satisfactory.
He married, in 1889, Maggie McDonald of Ogdensburg, and they have a son and
a daughter. Kelly, James, Hermon, was born in Canton, December 17, 1832. He began to
learn the blacksmith's trade at the age of eighteen, following it for twenty-five
years. He spent some time in Greenwood Valley, Eldorado county, Cal., and from
September. 1852, till 1855, he was engaged in mining on the North Fork of the
American River. In 1856 he established his business in Hermon, and it became the
James Kelly Wagon Company in 1890, with Mr. Kelly as superintendent. In 1857
he married Mina Burnham, and their children are : Mrs. 0. H. Farnsworth, Frank
B. and Maude. Mr. Kelly is a prominent Mason.
Johnson, James 0., Brasher, was born in Brasher, January 26, 1851, a son of Isaac
and Orvie (Freeman) Johnson. Isaac was the son of William and Catharine (Little)
Johnson of Vermont, who came here and settled about 1812. Ashley Freeman, mater
nal grandfather of our subject, was also one of the pioneer settlers of the town, and
died November 9, 1892. James O. Johnson was reared on a farm, and now owns a
fine farm of 112 acres, highly cultivated. He was married, November 23, 1878, to
Leona Clark, born March 23, 1848, a daughter of William and Hannah (Dickenson)
Clark natives of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have three children : Arthur L.,
born January 22, 1881 ; Clark F., born June 14, 1882 ; and Bruce M., born September
4 1885. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Good Templars.
Johnson, Abner A., Gouverneur, was born in Jefferson county, February 3, 1831,
and was a farmer's son. He has been in business twenty-five years, sixteen of which
have been in Spragueville. He married Lydia Glazier, May 29, 1853, and they have
two children : Dewitt Clinton, who is engaged in the tea business in New York ; and
ff

250 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Mrs. James W. Elliot of Montreal. His first wife died and Mr. Johnson married Caro
line Collins and their children are : Leslie A. and Grace B. Mr. Johnson was super
visor of Fowler two terms, and is an active Republican.
Joyce, James, Potsdam, was bora near Belfast, Ireland, October 24, 1820, and was
only two years of age when his parents immigrated to this country. Hugh Joyce, his
father, first settled in Waddington, working for Judge Ogden about six years, accept
ing as part pay about thirty-five acres on the Ogden tract in Potsdam, which he settled
on, adding by purchase, until at one time he owned 240 acres. He was a Republican,
and married in Ireland when about eighteen years of age, Charlotte Welworth, also a
native of Ireland, and they had six children : Alexander, died May 7, 1892, in Potsdam,
aged seventy-four years; John, a farmer of Madrid ; Abigail, wife of John Bardon of
Dakota; Jemina, wife of Isaac McCarthy of Madrid; Hugh, a mechanic of Canton;
and James. His father died March 3, 1868, and his mother December 15, 1887. The
whole life of our subject was spent in the town. He worked for farmers three or four
years, and in 1849 went to Wisconsin, from where the next spring he went the over
land route to California. This being the time of the first discovery of gold, Mr. Joyce
mined and speculated for seven years. Returning here in 1857, he settled on his farm
of 150 acres, where he has ever since made his home. Mr. Joyce is a staunch Repub
lican and an honest, upright citizen. He married in 1859, Agnes, daughter of Thomas
Philpot, a farmer of Potsdam, and they had six children, two died in infancy. A son,
Melvin, eighteeen years old, was drowned in an inland lake in Michigan, September,
19, 1880. The others are : Emma, wife of Thomas Fisher, a farmer of Madrid : Min
nie, wife of John R. Dawson, a manufacturer of Philadelphia; and William R., who
assists on the homestead farm. Mr. Joyce and family are members of the Methodist
church at Buck's Bridge.
Irish, Jesse G, Colton, was born in Milton, Chittenden county, Vt., December 4,
1822, a son of Smiton and Thankful (Reynolds) Irish, the former a native of Vermont,
born in 1777, and she a native of the same place, born in 1781. They came to Colton
in 1841 and settled in South Colton, where Mr. Irish lived just one year after his arrival.
His wife died in 1846. Mr. Irish was a blacksmith, and was the father of thirteen
children, three now living. The grandfather of our subject was a native of Vermont,
where he lived and died, and he married Dolly Irish. Their son, Jesse G, started out
at the age of eleven years to make his own way. He commenced work on a farm,
and at the age of eighteen he, in company with his brother James, came to Colton,
where they bought a farm, erected a log house and barn, and began clearing the land.
Success attended their efforts and they soon increased their possessions to 220 acres.
Early in life they entered mercantile business at South Colton, and continued until the
death of James, July 31, 1884, since which time Jesse has carried on business in his
own name. Mr. Irish married in Colton, Adaline Irish, a native of Vermont, and a
daughter of Luther Irish, of the same place, one of the early settlers of Colton. He died
here in 1886, and his wife still survives him at the age of ninety years. Mr. and Mrs.
Irish have had five children : Sumner D., who married in Michigan and has two chil
dren, Maria and Rex; Inez, wife of Antoine Campbell, who has three children, Mary,
Sumner and Benjamin ; Lottie, who was the wife of Clarence Phailings, who died in

PERSONAL SKETCHES 251
1889, and by whom she has one child, Mildred; Jesse, now at home; Malcomb E., who
died, aged two years. Mr. Irish is a Republican and has been justice of the peace three
years. Johnson, J. E., Canton, is known by almost every one in St. Lawrence county. He
is a gentleman of warm social instincts and possesses those generous traits of character,
in a marked degree, which make men popular in public life. He was born in Rossie,
this county. His grandfather, Caleb Johnson, came from Connecticut to Northern
New York about 1827. Mr. Johnson's father, John, lost his life in the late war. In
1873 our subject finished a course of study in the Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary, and
then became assistant postmaster of Canton for four years under W. R. Remington.
In 1880 he received an appointment as clerk in the county clerk's office at Canton.
Two years ago last January his ability led to his appointment as deputy county clerk,
and in this position Mr. Johnson has shown himself master of the details of official life,
the books and papers that come under his careful scrutiny being models of neatness and
accuracy. There are thirty-one towns in this county, and seven persons constantly in
service in the clerk's office. Of course much of this work is under the direct super
vision of Mr. Johnson. He served seven years in the Canton fire department, and
though still a young man is serving as president of the village. The prince of good
fellows socially, he possesses yet a vast amount of nerve and determination, which com
mand the respect of the lower classes. He is a man of unusual abilities, and has an
exceptional official career for a man of his age. He is much liked in Canton and
throughout St. Lawrence county. He is an active Mason, and a member of Canton
Consistory and the Media Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Watertown.
Johnston, William H., of Helena, Brasher, was born in Fort Covington, Franklin
county, March 21, 1851, a son of William P. and Eliza (Wagner) Johnston. The
father was born in New York city about 1807. The grandfather of William H. was a
native of Scotland, and a ship chandler in New York. He married Eliza A. Johnston,
a native of Ireland. He also was a ship owner and importer. William P., father of
our subject, died at the age of forty-six years, and his mother is still living with her
son, aged seventy-seven. William P. and Eliza Johnston had these children : Joseph
H. (deceased); Henrietta M., wife of Henry Schoff; Georgiana (deceased); Juliette
G, wife of W. G Poor ; Albert G (deceased) ; and William H., who was reared and
educated m Hogansburg, where he remained during early life, then engaged in buying
and shipping produce. He is a member of the Free Mason Lodge of Brasher Falls, and
married, March 30, 1875, Georgiana Denio, born July 12, 1855, daughter of John and
Eliza (Butler) Denio, of French ancestry. One of Mrs. Johnston's ancestors, a Miss
Wilson, was captured by the Indians at Deerfield, Mass., in Revolutionary times, and
afterwards was ransomed by the colonists and married a French officer, a Captain Denio.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have had six children : Bertha I., bom March 18, 1876; Car
roll, who died young; Beryl S, born March 6, 1882; William, born July 30, 1884;
Willma, born October 27, 1886, died January 16, 1889; Julietta S., bom May 8, 1889.
Jefferson, N. W., Parishville, was born October 23, 1848, a son of Benjamin P., who
was a son of Russell, who was a native of Vermont. The latter married Betsey Cheney,

252 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
by whom he had nine children. He was a relative of Thomas Jefferson, and came to
Parishville in 1848. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in Chicago in 1883,
his wife having died in Vermont in 1853. Benjamin P. was born in Washington, Vt,
December 14, 1818, and came to Parishville in 1840, where he settled on the farm now
owned by our subject. In 1842 he married Sallie Willis Stark, widow of Wilder S.
Stark, who was drowned. Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson had four sons : A. W., B. F., Cyrus
and N. W. The former two are Baptist ministers, and Cyrus resides in California. N.
W. Jefferson was reared on a farm and educated in the St. Lawrence Academy. He
taught school several years, and has since followed general farming and dairying, own
ing 175 acres and keeping twenty-three cows. He is a Republican and has been jus
tice of the peace for twenty years, which office he still holds. He was census taker in
1890. He is a member of High Falls Lodge No. 428, Potsdam Chapter, St. Lawrence
Commandery No. 28, Lodge of Perfection of Canton, and P. of H. No. 542 of West
Parishville. In 1870 Mr. Jefferson married Ida L., daughter of Norman Harvey of
Colton. He and wife are members of the Free Will Baptist church.
Joyce, John, Madrid, was born in Waddington, June 22, 1838, a son of James and
Mary (McMurray) Joyce. James was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1791, and
came to this country in 1823. He was employed with Judge Ogden for about a year,
and was then employed by George Reddington for eighteen years. About 1840 he
bought the home farm of 100 acres in Madrid, to which he afterwards added sixty
acres. Here he died July 3, 1863. The mother of John was of Scotch ancestry and a
native of Ireland. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom are still liv
ing. Mrs. Joyce died August 20, 1892, at ninety-two years of age. John was the
youngest of the family and was educated in the common schools, and assisted his father
on the farm until the breaking out of the war. He enlisted August 1 1, 1862, in Com
pany C, One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment N. Y. Infantry, and served with
them until September 20, 1863. Mr. Joyce was with the regiment at the siege of Suf
folk, Va., but soon after was taken ill with typhoid pneumonia and was obliged to with
draw from the service, and although after his recovery he was anxious to re-enlist he
was rejected on account of weak lungs. He returned to the old homestead and three
years later bought the farm. He now owns 164 acres, which he conducts as a dairy
and sheep farm, with sixteen head of cattle and forty-three sheep. Mr. Joyce has al
ways been an active Republican. He is a member of William Dalzell Post No. 530,
G. A. R. He married in 1868 Mary E., daughter of Alfred Emerson, of Madrid, and
they have one son, Alfred E., now in his thirteenth year.
Jones, Cyrus 0., Norfolk, was born in Monkton, Vt, November 17, 1839. His father
was James Jones, a native of Vermont, born in 1799, where he was reared and edu
cated. He married Lovica Tracy, by whom he had four sons and four daughters. In
1837 Mr. Jones came to Stockholm and after a few years went to Norfolk and settled
on the farm now owned by Mr. Waldron. He afterwards purchased the farm now
owned by H. O. Jones, and he also owned the farm which subject now owns, the Low-
ery place, and the place now owned by Mrs. Richards, where his wife died in 1878.
Mr. Jones married second Clarinda Jenkins, and spent his last days in Brookdale. In
politics he was a Republican, but not an aspirant to office. He died in 1883. Cyrus O.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 253
Jones was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He learned the har-
nessmaker's trade and followed it for ten years in Madrid. He married Selema Thomp
son, of Canton, by whom he has had two children : Kittie, who died at the age of nine
months ; and Alton A., at home. Mr. Jones has a farm of eighty acres and a very
pleasant home. He has been very successful and is one of the wealthiest men in Nor
folk. He is a Prohibitionist in politics. He and family attend and support the Pres
byterian church of Norfolk.
Jenne, E. A., Gouverneur, son of Joseph, was born at Fullerville, August 20, 1842
and has resided in Gouverneur fourteen years. He has been in mercantile business in
Russell, and traveled for a New York house twenty-five years, but is now engaged in
the pulp business. In 1874 Mr. Jenne married Lilly, daughter of Dexter Moody the
famous Evangelist. Their children are Mabel and Hazel.
Hubbard, Benjamin P., Pierrepont, was born in Brandon, Vt., September 10, 1844, a
son of Ira M., a native of Rochester, Vt., born July 27, 1812. He was reared on a
farm and educated in the common schools, and was a son of Peter Hubbard, who came
to Pierrepont about 1848 and settled on a farm, where he remained till 1878, then moved
to Pierrepont Center, where he died in July, 1890. He married first a daughter of Ben
jamin Hamilton, of Vermont, an early settler of this town. They had five children.
Mrs. Hubbard died in 1876, and he married second Zilpha Adams, who survives him.
Mr. Hubbard was a Republican and was overseer of the poor for a number of years.
Benjamin P. Hubbard engaged in farming for a number of years, and in 1872 came to
Pierrepont Center, and excepting one year in partnership with Milton F. Bentley in the
mercantile business, has been engaged in that calling by himself. December 24, 1870,
Mr. Hubbard married Cynthia A., daughter of James and Ruby Taggart, who came
from Jefferson county and settled in Hermon, then went to Russell and finally to Pierre
pont. He afterwards went to Norwood, where he died. Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard have
had three sons and one daughter : Theron B., who was educated in Potsdam Normal
School, and is now teaching ; Leon I., Meivin G, and Ethel R. Mr. Hubbard is a Re
publican and has been postmaster at Pierrepont Center since 1874, excepting for the
first administration of President Cleveland, and has been town clerk since May 5,
1891. Hoit, L. A., Parishville, was born in Parishville, May 4, 1829, a son of John, a native
of Plainfield, N. H., born April 16, 1791. The latter came to Parishville in 1809, walk
ing from Plainfield. He worked on a farm and soon purchased a small piece of land
of Mr. Parish, to which he added until he owned 140 acres. He married, March 1,
1818, Polly Green, of Vermont, born March 1, 1801, whose father was Henry Green, a
Baptist minister of Parishville for some years. John Hoit and wife had eight children.
He was a Democrat and served as supervisor some time. He died December 7, 1852,
and his wife April 19, 1843. L. A. Hoit was educated in the common schools and Pots
dam Academy, following teaching for several years. He next engaged as clerk for the
Parishville Co-operative Union, and after a year and a half went to Illinois and formed
a partnership with a Mr. Hopper in Springfield, 111., in the news business. He next
came to Parishville, remaining a year, and then went west, being for three years a clerk

254 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
in Decatur, 111. In 1861 he entered in the mercantile business, remaining about twelve
years. He then came to Parishville and bought the farm his father settled, and a year
later became clerk in the Union store. In 1876 Mr. Hoit engaged in the hardware
business, which he has since carried on successfully. March 17, 1864, he married
Sarah J. Cheney, a native of Vermont, and they have adopted a niece of Mr. Hoit,
Emma Simpson. Our subject has been a Republican since the organization of the party,
and has served as town clerk five years and justice of the peace four years. He is a
member of Amber Lodge No. 395, F. & A. M., at Parishville.
Hildreth, A. T., Gouverneur, was born in Fowler, December 16, 1825. In 1858 he
married Maria D. Graves, daughter of James Graves, of Potsdam, and they have four
daughters: Ella M., Mrs. Stella Hale, Mrs. Edith R. Gardner, and Mrs. May Hamilton.
Mr. Hildreth's father was Amos Hildreth, a native of Connecticut.
Haggarty. William, Potsdam, was born on a farm in Potsdam, November 27, 1838,
son of Patrick, a. native of Ireland, born in County Maith, February 2, 1794, and came
to this country about 1826. He located in the town of Waddington, employed by
Judge Ogden for three years, then came to Potsdam, taking a small place of twenty-
five acres in payment for his service to Judge Ogden. He increased the size of this
place by purchase until at one time he owned 200 acres. Patrick married in Wadding
ton in 1828, Margaret Hanny, also a native of West Maith, Ireland, and they had six
children, three now living: Mary A., wife of Julius Ames of Canton; Jane, wife of
Mathew Murphy of Madrid ; and William. Patrick died May 24, 1870, and Mrs. Hag
garty, September 3, 1870. The whole life of our subject has been spent on this farm.
He has always been a Democrat. He married in 1870, Louisa, daughter of SaffordFay
of Madrid, and they had six children : Darius E., Mattie L., Rose Theresa, Mary Anas-
tatia, William P. and Margaret E. Mrs. Lousia Haggarty died October 5, 1886, aged
thirty-eight years. Mr. Haggarty and family are members of St. Mary's church at Can
ton, and have been for about twelve years.
Henry, William Y., Potsdam, was born in Randolph, November 19, 1831. Hiram
H, father of our subject was a native of Vermont and a cabinet maker by trade. Of
his three children, William was the only son. The latter wag educated in the common
school, and after leaving school he went to Madrid, St. Lawrence county, where for
four or five years he was engaged as clerk in a general store. He was engaged in trade
in different places a number of years. Returning to Madrid he afterward became sta
tion agent, was then passenger train conductor, and also conducted a store in Madrid
for a few years. In 1863 he entered the government employ, stationed at Alexandria,
Va. In 1866 he came to Potsdam, where in March of that year he entered the employ
of the National Bank of Potsdam, as bookkeeper, where he has ever since been en
gaged, now filling the position of both teller and bookkeeper. He is al=o vice-presi
dent of the Potsdam Electric Light Company. Mr. Henry married in 1854, Hattie J.
Dayton of Madrid, who died in 1870. They had two children: Fred D., who died De
cember 25, 1872, in his sixteenth year ; and Jessie M., wife of Dr.- F. L. Dewey of
Potsdam State Normal School. Mr. Henry married in 1871, Jane Huntington of St.
Albans, Vt, and they have one son, Alfred Huntington, born May 23, 1873.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 255
Haywood, G Eugene, Potsdam, was bora in Parishville, November 5, 1855, a son of
Ryland F. Haywood, a native of Springfield, Vt He was a shoemaker by trade and
while living in Parishville followed farming. About 1870 he came to Potsdam where
he worked at his trade until his death in 1885. He had five sons and three daughters.
He was always deeply interested in the success of the Republican party, and was a
justice of the peace in Parishville. G Eugene was the third son. He was educated in
the Potsdam State Normal School, and his first occupation after leaving school was in
Sparrow's sash and door factory, and next in the News office of M. V. B. Ives. He was
five years with R. F. Welch, jeweler, and in 1879 established a jewelry store where A.
L. Lockwood is now. He was there four years, and in December, 1882, moved to his
present location. He has also a department for repairing. Mr. Haywood was for two
years a village trustee and for sixteen years a member of the fire department, of which
he was chief for two years. He is also a member of Raquette River Lodge No. 213,
F. & A. M. and has been through all the chairs: he was master in 1888-9, and is also a
member of St Lawrence Chapter No. 24, and St. Lawrence Commandery No. 28. He
mrrried in 1881, Libbie E. Roberts of Potsdam, and they have one daughter, Leah
Marie, now in her fourth year.
Harvey, James Freeman, Potsdam, was born on a farm in Canton, June 10, 1814, a
son of Jonathan, who was a native of New Hampshire, born in 1789. He lived
in his native State until he was of age, and learned the cooper's trade. He always
followed farming, but at odd times and evenings he would make tubs, barrels and
buckets for his neighbors. He married Polly, daughter of Thomas Kingsbury, one
of the first settlers, of Canton and a Revolutionary soldier. Jonathan Harvey was
the father of nine children, two now living: Orrin Harvey, a cloth dresser of Col
ton, and James. Our subject was educated in the common schools and assisted on
his father's farm until reaching his majority. He was for two years out of busi
ness and in 1837 bought a farm of twenty-five acres in Potsdam which he still
owns. Mr. Harvey has increased the size of his place by different purchases until
now he owns a fine farm of 115 acres, devoted to dairying. Mr. Harvey has lived
in this place for fifty-six years and holds the respect and esteem of all. He mar
ried, November 22, 1843, Evaline, daughter of Ira Copeland of Potsdam, and they
had five children, four of whom are living ; Mahlon, a farmer of Iowa ; Edson, who
conducts the homestead farm ; Mathew, a farmer of Potsdam ; and Henry J., a den
tist of Kalamazoo. Mrs. Harvey died September 24, 1884. Carrie Annette, the
only daughter, died at fourteen years of age. Edson Harvey was born December
26 1845, and was educated in the common and select schools. He has spent some
little time in mechanical pursuits, and since then has lived on the homestead.
Hargrave, John and Richard, twin brothers, Waddington, were born September 15,
1848 Their father was Ruther, son of Ruther Hargrave, who was born in Scotland
and came to Canada in 1818, where he lived until his death in 1845. Ruther Hargrave,
jr was born in Scotland in 1788, and married there, Agnes Goldy, by whom he had
nine children. In 1819 he came to Waddington, and here spent the remainder of his
days He settled the farm now owned by John and Richard Hargrave. He married
second Margaret, daughter of John Rutherford, and they had twelve children. Mr. Har-

256 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
grave was one of the original members and helped establish the church. He died in
1879, and his wife in 1885. John and Richard Hargrave were reared on the farm they
own, and educated in the common schools of Waddington. They have always, been
engaged in farming, and own 196 acres of land and keep a dairy of twenty-two cows.
They are Republicans in politics, and attend and support the Scotch Presbyterian
church. They have one brother, James, who was born in Waddington, August 25,
1837. He has been a Mason for twenty-three years. At present he is a farmer, hav
ing 220 acres of land and keeps a dairy of twenty-two cows. He married Catherine,
daughter of John W. Rutherford, and they have these children : Jennie B., Helen
H., Louis, Albert, Edwin, Roberston, Edith and Ralph H. Mr. Hargrave is a Repub
lican, and he and wife are members of the Scotch Presbyterian church.
Hull, Royal, Fowler, was born August 18, 1818, and is a successful and wealthy
farmer. He married in 1843, Sophia Cheney, and their children are: B. Frank Hull
and Mrs. Clark Bowman. Mr. Hull has acquired all his large property by his own abil
ity and industry, and is highly esteemed by the residents of Fowler. He has held dif
ferent offices, including assessor and commissioner of highways. His father was Jesse
Hull, one of the early settlers of this part of the State.
Hatch, Robert R., Waddington, was born in Bellows Falls, Vt., November 3, 1819.
His father, Robert, was a son of Robert Hatch, a native of Vermont, where he lived
and died December 23, 1793. His wife, Ruth Hatch, whom he married November 8,
1792, died January 4, 1795. Robert, father of subject, was born at Bellows Falls, Vt,
November 21, 1793. His wife was Azuba Ripley, born in Vermont, October 10, 1793.
He married, September 22, 1817, and they had five sons and four daughters. Mr.
Hatch came to Watertown, N. Y., in 1824, and engaged in the manufacture of paper by
hand. He came to Waddington in 1831 and engaged as foreman in a paper mill with
Thayer, Whitcomb & Wales. He spent a few years on a farm and died in the village
of Waddington, July 10, 1870, and his wife in 1880. Robert R. Hatch, subject of
sketch, was five years of age when his parents came to Watertown, N. Y., making the
trip from Vermont with team and wagon. He received a common school education,
and for a number of years worked in a paper mill. He finally concluded to engage in
farming, and purchased eighty-eight acres of land in Waddington. He has added to
his land and at present owns a very fine farm of 124 acres. At present our subject
lives a retired life in Waddington. Mr. Hatch married in Waddington in February,
1856, Jessie, daughter of John Hunter, a native of Scotland. Mr. Hunter came to
Waddington and purchased a farm, on which he died in 1886. Mr. Hatch and wife
have had five children, of whom four are now living: John W., who is boating on the
St. Lawrence ; Belle, a teacher ; Arthur, a general merchant of Waddington ; and
Carrie, a student of Potsdam. In early life Mr. Hatch was a Whig, but has been a Re
publican since the organization of the party. The family is identified with the Presby
terian church.
Hepburn, Arthur T., Madrid, was born in Madrid, June 6, 1843. The grandfather,
Roderick C, was a son of the first of this family to settle in this county, and was the
father of five sons and five daughters, of whom William, father of our subject, was born

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 257
in Madrid about 1800. He was early in life engaged in mercantile business, and was a
partner with Austin J. Goss in a general store for a number of years. He married
Emily Smith, by whom he had four sons and one daughter : Hattie L., of Madrid ;
Frank W., who is in California ; Clark, who died in 1862 ; one who died in infancy ; and
Arthur T. The latter has always made his home in this village. He was educated in
the common schools, and was only seventeen years of age when he enlisted, October 20,
1861, in Company C, Sixtieth Regiment N. Y. Volunteer Infantry, and saw service
with them until August, 1862, when he was for a while taken sick with fever and was
sent to Sulphur Springs near Washington. From Washington he was sent to Phila
delphia Hospital, where he served as nurse for eleven months, and after the battle of
Gettysburg was detailed by the secretary of war as provost guard in Philadelphia, serv
ing from July 10, 1863, until May, 1864. He was discharged October 29, 1864, and re
turned to his native place, where in 1866 he bought out the drug and grocery store of
L. W. Dillingham and conducted that about ten. months, and after spending a year and
a half in the store of J. C. Gage & Bro. established the business he has ever since been
engaged in. This was June 15, 1868. August 15, 1878, the store was destroyed by
fire. Mr. Hepburn rebuilt the next year a brick store, where he carries a full line of
drugs and groceries, books and stationery. He is a Republican and has served as col
lector two years. He is also vice-president of the Madrid branch of the Genesee Na
tional Loan Association^ He married in 1872 Margaret J. Fisher, of Madrid, and they
have two children : Maud E., a student of Wells College ; and William G, a student of
St. Lawrence University at Canton.
Hurlbut, E. A., Ogdensburg, was born in Waddington, August 16, 1839. His par
ents moved to Cleveland, 0., shortly after his birth, where they resided until Edward
was eleven years of age, when they returned to this county and settled permanently in
Ogdensburg. His ancestors were originally from Wales, settling in Vermont over 200
years ago, and his parents on both sides participated in the War of the Revolution. His
grandfather Hurlbut settled in this State at Waddington when his father was nine years
of age. E. A. Hurlbut has been engaged in the grain and flour commission business
for the past thirty years, and enjoys an extensive connection. He married in 1862 and
has three sons and one daughter, also one grandchild. He is a member of the Ogdens
burg Club. etc.
Hall, John, Madrid, was born in the town of Madrid, October 15, 1825. The earliest
ancestor we find trace of in this family is the grandfather of our subject, Joseph Hall.
He was a native of Vermont and was a blacksmith by trade. He married a Miss Hurl-
bert, and they had five children, of whom John Hall, father of our subject, was the
oldest. He was born in Charlotte, Vt, April 16, 1793. His early life was spent in his
native State and was educated in the common schools. In 1816 he immigrated with
his parents to what was then the new country of Northern New York. They took a
tract of land of 150 acres. John Hall, sr., married about 1820 Catherine, daughter of
Captain Solomon Lindsley, who was a captain of Continental troops in the War of the
Revolution. They were the parents of two children : Catherine, who died July 8, 1846,
at twenty-four years of age ; and John. John Hall, sr., died October 2, 1859, and his
gg

258 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
wife April 16, 1843. The whole life of our subject has been spent in this town and on
the old homestead farm. He was educated in the common schools and took up farm
ing, a business he has always followed, and still holds the original farm of 150 acres.
He has made many valuable improvements. His buildings are all in the best of repair,
and their trim appearance denotes the thoroughness of our subject. Water for cattle
and horses is furnished by a wind-mill pump on the property. Mr. Hall has always
been an active Republican, assessor nine years, and trustee of the school eleven years.
Mr. Hall's ambition has always been to become a successful farmer. He married,
March 15, 1854, Orpha M., daughter of David Chandler, and they have had three chil
dren. One son died when seven years of age ; Wilifred Henry, of the firm of Smith &
Hall, millers of Madrid ; and Harry Augustus, now a resident of the old homestead,
who contemplated making his home in California. This is conducted as a dairy
farm with twenty head of Holsteins, the milk being sent to the butter factory at
Madrid. Heckles, William, Canton, was born in the town of Oswegatchie, April 6, 1842. He
enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Sixth N. Y. Volunteeis August 8, 1862, and
served two years nine months and one day, being discharged May 9, 1865. He was
wounded July 9, 1864, at the battle of Frederick City, Md., and discharged from the
hospital at that city. He was a son of John and Ruth Heckles, who had ten children :
Robert, William, James, John, Ruth, Hannah, 'Mary Ann, Lucina, Martha, and Margaret.
William Heckles married Olive Fuller, and they had three children : William J., Charles
F., and Edna. Robert, a brother of William Heckles, enlisted in Battery I, First Illinois
Light Artillery, and served until the close of the war. He died in 1886 in the town of
Lisbon. Hilts, Francis, Fowler, was born in Oneida county, July 5, 1820, and came to St.
Lawrence county in 1845. In 1846 he married Mary S., daughter of William Homer,
and they have two children : Fred S. and Mrs. Carpenter. Mr. Hilts's father was
George Hilts, a native of Herkimer county and of Mohawk Dutch descent, as was also
his grandfather. Mr. Hilts has several relations in the Mohawk Valley.
Howard, William Penn, Ogdensburg, was born at Black Lake, November 6, 1840.
His parents came from Vermont to St. Lawrence county about 1822. They settled
first near Gouverneur, and finally located on Black Lake a few miles from Ogdensburg.
Here William P. was born and lived until about thirty years of age, when he married
Adaline, eldest daughter of Robert Johnson, and moved into Ogdensburg. Mr. How
ard has two sons. He is a prominent member of the Baptist church, and has held the
office of clerk and superintendent of the Sunday-school several years. He resides on
New York avenue.
Hulburd, Hon. Calvin T., Brasher, was born in Stockholm, this county, in 1809, a son
of Ebenezer and Lucy (Tilden) Hulburd, natives of Vermont, who settled in this county
aboat 1798. They were of Puritan stock, the ancestors of the family having come
from Wales in the year 1600. The father of our subject was a farmer and merchant, a
Whig, and acted as supervisor of his town and justice of the peace for many years. He
died in 1857, aged eighty-three years. His wife was of the same stock as the late

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 259
Hon. Samuel J. Tilden, and she died in 1850, aged sixty-eight. The first school days
of Calvin T. were passed in an old log^tockade, built for protection against the Indians.
He was a precocious lad, devouring all the scant reading matter obtainable, and his
parents soon decided to allow him the advantages of a college education, and in the
county academy and a minister's study he fitted for college, and at the age of sixteen
entered Middlebury College, Vermont, where in 1829 he graduated with high honors.
He often acted as editor of the National Standard while attending college, at that time
one of the most influential Democratic papers in Western Vermont. In 1830 he began
the study of law with Judge Abraham Van Vechten of Albany, after which he spent a
year at Yale Law School and one year in the office of Judge Isaac McCanihe at Troy,
and in 1833 was admitted to the bar in New York city. Those who knew him antici
pated for him a career of usefulness, but in his close application to study for so many
years, he somewhat undermined his constitution, and on account of ill health was
obliged, in 1839, to purchase, with his brother, a large tract of land on the St. Law
rence River, where the village of Brasher Falls has since been built. Here they erected
mills and factories and our subject soon built for himself an ideal country residence, in
which he still resides. As merchant, manufacturer, farmer and breeder of fine stock
he has spent many years. In 1841 he was elected to the State Legislature on the
Democratic ticket, was re-elected in 1842 and returned in 1844. He was from first
to last on important committees and championed the cause of moral and educational
reforms. He introduced the bill which resulted in the creation of the State Normal
Schools, having previously visited Europe and studied their origin and progress.
After several years spent in private life, he was again in 1862 elected to the State
Legislature, this time on the Republican ticket, having become a Republican at the
formation of that party. In the fall of 1863 he was elected to the Congress of the
of the United States on the Republican ticket, taking his seat in the XXXVIIIth
Congress. His first speech was in vindication of President Lincoln's Emancipation
Proclamation. At the close of his congressional term he accepted, in the fall of
1869, the position of superintendent of construction of the New York post-office,
during which period and through the disbursement of $9,000,000, there was not the
least criticism of Mr. Hulburd's official life. June 1, 1842, he married Jane I. But
terfield, born June 1, 1820, a daughter of Shubal Butterfield, a lieutenant in the U. S.
army, and a soldier in the war of 1812. She was a sister of General Justin Butterfield,
who settled in Chicago in an early day. Her mother was Jerusha Burchard, a sister of
the evangelist, Jared R. Burchard. Mrs. Hurlburd died September 7, 1891, leaving no
children. Both have been many years members of the Presbyterian church, he a ruling
elder since 1844.
Hill, L. H., Canton, was born in Chester, Vt, March 27, 1841, and began his busi
ness life as a clerk, in his native place. He next worked for a Troy house and then
for an Albany firm. In the spring of 1867 he started in business for himself in
Rensselaer Falls, where he has resided continuously since, with the exception of
one and one-half years spent in Canton. Mr. Hill is one of the prominent Masons
of St. Lawrence county, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter and commandery.

260 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
He was made a Mason in 1866 by Mr. Gates Curtis, the master of the lodge. In
1867 Mr. Hill married Lucretia M. Hamlin, who died in 1879.
Healy, Philip, Colton, was born in Colton, February 22, 1863, a son of Dennis and
Sarah (Cullen) Healy, natives of Ireland, who had a family of fourteen children, twelve
now living. Mr. Healy and family came to Smith Falls, Canada, and thence to Canton,
finally locating in Colton, where they settled on a farm, and now own 155 acres. They
keep a dairy of about twenty-two cows. Mr. Healy is a Democrat in politics, and the
family are members of the Catholic church. Philip was educated in the common
schools and Eastman's Business College, from which he graduated in 1887. He worked
for the St. Lawrence Tanning Company of Colton as bookkeeper, and in 1891 engaged
as clerk for Mr. Horton, of South Colton, which position he now occupies. November
16, 1892, he married Ettie Sellick, of Colton. He is a Democrat and a member of the
Catholic church.
Glennan, John, Ogdensburg, was born in Detroit, Mich., April 20, 1851. He learned
the trade of cigarmaking and in 1885 established business here in Ogdensburg. In 1886
he admitted a partner who is now attending to the outside work. Mr. Glennan em
ploys about fifteen persons in his establishment, which consists, of the manufacture of
cigars, etc. He is married and has one son. In politics Mr. Glennan is a staunch Demo
crat. His father settled in this country about 1847.
Gibson, George, Hammond, was born in Ireland, October 28, 1836, and came to
America in 1854. He learned the trade of carpenter and joiner and followed it for
some time. Thirteen years ago he purchased a farm and has since followed that occu
pation. Mr. Gibson served in the War of the Rebellion. He enlisted in Company B,
One Hundred and Sixth N. Y. Regiment, and served three years and two months. Mr.
Gibson married Eustacia Buck, and they have four sons and three daughters. Mr. Gib
son is a staunch Republican, and has served on the town committee and in other ways
aided his party.
Gardner, Otis, Hammond, one of the oldest residents of Hammond, was born in this
town December 5, 1828. He has practically followed farming all his life. In 1862 he
married Margaret Lambie, and they have one daughter living, Julia M. Mr. Gardner's
father was Otis Gardner, a native of Vermont, and his mother, Mary (King) Gardner, a
native of the Mohawk Valley. Mr. Gardner has lived on his present farm all his life.
It was owned by his father.
Gladding, William L., Norfolk, was born in Vergennes, Addison county, Vt, Decem
ber 7, 1814. His father, Josiah, was a native of Rhode Island, who came to Vermont
and learned the carpenter's trade. His first wife was Olive Murphy, by whom he had
four children. He married second Mary Bratte, by whom he had five children. His
third wife he married in Buffalo, and they moved to Michigan, where Mr. Gladding died'.
He lived in St. Lawrence county a number of years and worked at his trade. He was
a Whig in politics. William L. Gladding was reared on a farm and learned the carpen
ter's trade, at which he worked one year in Michigan with his father. He came to
Norfolk with his parents when twelve years of age. He married Mary M. Palmer,

PERSONAL SKETCHES 261
daughter of Amos Palmer, ot Norfolk, who was a native of Richmond, Vt. Mr. and
Mrs. Gladding have had seven children, of whom five are now living. He bought the
farm he now owns when a young man. He now owns 225 acres. Mr. Gladding was
a Democrat in early life, but has been a Republican since the organization of the party.
Mrs. Gladding died February 1, 1890, and Mr. Gladding February 16, 1892.
Grant, Samuel, Norfolk, was born in Norfolk, N. Y., February 27, 1867. His father
is Julius Grant, a son of Julius Grant mentioned in this work. Julius Grant jr., was
born in Matilda, Canada, January 27, 1820, was reared on a farm and educated in the
common schools. He came to Norfolk in 1840, engaged in farming, and has since fol
lowed that occupation. He purchased 126 acres of land in Norfolk, now owned by the
family, and here he has since lived. He married Catharine Brouse, a native of Will
iamsburg, Canada, born June 30, 1831, and a daughter of Peter Brouse. Mr. Grant
and wife have had three sons and four daughters, all now living. He is a Republican,
and he and wife are members of the M. E. church at Raymondsville. Samuel Grant
was reared on the farm where he was born, was educated in the common schools, and
engaged in farming, which occupation he has since followed. September 6, 1892, he
married Jennie Hosmer, a native of Norfolk, and daughter of Edwin Hosmer, of Nor
folk. Mr. Grant is a Republican in politics, and a member of P. of I. No. 167 of Nor
folk. Gilbert, Joseph, Ogdensburg, was born on the banks of the St. Lawrence, six miles
below Cornwell, Canada, January 13, 1830. He learned the mechanic's trade with his
father, and in 1839 the elder Gilbert moved with his family to Ogdensburg, where he
followed carpentry for some years. In 1858 Joseph Gilbert inaugurated his soap and
candle industry, adding to this a grocery store. He took John Knapman as a part
ner, and for ten years they conducted business, dissolving partnership in 1871. In
1873 Edward Derochie became a partner, and a large business is now conducted by this
house, consisting of the wholesaling and retailing of Lehigh Valley and Wilkes-Barre
coal, Straitsville, Reynoldsville and Mclntyre smithing coal, also Warsaw and Canada
salt for dairy and other purposes. Mr. Gilbert has been repeatedly solicited to accept
public office, and was elected alderman in 1876, but resigned the next day. He mar
ried Margaret Perry, by whom he has no children. Mr. Gilbert's grandfather Derochie
was the first man to cut a tree in the settlement where he located, in Canada, early in
the last century. His father, Peter Gilbert, participated in the War of 1812. Our sub
ject is one of Ogdensburg's most esteemed and prosperous citizens, and his business in
terests are an important factor in the commercial life of the city.
Grange, John D., Canton, was born in Malone, October 10, 1843. After a residence
of eighteen years in Canada, where he was engaged in the grain business, he went to
Troy and remained two years, coming to Canton in 1879. Mr. Grange bought his pres
ent lumber business from B. Hodskins, which he has successfully conducted ever since,
also operating a saw and planing mill in connection. He married Hattie W. Rice in
1873, and they have three children : Hattie, Marie, and J. D. Grange. Our subject is a
Mason and a member of the Episcopal church.

262 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Griffith, J. W., Gouverneur, was born on the farm where he now lives in Gouver
neur. In 1882 he married Aggie Flood, and their children are : George, Gertie, and
Ethel. Mr. Griffith is one of the largest farmers of Gouverneur, owning 410 acres of
land. His father, William Griffith, settled in Gouverneur fifty-four years ago. His
grandfather, Hugh Griffith, came from Wales eighty-five years ago. Mrs. Griffith is a
daughter of Matthew Flood.
Gardner, L. M., Gouverneur, was born at Sackett's Harbor, April 1, 1837, and came
to Gouverneur in 1880. Since coming here he has been actively engaged in mining,
and has prospected and opened more mines here than any other man. He also spent
the years from 1857 to 1860 in mining in California. In 1862 Mr. Gardner married
Mary A. Reese and they have had three children, none now living : Fred, Grace, and
Jessie. The latter died in April, 1893. She was the wife of Dr. I. E. Brooks, of New
York. Mr. Gardner has been president of the village and is a prominent figure in the
Methodist church.
Giffin, A. D., Heuvelton, was born in Depeyster, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., June
15, 1869. He received a good education in the schools of that locality, and in 1893
formed a copartnership with N S. Millard, and purchased the interests of J. E. Chaffee
in the hardware establishment at Heuvelton, which he and Mr. Millard are now con
ducting under the firm name of Millard & Giffin. Mr. Giffin is a member of one of the
county's oldest and most respected families, and is himself a thorough enterprising and
popular merchant. He is a member of the Indian Order of Foresters and interested in
all local matters.
Glover & Orne, Potsdam. — This firm is composed of William H. Glover and William
H. Orne and was established in Potsdam in November, 1891, by the purchase of the
stock and store of E. D. Brooks, which was established here in 1870. The store is lo
cated in the Brooks block, on the west side of Market street, where they have a fine
store of twenty-eight feet front and seventy-five feet in depth, occupying three floors,
the main floor being devoted to dry goods, etc., the first floor to carpets, wall paper and
cloaks, and the basement for reserve stock. Both men have been brought up in the
trade. Mr. Glover is traveling salesman for the Boston firm of Walker, Stetson, Saw
yer & Co. Mr. Orne was formerly with Jordan, Marsh & Co. of Boston. They em
ploy six clerks and do a strictly cash business.
Garfield, Milton (deceased), Potsdam, was born January 13, 1832, in the town of
Colton, a son of Horace Garfield, who was one of the earliest settlers of the town of
Colton. Horace Garfield was twice married and our subject was a son of the second
marriage. Milton was but a lad when his parents moved into the town of Potsdam,
and settled on a farm of 105 acres, where the whole life of our subject was spent. He
was educated in the common schools and the old St. Lawrence academy, and took up
farming. He married, February 13, 1853, Abigail M. Saddler, and they had three
children, all of whom died young. Mr. Garfield married second, January 7, 1870, Ab
bie, daughter of Patrick Finnegan of Newburyport, Mass., and they had three sons :
George M., born January 10, 1871, a farmer ; Charles H., born September 20, 1872,
also a farmer ; and James A., born June 16, 1882. Mr. Garfield died May 6, 1883.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 263
The widow and sons survive him and conduct a dairy farm, keeping fifteen cows, and
sending the milk to the butter factory.
Gaddis, E. W., Gouverneur, was born February 3, 1860, and lived on a farm till
1880 when he took up cheesemaking, which he followed for two years. He then
embarked in the grocery business, which he has followed ten years, seven of which
have been for himself. In 1886 Mr. Gaddis married Elma M. Seaver, daughter of
Robert Seaver, and they have three children. Mr. Gaddis's father was James, a
native of Ireland.
Gilbert, E. Howard, Parishville, was born on the farm he now owns, August 29, 1869.
His father was George G., a son of Peter B., a native of Vermont, born October 25,
1793. The latter was one of the first settlers of ParishviHe, to which town he came
when a young man. He married Lucina Adams, a native of Vermont, born November
3, 1801, and they had three sons and a daughter. Mr. Gilbert took up and cleared' the
farm now owned by our subject, and there died, November 3, 1874, aged eighty-one.
His wife died April 23, 1873. George G. was born September 4, 1823, in Parishville,
and was twice married, his first wife being Mary Chandler, a native of Potsdam, by
whom he had a son who died in infancy. Mrs. Gilbert died in 1856. He married sec
ond, October 21, 1868, Hannah A Courser of Parishville, who was born in 1839, and
by whom he had one child, our subject. Mr. Gilbert was a member of Amber Lodge
No. 395, F. & A. M. He died in 1877, and his wife July 19, 1872. After his parent's
death our subject was reared by his aunt, Alzina P. Cook of Newton, Mass., and received
his education at the Newton schools and the Vermont Academy at Rockingham, the
New Church School at Waltham, Mass., and the English and Classical School at West
Newton, Mass. He spent two years in Boston in the hardware business, and
in 1890 came to the old homestead, where he has since resided. He owns 300
acres of land, and follows general farming and dairying. In 1891 Mr. Gilbert married
Ida E. Weller of Parishville, born in 1872, whose parents are Harry and Harriet (Shel
don) Weller. Mr. Weller's father was a native of Bridgeport, Vt. and one of the early
settlers of this town. Mr. Gilbert is a Republican in politics. l
Gardner, A. D., De Kalb, was born in De Kalb, December 31, 1859. He re
mained on his father's farm till the age of twenty, when he took up cheesemak
ing. In 1884 he became a partner of the firm of Jones & Gardner, and after three
years of successful business he bought out Mr. Jones's interest and conducted the
factory one year alone. Then after some changes he bought out the mercantile
business of G. T. Merrithew in Richville, and has vastly increased the business.
Mr. Gardner is gifted with more than ordinary business ability and enterprise, and
is regarded as one of the leading men of Richville.
Groulx, F. J., Ogdensburg, was born in Canada, August 15, 1862. He came to
Ogdensburg five years ago, and for the past three years has conducted his meat business
on Ford street. He learned his trade of butchering in Canada, and is very prosperous.
He married in Canada prior to coming here, and has four children, two sons and two
daughters. Mr. Groulx is much liked by his partners.

264 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
McGinnis, Edward, Ogdensburg, was born in Lisbon, February 28, 1844. He re
ceived an excellent education in the schools of Ogdensburg, and commenced as a
clerk, being identified in that capacity with the establishment of William Ferguson,
the Northern Transit Company of Michigan, Hanon Bros, and Lynch Bros. April 14,
1886, he established his present bottling works, which he has successfully conducted
since. He bottles the Milwaukee and Rochester lager beer, Joseph Schlitz's export
and Saratoga Star water, ginger ale, birch beer, orange fizz, etc. His premises are
located at the corner of Patterson and Washington streets, where all the latest im
provements are at hand for the successful prosecution of the industry. Mr. McGinnis
married February 5, 1888, Catherine White of Picton, Ontario.
Murphy, M. J., Ogdensburg, was born in Ireland, July 4, 1827. He received his
education in the schools of that country, and in 1844 came to this country, set
tling in Boston, Mass., where he learned the tailor's trade and conducted a mer
chant tailoring establishment there many years. In 1854 he came to Ogdensburg
and established himself in the same branch of business, which he has since most
acceptably conducted. Mr. Murphy married Elizabeth Reynolds of Boston, and
they have had ten children, six of whom are living. Mr. Murphy employs about a
dozen assistants in the prosecution of his branch of industry. During his long resi
dence and business career in Ogdensburg, Mr. Murphy has through upright and
honorable methods gained the respect of this entire community.
Fairbrother, George, Ogdensburg, was born in England, May 24, 1844. He came
to this country when eighteen years of age. During the war he served in the
Third Light Cavalry for two years and eight months, after which he settled on a
farm on the Morristown road. He married, twenty-two years ago, Elizabeth Fur
nace of Oswegatchie, and they have four children. George Fairbrother is a member
of the Odd Fellows, and in politics is a Republican.
Fuller, A. P., Gouverneur, was born in Fullerville, January 15, 1841. His father
was Lehman Fuller, who found the Javal ore beds, and his grandfather, Abram Fuller
found the Carney ore beds. In 1882 Mr. A. P. Fuller came to Gouverneur and en
gaged in the sale of farm implements, which he still continues. He is a thirty-second
degree Mason and a strong Democrat. He married in 1860 Martha A. Rolf, and they
have two sons : A. L Fuller and F. B. Fuller, and one daughter, Mrs. H. E. Dennison.
Mr. Fuller's ancestry dates back to pioneer days in this county.
Forsythe, W. W., Lisbon, was born in Lisbon, March 5, 1834. He has long been
engaged in farming, but has also had experience in mining, and was for fourteen years
bridge builder on railroads. In 1852 he married Sarah Hanna, and they have eight
children, four sons and four daughters. Mr. Forsythe's father was John Forsythe a
native of Ireland. His mother was Catherine (Kennedy) Forsythe, a native of Lisbon.
Flint, Frank F., Potsdam, was bom in the town of Jay, Essex county, N. Y., Decem
ber 16, 1843, a son of Charles D. Flint, who died in February, 1889. Frank was twelve
years old when his parents moved into St. Lawrence county, and located in Colton.
December 16, 1863, he enlisted in the Eleventh N. Y. Cavalry, and was in service nearly

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 205
two years. His service was entirely on scouting expeditions, and after his return home
in 1865 he built a saw mill in Colton, which he conducted until 1879. He then sold
and engaged in the lumber and mercantile business at South Colton. February 20,
1889, he moved to Potsdam, where he has been engaged in the hardware trade,
and is now in the paper manufacturing trade. He married in 1866 Emma L. Arm
strong, of Colton, and they have two sons. Mr. Flint belongs to the Baptist church, of
which he is a trustee. He was for two terms supervisor of Colton and is now a trustee
at Potsdam village.
Faulkner, Joseph, Ogdensburg, was born in the town of Oswegatchie, September 6,
1845. He learned his trade with William Gordon and commenced business for himself
in 1865, since which time he has built up a large patronage. He married first in 1865
Henrietta Jenness, and has had two children. His second wife was N. Currey. Mr.
Faulkner's ancestors settled in Lisbon over sixty years ago, and were among the early
settlers. They have all been of large and robust physical proportions, and are noted for
their strength and energy. Joseph Faulkner, the subject, has been in Ogdensburg over
forty years and is well known in this county. He is energetic, reliable and skillful in
his business, and enjoys the esteem of all.
Farley, John, Gouverneur, was bora in Massena, January 14, 1848, spending his early
life on the farm. He then for fourteen years acted as a clerk in different hotels, and
has been three years in the livery business. He is now traveling. Mr. Farley is a
Mason and has long been an influential and active Democrat. In 1874 he married Mar
garet McEwen.
Fenner, Judson F., Fowler, was born in Fowler, April 10, 1831, and has always been
a very successful farmer. In 1850 he married Eleanor Kitts, by whom he has had the
following children : George, Charles, Hattie, Luna, Sarah and Bertha A. Mr. Fenner
is an active Prohibitionist and known all over the county for his strong advocacy of the
cause. His father was Thomas H., a native of Fairfield, and his mother Harriet (Mar
ble) Fenner.
Foster, W. J., Ogdensburg, is a native of New York, born December 9, 1854. His
parents moved to this city when the subject of this sketch was but a child. After re
ceiving his education he learned the butcher's trade of J. B". Armstrong, the pioneer of
this branch of business in Ogdensburg, and in 1878 established himself in business here.
He possesses every convenience and facility, such as cold storage, etc., and has a very
fine trade, keeping three assistants. He is a member of the Masonic Order, Ogdens
burg Commandery, etc., also an Odd Fellow. He married in 1890 Eva Osier, and they
have two sons.
Farnsworth, Amos, Norfolk, was born in Gilsum, N. H., February 8, 1833. His father,
Moses, son of Moses, sr., was born in New Hampshire in 1805 and there married Hepsible
Comstock, a native of New Hampshire, by whom he had nine children. Mr. Farnsworth
came to Norfolk in 1833 and settled on the farm now owned by Fisher Ames, afterwards
buying the farm now owned by Mr. Hartford, where he lived and died in 1868. His wife
died the same year, within two weeks of her husband. Amos Farnsworth was reared on

260 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
a farm and educated in the public schools. He married Lucy A. Raymond, a native of
Lawrenceville, N. Y., and daughter of Timothy Raymond, of Peru. Mr. and Mrs. Farns
worth had four children : Ella, Ida, Richard, and Homer. Mr. Farnsworth owns about
300 acres of land, chiefly devoted to dairying, keeping fifteen cows. He is a Democrat
in politics. He settled on the farm he now owns in 1853, and has cleared it himself.
Mr. Raymond has been twice married. His first wife was Patience Hamlin, by whom
he had seven sons. His second wife was Lucy Ballard, by whom he had twelve chil
dren, nine of whom grew to maturity. In 1808 he came to Lawrenceville, and finally
to Brasher, where he died in 1854, and his wife in 1889, aged ninety-three years. Mr.
Raymond was a farmer. His father, John, was an early settler of Raymond's Island,
Massena. Of Mr. Farnsworth's children Ella married Silas Adams ; Ida married Daniel
E. Bush, and resides in Nebraska. They have one son. Charles A. ; Richard married
Minnie Gladding, and they have two children, Effie M. and Ida R. Homer lives at
home. Fuller, Edward, Fowler, was born in Jefferson county, February 14, 1842, and has
resided in St Lawrence county since 1865. In 1865 he married Sarah A. Burt, and
their children are: Mrs. Fred Jeffers and Adelbert Fuller. Mr. Fuller's father was
David Fuller, and his grandfather John Fuller, one of the early settlers in Jefferson
county. Fitzgerald, John, Ogdensburg, was born in 1845 in Ireland. He came to this coun
try in 1858, and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He owns a farm con
taining forty-nine acres on the Morristown road, and has never married. Mr. Fitz
gerald is a strict member of the Catholic church, and is much respected and esteemed.
Forsythe, Walter (deceased), Brasher, was a native of Scotland, and came to America
in 1826, settling on the place where his son Robert now lives, being one of the pioneers
of Brasher. He took up a tract of about seventy-seven acres in the wilderness, and he
and his oldest son cleared a fine farm. He was a shepherd in the old country, where
he married Margaret Ralph, by whom he had twelve children, seven of whom lived to
maturity, all of whom are now dead but Robert. Our subject's father died at the age
of seventy-six years, and his mother at the age of eighty-eight. Robert was born on
the'farm where he now lives, October 31, 1826, and has always continued his residence
there, the farm now comprising 182 acres. March 22, 1874, he married Sarah McGee,
born October 19, 1829, in Canada, daughter of Robert and Margaret (Brown) McGee,
natives of Ireland, who came to America in early life. Her father was a British soldier
in the War of 1812. Mr. Forsythe is a Republican in politics and has been assessor of
the town for five years.
Forrester, Irwin D., Hammond, was born in Hammond, November 13, 1844. In 1887
he married Emma Forrester, a native of Canada and daughter of William Forrester.
Mr. Forrester's father was Mitchel Forrester, who was born July 12, 1817, came to
Hammond in 1827, and died July 14, 1890. Mrs. Forrester, mother of Irwin D., was
born July 14, 1825, and is still living.
Fisher, William, Madrid, was born in the town of Madrid, February 1, 1823 the
oldest son of William and Euphemia (McDonald) Fisher. The early life of our subject

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 267
was spent on the farm. He was educated in the common schools and assistedbhis father
until about twenty-three years of age when he engaged in the buying and selling of
live stock, which he has followed more or less ever since, his market being Boston and
New York, which has caused his frequent visits to those cities. In 1849 Mr. Fisher
bought a farm of 211 acres, where he has ever since lived. He has added many im
provements to the property since he came here, and all of the barns and the substantial
brick residence are the result of his industry. He also owns a farm of ninety-eight
acres in the town of Waddington, which he uses as a pasture for his large herd£of cattle
from the dairy farm. Mr. Fisher has been a Republican since the foundation of the
party. He is a member of the Scotch Presbyterian church of Scotch Settlement. Mr.
Fisher married, January 27, 1857, Maria, daughter of Andrew McDonald of Hunting
don, Canada East, and they have had three sons : Frank A., born May 28, 1858, now a
stock buyer for Swift & Co. of Chicago ; G. Byron, born November 1, 1862, now a
stock buyer at Buffalo for the New England Dressed Meat and Wool Company of Bos
ton ; and Howard A., born June 6, 1869, connected with the same firm in Chicago
with his brother, Frank A. Mrs. Fisher, wife of our subject, died September 24, 1891,
at fifty-eight years of age.
Fisher, James, Madrid; was born in Madrid, July 9, 1829, son of William, .a native of
Scotland, born in Roxburyshire in 1798, who came across the water in 1820. Landing
in Quebec they came up the river to Waddington, which place they reached in June,
1820. He took a tract of land of fifty acres in the town of Madrid, to which he added
until at the time of his death he owned about 200 acres. He reared ten sons and six
daughters. Twelve of those children are still living. William Fisher died in June,
1875. The mother of our subject, Euphemia McDonald, was also a native of Scotland,
born in 1802. James was the third son, and was educated in the common schools and
lived on the homestead farm, assisting his father, until twenty-seven years of age. Jan
uary 2, 1856, he married Margaret F., daughter of John Dunn of Waddington, and the
same year Mr. Fisher bought a farm of 120 acres, where he has ever since made his
home. He has added to this farm twenty acres and has made many valuable improve
ments. His fine residence and large stock barn, etc., are the result of Mr. Fisher's labor
and enterprise. He is one of the staunchest Republicans, though taking no active part
in politics. He has been a member of the Congregational church about twenty years
and was for four years one of the trustees. Mrs. Fisher, the companion of our subject
during his early struggles and successes, is still living. They have had four children :
Alexander D., who lives on the homestead ; Loretta E., wife of Richard I. Libby, a
traveling salesman ; Charles E., traveling salesman for a Boston house ; and Carrie A.,
who lives at home.
Fife, Andrew, Waddington, was born in Waddington, April 3, 1826. His father,
William Fife, was born in Scotland and came to Waddington when a young man. He
married Margaret, daughter of Adam and Rachael Walker, who came to Waddington
in an early day. Mr. Fife and wife had.five children, two of whom are still living :
Thomas W. and Andrew. At his death Mr. Fife owned 107 acres. He and family
were members of the Scotch Presbyterian church. He died in 1832 and his wife in
1872. Andrew Fife was reared and educated in Waddington. He engaged in the

208 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
manufacture of butter, following it many years. He is a farmer and owns 160 acres
and a village lot of six acres, where he has resided since 1881. Mr. Fife married, April
5, 1855, Euphemia, daughter of Adam and Ann (Nesbett) Veitch of Scotland, early set-
lers of Waddington, and had four children, three now living. William, one of their
children, married Maggie Boon of Waddington, and died March 27, 1886. In politics
Mr. Fife is a Republican. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church of
Waddington. Fisher, Robert A., Madrid, was born in the town of Madrid, August 29, 1844, the
third son of Robert and Mary (Todd) Fisher. Robert Fisher, the father of our subject,
was born near Jedburg, Scotland, in 1800 and came to this country when twenty years
of age. He took up a farm of fifty- two acres in Madrid, which he increased to 283
acres. He was always a Republican, but never aspired to public office. He was a mem
ber of the Scotch Presbyterian church of Waddington, and married in 1834, Mary,
daughter of Thomas Todd, a native of England, who came to this country about the
same time as the Fisher family. Robert and wife had ten children, six of whom sur
vive : William M., a retired farmer of Madrid; Betsey, wife of John Westaway of
Buck's Bridge ; Margaret, wife of Rev. William H. Kanoff of Hermon, N. Y. ; Susan,
wife of Jerome Bartholomew of Madrid ; John Henry, who lives on the homestead
farm ; and Robert A. Robert, sr., died January 8. 1863, and his wife died October 8,
1884. She was born in 1808. Robert was educated in the common and select schools
and the old Ogdensburg Academy, and after leaving school he was for three seasons
engaged in teaching. At his father's death he returned home to manage the farm and
care for the family, remaining on the old homstead until the spring of 1869. He then
bought the Hesselgrave farm of 100 acres, where he lived but one season and then
moved on to the George Dean farm of seventy-three acres, where he has ever since
made his home. He has made many additions and improvements, and now has a 225
acre farm, with a fine residence, good barns, etc. He conducts it as a dairy farm, with
twenty-five head of cattle, ten sheep and four horses. Mr. Fisher has always been a
worker in the Republican party and has many times held offices of honor and trust in
his town, now serving his twelfth year as assessor. He is a member of the Scotch
church, and has been an elder for six years. He married, December 9, 1868, Ann,
daughter of William Brown of Waddington, and they have six children : Mary Eulah,
George Thomas, William Edward, a student of Potsdam State Normal School ; Myron
i Brown, Lila May and Arena.
Fay, Francis E., Potsdam, was born where he now resides in Potsdam, November 21,
1833. Jonathan Fay, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Connecticut. He
married in the State of his birth and afterwards moved, to Vermont, locating in the
town of Royalton. He was the father of eleven children. Silas Fay, the oldest son,
was the first to emigrate to New York State. James Fay, the second son and father
of our subject, was born June 27, 1805, educated in the common schools and took uo
farming. . He married in 1830, Jerusha Lyman of Royalton, and in the fall of 1832
they moved into St. Lawrence county, at that time a wilderness. He bought a farm
of thirty-seven acres, which he afterwards increased to eighty-seven acres, and always
made his home here. He was a man of considerable prominence in the town, and held

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 269
the office of highway commissioner and was also assessor. In politics he was a Demo
crat, and was a member of the First Presbyterian church. He had two children : Doug
lass W., who was born June 27, 1S42, and died in 184V ; and Francis. The whole life
of our subject has been spent on the homestead farm. He was educated in the com
mon schools and the old St. Lawrence Academy, and assisted his father on the farm
until the death of the latter, June 27, 1869, after which the farm became his by right
of inheritance, and there he has reared his family. He has added by purchase to the
farm until it now contains 157 acres, devoted to dairying, with thirty-three head of
cattle. The residence was erected by James Fay, and the out-buildings by Francis.
Mr. Fay married in 1856, Harriet Dustin of Potsdam, and they had two children, one
now living, Fred J., a clerk in a store in New York city. Mrs. Fay died April 2, 1864,
and he married second, in September, 1868, Mrs. Anna Leonard, daughter of Peter
Sturtevant, and widow of Lorson Leonard. Mr. and Mrs. Fay have one daughter,
Louise. Mr. Fay has always taken an active interest in the Democratic party, but has
never been an aspirant for political honors. He and his family are members of the
First Presbyterian church of Potsdam, and he is also a member of Potsdam Grange,
No. 39.
Ehle, M. P., Edwardsville, was born at Sharon, Monroe county, June 10, 1835.
When a vear old his parents moved to Morristown and settled on part of the farm now
owned by Mr. Ehle. He married first, Sarah E. Haggert, and they had these children :
Reuben P., Margaret, Alice A. and Mabel P. His second wife was Sarah E. Lammond,
who died in 1892. Mr. Ehle's father was John Ehle. a native of Montgomery county.
His mother was Margaret Freleich. They had a family of ten children, of whom Mr.
Ehle is the only survivor.
Eastman, George L., Potsdam, was born in Hopkinton, August 11, 1837. He came
to Potsdam when nineteen years of age, and after leaving school studied law in Dart
& Tappan's law offiie, where he was at the breaking out of the war. He enlisted in
the Sixteenth N. Y. Volunteers. Lieutenant Hopkins together with Mr. Eastman raised
Co. B of the regiment, and Mr. Eastman was made second lieutenant. He served nearly
two years and was discharged on account of sickness. He visited California, and was
in mercantile business in Idaho City for about three years. He returned to Potsdam
and established a hardware store here, which he conducted for six years and then in
vested in a sheep ranch in Kansas, which State he visited and remained there about
two years. He was engaged in the manufacturing business for a time, and was ap
pointed postmaster by President Harrison in 1890. He died November 11, 1891. He
married in 1S72, Eunice J. Merriam of Malone, daughter of John Merriam, a farmer of
that town, and they had five children, all of whom are living : Harry M., deputy post
master ; Susie L., Lee J., Margaret R. and George L. Mrs, Eastman was appointed by
President Harrison to fill the office of postmistress for the full term from January 6,
1892. Ellis, D. Frank, Potsdam, was born in Cambridge, Mass., December 1, 1850, was edu
cated at Cambridge High School, and in 1869 engaged in the butter business in Boston.
In 1880 he became interested in creameries in St. Lawrence county, still holding his

270 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
connection with David Ellis & Co. of Boston until 1890. From 1890 to 1893 Mr. Ellis
was at the head of the D. F. Ellis Butter Company, and the latter year organized the
Potsdam Milk Sugar Company in Potsdam, in company with Thomas S. Clarkson. Mr.
Ellis was for two years a member of the board of trustees of the village. He married
in 1873, Addie M., daughter of C. W. Kingsley of Cambridge, Mass., and they have one
daughter, a student at the Normal School.
Negus, A. I., De Grasse, was born in Madrid, November 17, 1857. His grandfather,
William Negus, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and drew a pension for services rend
ered there. He married Abigail Hudson, whose parents were natives of Vermont, and
he came with his wife to this county and settled at Hermon. The father of our subject
was John Negns, of Jefferson county, who married Theresa Sherwin, daughter of Isaac
C. Sherwin, of St. Lawrence county, by whom he had three sons: William, Asa, and
A. I. Negus. His wife died October 25, 1862, and in October, 1865, he married Catha
rine Morgan, by whom he had five children, three boys and two girls : Laura, Inez,
James Monroe, John, and Nile. His wife died January 3, 1893. Andrew I. Negus,
our subject, received his early education in the common schools, and began work for
himself by running a mill in Canton in the year of 1880, and ran the Hodskin mill in
Canton in 1881. In the fall of 1881 he moved to De Grasse, and ran the Hodskin mill
in company with his father until 1885. After working in various places for the next
five years he again returned to the Hodskin mill in 1890, where he is engaged, at pres
ent proprietor, manufacturing lumber, shingles, laths, etc, making in all dimensions an
output of 700,000 feet lumber, 700,000 shingles, and 500 bales of laths yearly. He has
also a planing and finishing mill and a small grist mill. In 1879 he married Anna Birch,
daughter of Thomas G and Mary (Williams) Birch. Her father was in the late war in
the Eighty-third Regiment ; he was wounded in the foot in the battle of the Wilder
ness ; had his leg taken off; was taken to the Alexander Hospital in the fourth ward ;
had the mumps, and that was what killed him. Mr. and Mrs. Negus have had two sons
and two daughters: Lena, born October 14, 1880, died August 5, 1881 ; Earnest, born
July 17, 1882 ; William, born October 25, 1884, died August 15, 1885 ; Florence, born
February 11, 1892. Mr. Negus and father are both Democrats, the latter being a mem
ber of Russell Lodge No. 566, F. & A. M. He resides with his son, A. I. Negus.
Beede, Royal S., Hopkinton, was born in Lawrence, August 1, 1838. He is a son of
Manasah, whose father was Jonathan Beede, of New Hampshire, who died in Ver
mont after a residence there of many years. Manasah was born in Orange, Vt., March
23, 1807, and there married Mehetable S. Carpenter, and had two sons, Royal S. being
the only survivor. Mr. Beede came to Lawrence in 1836 and there spent his days,
though he died in Hopkinton, April 12, 1881. His wife died in 1840. Rpyal S. was
reared on the farm, and in 1864 came to his present residence, comprising 160 acres
where he has since resided, keeping twenty cows and following general farming. He
also has a hop yard of three acres. R. S. Beede built the first silo in town in August
1887, he also operates a red sandstone quarry located on his farm. Mr. Beede is a Re
publican in politics and has served as highway commissioner. He is a* member of Elk
Lodge, F. & A. M.. of Nicholville, and he and family attend and support the Congrega
tional church, of which his wife is a member. March 30, 1864, he married Honora Des-

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 271
mond, a native of Merimishee, St. Johns, New Brunswick, born February 1, 1842, and
a daughter of Thomas and Bridget (Power) Desmond, the former of County Cork, and
the latter of County Waterford, Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Beede have two sons : Fayette
W., a resident of Keene, Essex county, who married, December 10, 1889, Jennie I.,
daughter of John Lindsay, of this town, and they have one son, Royal L. Earl D.,
second son of our subject, resides at home. Mrs. Beede possesses more than ordinary
ability and taste for literary work, and has been a regular correspondent for the Pots
dam Herald, Courier, Freeman, Adirondack News, Norwood News, the Rural New
Yorker, etc., and was awarded first prize in the woman's department in 1892. She
was educated in Lawrenceville Academy, and for a number of years was a successful
teacher. Elliott, Admiral M., Stockholm, was born at Crown Point, Essex county, January 23,
1818, a son of Admiral M., a native of New Hampshire, who married Abiah Burton of
the same place, and had twelve children. Mr. Elliott and wife came to Crown Point
in an early day, where they lived until the death of Mr. Elliott. His widow then came
to Stockholm, but died in Hopkinton. Admiral M. was twenty-one years old when he
came to Stockholm, and settled on the farm where his son Xerxes now lives. Here he
resided until 1885, then moved to Hopkinton, his present residence. He married
Daphne Converse, born June 24, 1824, the date of their marriage being 1842. They
have had seven sons and three daughters.
Elliott, Xerxes G, Stockholm, was born in Stockholm, November 20, 1855, a son of
Admiral Elliott, also a son of Admiral, a native of Vermont and one of the early settlers
of Crown Point. He afterwards came to Stockholm, and finally went west and was
never afterwards heard of. Our subject was reared on a farm, educated in the common
schools, and has been engaged in the manufacture of butter and cheese for several years.
He has had charge of the factories for L. S. Crapser. Mr. Elliott is one of the leading
farmers of Stockholm, owning 165 acres of land, which was settled by his father. He
follows general farming and dairying, keeping twenty-seven cows. He is a Democrat,
a member of P. of H., and Fort Jackson Lodge. He married Sarah Chamber, daughter
of John Chamber of this town. They have one son Lloyd.
Eacutt, William, Colton, was born in Morrisburg, Canada, December 24, 1849, a son
of Isaac Eacutt, a native of Berkshire, England, born in 1812, who came to Canada and
married Sophia Bourck, a native of Canada, by whom he had twelve children, eleven
now living. By occupation he has always been a railroad man, but is now retired and
lives at Farran's Point, Canada. William was reared in Morrisburg, and at the age of
fourteen went to Prescott, Ontario, where he learned the tinsmith's trade, at which he
spent four years. March 17, 1872, he came to Colton, and in 1875 formed a partner
ship with James P. Howe in the hardware and tinware business, at which he continued
eleven years, then bought the interest of his partner. December 28, 1882, he married
Mary Potter, a native of Colton, and daughter of Pelopidis Potter. Mr. Eacutt is a
Republican in politics and a member of High Falls Lodge No. 428, F. & A. M. He and
family attend the Episcopal church of Colton.

272 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Dow, James M., Ogdensburg, was born in Watertown, January 1, 1828. He has been
located in this city for the past thirty-five years, where he has been very prominent
in his profession (photography). His art works are in every household and are un-
equaled for softness and fineness of finish. Mr. Dow has taken all of the photo
graphs for all of the leading histories, etc., which have been published in this county,
and is now assisting Mr. Gates Curtis to gather together views, etc., for this his-
toiy. Deschamps, George, Ogdensburg, was born in Canada in 1849. He early learned the
blacksmith trade, and when twenty- three years of age came to Ogdensburg, where he
worked for several establishments engaged in this branch of industry, and in 1884 es
tablished himself in business here. He married Theresa Bourdon, and they have four
children. Mr. Deschamps is a prominent Catholic and was one of the founders of St.
John the Baptist Society.
Dorgan, William, Ogdensburg, was born in Ireland, March 2, 1852. His parents
moved from that country and settled in Depeyster, St. Lawrence county, in 1853, one
year after William was born. They took up land on the east side and followed farm
ing. William was educated in the district schools, and after a time took charge of the
farm of the Averills, known as the Whitehouse farm, on Heuvelton road, which William
Dorgan conducted most successfully for thirteen years. He then moved to Ogdensburg
and formed a partnership with L. M. Bristol in the coal and wood trade. This house
then purchased an entire block on the railroad, where they enjoy special facilities and
advantages for the successful prosecution of their important branch of industry. They
have an office at No. 5 Ford street. Mr. Dorgan married Ellen F. Hurlburt of Depey
ster, a daughter of Amos Hurlburt.
Dodds, George M., Gouverneur, one of three children living of Andrew and Sallie
(Smith) Dodds, was born on the farm owned by his father in Gouverneur. Andrew
Dodds, the father, was born in Roxburyshire, Scotland. August 16, 1812. He came to
this country in 1832 and located in Gouverneur on what is called the Scotch Settlement
road. In 1851 he bought the farm on which his two sons now live, comprising some
360 acres. George M. owns the homestead with some 200 acres of the farm, where he
has always lived. The mother, Sallie (Smith) Dodds, was a daughter of Willard
and Lucy (Garrett) Smith of Gouverneur, who were Washington county people. They
were one of the first families to settle in Gouverneur, coming over 200 miles on an ox
sleigh in the winter, George M. was married in 1878 to Zeruah Johnson, daughter of
Grove and Malvina( Wight) Johnson of Fowler. They have three children: Bertha
Ada, George Wilson and Bligh Dodds. Mr. Dodds is a member of the highway com
mission, and is one of the representative young men of the town.
Dart, Dennis R., Potsdam, was born on a farm in Potsdam, January 24, 1850. Jabez
Dart, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a native of Connecticut, born in 1740.
Simeon Dart, grandfather of Dennis, was born in Hartford, Conn., in 1770, and learned
the blacksmith's trade in his native State. When about thirty years of age he moved
into Vermont, where he lived but a few years, when he joined a party of men under
Sewall Raymond, and came to St. Lawrence county, settling in Potsdam in 1809. He

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 273
followed his trade about thirty years and was the first blacksmith in the town. He
died in 1859. Mr. Dart married Phoebe Allen of Westchester county, and they had
seven children, of whom Charles, father of our subject, was the second son. He was
born February 7, 1807, in Williston, Vt, being only two years old when his parents
moved into the town. He was given a common school education and took up farm
ing. He took charge of the homestead farm at West Potsdam. Charles Dart was for
a great many years justice of the peace of Potsdam. He was twice married, first in
1832, to Olive, daughter of Benjamin Bailey of Potsdam, and they had six children,
two now living : Mrs. Capt. Holt of West Potsdam ; and Dennis R. Mrs. Dart died
September 18, 1865, and he married second in 1869, Levisa, daughter of Daniel and
Sylvia (Axtell) Rice of Oswegatchie and widow of William Rich of Potsdam. Charles
Dart died January 28, 1871. Subject was educated in the common schools and the old
St. Lawrence Academy. He took up farming and in 1872 bought a farm of seventy-
six acres, where he has since made his home. He married, January 15, 1872, Eva,
daughter of William Rich of Potsdam, and they had three children, two living: Charles
Holt and William A.
Dessert, George H., Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, October 20, 1865. His
father, Peter, was a native of Three Rivers, P. I. He came to Ogdensburg when six
teen years of age and married Miss Chevrier of Vaudrellil, P. I. George H. received
his education in the local schools, after which he was a salesman for Charles Wood five
years, and also was connected with the Central Railroad and the Courier Publishing
Company. In 1880 he was appointed substitute on the staff of the Ogdensburg postal
service, and in August he received a regular appointment In June, 1892, he received
the appointment of city clerk from 1892-93, which position he still most acceptably
fills. Mr. Dessert is a young gentleman of affable and courteous manner, and has many
friends in this city.
De Lack, John, Morristown, was born in Ogdensburg, February 1, 1840. He was for
some time engaged in steamboating. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. G, 16th N. Y. Regi
ment, under Captain (now General) Curtis. He afterwards re-enlisted in Co. A, 14th
Heavy Artillery. Since the war he has been engaged in farming. He married Cor
nelia R. Schofield in 1866, and they have a family of three sons and one daughter. Mr.
De Lack takes an active interest in educational matters, and has been school trustee.
His father was Lewis P. De Lack.
Daniels, John, Morristown, was born in Oswegatchie, May 14, 1844, and has fol
lowed farming since the war. He enlisted in 1863 in the 14th N. Y. Heavy Artillery,
Co. A, and served at Petersburg, Richmond and all the actions of the 9th Army Corps
during the last two years of the war. His service extended over two years and twenty-
six days. He is a member of H. I. Hooker Post. His father was Charles Daniels.
Mr. Daniels married Lucy A. Thomas, April 9, 1884. She has done much to assist him
in the affairs of life, and is a most estimable woman.
Dunnery, F., Ogdensburg, was born in this State, and has lived in Ogdensburg for
the past twenty -three years. For fourteen years he had charge of the filing and grind
ing departments in H. D. Northrop's shop. He married, February 22, 1878, Catherine

274 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Friel of this city, and they have one daughter. Mr. Dunnery is one of Ogdensburg's
must energetic business men. His business is rapidly increasing and he numbers among
his patrons the leading families of Ogdensburg.
Dawson. Asa, a farmer of Brasher Falls, was born in Grand Isle, Vt, October 16,
1818, a son of John and Elsie (Babcock) Dawson. His father came to America from
Scotland during the last years of the Revolution, and was a British soldier under Lord
Cornwallis, was taken prisoner at Yorktown, and then joined the Continental army.
The mother's people were of English birth and came to America when she was a child.
Asa was the thirteenth of fourteen children, all but one, his younger brother John, of
Rochester, being deceased. In early life Mr. Dawson was a sailor on the lakes, then a
sawyer for about thirteen years in this county. He bought his farm in 1853, where he
has since resided, a fine place of eighty-five acres, under a good state of cultivation.
He married first in October, 1839, Sally A. Hall, by whom he had eight children, six of
whom grew to maturity: Thomas, Hannah, Marion,* Ellen, Emery, and Ethan. Mr.
Dawson was a Democrat in early life, but has been a Republican for the last thirty
years. His first wife died in December, 1877, and he married second in February, 1882.
Mrs. Mary Halcomb Hill, widow of Nelson Hill.
Barnett, Michael J., Colton, was born in Ireland, November 24, 1852, a son of Jere
miah and Catharine (Driscoll) Irish, mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mr. Barnett
engaged in farming three years, then moved to the village, where he was engaged in
teaming for some time. He was street commissioner three years in Potsdam, where he
lived eleven years. He next moved to South Colton, where he bought the Riverside
House in 1 888, of which he has since been proprietor. This place is pleasantly located
on the south hank of the Raquette River, and has a good livery in connection, with a
a stage running to and from Potsdam daily, affording excellent accommodations for
travelers. Mr. Barnett married at Potsdam, February 22, 1876, Ellen Culhane, a native
of Ireland, by whom he has had nine children : Kittie, who died aged eleven years ;
John T. ; George B. ; Joseph F., who died aged four years ; Mary A., who died in in
fancy ; Leslie, also died young; Blanch E. ; H. Grace, and Kittie B. Mr. Barnett is a
Republican in politics, and he and family are members of the Catholic church.
Bowen, William G, Colton, was born in Canada, August 6, 1844, a son of Nathan
Bowen. His wife was Clara Pike, of Vermont, and they resided in Canada many
years, coming to Colton in 1854. They finally moved to Massachusetts, where they
died. They were the parents of fourteen children, of whom our subject was the young
est. He was raised on a farm, educated at the public schools, and worked at farming
and carpentry for about twenty years. He has been engaged in a saw mill also. Jan
uary 3, 1866, Mr. Bowen married Druzilla G. Wait, of South Colton, by whom he had
seven children : Clara, Carrie, Effie, Ruby, Mira, Mabel, and Carroll. Mr. Bowen is a
Republican and has been assessor three years. He enlisted in Company H, Thirteenth
N. Y. Cavalry, in i864, serving, till the close of the war. He is a member of the Wait
Post, G. A. R., of Colton. and has always been an active worker in the cause of temper-

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 275
Butler, Edwin H., Colton, was born in Fletcher, Vt., March 8, 1820, a son of John
and Clarissa (Davis) Butler, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Can
ada. They came to this county about 1850 and settled in Colton, where the father died
in 1863. They had ten children. Edwin H. started in life by working on the farm by
the month, and has made his own property. In 1839 he came to Colton, and after
working on a farm for several years engaged in milling for six years, then in the mer
cantile business, in which he had a successful career for twenty years, retiring in 1882.
He married first Charlotte E. Hopburn, by whom he had three children. Mrs. Butler
died in 1851, and he married second Ellen M. Campbell, of Vergennes, Vt. Mr. Butler
is a Republican and has served as supervisor five years, justice of the peace nearly forty
years, and was one of the first constables of Colton.
Beckwith, Hon. M. D., Colton, was born in Oppenheim, Fulton county, August 24,
1829, a son of Ira Beckwith, of Connecticut, one of Fulton county's early settlers.
Our subject was educated at the Little Falls Academy and Fairfield Seminary, and read
law with Wells & Dudley, of Johnstown, and Josiah Miller, of Seneca Falls, and was
admitted to the bar in 1859. He was school commissioner of Herkimer county from
1864 to 1866, when he moved to this town, where for several years he had charge of
the local office of George Parish. From 1871 to 1876 he was justice of the peace, and
from that time till 1882 was supervisor. In the latter year he was elected to the As
sembly, where he served two terms. He practiced law in Colton twenty-five years,
and in 1890 moved to Canton and formed a law partnership with P. R. McMonagle, and
here he resided until his death March 9, 1892. He married in 1861 in Herkimer
county Sarah H., daughter of William Doyle, a native of Ohio, who died when Mrs.
Beckwith was an infant, and she was adopted by John A. Barrett, of Salisbury Center,
Herkimer county. The wife of Mr. Doyle was Eliza Nicholas, who spent her last days
with Mrs. Beckwith, and died April 5, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Beckwith adopted one son,
Herbert M.
Clark, Thomas, of Brasher Center, was born in Stormont, Ontario county, March 31,
1824, a son of Francis and Eliza (Bass) Clark, the former of Canada and the latter of
Vermont, both of Scotch ancestry, their parents having come to America when young
people. The grandfather, Francis Clark, was a soldier in the Revolution, and, after
wards lived at Fort Covington, where he died aged seventy-five. Francis, father of
Thomas, died aged seventy-four years, and his mother at the age of seventy-six. Our
subject has always followed agriculture. He bought in 1869 a fine farm of 135 acres,
where he now lives. In 1845 he married Julia A. Clark, a cousin, of the same lineage,
and they have had ten children : Charles, of the State of Washington ; Benoyer P.,
Eleanor, Franklin, Melvin, and Rhoda, besides four who died. Benoyer P. was born in
Brasher, May 8, 1850. He married, February 7, 1874, Nancy Wright, born August 7,
1855, a sister of Mrs. L. Curtis of this town. She was appointed postmistress of Brasher
Center in July, 1893, although the family are Republicans, there being no Democrat in
the district to accept the office. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have four children : Grace, David,
Jennie, and Vera B. Mr. Clark is a Free Mason. His brother Hugh was in the Civil
War, where he lost his life.

276 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Chamberlain, Worth, Canton, was born in Canton, May 23, 1850. He was educated
in the college of Canton, and entered the law department of the University of Michigan,
being admitted to the bar in Michigan in 1872 and to the bar of New York in 1875. In
this year he opened a law office in Canton, where he has remained ever since. He has
held several public positions, has been justice of the peace three years, special surro
gate for a term, and was made member of assembly for three years, from 1879 to
1882. He has also been president of the village of Canton. In 1884 he married Emma
J! Dezell.
Colborn, Benjamin, Ogdensburg, was born near North Augusta, Canada, and was for
a great many years identified with the leading interests of that vicinity. He was divi
sion clerk of the courts of Leeds and Granville for seven years. Besides this he wos an
extensive owner of mill property there, which he unfortunately lost. Mr. Colburn then
moved to Gouverneur, St. Lawrence county, and engaged in carriagemaking for a few
years, and then moved to Ogdensburg and established business on Lake street, where
he is assisted by his two sons. Here he does a general work and iron business, includ
ing carriagemaking, etc., besides a general repairing business. He married in 1855
Harriet Earl, and they have eight children.
Close, John, Colton, was born in Canada in May, 1837, one of eight children of John
and Catharine Close, natives of Ireland, who came to Ogdensburg in an early day, and
thence went to Canada, where they died. John Close was reared on a farm and edu
cated in the public schools. In January, 1864, he married Margaret Brown, a native of
Canada, bom in 1837, and they had nine children : Sarah, Mary, Catharine, Samuel,
Rose, Margaret, John (deceased), and two who died in infancy. Mr. Close came to Col
ton in 1863, and in 1869 went to Parishville and settled on the farm he now owns of
381 acres, keeping a dairy of thirty-five cows. In politics he is a Democrat, and he and
wife are members of the Catholic church of Colton.
Casey, L. B., Colton, was born in Parishville, September 29, 1841. His father was
Thomas, a native of Ireland, born in 1810, who came to Canada when a young man, and
there married Ann Fallon, also of Ireland, and widow of John Fallon, by whom she had
five children. Mr. Fallon was killed in 1853 by the falling of a tree. About 1837 Mr.
Casey came to Parishville, and after four years to Colton and settled on the farm now
owned by our subject, where he died in 1864 and his wife in 1868. They had nine
children. Mrs. Casey had five sons, one son-in-law and a brother in the late war. L.
B. Casey enlisted in July, 1863, in Company I, One Hundred and Seventy-sixth N. Y.
Volunteers, and served until the close of the war, participating in the following battles:
Under General Banks up the Red River ; under Sheridan in Shenandoah Valley ; and
was color bearer at Cedar Creek, Winchester, and Fisher Hill, after the latter battle be
ing promoted first lieutenant. At the close of the war he returned to Colton and in
1867 went to Michigan, where he married Pauline Mead, whose maiden name was
Lamb, by whom he has had one son, Lee E., and they have one adopted daughter,
Josie.- In June, 1870, Mr. Casey came to Colton, where he has S'nce resided. He
owns a farm of 140 acres, also an interest in the Wildwood Cheese Factory. He is a
Democrat and has been twice assessor and served as excise commissioner two terms.

PERSONAL SKETCHES 277
He is a member of Ward Post No 581, also of High Falls Lodge No. 128, F. & A. M.,
of which he was master for five years. Mr. Casey is a member of the M. E. church.
Currier, L. S., Colton, was born in Lowell, Mass., December 4, 1846, a son of L. W.
and Margaret (Shipley) Currier, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of
New Hampshire. They had three children. The father was a railroad conductor for
many years, and his early life was spent as a stage driver. He died in 1867, and his
wife lives in Howell, Mich. L. S. Currier was reared as a railroad man and for seven
teen years worked for the Boston and Lowell Railroad Company. He was clerk, yard-
master, and for some time sold tickets in Boston. In 1875 he married Helen M. Leon
ard, of Canton, a daughter of Hiram Leonard, the first male child born in that town.
He was a son of Peter R. Leonard and Annie Rich, very early settlers there. Mr. and
Mrs. Currier have had two daughters: Margaret H., who is a student at St. Lawrence
University, and Hilda L., who lives at home. Mr. Currier is a Republican. In 1876 he
came to Colton and two years later engaged in the mercantile business. He carries dry
goods of every kind, notions, millinery goods, ladies' and children's shoes, rubbers, wall
papers, curtains, etc.
Desmond, John, Brasher Falls, proprietor of the Riverside House at Brasher Falls,
was born May 1, 1843, a son of Daniel and Johanna Desmond, natives of Ireland, who
came to this country soon after their marriage. They were farmers and had a family
of six children, all of whom grew to maturity. The father died aged forty-eight years
and the mother aged sixty. John grew up on the farm and at the age of twenty- five
years engaged in the grocery business for several years and in the hotel business, where
he still continues, having also a livery in connection. He married Ellen O'Connell of
this town July 3, 1867. She was born May 6, 1845, a daughter of Cornelius and Mary
(McCarthy) O'Connell, both natives of Ireland, County Cork, who came here when
young people. Mr. and Mrs. Desmond are members of St Patrick's church. They
have three children living : Mary Elizabeth, John Francis, and Gertrude Ann. Mr.
Desmond traces his ancestry back to the Earl of Desmond in Ireland. He is a Demo
crat. Dousey, Dr. George H., of Brasher Falls, was born in New Orleans, La., December
12, 1864, where he was educated in the public schools and also at Potsdam Normal
School. He studied medicine with Dr. S. W. Close, of Potsdam, and Dr. A. M. Larkin,
of Norwood, and attended lectures at the University of the City of New York, also at
Bellevue Hospital College, and graduated at the former place in March, 1892. He at
once entered on the practice of his profession at Brasher Falls, where he has been very
successful. His father, Joseph Dousey, was a native of this State, and his mother
Anna S. Hesse, was a native of Galveston, Texas, of German ancestry. The doctor is
a member of the St. Lawrence County Medical Society, and also a Free Mason and an
Odd Fellow.
Dunn, Robert F., Waddington, oldest living son of John Dunn, mentioned in this
work was born June 28, 1831. He was reared and educated in Waddington, and has
been one of its most successful farmers. Starting in life a poor boy, he now owns 160
acres of land and keeps a dairy of twenty cows. December 31, 1857, Mr. Dunn mar-

278 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ried Jane Veitch, of Madrid. She was born September 2, 1835, a daughter of William,
Veitch, a native of Scotland, and Jane Graham, of Ireland. Mr. Veitch and wife early
in life came to Madrid, where they lived and died. They had seven daughters and two
sons, all now living. Mr. Dunn and wife have the following children : John L., Will
iam G, Sarah S., Thomas A., and Mary A. Mr. Dunn is a Republican, and he and wife
are members of the Presbyterian church of Waddington.
Covey, H. M., Parishville, was bom in Parishville, March 21, 1854, the only son of
John L. and Elizabeth (Lewis) Covey, the former a native of Parishville,born August 4,
1828, and the latter of Franklin county, born October 27, 1829. The father of John L.
was Levi, a native of Vermont and an early settler of Parishville, where he died in
1864. He married Balinda Lewis, by whom he had six children. John L. was reared
on a farm and owns 215 acres of fand, keeping twenty cows. He is a Republican in
politics and a spiritualist in religion. His first wife died December 1, 1858, and he
married second, June 17, 1861, Victoria Wilcox, by whom he has one daughter, Eliza-
both, wife of David Russell, a farmer of Parishville. H. M. Covey was educated in the
common schools and Lawrenceville Academy, and for the past nine years has carried
on his father's farm. February 22, 1882, he married Juliet L. Thomas, a native of this
town, and a daughter of Harrison Thomas and Mary J. Richardson. Her grandfather,
Reuben Thomas, was a native of New Hampshire, and one of the first settlers of this
town. Mr. and Mrs. Covey have had two children : Milton H. and Pearl M. Mr.
Covey is a Republican in politics and a member of P. of H. No. 549 of West Parish
ville. Covey, David M., Stockholm, was bora February 23, 1824, in Stockholm, on the farm
settled by his father, Samuel, a son of Joseph Covey. The latter was born on the Del
aware River about 1760, from which place his mother and family were driven by the
Indians in Revolutionary times. Joseph settled in Windham county, Vt, and there
lived and died. Samuel Covey was born in Windham, Vt, in 1798. In 1822 he came
to Stockholm and settled'on the farm of thirty acres now owned by subject. Here he
spent his life, becoming a prosperous farmer, and at his death owned 240 acres of land.
His wife was Roxsena, daughter of Joseph Franklin (who was a second cousin of Ben
jamin Franklin). The mother of Mrs. Covey died in Vermont when the latter was but
twelve years of age. Joseph Franklin was twice married. He spent his last days with
his daughter in Stockholm, where he died in 1840. Mr. Covey and wife had seven
children, four of whom survive. He died in 1886, and his wife in 1850. David M.
was born on a farm and received a common school education. He follows general
farming and dairying, keeps eighteen cows and owns 160 acres of land on lots 99 and
100 of Stockholm. The wife of Mr. Covey was Laura A. Dustin, who was born in
Potsdam, and a daughter of Parley Dustin, one of the early settlers of Stockholm. Mr.
Covey belongs to the People's party. He has been a student and is a spiritualist in re
ligion, having for many years been an investigator of that subject. Mis. Covey died
October 21, 1889.
Coates, T. A., Edwardsville, was born in Morristown, July 3, 1854. In 1876 he
married Addie Breckenridge, and they have four children. Mr. Coates's father was

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 279
T. H. Coates. His mother was Lucy Ann (Castle) Coates. Although quite a young
man Mr. Coates is looked upon as one of the representative farmers of Morristown.
Rogers, Clark, Brier Hill, was born in Morristown, August 6, 1864. He is one of
the progressive men of the town to -day and a successful farmer. In 1886 he married
Esta Potter, and they have two children, Vera and EtheL Mr. Rogers's father was
David Rogers, and his mother Christie (Haggart) Rogers.
Colnon, J. W., Ogdensburg, was born in Brownsville. He moved from Potsdam to
this city in 1886, and purchased his present flour and feed mills. Prior to this time he
had conducted for thirty years an important and successful business in Potsdam, with
the exception of two and one-half years when he was in Vermont. Mr. Colnon mar
ried Miss Hamett Perkins of Watertown, by whom he had three children. Some time
after her death he married second, Margaret Lynch, and had two children. Mr. Colnon
employs a number of experienced millers and his flour and feed, graham and buckwheat
flour, etc., reach all parts of this county. More especially is his trade devoted to the
city where he contracts a greater portion of patronage. Mr. Colnon is an affable,
agreeable and thorough business man of fine physique, and is much esteemed in this
county. Carswell, John, Ogdensburg, was born in Oswegatchie, Jnne 14, 1846. His father
settled near Montreal early in life, and soon afterward went to Oswegatchie. The sub
ject has resided in Ogdensburg and conducted a boot and shoe business for the past
twenty years, and for five years prior to that time was situated at Lisbon in the same
business. He married in 1873 Martha Seyer and they have four children living. Mrs.
Carswell is one of a very respectable and old family of this county. Her brother is
Ransom E. Seyer, the baker and confectioner of this city, and her father resides near
Ogdensburg, where he possesses considerable land and property.
Clark, M. W., Stockholm, was born in Stockholm, June 19, 1824. He is a son of
William P. Clark, a native of Bristol, Vt., born in August, 1796. He was reared on a
farm, but early in life learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed as a life occu
pation. About 1816 Mr. Clark came to Stockholm, where he followed his trade more
than forty years. He married Hannah Perrin of Potsdam, by whom he had eight chil
dren, of whom two daughters and three sons grew to maturity. Mr. Clark, in com
pany with Aberon Buttolph and Fred P. Sprague, manufactured pitch-forks, being the
first manufacturer of these articles in this part of the country. Mr. Clark was also a
real estate owner, having thirty-five acres, which is now owned by our subject In
politics Mr. Clark was always a Democrat. He died in May, 1856. M. W. Clark was
reared a blacksmith until twenty-four years of age. He then engaged in farming, and
with the exception of two years spent on the railroad, has followed that occupation.
Mr. Clark has become one of the leading farmers of Stockholm. He owns 135 acres
of land and also a half interest in the Bicknellville woolen mills. Mr. Clark married
Lovice P. Stafford of Parishville, who in an early day came to Stockholm with her
parents. The children of our subject are Corydon, Xenia and Bertha. In politics Mr.
Clark is a Democrat, but he has never aspired to public office. He is a member of P.
of I. of Sanfordville.

280 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Church, Jonathan, Pierrepont, was born in Camden, April 24, 1840, a son of Hiram
Church, a native of Dorset, Vt., born June 15, 1799. The wife of Hiram was Huldah
Madison, a native of the same place, born September 20, 1800. They had seven chil
dren. In 1840 Mr. Church and family settled on a farm in Camden, and in 1842 went
to Pierrepont, where they died in 1870 and 1875 respectively. Jonathan was educated
in the common schools. He has always been a farmer and now owns 163 acres of land
and keeps twenty cows. May 9, 1867, he married Ellen Colton, a native of Vermont,
and daughter of Zebina Colton, mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs.
Church have had two children : Lelia, a teacher ; and Lola. Mr. Church is a Republi
can in politics and liberal in his views on religious subjects.
Carpenter, Robert Byron, Potsdam, was born on a farm in Potsdam, January 11,
1820. The grandfather of our subject, William, was a native of Massachusetts, born in
Charlestown in 1752, where his whole life was spent. He served in the American
army in the war of the Revolution, and was at the battle of Bunker Hill. Before en
listing he had emigrated to New Hampshire, and at the close of the war he returned to
New Hampshire, married while in the service and settled in Swansea. His wife's
maiden name was Lucina Sumner, and they had these children : Clement, Guy, Will
iam, Sarah, Ralph, George Samuel, Joseph, James and Ezra. Clement, the oldest son,
and father of our subject, was born at Keene, N. H., October 10, 1781, and came to
this county with his father in the spring of 1807. Clement lived there but a short
time when he sold and bought 150 acres where he made his home until 1827, and then
bought 100 acres. He married in New Hampshire. Elizabeth Gilman, a native of
that State, and they had ten children: Eliza, who married Anson Dickenson, died in
1845 ; Emily, married Henry B. Webb, died in 1859 : Sarah, married Jacob Clark, died
in 1890; Guy, died in 1849; Mary Ann, married Morris Pierce, died in 1858; David,
died in December, 1891 ; Joel, died in January, 1891 ; Zelinda, married Henry Wy
man, died in 1873 ; Martha, married Preston H. Carpenter died April 15, 1893 ; and
Robert B. Clement died May 1, 1860. Mrs. Carpenter died March 20, 1863. The
whole life of our subject has been spent on this farm, which he has increased to 350
acres. He was educated in the common schools and the old St. Lawrence Academy.
He is a staunch Republican. His whole life has been devoted to farming. He still
conducts the homestead farm at the age of seventy-three years. He married in 1845,
Arvilla, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Bannister, and they have had eight children :
Martha, wife of Henry E. Shaw, a railroad claim agent, Spokane Falls, Wash ; Mary,
married N. J. Abernathy, a farmer of Madrid; J. Guy, station agent, Marion, Ind.;
Sarah, married Alexander McKnight, died in 1889 ; James, died in 1890 ; William, a
farmer of Seabeck, Wash. ; David, a lawyer of Helena, Mont ; and Clement, in the
railroad office at Spokane Falls, Wash.
Carpenter, L. P., Gouverneur, was born in Hermon, April 26, 1846, and has been en
gaged in many lines of business. He is now a farmer and owner of a residence in
Gouverneur. In 1882 he married Annie Smith, and they have three children. Mr.
Carpenter farms 100 acres of land for dairy purposes. Mr. Smith's father is Benjamin
Smith of Oxford Mills, Canada.

¦ PERSONAL SKETCHES. 281
Callanan, Thomas F., Ogdensburg, was born February 10, 1859. He, after receiving
an excellent education, immediately commenced active business operations in several
lines. For a short time he had under his control the entire block since purchased by
the Edgar Merrell Company ; besides sub-letting portions he conducted an agency for
billiard tables, a wholesale and retail liquor business, besides doing a general specula
tive trade. April 12, 1892, he started his butcher business on Ford street, near Natt's
grocery, where he already controls a large trade. Mr. Callanan also conducts, further
up the street, a liquor business under the management of a competent assistant. He
employs from four to eight hands constantly. In 1882 he married Margaret Mulaney
of Ogdensburg, and they have two sons.
Carpenter, A. S., Gouverneur, was born in Hailesboro, February 15, 1823. He has
been a farmer all his life since twenty-eight years of age. Previous to that he learned
and for some time followed the trade of carpenter. In 1855 he married Elizabeth
McArthur, and they have one daughter, Josephine. Mr. Carpenter is interestedin
raising Shropshire sheep. He is a brother of Dr. James Carpenter of Gouverneur, and
a son of Jonathan Carpenter, a native of Rhode Island.
Capron, Royal E., Edwardsville, was born in Rhode Island, November 15, 1836. He
left that State at fourteen years of age and went to Chicago where he remained three
years, coming to Edwardsville in 1858. He has conducted the Capron House twenty
years. In 1858 he married Susanna, daughter of H. J. Pohlman, and their children are :
Irwin, William, Claude Emma, Jessie, Laura and Susan. Jessie was appointed post
mistress of Edwardsville, May 24, 1893. Mr. Pohlman was one of the early settlers
on Black Lake. Mr. Capron's father was' Royal, and his mother Desire (Burdick)
Capron. Chapman, H. A., Morristown, was born in Morristown in the house he now occu
pies, July 2, 1850. His business operations have been mainly confined to the manage
ment of his large property interests. He conducted a paper factory for four years and
was one of the promoters of the First National Bank of Ogdensburg. In 1874 Mr.
Chapman married Laura Sheppard, and they have three sons: Henry Hooker, Charles
Sheppard and George Augustus. Mr. Chapman is highly popular in Morristown owing
to his liberality and his interests in churches, schools and the general prosperity of the
place. 1 He has been trustee of the village six years and held other local offices.
Clark, Charles A., Gouverneur, was born in Potsdam, November 12, 1836. After
clerking for a time he embarked in mercantile business for himself, and has been a suc
cessful man. In 1868 he began the milling business in Hailesborough, in which he is
engaged. In 1860 he married Jean Herbert, and their children were : W. T. Clark, the
present supervisor of the town ; and Charles H., who is connected with the Watertown
Times. His first wife died and Mr. Clark married Arlina Phillips. In politics he is a
Republican, and has been identified with the party since the days of Fremont.
!•¦ Corbin, Charles M., Gouverneur, was born in Gouverneur, November 25, 1837. He
was a cattle dealer thirty-one years, and has since been engaged in farming. He is
known all over this county as the man who spent a fortune in fighting railway monop-
ii

282 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
oly, refusing a rebate on shipments that was not granted other shippers. In 1859 Mr.
Corbin married Arlina McComb, and they have two daughters, Ada and Mrs. McWill-
iams of Gouverneur. His father was Amasa Corbin, one of the leading men of this
county in his time.
Cogswell, Seth L., Madrid, was born in Madrid, December 8, 1850. He was edu
cated in the common schools and took up farming. He has been engaged in various
enterprises in connection with his farm duties, spending one year on the road for a
marble firm, and one year a salesman of nursery stock. In 1886 he bought a portion of
the old homestead farm and has increased it by purchase until now he owns 138 acres.
A year later he began dealing in agricultural implements, and to that business in 1889
he added the handling of wagons and fine carriages. He handles the D. S. Morgan
mowers, reapers, rakes, harrows, etc., and buys for the market the Emerson & Fisher
fine carriages and Milburn & Co. farm wagons. Mr. Cogswell is a Republican, but has
never been an aspirant to public office. He married in 1881 Maggie Martin, of Win
chester, Ontario, who died five years after marriage. She left two children : Bessie
V. and Minnie E. Mr. Cogswell married again December 14, 1887, Alice E., daugh
ter of William Phillips, of Madrid, and they have one child, Hazel R., now in her sec
ond year.
Coggswell, Enos Loomis,- Madrid, was born in the town of Sherlock, Chittenden
county, Vt, June 14, 1804, and was only three years of age when his parents moved
into St. Lawrence county. This was then a new country just being opened up, and
Seth Coggswell, father of our subject, took up a farm of 100 acres, which he redeemed
from a wilderness into a garden, reared a family of four children and spent the balanca
of his days. He died July 12, 1862. The mother of our subject, Hannah Martin, was
a native of Massachusetts, born in Lanesborough, May 13, 1776, and died in Madrid,
July 15, 1833. The four children of Seth and Hannah Coggswell were : Laura, who
married Truman Wilcox, of Potsdam ; Paulina, married Alanson Durfey, of Madrid ;
Wait Martin, the oldest son, became a farmer and died October 31, 1827, at twenty-six
years of age ; and Enos L., our subject. The whole life of our subject has been spent
in this town. He was educated in the common schools and has always followed farm
ing. In politics in early life Mr. Coggswell was a staunch Democrat, but at the forma
tion of the Republican party he joined their ranks. He has held numerous offices of
honor and trust in this town. Mr. Coggswell is the only living witness of the ac
cident at Madrid Dam in the Grass River, May 9, 1818, when six men were drowned.
He is a man of wonderful memory of the early history of the town and tells many in
teresting stories of the first buildings in the town. He has always been an active
member of the Universalist church, and was one of the founders of the first Uni
versalist church of this town. He has always been an active and thorough worker and
lived on the old homestead farm until June -12, 1879, when he removed to a small place
with ten acres attached in the village of Madrid, leaving his sons to conduct the farm.
Mr. Coggswell has been twice married, first, February 16, 1831, to Eliza Gibbs, by
whom he had four children : Harriet, who married Milo Lockwood, a stone cutter of
Madrid, and died April 9, 1886, leaving one son, Sylvanus R., of Madrid ; Betsey Vene-

FERSONaL SKETCHES. 283
tia, wife of William Phillips ;, Martin Enos and Seth Loomis conduct the old homestead
farm. Mrs. Eliza G. Coggswell died February 19, 1852, and he married second, Sep
tember 7, 1856, Elmina Bailey, daughter of Isaac Bailey, of Vermont.
Clark, Harry Noble, Potsdam, was born on his present farm in Potsdam, January 12,
1834. The earliest ancestor of this family we find trace of was Nathan Clark, who,
with four brothers, served in the War of the Revolution and was at the battle of Bunker
Hill, Nathan as quartermaster-general. His home was at Tinmouth, Vt, but was a
native of Connecticut. He was judge of probate of Rutland county. He was three
times. married and was the father of eight children, five sons and three daughters.
Harry, father of our subject, was the second son. He was born in Tinmouth, Vt, in
1786, where he remained until March, 1833, when he moved to St. Lawrence county
and bought a tract of 220 acres, where he has since resided. He was twice married.
His first wife was a Taylor and was the mother of six children. His second wife was
Lucinda Lord, of Shrewsbury, Vt, born April 15, 1796, a daughter of Philip Lord, who
also served in the War of the Revolution and in the French and English War. Both
grandfathers of our subject served hi the battle at Quebec. Philip Lord was a native of
Ipswich, Mass. Harry and Lucinda (Lord) Clark were the parents of six children, two
now living. Mr. Clark died January 8, 1846, and his wife March 4, 1884. The other
son of Harry Clark living is Nathan Edgar Clark. These two brothers have always
been interested together in farming the homestead farm. They were educated in the
common schools; and Nathan spent some time in the old St. Lawrence Academy.
Harry spent about seven years in California engaged in mining, but has always made
this his home. H. and N. E. Clark now own about 950 acres of land in Potsdam and
Canton which is devoted to dairying. They have a cheese factory on their farm, and
have 110 cows, ten horses, seventy-five sheep, etc. Harry Clark married, April 3, 1877,
Julia, daughter of Humphrey and Margaret (Murphy) Leary, of Potsdam, and they have
four children : William N., bom August 31, 1880 ; Harry N., born December 3, 1885 ;
Mary L., born June 17, 1888; and Margaret D., born March 18, 1890. Mrs. Clark was
bom November 24, 1858.
Clark, Nathan Edgar, Potsdam, was born March 17, 1837, and married, February 21,
1879, Emma L., daughter of Philip and Sally (Knight) Lord, of Ludlow. They have
two children : Nathan E., born June 26, 1882, and Lizzie D., born February 22, 1886.
Mr. Clark is a member of Raquette River Lodge No. 213, F. & A. M.
Church, Charles B., Potsdam, was born in Canton, December 20, 1830. The earliest
ancestor we find trace of in this family is the grandfather of our subject, who was a
native of Vermont and the father of four sons, of which Jonathan, the father of our
subject, was the oldest. He was born in Dorset, Vt, September 23, 1785. He fol
lowed farming until 1808, when he removed to this section, locating in South Canton,
where he took up a tract of 100 acres, but remained there only a short time when
he removed to near Crary Mills, where he remained until his death, August 29, 1867.
He married in Canton, December 20, 1810, Amelia Lloyd, of Colwell's Manor, Canadai
and they had nine children, four of whom are still living : Robert L., retired, of Can
ton ; Ashley, manufacturer of Canton ; Eliza M., widow of Dr. Alvin Ames, of Can-

281 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ton ; and Charles B. The early life of Charles was spent on the farm in Canton. He
was educated in the common schools and learned the blacksmith trade with Nathan G
Howard at Crary's Mills, but followed this trade only a short time when he returned to
farming, and was engaged in that occupation in Pierrepont, Potsdam and Canton until
the breaking out of the war, when, October 10, 1861, he enlisted in the Ninety-second
N. Y. Infantry, and served with them three years and three months. He served as a
private only twenty days when he was commissioned second lieutenant, and made the
captain of Company D, January 1, 1863, which office he held when mustered out, Jan
uary 7, 1865. He was in the battles of Williamsburg, Cold Harbor, before Petersburg,
Kingston, N. G, where he was wounded, Goldsboro, Newburn, and many others with
the Army of the James. After his return home he took up farming, which he followed
until 1885, when he retired. He is now notary public and justice of the peace of Pots
dam. He married, January 31, 1853, Caroline G, daughter of Edward Crary, whose
father, Nathan, was one of the first settlers of Potsdam, and it was Edwin Crary for
whom the settlement of Crary's Mills was named. Mr. and Mrs. Church have had five
children, three now living : Edwin A., a musician and composer, now in one of the
Western States; Anna E., wife of Edmund Hamilton, of Potterville, Mich.; and Les
lie H., a clerk in the post-office and store at Crary's Mills. Amelia Lloyd and her
brother came to this country about 1808. Robert Lloyd became a prominent con
tractor on the Erie Canal. After he completed this he died on his way to Virginia in
1837. Couper, Joseph, Morristown, was born in Morristown, April 8, 1824. He learned the
carpenter's trade, but only followed it ten years, since which he has been farming, own
ing a very fine place of 278 acres. In 1855 he married Emily G, daughter of A. W.
Church, and they have a family of three sons and four daughters. Mr. Couper's father,
George, was a native of England, who came to Morristown in 1818, being one of the
earliest settlers in this part.
Couper, Joseph P., Morristown, was bora in Morristown, March 16, 1828. He has
followed farming all his life, and is one of the most extensive farmers of the county.
He married first Hannah Wilson, and their children were : Mary Augusta (now Mrs.
John Whitherhead), Edgar J., and Walter T., the latter an assistant professor of Greek
and Latin in Hamilton College. Mr. Couper's second wife was Josie Long, and his
present wife was Janet E. Ferguson. His father, Joseph Couper, left England in 1817
and settled in Morristown in 1818, after a short sojourn in Canada.
Clark, S. L., Parishville, was born in Hermon, this county, May 11, 1844, a son of
Jedediah S., whose father, Jedediah, sr., was a native of Rockingham, Vt. He had ten
children and came to Hermon in 1841, where he resided until his death in 1850. Jede
diah S. was born in Rockingham, Vt, March 31, 1816, and married while there Char
lotte A. Mott, by whom he had six children. In 1840 he went to Hermon, and about
1870 to Norwood, where he engaged in groceries, farming, etc., and in 1878 went to
Parishville, where he died in 1882. He was a Democrat, and he and wife were mem
bers of the Baptist church. S. L. Clark was educated in the common schools of Her
mon, and started in life as a teacher, which he followed for five years, working on the

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 285
farm during vacations. In 1871 he came to Parishville and engaged in the drug busi
ness in company with J. H. Miller, M.D. After one year he bought out Mr. Miller and
continued in business over five years, when he sold out to Mr. Newton. About 1877
our subject engaged in the grocery business and in 1880 formed a partnership with
H. L. Dagget ; in 1883 bought him out and also purchased the Union store in Par
ishville and soon afterwards formed a partnership with G E. and H. I. Sanford.
After three years he sold his interest in the store and bought them out in the lum
ber business. In 1876 he engaged in the manufacture of butter tubs, turning out
about 20,000 annually, and has since increased the output to 350,000. He has also
been engaged extensively in the manufacture of lumber since 1880. He owns a half
interest in the Parishville Lumber Company. The firm of S. L. Clark & Son employs
125 men in summer and fifty-five in winter. September 5, 1864, Mr. Clark enlisted
in the First N. Y. Light Artillery, serving till the close of the war. August 4, 1865,
he married Mary E. Keeler, a native of Spencerville, Ontario, by whom he had four
children : Charlotte A., Plina J., Ernest S., who died in 1882, and Earl K, who died
in 1880. Mrs. Clark died September 15, 1891. and June 7, 1893, Mr. Clark married
Mrs. Mary (Keeler) Berry. Mr. Clark is a member of Amber Lodge No. 395, F. &
A. M., also of the G. A. R., Rockwell Post No. 328. He is a member of the Baptist
church of Parishville.
Clutterbuck, William H., Ogdensburg, was born in Brockville, Ontario, July 7, 1862.
His father, Henry, settled in Brockville from England about 1842. William H. re
ceived his education in the schools of Brockville, and in 1879 came to Ogdensburg and
engaged in the hotel business, with which he has since been identified. He em
ploys about seven assistants. Mr. Clutterbuck is a member of Ogdensburg Lodge
No. 128, Chapter 63 Ogdensburg Commandery, St. Lawrence Lodge of Perfection,
and of the Syracuse Consistory. He is also a prominent Odd Fellow, a member of
Elijah White Lodge. He married in 1887 Emma Bell, of Ogdensburg, and they have
one daughter. During his residence and business career in this city Mr. Clutterbuck
has made many friends.
Crawford, George A., Edwardsville, was born in Edwardsville, March 6, 1866. He
followed farming for some time and seven years ago began mercantile business in Ed
wardsville. His father is David Crawford. His mother was Margaret (Mayberry)
Crawford, both parents were natives of Ireland.
Clark, James, Gouverneur, one of ten children of James and Lydia (Woodward)
Clark, was born on the family homestead in Gouverneur, where he now lives. The
father, James, came to Gouverneur to live in August, 1831. He was born in Franklin
county, Mass., as was also his wife, Lydia (Woodward) Clark. He died here in De
cember, 1878, aged nearly eighty-two. The grandfather, James Clark, was also born
in Massachusetts, where he lived and died. Mr. Clark has always lived on the home
stead. The farm comprises of 330 acres and is used as a dairy farm, carrying a dairy
of about forty cows. On the farm is a sugar bush of about 500 trees, producing from
1 400 to 1,600 pounds of sugar the season. Mr. Clark has served the town as assessor
continuously for the past eighteen years. He is now serving a second term as master

286 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
of Gouverneur Grange, he being interested in all movements to further the agricultural
interests of the town and section.
Cox, James A., Potsdam, was born in Potsdam, November 28, 1849, a son of Charles,
the first to establish a dry goods store in Potsdam. The latter was born in Pomfret, Vt,
in 1813 and came to live with his uncle Thomas Cox, a fur dealer and restaurant keeper
in Potsdam. He married Martha J. McCrea of Fort Covington, and they had three
children, all living. Mr. Cox also had a son by his first wife, Charles Cox of Potsdam.
The brother of our subject, H. M. Cox, is a physician in New York city. James A.
was the youngest son and was educated in old St. Lawrence Academy, and at the
Poughkeepsie Military Academy. In 1873 he became a partner in his father's store,
making the firm name Cox, Herrick & Co. This partnership lasted until the death of
his father in 1887, when Cox & Herrick bought the interests of the senior member and
this company conducted the business until the death of Mr. Herrick, January 13, 1889.
Mr. Cox bought his interest and was alone in the business until January 5, 1892, when
he was joined by E. E. Maxfield, making the firm now Cox & Maxfield, No.' 7 Market
street, where in 1888 Mr. Cox built a block three stories high. Mr. Cox is a member of
Raquette River Lodge No. 231, F. & A. M. He married in 1888, Alice A. Heath of
Watertown. Colburn, Benjamin, Ogdensburg, was born in Canada, near North Augusta and lived
in that vicinity until about seven years of age, when he came to St. Lawrence county.
He was well to do, but through misfortune lost most of his property in Canada. He
served as clerk of the Division court of Leeds and Granville for over seven years, and
was proprietor of the leading grist mill in North Augusta, besides possessing consider
able other property. Mr. Colburn lived in Gouverneur for three or four years, then
came to Ogdensburg and engaged in carriage making and general blaoksmithing, in the
prosecution of which industry he is assisted by two sons. He also has a son in the
employ of Gates Curtis. Mr. Colburn married in 1855 Harriet Earl, and they have had
eight children.
Breckenridge, M. P., Morristown, was bom in Macomb, July 3, 1854. His father
was a farmer, and he followed that occupation till 1891, whom he moved into Morris
town and opened his livery stables and carriage repository. He sells the vehicles of H.
H. Babcock, the union gear and Watertown spring. In 1878 he married Cassie Row
land, daughter of Harvey Rowland, and they have two sons and three daughters.
Buckley, John H., Gouverneur, was born in Rutland county, Vt., and came to St.
Lawrence county in 1884. He was a diamond drill man, and successful in his trade.
He conducts the Wegatchie Hotel, the only hostelry in the village. In 1874 Mr. Buck
ley married Mary Kelly, and they have two daughters, Maggie and Mary. Mr. Buck
ley is of Irish descent.
Bloss, George W., Parishville, was born in Canada, August 24, 1838, one of thirteen
children of Samuel and Patty (Jones) Bloss. Samuel was a native of New Hampshire,
and by his first wife, who was. a Miss Bloss, he had six children. Mr. Bloss came to
Canada, and afterwards to Parishville, where he died. George W. Bloss was reared on
a farm and educated in the common schools. At the age of twenty-one he came to

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 287
Parishville and engaged in farming, and with the exception of five years in the cooper
trade, has since followed that occupation. He owns 160 acres and keeps fifteen cows.
Mr. Bloss married in Parishville, Jane Parker, a native of that place, and daughter of
Hiram Parker. They have one child, Jennie, the wife of William Hart of Parishville.
Mr. Bloss is a Republican in politics, and he and wife attend the M. B. church, though
liberal in the support of all churches.
Briggs, Benjamin P., Parishville, was born in Grafton county, N. H., August 16,
1820, a son of Ebenezer, a native of the same place, born in 1785, who married Lois
Shattuck, by whom he had five children. He came to Parishville in 1839 and died in
1869. He was one of the leading men of his native town, where he was honored
by numerous town offices. He was a minute man in the War of 1812 and an of
ficer in the militia. His wife died in 1868. Benjamin P. Briggs was reared on the
farm on which his father was born and educated in the common schools. He came
to Parishville with his parents when nineteen years old and has always been en
gaged in farming, owning 200 acres of land. In 1871 he came to Parishville, and
has since led a retired life. In 1849 Mr. Briggs married Caroline Keach, a native of
Rhode Island, born in 1824. She is a daughter of Amasa Keach and Abbie Hull, who
came to this town in 1840. They had three sons and three daughters. Mr. Keach
went to Illinois, where he died in 1863, his wife having died in 1860. Mr. and Mrs.
Briggs have had six children : Lawson D., Josephine D., Horace, Georgia D., Abbie J.
and Samuel. Mr. Briggs is a Republican and a member of the Amber Lodge No. 395,
F. & A. M., of Parishville. He has always been a member of the M. E. church, and as
sisted largely in building the Parishville church, in which he was trustee for fifteen
years. His wife was a member of the M. E. church for many years, but is now a mem
ber of the Baptist church. The father of Ebenezer Briggs, Nathaniel, was a soldier of
the Revolutionary War under Washington. Horace A. Briggs was born in Parishville,
August 15, 1853. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools and
Potsdam Normal School, supplemented by a course at the Oberlin Telegraphic College,
from which he graduated in 1876. He followed teaching for a number of years, but
his principal occupation has been farming. March 7, 1880, he married a Miss Potter, a
native of Russell, N. Y. Mr. Briggs is a Republican in politics.
Boody, Joseph, Pierrepont, was born in Vermont, December 7, 1815, a son of Eza-
riah and Susannah (Barker) Boody, he a native of New Hampshire and she of Vermont.
They had seven sons and four daughters. Mr. Boody and family came to Pierre
pont in 1837 and resided there until their death, he in 1839 and she in 1877. Joseph
Boody was twenty-two years old when he came to Pierrepont, and in 1846 he married
Sarah Russell, by whom one child was born, Amanda E., who was educated in the Pots
dam Normal School. She followed teaching for several years, and excelled in penman
ship, at one time taking the highest prize offered among a large number of com
petitors. Her death occurred at the age of twenty-six years. Mr. Boody and wife
have one adopted son, George W., a merchant at Parishville Centre, where he is also
postmaster. His wife was Ida Nightengale. Mr. Boody owns 179 acres of land. In
politics he is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the M. E. church at Hanawa
Falls. Mrs. Boody, wife of our subject, was born in Parishville in 1823, a daughter of

288 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Abram Russell and Mary Kenyon, natives of Rhode Island, who moved to Vermont
and thence to Parishville. He finally moved to Colton in 1832, where his wife died in
1 855, and he spent his last eight years with our subject.
Borland, G W., Lisbon, was born at De Kalb, October 23, 1862. After receiving a
good education in the public schools of this town he learned the process of cheese
manufacturing with George Lalone, with whom he remained for some time. After
becoming thoroughly proficient in this important branch of industry he started his pres
ent factory in Lisbon some three years since, where he enjoys the confidence of the
community to a marked degree, inasmuch that now his annual output is over 9.000
pounds of superior cheese. Mr. Borland married in 1887 Libbie Creighton, and .they
have two sons. Mr. Borland is an energetic, careful and popular manufacturer and
citizen, and is much respected and esteemed by all.
Baird, Robert J., Stockholm, was born in Lawrence, N. Y., November 25, 1856. He
is a son of Henry Baird, who was born in Ireland in 1826. The latter emigrated to
Burlington, Vt. and after two years settled on the farm in Lawrence, now owned by
subject. In 1872 he bought an adjoining farm in Stockholm and there spent the re
mainder of his life. Mr. Baird was twice married, first to Margaret Baird, a native
of Ireland, by whom he had one son and two daughters. She died in June, 1869,
and he married second Sarah J. Robinson, of Madrid, N. Y., who at present resides
in Stockholm with her son. Mr. Baird died November 23, 1891. Robert J. was edu
cated in the common schools and is a progressive farmer, owning 265 acres in Stock
holm and Lawrence, and keeping thirty-five cows. He has on his farm two silos, hold
ing fifty tons each. He makes a specialty of breeding improved Chester white swine.
In politics he is a Republican, and at present holds the office of assessor. He is a
member of the I, 0. 0. F., Winthrop Lodge No. 620, and P. of H. of Winthrop.
In 1881 our subject married Etta A. Meacham, a native of Stockholm, and they have
one child, Ernest H. Mrs. Baird is a member of the Free Will Baptist church of Fort
Jackson, N. Y.
Burnham, G. G, Gouverneur, was born in Macomb, September 26, 1859, and came to
his present residence in 1892, where he farms 235 acres of land. In 1883 he married
Cynthia Britton, and they have one daughter, Iva. Mr. Burnham's father was Hiram
G, and his mother Margaret (Fawcett) Burnham.
Balcome, Elon S., Canton, is one of the representative farmers of the town. He was
born in Denmark, Lewis county, N. Y., April 27, 1844, and settled about 1850 in the
town of Hermon, and on the farm where he now lives in 1882. He married Han
nah M. Golden, September 4, 1864, and they have had three children : Jane Ann, who
died September 7, 1868, aged two months and twenty-two days; Ruth M. ; and Morey
J. Elon S. is a son of Jefferson, who married Ruth Morey, both living. They have
three children : Morse K, of Baltimore, Md., who married Estelle Lovewell, and has
one daughter, Grace, who married Rollin T. Dickenson, by whom she has one child ;
Elon S. ; and Jane Ann, who married Mahlon Lovewell, and they have one child, Elon
J. Lovewell.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 289
Bissell, Ralph, Madrid, was born in Waddington, October 17, 1823. His father,
Ezekiel Bissell, was born in Connecticut, and when a young man emigrated to Vermont.
' In 1805 he came to Waddington, purchased a farm in the wilderness and commenced
clearing the farm our subject now owns. He returned to Vermont and married Loris
Yale, and then came to his Waddington farm in 1810, where his wife died. They had
one child, who died in infancy. He married second Annis Hurlburt, and they had two
daughters and three sons. Mr. Bissell was a Whig in politics. His wife was a mem
ber of the Congregational church, which he attended and supported. He and wife are
dead. Ralph Bissel was reared on a farm and educated in the St. Lawrence Academy
and Wesleyan Seminary. He has always been a farmer, owns 100 acres of land, and
keeps a dairy of fifteen cows. He married Mary G, daughter of Daniel Packard, of
Madrid, by whom he has had four children : Mary E., Annis H., Frank, and Carrie A.
He is a Republican in politics. He and family attend and support the Congregational
church. Barnes, A. N., Gouverneur, was born at Natural Dam, April 14, 1843, and early in
life took up carpentering and architecture. He is to-day the leading architect of this
part of the county. In June, 1868, Mr. Barnes married Hetty, daughter of Jefferson
Mclntyre. Mr. Barnes's father was Edwin R. Barnes, and his grandfather Rockwell
Barnes. He has designed and built many fine structures in this part of the county, in
cluding the Sherwood & Potter block, Waldorf's block, and the residences of Charles
Sherwood, E. T. Beardsley, Walter W. Hall, and Frank Daly. Mr. Barnes enlisted in
Company E, One Hundred and Ninety-third N. Y. Volunteers, in 1864, and remained
in service till the close of the war. He has been service commander of the Barnes
Post. ' Bowen, A. D., Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, November 16, 1848. He re
ceived a common school education, after which for from twelve to fourteen years he
followed sailing on the lakes. About 1879 he gave up the business and settled down
permanently in Ogdensburg in the grocery trade, which he has since successfully fol
lowed. His store is located on New York avenue, west side. Mr. Bowen married in
1874 Annie Kirk, and they have three children, two of whom are girls. Mr. Bowen
has served as supervisor for two or three terms and is a staunch Republican in poljtics.
His parents settled here just before the battle of the Windmill. Mr. Bowen is also an
active member of the Knights of Fidelity, Sobriety and Integrity.
Ball & Fletcher, Gouverneur. — This representative marble firm .was established Feb
ruary 4, 1893. They do all kinds of marble and monumental work and give estimates
on all kinds of the same, whether for cemetery or buflding purposes. F. A. Fletcher is
a native of England. He came to America in 1860. In 1881 he married Lily Liberty,
and they have two daughters : Pearl and Ruby. Rufus Ball is a native of Germany.
He came to America in 1887, and married Maud Lyons in 1891. Both gentlemen are
experts in this line and thorough business men.
Boland, William, Waddington, was bom in Ireland in 1848, and when a child came
to Waddington with his parents, John and Mary Boland, who had a family of three
sons and five daughters. Mr. Boland died in Waddington in ] 864 and his wife at pres-

290 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ent resides in the village. William Boland was educated in the Union Free School of
Waddington and started in life a poor boy, first working for William Clark. When the
war broke out he enlisted in the 142d N. Y. Infantry, and served for three years. He
was at Petersburg, Drury's Bluff, Richmond and many of the most decisive battles. In
front of Richmond Mr. Boland lost his left leg, and was wounded in the shoulder pre
vious to this at Drury's Bluff He was placed in the New York Park Hospital, and at
the close of the war returned to Waddington, where he found employment with Dal
zell & Reddington in their flax mill. He afterwards engaged with Mr. Harrison in
packing shingles, and for three years bought eggs for Dalzell & Rutherford, when he
engaged as cook for Capt. W. Murphy, with whom he remained ten years. Mr. Bo
land then engaged in the restaurant business for himself, and has been very successful.
In politics he is a Republican, and in religious belief and practice a Catholic, being a
member of the church at Waddington.
Blood, Amos, Potsdam, was born in Charleton, Worcester county, Mass., October 24,
1806. The ancestry of this family were English people. The great-grandfather of our
subject was Richard Blood, and we find that in 1736 he purchased a tract of 300 acres
of land near Charleton of Bellington, one of the original proprietors. Richard second,
grandfather of Amos, was born on the homestead in 1746 and always made his home
there. He was the father of eleven children, of whom Jacob, father of our subject was
the second son. Richard Blood died April 10, 1820. Jacob was born July 9, 1771.
In politics he was one of the old Federal party. He married Phoebe Eddy, also a na
tive of Charleton, and they had seven children, of whom our subject is the only one
living. Jacob died March 10, 1857, and Mrs. Blood, September 4, 1841, aged sixty-
seven years. The early life of our subject was spent in his native town. He worked
on the farm and was educated in the public schools. In the fall of 1834 he bought' a
farm of 125 acres where he followed farming until 1875, when he sold the farm and
bought a small place'in the village of West Potsdam, where he is now living retired.
Mr. Blood is a Republican and has held the office of commissioner of highways three
years, assessor two years, and justice of the peace twenty-one years. In 1849 he was
elected supervisor and served with great credit two years. He has been twice married.
In 1833 he married Electa Blood, a cousin, who died in 1837, leaving one child, Ed
mund, who died. Mr. Blood married second, October 1, 1840, Catherine, daughter of
Isaac and Matilda (Gage) Dayton, and they have had six children, five now living : Ze-
lia A., widow of Charles O. Owen, killed at the battle of Cold Harbor, June 2, 1864 ;
Freeman A., a farmer of Potsdam; Lefe E., widow of Emmett S. Goodale: Fred G.,
a journalist and lecturer at Mount Vernon, 111. ; and Elmer E., a cheese manufacturer
of Lisbon.
Butler, Ira Daniel, Potsdam, was born on his present farm in Potsdam, June 10, 1859.
The grandfather of our subject, Henry, was a native of Massachusetts, born at Pelham.
He was the father of six children, two sons and four daughters. William, the oldest
son, and father of our subject, was born on this farm October 1, 1822, where he has
always made his home. He has never taken any active interest in politics. He was
one of the founders of the Methodist church at Potsdam, and has been a trustee and
class leader for a great many years. He married in 1852, Sarah Jane, daughter of

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 291
Daniel and Sarah (Willis) Morgan of the town of Lawrence, and they have three chil
dren : Mary Jane, wife of Owen Martin of Ogdensburg; William Watson, a teacher of
stenography at Yonkers, N. Y. ; and Ira D. The whole life of our subject has been
spent on this farm. He was educated in the common schools and Potsdam State Nor
mal School, and after leaving school he took up farming, which he has ever since been
engaged in. The farm is conducted as a hay and grain farm. It has now 229 acres,
and is considered one of the best farms in this section. Mr. Butler is a Republican
but has never been on aspirant for public office. He and his family are members of the
Methodist church at Norwood. Mr. Butler married, November 27, 1881, Hannah May,
daughter of Harry and Mahala (Simmonds) Chittenden of Norwood.
Brodie, James, Gouverneur, was born in Scotland, June 4, 1815, and came to
America in 1834. He learned the tailoring trade in Scotland and followed it in
America. In 1862 he came to Gouverneur and established his present business.
Mr. Brodie has been married twice. His first wife was Helen McGregor, who died
in 1854. His second was Eliza Niblock, who died in 1873. He has four children,
two by each wife. They are : William Brodie, a farmer ; Catherine, who keeps
house for her father ; Arthur F., who lives in Kansas City ; and Mrs. Edwin Fow
ler, who lives in Kansas City. Mr. Brodie has been a very successful business man,
and has always been identified with the Presbyterian church. He is an elder in
the First Presbyterian church of Gouverneur.
Benson, Charles H., Potsdam, was born on a farm in Potsdam, January 27, 1854.
The earliest ancestor we find of this family was Seth Benson, who was a native of
Vermont, bora in Benson, in 1796. He was the father of eleven children of whom
Norman L., father of Charles, was the third son. He was born December 22, 1826,
in Vermont, and was only a lad when his parents moved into St. Lawrence county
and located. Norman L. took up farming. In 1849 he bought a farm of 180 acres,
where he has since resided. He married in March, 1848, Sarah M., daughter of Eli
Perry of Colton, and they had ten children, nine of whom are living. Mrs. Benson died
November 25, 1873. Charles was educated in the common schools and at Potsdam
State Normal School, and followed farming. He has here a beautiful home with a farm
of 460 acres, devoted to grain and dairying. He has eighty-six head of cattle, six
horses and other stock. The milk is sent to the cheese factory. Mr. Benson is one of
the supporters of the Universalist church of Potsdam. He married, February 26, 1879,
Emma J. Chase of Stockholm, and they had two children : Grace E. and Floyd G Mrs.
Benson died November 3, 1890, and he married second, April 12, 1893, Minnie M.,
daughter of George and Martha (Rich) Clark of Potsdam. George Clark died in 1877,
in the State of Colorado, and Mrs. Clark died in 1875.
Barry, Frank D., Potsdam, was born in Malone, Franklin county, N. Y., in 1834.
The father of our subject, James, was a farmer and real estate dealer. The early life
of our subject was spent in the town of his birth. He was educated at Franklin
Academy, Malone, and was engaged as bookkeeper with Knapp, Durkey & Co. for a
while and for several years was in the office of the Ogdensburg and L. G Railroad Com
pany at Malone. In 1870 he entered the Farmer's National Bank at Malone as book-

292 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
keeper and teller, a position he filled until 1878, when he changed to the National
Bank of Malone, as teller. In June, 1889, he came to Potsdam to take charge of the
People's Bank in this town, filling the office of cashier.
Baker, J. V., Gouverneur, was born in Antwerp, Jefferson county, and has been en
gaged in the insurance business seventeen years, sixteen of which have been in Gouv
erneur. He represents the leading fire and life insurance companies of the County, and
does a large business. Mr. Baker is a prominent Mason, a member of the Odd Fellows,
a Prohibitionist, and is treasurer of the Methodist church. His father was John W.
Baker, a Quaker preacher, as was also his grandfather. In 1871 Mr. Baker married
Louisa E. Harris, and they have three children.
Bixby, George H., Potsdam, was born in Potsdam, May 8, 1843. Solomon J.,
father of our subject, was born in Canton, December 11, 1818, and hag been engaged in
farming for the past twenty years in this town. He married Rebecca, daughter of
Reuben Batchelder, the first Baptist preacher of Potsdam. They had four children,
two of whom are living: Lewis, a clerk in a dry goods store in Utica, and George
W. The boyhood of the latter was spent in Canton. He was educated in old St.
Lawrence Academy, and was twenty years of age when he began work for Dem-
ing & Dayton. He was with them twelve years and with Watkins, Rodee & Co.
until 1885, when, in partnership with Hosea Bicknall, he established a grocery and
provision store in the People's Bank building, which they conducted together for
five years, when Mr. Bixby bought out the interest of Mr. Bicknall, and has since
conducted it alone. The coal business was established at the same time as the
partnership above referred to, and has grown to a yearly dealing of about 1,500
tons. Mr. Bixby is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having reached the thirty-
second degree, and a member of Raquette River Lodge No. 213, St. Lawrence
Chapter No. 24, and St Lawrence Commandery No. 28. He married in 1881,
Sadie A., daughter of Julius Hand of Potsdam, and they have one daughter, Marian.
Bouck, Gordon, Fowler, was born in Dundas county, Ontario, August 29, 1850, and
came to this country in 1870. He learned the trade of blacksmith and carriage maker
in Gouverneur, and there settled in Hailesboro, where he has resided sixteen years. In
1880 he married Delia Forsythe and they have two daughters, Addie and Inez. Jacob,
grandfather of our subject, was of Mohawk Dutch nationality, and his father, John G
Bouck, was born in Canada. In politics Mr. Bouck is a Republican, and he is a mem
ber of the Masonic fraternity and an adherent of the Methodist church, of which Mrs.
Bouck is a member.
Burnham, Francis S., Potsdam, was born on a farm in Potsdam, August 24, 1851, a
son of James M. Burnham, who was born in Greenfield, Mass., March 22, 1811, and
was only fifteen years of age when his parents moved into St. Lawrence county. His
father bought a farm of 156 acres. James was educated in the common schools, and
for a short time taught in Canada, but gave this up and took up farming. His father,
Sylvanus, died in 1871, when 101 years, four months and seventeen days old. The old
homestead came into the hands of James M. Burnham about 1841, and the farm now
consists of 166 acres. He has been three times married: First in October, 1835, to

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 293
Martha, daughter of Jonathan Buttolph of Potsdam, who died, and he married second,
June 19, 1839, Miranda, daughter of Abel Owen of Burlington, Vt, and they had one
son, Capt. Collins A. Burnham of Wemore, Nebraska. Mrs. Burnham died May 16
1840, and he married, November 3, 1840, Hannah, daughter of Francis Gillette of Stock
holm, and they had four children : Martha, married J. S. Buttolph, died July 24, 1883 •
Mary, married J. D. Whitney of Syracuse, died May 12, 1878; Miranda H., married
Fred Partridge of Norwood, where she now lives ; and Francis S. Mr. James Burn
ham is still living at eighty three years of age. The whole life of our subject has been
spent on the homestead farm. He was educated in the common schools and at Potsdam
State Normal School, and took up farming. He is a member of Potsdam Grange No.
39, and is a Republican. He married in 1873, Angusta, daughter of Isaiah and Electa
(Willis) Shields, and they are the parents of one son, James S., now in his seventeenth
year. Barbour, W. J., Ogdensburg, was bom in Norfolk, June 14, 1843. He has lived in
St. Lawrence county since a child of four vears of age, and has been identified with
musical merchandise trade here for the past twenty-six years. He has conducted the
leading establishment in Ogdensburg devoted to that important branch of industry for
the greater part of that time, but sold his interests to Edgar A. Merrill some months
ago, and now attends to the outside trade of the house, his territory consisting of
Northern New York, including St. Lawrence, Franklin and Jefferson counties. Mr.
Barbour married in 1871, Mary M. Houston, daughter of the late Henry Houston, and
they have four children living. He is a member of Ogdensburg Masonic Lodge No. 128,
and identified with local and social institutions.
Burtis, S., Gouverneur, was born in Jefferson county, December 15, 1844, and was a
farmer until twenty years ago. He ran a hotel for ten years, and has been in the bot
tling business in Gouverneur for twenty years. He is a successful business man and
owns the Burtis Block, besides other property. In 1870 he married Ettie Jones, and
they have one son, Stephen J., fifteen years of age, who is a promising youth and very
popular among a large circle of associates. He is a member of the Baptist church, as is
also Mrs. Burtis. Mr. Burtis is a strong Democrat, and a liberal supporter of all
laudable enterprises.
Brassard, John, Ogdensburg, was born in Canada, October 11, 1852. He came here
in 1865, and after leaving school was employed in several large lumber companies,
among them Messrs. Proctor, L. Thompson, and H. & A. Whitney. He then entered
the employ of the 0. & L. C. Railroad, where he was engaged for eleven years, begin
ning as a brakeman, and finally reaching the position of conductor. Owing to injury
received on the railroad he was compelled to leave, and established his present meat
business. He married in June, 1881, Mary Paquette. He is a member of St. John the
Baptist Society, and is highly esteemed by all who know him.
Beaman, F. B., De Kalb, was born in Antwerp, October 13, 1855. His father being
a farmer he followed that occupation till 1877, when he came to Richville and em
barked in drug business. In 1880 Mr. Beaman married Ruth A., daughter of Isaac
Walker and they have one son, Daniel W. Mr. Beaman has been a member the Rich-

294 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ville School Board since its organization, and has been its president for the past seven
years. His father was Ezra Beaman of Westminster, Mass., and his mother Lydia M.
Jones of New Hampshire. Some of his ancestors were soldiers of the Revolutionary
War, and one of his forefathers was one of the signers of the Declaration of Indepen
dence. Bacheller, Henry A., Pierrepont, was born in Pierrepont, January 4, 1844. His father,
P. L. Bacheller, was a son of Samuel and Sallie (Sanford) Bacheller, who had four sons
and three daughters. In 1829 Samuel came to Canton, where he died. P. L. Bachel
ler was born April 16, 1813, in Vermont and came to Canton at the age of sixteen. He
married Lovina Perkins, a native of Potsdam, and they have one son and six daughters.
After the death of his father, P. L. Bacheller and family, accompanied by his mother,
came to the town of Pierrepont and settled. Mr. Bacheller is a Republican in politics.
Henry A. was reared on a farm and educated in Potsdam Academy. He has always
followed farming, and now owns 200 acres of land, devoted to general farming and
dairying. June 11, 1873, Mr. Bacheller married Alice Woodworth, a native of Madrid
and daughter of Alanson G and Mary (Shaw) Woodworth, the former a native of Jef
ferson county and the latter of Vermont. They had two children, of whom only Mrs.
Bacheller is living. Mr. Woodworth died in Camden, Oneida county, and his wife is
now living in North Carolina.
Amo, George N., Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, April 21, 1856. His earlier
years were passed in doing odd jobs of whatever he could obtain, and eventually he
obtained employment in the 0. & L. G yard, where his energy and perseverance were
soon recognized by the officials, who appointed him yardmaster. After serving some
time in this capacity Mr. Amo entered the butcher business and dealt in cattle, and after
conducting this for a time entered the saloon business, two years ago the 27th of March,
1891. In this he has also been successful and his establishment is largely patronized.
Mr. Amo is a prominent member of the G M. B. A. He married in 1875, Louisa Roots,
and they have four children.
Amo, A. H., Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg, April 27, 1868. He received a
a common school education, after which he followed railroading for several years,
and in 1886 assumed charge of the hotel on Ford street, which he has since so suc
cessfully conducted. Mr. Amo married in 1874 and has a family of five children.
His parents are also living at the present writing.- He is a prominent member of
St. John the Baptist's Society, and is much respected and esteemed by a large circle
of friends and acquaintances, as well as by the general public.
Abernethy, Arthur W., Madrid, was born on a farm in Madrid, March 4, 1847, a
son of Roswell T. Abernethy, who was also a native of this town, born on the same
farm in August, 1808. His parents were the first settlers of the town, coming from
Vermont, and took up a large tract of land, which has ever since been in the hands
of the family. The early life of our subject was spent on the homestead, and he
was educated in the common schools. At eighteen years of age he entered the
general store of 0. G & J. H. Robinson of Madrid, where he was employed as a
clerk until the dissolution of the firm, April 1, 1876. He then became a partner

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 295
with 0. G Robinson, under the firm name of 0. G Robinson & Co. This compa
ny existed until1 March 1, 1890, doing a very extensive and successful business, both
mercantile and as stock and produce dealers. On the above date Mr. Robinson re
tired on account of ill health, and Mr. Abernethy has since conducted the business
alone, carrying a complete line of dry goods, boots and shoes, crockery, groceries and
general merchandise. Mr. Abernethy has always been a Republican, and is a mem
ber of the Madrid Baptist church, of which he is a trustee. He married, April 29,
1879, Margaret, daughter of John Robinson of Huntington, Quebec.
Austin, W. D., Edwardsville, was born in Depeyster, December 18, 1857, and has
been engaged in cheese making for eighteen years. In 1887 he entered into partner
ship with J. M. Tann in Edwardsville cheese factory, where they make 125,000 pounds
of cheese annually. In 1891 Mr. Austin married Florence E. Brown. He is a Mason,
a member of the Chapter, and has been master of the Blue Lodge. He is an active Re
publican and has been chairman of the town committee.
Allen, Dr. Alfred R., Parishville, was born in Nicholville, Franklin county, March 15,
1858. His father was Abel Allen, a native of Peru, Vt, born in 1812, and the father
of Abel was a native of England, who came to Vermont in an early day. He was a
sailor and spent most of his life on Lake Champlain. Abel was twice married and by
his first wife had three children. His second wife was Jane Holt, a native of Clin
ton county, by whom he had ten children, seven of whom grew to maturity. Mr.
Allen was for fifteen years engaged in sawmilling in Franklin county, then moved to
St. Lawrence county and settled in Stockholm, where he died in 1867, and his wife in
1891. Alfred R. was educated in the Lawrenceville Academy, and at the age of seven
teen was clerk for Charles Whiting of West Stockholm. In 1878 he began the study
of medicine with Dr. Cook, and after four years entered the University of Burlington,
Vt. from the medical department of which he graduated in 1882. He then came to
Parishville where he has practiced successfully since. In 1884 Dr. Allen married Min
nie A., daughter of Joseph Griswold. He is a Democrat and a member of Amber Lodge
No. 398, F. & A. M.
Ashley, Joseph, Ogdensburg, was born in Canada, March 14, 1846, his parents mov
ing here when he was three years of age. He received a meager education, and early
in life had to support his parents as well as himself. He labored faithfully, acquired
some little money, and about twenty years ago started a small grocery ; this he sold to
take a small farm near Lisbon, and after a time returned to Ogdensburg where he again
started a grocery trade. He now conducts one of the leading groceries and meat mar
kets on the west side. Mr. Ashley has been twice married. His first wife was Emily
Laberlie, by whom he had nine children. Mr. Ashley is a member of St. John the Bap
tist Society, and a staunch Republican.
Ayres, Stephen, Gouverneur, was bom in Gouverneur, February 22, 1824, and has
been a farmer all his life. He married Samantha Breese in 1853, and after her death
he married Elizabeth Kendall, by whom he had these children : Arthur, Louise, now
Mrs. Banker, and Nellie, a teacher in Danville, 111. In 1881 Mr. Ayres married Mary,

296 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
daughter of Barney Payne, of Massena. He follows farming, and both he and his wife
are members of the M. E. church.
Anstead, George A., Potsdam, was born on a farm in the town of Parishville, No
vember 14, 1848, a son of John Anstead, a native of Herkimer county, born in the town
of Manheim in 1816. He followed farming, and married after coming in to this coun
try Eliza, daughter of Gideon Crandall, of Pierrepont, and they were the parents of
four children, of whom only George A. survives. Jacob Anstead died March 11, 1861,
and Mrs. Anstead March 5, 1893. The early life of our subject was spent in the town
of Parishville. He was educated in the common schools, St. Lawrence Academy, and
a course at the Ogdensburg Business College. He was for three and one-half years
engaged in George B. Swan's sash and door factory in Potsdam, and in 1870 bought a
farm of ninety acres, where, in 1877, he built one of the finest residences in this part of
the town. In 1874 he established a milk route in Potsdam, which the first year only
demanded about seventy-five quarts per day, and now (1893) the average is 125 quarts
per day. Mr. Anstead married in June, 1872, Flora A., daughter of George A. and
Luceta (Smith) Loucks, and they have one adopted daughter, Maud Anstead.
Abell, Frank B., Gouverneur, was born in Canton, February 20, 1862, and has been
in mercantile business since eleven years of age. He first clerked in Canton and
was subsequently a partner with A. Kinney, of Gouverneur. He was also three years
with Whitney & Son, grocers. November 10, 1892, the partnership of Abell & Har
vey was formed. Mr. Abell is a Mason and was a member of the Marble City Lodge
of Foresters. His father was Charles G Abell, of Springfield, Mass., and his mother
was Roxanna Burde. Mr. Abell married Charlotte Dunley, and they had two daugh
ters and one son.
Ashley, Loren R., Potsdam, was born in the town of Stockholm, June 20, 1841. The
earliest ancestor we find of this family is the great-grandfather of our subject, Enoch
who was a native of Vermont, born in New Haven, May 11, 1759. He married Anna
Treat, also a native of Vermont, and they had three children : Sarah, Zenas and
Harry. Harry was bora in New Haven, Vt, January 2, 1794, and always made his
home in his native State. He married Betsey Warren, and they had six children, of
whom Norman, father of our subject, was the oldest. Norman was born in Vermont
April II, 1816. He was reared in his native State, educated in the common schools
and St. Lawrence Academy, and taught one or two seasons. He afterward followed
farming for a few years. He married in 1839 Rosalie Doud, of Vermont, and the
same year moved to St. Lawrence county, settling on a farm in Stockholm. In 1852
he engaged in mercantile business in Stockholm and after a few years came to Pots
dam, being engaged in a store in the village of Norwood, of which business he be
came the proprietor of later, and followed the balance of his life. Mr. Ashley
was an active church worker, and was trustee at the time of the establishing of the
Congregational church at Norwood. He died April 11, 1889. Norman was the father
of two sons: Loren Rolton and Henry. Mrs. Ashley, mother of our subject, is still
living. When subject was thirteen years of age his parents moved into Potsdam, where
he was educated in the common schools, old St. Lawrence Academy, and Cowansville

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 297
Academy in Canada. After leaving school he was engaged in his father's store, enter
ing into partnership when twenty-three years of age, and the firm of L. R. & H. Ash
ley succeeded N. Ashley & Son, and has ever since held a partnership in the business.
In the spring of 1886 Mr. Ashley formed a stock company, consisting of L. R. Ashley,
president; Henry Ashley, secretary; H. H. Day, superintendent; with the officers,
William McEchron, of Glens Falls, and F. L. Day, of Glens Falls, forming the board of
directors, under the name of Norwood Manufacturing Company, previously the Nor-
word Lumber Company. Mr. Ashley is also the vice-president of the State Bank of
Norwood, and is a member of the School Board of the Union Free School, and is the
vice-president of the Norwood Loan and Savings Association. Mr. Ashley married in
1863, Angeline, daughter of M. Valley, of Norwood, and they have five children.
Ashley, Frank, Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg in 1837. After learning the
meat market business he establish ed himself in that branch of industry here, conduct
ing establishments in different parts of this city. Prior to establishing his present first
class meat market, adjoining Howard's grocery store, he conducted a meat business
over the bridge. Mr. Ashley is a staunch Catholic, a member of St John the Bap
tist Society, and is much respected in the city. He is married and has three chil
dren. Adams, Milo, Parishville, was born in Dumerston, Conn., September 28, 1821, a son
of Clark, son of Nathan Adams, a native of Ireland, who early in life came to Dumers
ton. He was the father of thirteen children. Clark Adams was a native of Dumerston,
and married Leafy Stephens, whose father was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
They had six children. Clark lived in Brandon for eighteen years, then removed to
Hopkinton, where he died. Milo Adams was reared on a farm, and at the age of six
teen started out as traveling salesman, in which business he continued for twelve years.
In 1840 he bought the farm in Hopkinton originally owned by his father, and in 1865
he came to Parishville, where he bought and sold produce until 1874. He then engaged
in the mercantile business in partnership with Frank Clark, which firm continued six
years. Mr. Adams then engaged in partnership with his son, F. G Adams, for six
years, and then with Orlando Capell one year. Two years later he formed a partner
ship with his son, Henry Adams, and they carried on the business till 1893, at which
time the senior member retired, the firm being now known as Adams Brothers. Milo
Adams has been twice married, his first wife being Zada Lee, a native of Hopkinton, by
whom he had two sons : Fred G and Henry A. The former is engaged in business in
Colorado, and married Lula Cook, daughter of Samuel Cook, of Potsdam. Henry A. is
one of the firm of Adams Brothers of this town, and married Clara Sargeant, of Bangor,
N. Y., by whom he has one child, Milo Adams, jr. After the death of his first wife Mr.
Adams married second Dana Hayden, of Parishville, by whom he has two children :
Clark F., one of the firm of Adams Brothers ; and Grace. Mr. Adams has always been
a Democrat, and has held the offices of constable and collector in Hopkinton. He is a
member of Amber Lodge No. 395, F. & A. M., and St. Lawrence Chapter No. 24, R.
A. M. Henry A. Adams was born July 24, 1863, in Hopkinton, was educated in the
Potsdam Normal School, and entered the mercantile trade in Bangor, N. Y. He is a

298 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
member of Amber Lodge No. 395, F. & A. M., and he and wife attend and support the
Baptist church.
Allen, F. D., M.D., De Kalb, was bom in Antwerp, February 24, 1860. After a^
course of study in the Gouverneur Academy he took a medical course in the Univer
sity of the City of New York, graduating in 1885. He also took a course of study at
Burlington, Vt, and after graduating he began practice in Spragueville, but removed to
Gouverneur, and finally to Richville in 1888. In 1886 Dr. Allen married Anna J. Todd,
of Edwards. The doctor's father was Lorenzo D. Allen, and his mother Mary (Cum
mings) Allen.
Bancroft, William, Russell, was bora at Monterey (at present called De Grasse), this
county, February 8, 1871, a son of Samuel Bancroft, born at Detroit, September 29,
1811, whose father came from England to serve in the Indian wars. He was also a
soldier in the War of 1812. Samuel, father of William, first married Mary Rude, by
whom he had eleven children. His second wife was Phebe Cummings, born in Canada
West, May 2, 1830, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah Cummings, both of Canada. Her
father was a ship timber contractor on the Ottawa River. He served in the Canadian
militia in 1812, and was present at the battle of Chrysler's Field. Samuel, father of
William, was a cartman in Prescott, Ont, for some years, but moved in 1859 to Mon
terey, where he bought 100 acres of land in the woods, cleared a place for his house,
moved in and worked there the remainder of his life. He died September 26, 1885.
By his second wife Mr. Bancroft had three sons and one daughter : Daniel, bora August
6, 1862 ; Loren, born December 23, 1863 ; Sarah E., bom October 6, 1867 ; and William,
our subject, who was educated in the common schools of Russell and the Union School
of Hermon. He taught school for some time, thirty-four weeks in all, and then en
gaged in mercantile pursuits in De Grasse, where he is now located. He carries a first-
class trade, making a specialty of the hardware line. The parents of our subject were
members of the M. E. church. William, the oldest son of Samuel Bancroft, was in the
late war and was killed at the attack on Fort Steadman in 1865.
Wilder, William D., Lawrence, was born in Ellis Village, Jefferson county, December
16, 1835, a son of William S., whose father was Francis. William S. was born in Jef
ferson county in 1811, and married Mary A. Whipple of Jefferson county, by whom he
had a son and four daughters. He was a miller by trade, and his death occurred in
1876. Our subject was reared in Dexter, Jefferson county, and remembers seeing the
Harrison log cabin. He received his education in the common schools, and learned the
trade of his father, with whom he worked until 1872, in Louisville, this county, then
rented the mill and operated it until 1878. Then he came to Lawrenceville and bought
the Lawrenceville mills, where he has had a very successful business, doing mainly cus
tom work, until 1893, when he put in four full sets of rollers, and now annually manu
factures 4,500 bushels of wheat into flour for custom, and about 2,000 for shipping,
besides a large business in feed, making in all about 300 tons. He is also engaged in
the manufacture of lumber, sawing about 200,000 feet yearly. He also owns a farm of
175 acres in the town of Lawrence. In 1858 he married Maria G Carpenter of Louis
ville, by whom he has had two children : Eva G., and Josephine A., wife of Frank
Kenan of Lawrence, who died June 13, 1891 The latter had one child, Ray W. Kenan.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 299
St. Lawrence County Bank, Canton, was incorporated under the laws of the State of
New York, May 1, 1881. The officers are : W. H. Kimball, president ; M. D. Packard,
vice-president ; S. D. Kimball, cashier ; F. W. Scribner, assistant cashier. The bank's
capital is $50,000, the surplus §21,000, and deposits amount to $175,000.
Packard, M. D., Canton, was born in Madrid, St. Lawrence county, November 17,
1828. He was educated in the public schools and at the Canton Academy. He then
entered mercantile life, going to school in the winter, clerking in the summer. He set
tled in Canton and embarked in business for himself in 1854 and continued in business
for thirty-three years. In 1862 he was elected supervisor and held the office five years.
He was again elected in 1871 and served five years more. On January 1, 1876, he
became county treasurer and filled that position nine years. His father was John A.
Packard and his mother Elizabeth Durand.
Gannon, J. H., Canton, was born in Washington county, June 3, 1842. He was en
gaged on public works and canals for six years previous to the war and for four years
after. The Canton Lumber Company was established in 1883 with Mr. Gannon as
manager, and has been conducted successfully to date. In 1874 Mr. Gannon married
Helen A. Rice. They have one son and three daughters. Mr. Gannon was supervisor
of Fort Ann, Washington county, and was postmaster there from 1884 to 1888.
Priest, Henry, Canton, was born in Vermont, May 5, 1847. He was educated at
Tuffts College and graduated in 1874. He taught in Goddard Seminary nine years and
then came to Canton as professor of mathematics in St. Lawrence University. In 1882
he married Flora E. Eaton. They have two children, Alice Eaton and Ward Curtis
Priest. Professor Priest is dean of the faculty of the college, and was twice returned
to the Legislature in Vermont. He is a strong Prohibitionist.
Rice, D. S., Canton, was born at Fort Ann, January 12, 1870, and has been con
nected with the Canton Lumber Company since 1885. He has been treasurer of the
company since 1890. He married Gertrude Folsom, July 16, 1891.
Lee, Rev. John Stebbins, Canton, was born in Vernon, September 23, 1820. He
was educated in schools at Brattleboro, Deerfield, Shelburne Falls, Mass., and Amherst
College, from which he graduated in 1845. He taught in various schools and semin
aries, and was pastor of some congregations and societies prior to coming to Canton in
1859 as principal of the college department of St. Lawrence University. He has been
connected with the university ever since. In February, 1548, Mr. Lee married Elmira
Bennett. They have five children living: Leslie A., John G, Frederick S., Florence J.
and Lulu G. L. Lee.
Wells, R. T., Canton, was born in South Canton, August 19, 1849. Early in life he
embarked in the lumber business, and has followed that and dealing in real estate up
to the present time. Mr. Wells married EHa Miles, daughter of Stephen Miles, in Sep
tember, 1869. They have a family of one son and three daughters. Mr. Wells is a
trustee of the village of Canton and vice-president of the Agricultural Society. His
father was Dr. Abner Wells and his mother Permelia Thomas, a native of Massechu-
setts.

300 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Atwood, L. D., Hopkinton, one of Hopkinton's progressive farmers, was born in
Bethel, Vt, July 28, 1825, was educated at Mt Csesar Seminary, Swanzey, N. H., and
taught school for several years in Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York. He came
to St. Lawrence county in 1848, where he has since resided, with the exception of two
years in Wisconsin. On August 29, 1864, he enlisted in Company E, Forty-third Regi
ment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of war. On January 1,
1850, he married Cordelia A., daughter of W. S. and Laura Phelps. To them were born
two children : Leona A., born April 20, 1851 ; and Arthur A., born May 1, 1854. Mrs.
Atwood and daughter Leona died in March, 1865, in Fayette, Wis. On December 7,
1865, he married Paulina S., a sister of Cordelia A., and to them was born a daughter,
who died in infancy. In politics a Republican he has served his town for nine years in
succession as assessor and justice of the peace. Arthur A. Atwood was born in Hop
kinton, educated at Potsdam Normal School, and taught in common schools for six
years. For six years more was engaged in creamery work. In 1881 he, with our sub
ject, bought the farm where they now reside, one of the most productive in the town.
They have an excellent dairy of thirty-five cows, making a specialty of winter dairy
ing. Both are active grangers, having served as Worthy Masters of Fort Jackson
Grange for two and three years respectively. Arthur A. has filled acceptably some
minor town offices, and in 1894 was elected supervisor without any opposition. Decem
ber 3, 1879, he was married to Olivia M., daughter of T. S. Simonds, of Lawrence.
They have two children: Leon R., born July 6, 1882, and Carl W., born September 4,
1889. Sanford, Darwin E., Nicholville, was born in Lawrence, St. Lawrence county, N. Y.,
November 17, 1847, and is a son of Henry B., mentioned in this work, and was brought
up on a farm, receiving his education in Potsdam and Lawrenceville Academies. At
the age of seventeen he left school and enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and
Ninety-third N. Y. State Volunteer Infantry, for one year during the war, and was
commissioned first sergeant of his company ; the regiment doing detached service along
the Shenandoah Valley, Company F being stationed at Cumberland, Md., most of the
time. Was discharged at Harper's Ferry, Va., January 18, 1866, by reason of expira
tion of term of service. On returning from the war he commenced his career at mill
ing, but in 1870 abandoned this work and commenced farming. December 25, 1872,
he married Julia E. Leary, daughter of Thomas Leary, one of the first settlers of
Brasher, where he lived and died. Our subject continued farming until 1882, and has
since been in the creamery business, owning for some time a one-half interest in the
Deer River and Eagle creameries, but now only in the Eagle, where he resides, making
about 45,000 pounds each season. In politics he is a staunch Republican. Mr. San
ford is a member of Sanford Post No. 473, G. A. R., in which he has always held an
important position, being two years its commander. The post being named after his
grandfather makes it an organization any one would be proud to belong to. A father
and grandfather, making three generations, all in the war at the same time and fighting
for the same cause. Also grandfathers on both sides in the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs.
Sanford have four children: Harrison D., born November 14, 1877; Scott W., born

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 301
April 13, 1885 ;' Jonah, born December 10, 1887 ; Erwin, born May 10, 1889 ; all of
which are now living.
McEuen, Carlton J., Lawrence, was born in Lawrence, December 5, 1847, a son of
George R., whose father was Carlton. George R. was born in Hinesburg, Vt., April 9,
1821, and came here in 1825 with his parents. He married Maria A. Kelsey, of Har-
risburg, Lewis county, N. Y., born August 23, 1818, a daughter of Joseph Kelsey, one
of the pioneer settlers of that county. They had two children who grew to maturity :
Wealthy G, who died aged nineteen years; and Carlton J. George R. died March 29,
1890, and his wife July 15, 1889. Our subject was educated in the district school and
Lawrenceville Academy. He follows farming, owning 142 acres, the old homestead,
cleared by his father, and keeps a dairy of eighteen cows, Ayrshire and Jersey. Mr.
McEuen is a member of P. of H., Deer River Lodge No. 702. He has been twice mar
ried, first, September 25, 1873, to Clara D., daughter of Charles and Susan (Gibson)
Weller, of Hopkinton. She received her education in Lawrenceville Academy and
Potsdam Normal School, and was a teacher in the county. She died in 1878, and April
26, 1882, he married Mary E., daughter of John E. and Eliza M. (Giles) Chapin. She
is a native of Uxbridge, Mass., as were also her father and grandfather. The family
trace their descent to Samuel Chapin, who came to Boston in 1641 from Lancashire,
England. Mrs. McEuen was educated in the common schools and Mt. Holyoke Seminary,
and followed teaching in Rhode Island and Massachusetts for eleven years. Mr. and
Mrs. McEuen have two children: Bessie G, born February 1, 1884; and Clara G, born
October 1, 1889.
Converse, Horace J., Stockholm, was born in Stockholm, July 9, 1853. He is a son
of Elijah, a son of Josiah, who was a native of Middlesex, Vt, who emigrated to
Crown Point in an early day, where he died. Elijah was born in Middlesex, Vt, March
3, 1792, and came to Crown Point with his parents, removing to Stockholm in 1819
and settling on the farm now occupied by our subject He was three times married ;
firstto Rhoda Wilson, by whom he had six daughters ; second to Mrs. Betsey Hutchins
Dewey, by whom he had five children ; and third to Almeda Peck, whose maiden
name was Scott. They were married in 1849 and had two children, our subject and
one daughter. Mr. Converse was a leading farmer in Stockholm, where he owned 400
acres of land. He was a Republican and was assessor twelve years. He died November
4, 1879, and his last wife December 19, the same year. Horace J. was reared on a farm
and educated in the common schools. He owns 183 acres of land where he resides and
185 acres of woodland. In 1885 he established the Southville Creamery, and the output
is 100,000 pounds of butter annually. He keeps a dairy of thirty cows and follows
general farming. He has also made a specialty of breeding horses of the Wilkes strain
of Hambletonian horses, and now owns an interest in the far-famed Defendant Wilkes.
Mr. Converse is a Republican, a member of Amber Lodge No. 395, F. & A. M. of Par
ishville and of P. of H. Potsdam Lodge No. 39, and P. of 1. Eureka Lodge No. 162.
December 8, 1875, he married Louisa, daughter of John P. and Peninah (Becdy) Trask,
natives of Vermont. Mr. Trask and wife had twelve children. He came to Stockholm
in an early day, and there died, September 1, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Converse have three
children : Lou A., Era E. and Iva L.

302 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Irish, Albert H., Lawrence, was born in Hinesburg, Vt, June 5, 1829, a son of Lem
uel Irish, bora in Vermont in 1796, whose father was Joseph, a farmer of Vermont,
who was twice married having by each marriage nine children. Lemuel came to the
town of Lawrence in 1838, where he settled on a small farm, also working at his trade
of shoemaking. In 1824 he married Lydia, daughter of Asa and Mary (Lake) Nara-
more, the former a soldier in the Revolution. Mr. and Mrs. Irish had two sons and a
daughter. He died January 18, 1854, and his wife March 12, 1879. A. H. Irish was
educated in the common schools of Vermont and Lawrence, and began work on his
father's farm. He has always worked the old homestead which he now owns, and to
which he has added about forty acres. He carries on general farming and dairying,
keeping about thirteen cows. He also has a small sugar bush. In 1856 he married
Clara A., daughter of Abner and Abigail (Goodwin) Car, both of Amesbury, Mass.
They had two sons and four daughters, only two of the children now living. Mr. Car
died September 5, 1846. and his wife September 18, 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Irish had one
son and one daughter, the latter dying in infancy. Olin L. was born June 24, 1850,
and now works the farm with his father. December 23, 1884, he married Frankie Slo-
comb of Lawrence. Mr. Irish is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the M.
E. church of Nicholville.
Sanford, Edwin D., Lawrence, was born in Hopkinton, January 24, 1845, a son of
Henry B. Sanford, mentioned elsewhere in this work. He was reared on a farm and
educated in the public schools. In 1864 he enlisted, and served until the close of the war
receiving a bayonet wound, however, on account of which he was forced to spend
some time in the hospital. Returning to Nicholville after the war, he has since fol
lowed blaoksmithing. He is a Republican and a member of Elk Lodge No. 577,
F. & A. M., Deer River Chapter No. 197, and of Sandford Post No. '473, G. A. R.
April 26, 1866, Mr. Sanford married Lydia A., daughter of Rev. Silas and Lydia
(Goodell) Pratt, early settlers of Lawrence, and to Mr. Sanford and wife have been
born six children : Edwin Wade, born May 14, 1867, who was educated in Law
renceville Academy and at St. Lawrence University, from which latter he graduated
in 1891. He followed teaching a short time, but now has charge of the store of W. E.
Thomas, also reading law with Mr. Stacy. He married Evaline J. Thomas, and they
have one child, Lester Edwin, born October 12, 1893. Velma A. was bom November
25, 1869. Frank B., born May 12, 1871, was educated in the Lawrenceville Academy,
and received an appointment to the Naval Academy at Annapolis. He graduated from
the medical department of Union University in 1893, and is now a practicing physician
located at Morley. Silas J. was born September 26, 1874, educated in St. Regis Falls
Academy, and graduated from Spencer Optical Institute, New York city, in 1893. Jen
nie G, born October 5, 1876, and Eugene B., born June 22, 1878, reside at home.
Hawley, J. Goodwin, Colton, a son of Phineas and Esther (Dunning) Goodwin, na
tives of Connecticut, was born in that State, February 27, 1825, and was one of nine
children. At an early age he removed to New York State, where he received a com
mon school education. In 1848 he married Sabrina D. Devereaux, a daughter of Henry
and Sabrina (Goodwin) Devereaux of Schoharie county. Later Mrs. Hawley's father
moved to East Creek, Herkimer county, whose name was changed to Devereaux in his

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 303
honor. Here he carried on an extensive lumber business until his death. He was post
master of Devereaux fourteen years, and at one time was member of assembly in the
New York State Legislature. He was an ardent Abolitionist and temperance man all
his life. He died in 1874 and his wife in 1846. The subject of this notice with his
family resided in Herkimer county ten years. They then moved to Oneida county, and
later to Carthage, Jefferson county, having been engaged in the lumber business at the
several named places. Finally, in 1885, he removed to Colton, where he engaged in
the successful manufacture of piano sounding board lumber, veneers, ceiling and other
fine lumber. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin had three children : Harriet E. ; Arthur W., who
died at the age of five years; and Carl D., who died March 8, 1890, at the age of six
teen years. Harriet E. married James A. Devereaux of Binghamton, and has one child,
a son, Frederick G. Her husband died March 9, 1894. Mr. Goodwin's advantages for
an education were limited, but always hopeful and diligent, and being endowed with a
strong and inquiring mind, he became through observation and association with the
world, influential among all who knew him. He was a business man and conducted
his business in so conscientious and upright a manner that all pointed to both the man
and his calling with pride. He was an active and zealous worker in the church and
Sunday school where he lived, and his character and example did much to raise the
standard of both. For many years before his death he struggled manfully against, dis
ease and often worked beyond his strength. He died at Tucson, Arizona, February 11,
1890, where he had gone with the advice of physicians. He was buried at Boonville,
N. Y., where he had formerly lived. Perhaps it can not be better said of him than in
the words of one of his friends who has added to his eulogy : " Though he stood not
among scholars, statesmen, literati, politicians or millionaires, he was by eminence,
an honest man, an ingenious mechanician, a true patriot and citizen, in sympathy
with everything right, a hater of everything wrong — one of God's own, and the
world is better for his living in it."
Sackett, Martin Russell, Gouverneur, now holding the office of treasurer of the
county, was raised on a farm in the town of Plymouth, Chenango county, this State.
His family, on both father and mother's side, is from New England. His early educa
tion was obtained in the district school, a rather poorer district school than the average
of those days. Always a reader, and ambitious of education, he managed to enter the
Normal School at Cortland in the fall of 1872, and spent a couple of years in that ex
cellent institution. He then spent a year in teaching to obtain means for further'
school work, entering Cazenovia Seminary in the fall of 1875, and by doing two years
work in one was graduated from that school in the centennial year in the classical
course, and the following autumn matriculated at Syracuse University, from which he
graduated in June of 1880. Before his graduation he had been elected to the principal-
ship of the Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary, which responsible place he assumed at the
opening of the fall term of 1880, and held it for seven years, or until the institu
tion was discontinued and adopted as the academic department of the present Union
school district of Gouverneur. In 1887 he organized the Gouverneur Publishing Com
pany for the publication of the Northern Tribune, which journal he has since managed
and edited. Since leaving the educational field he has taken an active interest in poli-

304 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
tics, and on the stump in his own and other counties he is regarded as one of the best
debaters and strongest platform speakers of the section. In the convention of his party
in the fall of 1893 he received a unanimous nomination to the office of county treas
urer, entering upon the very responsible duties of the office with the opening of the
current year,
Reed, E., Russell, was born in Brownville, Jefferson county, July 18, 1844. He is a
son of Walter and Malina (Nelson) Reed, she of Herkimer county and he of Oneida
county, and the grandfather, William Reed, a farmer of Deerfield, was a pioneer of
Oneida county. Walter Reed went to Michigan, where he bought land, afterwards re
turning to Oneida county. He had these children: Harriet E., born in. 1846; Gordon
N., born in 1842 ; Francis, born in 1848 ; and E. Reed, our subject. The latter went
to live with his mother's people at the age of five years, and four years later came to
St Lawrence county to reside with G L. Van Ornum. At the age of seventeen he en
listed in Company D, Sixtieth N. Y. Volunteers, serving throughout the war, being dis
charged July 20, 1805. He participated in the following battles : Gettysburg, An-
tietam, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Chancellorsville, and Ringgold, and several
others, where he was wounded. He was also with Sherman in his " March to the Sea."
After the war Mr. Reed worked at carpentry for seven years, and in 1869 he bought
eighty-six acres of land. This he sold and bought 190 acres, where he now lives,
carrying on general farming and dairying, and also working at his trade. October
21, 1867, he married Rachel, daughter of William and Ellen (Watson) Stephenson, of
Russell, and they have one son, William E., born March 19, 1876, who is now at
tending Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie. Mr. Reed is a Republican and
has been nine years assessor. Robert Stephenson, brother of Mrs. Reed, served through
the war, dying just at the close at Wilmington, N. C.
Eastman, S. E., Hopkinton, was born in Hopkinton, August 29, 1849, a son of Will
iam E. Eastman of the same town, born December 16, 1812. The father of the latter
was Samuel Eastman, who was a native of Hopkinton, N. II., born in 1769, who went
to Lincoln, Vt., and from there to Hopkinton, N. Y., in 1808. He bought 200 acres of
land (at that time a wilderness), and commenced clearing a farm, which is the pres
ent home of S. E. Eastman, passing to the third generation. Samuel E. died in May,
1852. William E., his son, died December 14, 1887, was a farmer and dealer in cattle
butter and cheese, etc. He married Susan M. Covey, of Cornwall, Canada, who died
in March, 1889, a daughter of Martin Covey, of New England. S. E. Eastman, the
subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools and St. Lawrence Acad
emy. His occupation is general farming and dairying. December 21, 1871 he mar
ried Harriet Sanford, youngest daughter of Col. Jonah Sanford, whese biography ap
pears elsewhere in this work. She was born in Hopkinton, March 4 1850.
Brundage, Charles R., Russell, was born in Williston, Vt, November 20, 1822. His
father, Joshua, was a son of Abraham, a native of Germany, who came to America dur
ing the Revolution, brought here by England, whose army he afterwards deserted.
He married in Massachusetts Lois Yale, by whom he had four sons and four daugh
ters. He spent his last days in Williston, Vt, where his wife also died. Joshua

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 305
Brundage was bom in Williston, Vt, and married 'Prady Barto, daughter of David
Barto, of Vermont, and they had five sons and three daughters. He moved to Hlinois
and finally went to Michigan, where he died aged seventy-four years. Charles R.
was educated in the public schools and learned the stonecutter's trade, which he fol
lowed over twenty years. He came to Clifton in this county at the age of twenty-
one, where he has resided most of the time since. He owns a farm of 140 acres
and follows general farming and dairying. He has been a Republican since the organi
zation of that party, and has been supervisor of the town for six years, assessor three
years, and justice of the peace for thirty years. October 1, 1861, he was commissioned
major of the Sixtieth N. Y. Volunteers, which he and Capt. Hugh Smith originated.
May 1, 1862. he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the same regiment, resigning
November 6, 1862. He is a member of Russell Lodge No. 566, F. & A. M., and of
Martin Post of Canton. He has been twice married, first to Samantha Lockwood,
July 23, 1S46, by whom he had these children : Sidney G., bom September 23, 1848 ;
Charles EL, bom April 27, 1851 ; Louisa M., bora June 14, 1855, died December 18,
185S. Mrs. Brundage died April 7, 1859, and he married second Louisa Bowhall, born
in Gouverneur, September 14, 1833, a daughter of Demarcus and Henriette Bowhall, of
Johnston, Fulton county, and they have had the following children : Mary L., born
April 29, 1801; William D., bora April 3, 1864; Noble, bom March 11, 1867 ; Perly
J., bom April 25, 1871 ; and George R., born October 7, 1876.
Douglas, John W., 2d, Colton, was born at Massena Point January 18, 1838. He is
the son of James Douglas, a native of Canada, bora in 1815, and the father of James
was John, also a native of Canada, whose father, Robert Donglas came from Scotland
to Canada during the Revolution. John was born in 1795 and came to Massena in 1833
for the first time. He finally settled in Colton, where he died in February, 1854.
-James Donglas was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools. He came to
Colton in 1834, and a year later married Mary Labounty of Canada, born in 1816.
Thev had four children : Elizabeth (deceased), wife of Andrew Perkins; John W., Sarah
(deceased), wife of Charles Home of Massachusetts; Nettie, wife of Levi Chaney; and
our subject John W. Douglas, 2d, was reared on a farm and remained at home until
the age of twenty-nine. In 185S he bought 108 acres of land, to which he has since
added fifty-four acres. He follows dairying and general fanning, and has also dealt to
some extent in lumber. October 18, 1866, he married Harriet Harvey of Lisbon, and
they have three children ; Lena, wife of Herbert Russell, by whom she has one son, Gir-
ard ; Mamie L. and James M.
Derbv. H. Stanley, Russell, traces his ancestry to one of the passengers of the May
flower, and all of his progenitors were of Puritan stock. Rev. Charles Brewster, the
ancestor of Mr. Derby's grandmother, was chaplain of the first Plymouth colony, and
his great-grandfather Brewster and great-grandfather Derby were both at Quebec,
the former with Arnold, and the later with Montgomery as major of artillery. At
the death of Montgomery, December 31, 1775, he fell into the arms of Major Derby,
where he breathed his last H. Stanley Derby was bom in Wood's Mills, Jefferson
county, in March, 18-57, and educated in Ives Seminary at Antwerp, N. Y., graduating

306 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
in 1878. In 1880 he bought his father's store in Russell, and carried on a successful busi
ness for ten years. He then went to Tupper's Lake, and engaged with his brother,
Earl, as bookkeeper. In November, 1892, he returned to Russell, where he has since
been engaged in looking after his father's property. He is a Democrat and has served
as supervisor three years, and was defeated for member of assembly by the Hon.
William H. Kimball in 1888. He is a member of Russell Lodge No. 566, F. & A M„
also of I. 0. 0. F. No. 1301 of Tupper's Lake. The father of H. Stanley was Capt.
Hiry Derby, born in Vermont, September 18, 1817, and died in Russell, January
31, 1884, who married Ann Davidson, daughter of Jonathan Wood of Jefferson county.
She was born in Deerfield, Oneida county, October 14, 1819, and died in Russell, No
vember 6, 1893. Captain and Mrs. Derby had ten children : Washington L., Dewitt
G, Edmund E., Benjamin F., Edmund D., Helen E., Laura A., Mary E., Earl and H.
Stanley. Captain Derby entered the army on a commission of first lieutenant. He
followed teaching in the counties of Jefferson and St. Lawrence for several years, and
for five years was superintendent of schools in this county. In 1849 he engaged in the
' mercantile business, which, with the exception of a year and a half, he continued until
1880. Captain Derby had command of Co. L, 9th N. Y. Cavalry, and participated in
the Peninsular campaign, being at Yorktown and West Point, and at Antietam with
Siegel's 11th Corps. He served about a year, then returned to Russell and engaged in
business. Dunn, Thomas, Waddington, a son of John, was born July 25, 1838. He was reared
on a farm and educated in the common schools of Waddington. Excepting nine
years in California engaged in mining from 1861 to 1871, Mr. Dunn has been a farmer.
July 25, 1872, he married Emma, daughter of William Harper. The latter was born in
Ireland, January 1, 1816, where he received a college education. He came to Lisbon
in 1836, and for nine years he sold goods from house to house. He came to Wadding
ton when a young man and engaged in the mercantile business, and here spent his life.
He was a Republican. He married Sarah Wallace, a native of Vermont, who came
with her parents to Lisbon in an early day. Mr. Harper and wife had six children. He
died August 6, 1886, and his wife in 1872. Mr. Dunn and wife have had these chil
dren : Sarah A., Mabel E., William J. (deceased), Alexander, Hattie B., Ernest H.,
Walter (deceased), Annie E., Benjamin (deceased), Henry J. and Thomas B. (deceased).
Mr. Dunn has a farm of 173 acres and keeps a dairy of twenty cows. He is a Repub
lican, and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
Clifford, M. L., Hopkinton, is one of Hopkinton's enterprising business men and was
born at Lawrence, May 31, 1851, a son of J. S. Clifford, born at Plattsburg, October 6,
1828, whose father, John Clifford, was born in Plymouth, N. Y., November 24 1806,
and married Almina Seeley, born in Norwalk, Conn., November 19, 1803. They had
five sons and three daughters. He went to Illinois and died January 27, 1882. J. S.
Clifford marrried first, Caroline, daughter of Lucius Reynolds of Lawrence, who had
ten children, all now deceased but Cornelia, who is the second wife of J. S. Clifford
his first wife, her sister, having died in September, 1864. J. S. Clifford is a carpenter
and joiner, having served three years' apprenticeship at Plattsburg. He is now at Fort
Jackson, engaged in the undertaking business. By his first wife he had two sons and

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 307
one daughter. M. L. Clifford, our subject, learned the trade of his father, at which he
worked for a number of years. In April, 1874, he married Ella I. Downey, daughter
of William and Harriet (Griffin) Downey of Kankakee, 111., and they had one son, Wat
son S., born in Hopkinton, May 24, 1876. He is a young man of more than ordinary
business capacity, and a great assistance to his father in his business. In 1887 Mr.
Clifford engaged in the manufacture of butter tubs at Fort Jackson in partnership with
F. M. Kellogg, and after two years bought out his partner's interest, and now conducts
it alone, manufacturing about 50,000 tubs annually. He also owns the Hopkins saw
mill, turning out about 500,000 feet of lumber annually, of which about half is custom
work. He furnishes employment to about twenty men. He is also engaged in the
grocery business, carrying a general line. He is a Republican and is the present road
commissioner. Carncross, Randall, Russell, was bom in Wilna, Jefferson county, October 18, 1848, a
son of Lewis Carncross, son of John, son of Lewis of Dutchess county, whose father
was born in Germany and came to this country prior to the Revolution. John, grand
father of our subject, came to Jefferson county about 1813. He married Sybel Van
Brocklin. Of their children, Lewis, father of our subject, was reared on a farm, and in
1847 married Betsey Potter, daughter of Luther Potter of Massachusetts, by whom he
had four children, two now living : Alice, born June 26, 1862, wife of Daniel Van
Brocklin of Pierrepont, by whom she has one child, Erskine ; Betsey Jane, born April
28, 1855, died October 22, 18--; James L., born April 7, 1861, died  ; and
Randall J., our subject, who was reared on a farm, and received his education in the
common schools. His parents came to Russell when he was an infant. When a
young man he began work on a farm by the month, and, February 21, 1878, he married
Asenath, daughter of Henry Van Brocklin of Russell, and they have had one daughter,
Emogene, born September 14, 1881. At about the time of his marriage Mr. Carncross
bought his present farm, which he uses largely as a dairy farm. He is a Republican
in politics, but has never aspired to office. The family has in its possession a forty-
dollar bill of the Continental period, which once belonged to John Potter, great-grand
father on the maternal side, who was paymaster in the Revolution.
Colton, Daniel, Russell, was born in Antwerp, Jefferson county, July 17, 1830, a son
of Lothrop Colton, who was a son of Aaron, one of Jefferson county's early settlers.
Lothrop came to Russell in 1832, and after a short time went to Antwerp, and in 1846
returned to Russell, where he died in 1848. He was a blacksmith and farmer. His
wife was Rachael Calkins, a native of Hartford, Conn., by whom he had seven sons
and two daughters. Daniel was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools.
At the age of nineteen he learned the gunsmith's trade, which he followed several
years. He then followed the carpenter's trade, and in 1875 engaged in undertaking,
which he has since followed. Mr. Colton married in Russell, Susan A. Chase, by whom
he had three children : Delia E., Arthur and Hattie. Mrs. Colton died December 29,
1885, and in 1887 he married second, Abigail Bevett of Gouverneur. Mr. Colton is a
Prohibitionist in politics.
Merrill, Silas W., Lawrence, was bom in Hopkinton, February 8, 1845, a son of D. L.
Merrill. The latter was a son of John, whose father, also John, emigrated from Eng-

308 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
land about 1750 and settled at Concord, N. H. He was a soldier in the Revolution.
He married Sallie Robinson, and his oldest son, John, was born in Concord in 1784.
He went to Tunbridge, Vt, at the age of seven, where his father died in 1812. He
married Sallie De Cross and in 1832 came to Franklin county, N. Y. He was at the
battle of Plattsburg in the War of 1812. D. L. Merrill was born in Tunbridge, Vt, in
1809, and at the age of twenty-three came to Franklin county and settled on a farm
of 200 acres. In 1837 he married Susan G Lampson and came to Hopkinton, where he
settled on the Baldwin farm. He had seven children. In 1858 he built on his farm a
potato starch factory and manufactured starch until 1865, then sold his place and re
moved to NicholviUe, where he died June 5, 1891, and his wife November 13, 1893.
S. W. Merrill was educated in the Lawrenceville Academy and was for several years
engaged as a clerk in the mercantile business. In 1866 he came to Nicholville and be
gan business for himself, occupying the east half of the block built by his father, where
he carries a full line of house furnishings. He is a Republican and has served two
years as supervisor. He is a member of Elk Lodge No. 577, F. & A. M. He is execu
tor of his father's estate and has control of about 300 acres of land in the towns of
Hopkinton and Lawrence. In 1870 he married Carrie L., daughter of Lyman and Caro
line S. (McEuen) Day, and they have had three children : Grace L., born October 9,
1875 ; Maude L., born July 31, 1879; and Bessie L., born May 20, 1884.
Pease, Trueman A., M. D., Potsdam, was born in the town of Brasher, November 27,
1842. The earliest ancestor we find of this family in the country is Captain John
Pease who was a native of England and immigrated to this country about 1620, and
settled in Massachusetts. Ebenezer Pease, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a
native of Massachusetts and a soldier in the War of the Revolution. The grandfather
Abel Pease, was born in Massachusetts and was the first of the family to come to St.
Lawrence county, and located in the town of Lawrence about 1828. He built the first
farm house in the village of North Lawrence and it was there he reared his family and
spent the balance of his days. He died in 1868, aged eighty-seven years. He was the
father of twelve children, of whom Abel, father of our subject, is the fourth son. He
was born in Vermont April 5, 1818. He has always followed mechanical pursuits, and
the last fifeen or twenty years has been a resident of Norwood. The mother of our
subject, Sally Clark, was a native of Grand Isle county, Vt., a daughter of Trueman
Clark, a prominent figure in the Legislature of the State a number of years. Dr. Pease
was one of a family of six children, three of whom are now living ; Lucius L. of Nor
wood; William H., a farmer of Canton; and Trueman A. The early life of our subject
was spent in the town of Lawrence, where he received his education in the Lawrence
ville Academy. He commenced the study of medicine while teaching in Lawrenceville
Academy in the office of Dr. Joseph Jackson. In 1864 after one year's study of medi
cine he enlisted in Co. K, 193d N. Y. Vol. Infantry, and was appointed hospital
steward, which position he filled at the Post Hospital at Cumberland City, Md.
until the close of the war. Returning he entered the University of Vermont at
Burlington, graduating with the degree of M. D., June 15, 1867. He commenced
practice in Norwood, July 13, 1867, and has ever since been here. He is a member
of St. Lawrence County Medical Society, and also of the Northern New York Med-

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 309
ical Association. He has been a member of Norwood Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., and is
now a member of Luther Priest Post No. 167, G. A. R., and has held the office of
surgeon. He is a member of the Congregational church of Norwood, and has filled
the office of health officer of Norwood village. Dr. Pease married, June 10, 1868,
Helen M. Leslie of Parishville, and they had two sons, one died at seven years of
age, and Leslie Allan is practicing law at Dunkirk, N. Y. Mrs. Pease died August
30, 1884, and he married second, October 6, 1886, Ella E., daughter of John Walker
of Sherbrook, Quebec.
Shepard, Fred, Lawrence, was born in Lawrence, April 22, 1862, a son of E. W.
Shepard, but he was reared by his grandparents, Hon. 0. F. and Elizabeth A. (Wilber)
Shepard, natives of Vermont, the former born in Middletown, November 15, 1813, and
the latter at Grand Isle, September 17, 1818. Heman Shepard, father of 0. F., was
born in Vermont, November 3, 1789, and married Loretta Rockwell, and had eight
children. He came to Lawrence November 17, 1826, He died July 31, 1874. 0. F.
Shepard graduated from Potsdam Academy in 1836 and taught school twenty- two
years, and also engaged in surveying to some extent. By his first wife he had two
sons and a daughter : Edwin,. Azro and Amelia. Mrs. Shepard died February 10, 1875,
and he married for second wife, Mrs. J. A. Romaine, widow of William Romaine, Feb
ruary 24, 1876, and she still resides on the homestead. Mr. Shepard was for many
vears inspector of schools, and was justice of the peace about thirty-two years. In
1857 he was elected member of assembly, and again in 1858. He was chairman of the
standing committee on claims, then one of the most important committees in the Assem
bly. He was a strong advocate of temperance. He was one of the founders of Lawrence
ville Academy, and a trustee until his death, January 24, 1892. Fred Shepard was
educated in the Lawrenceville Academy, and at the age of eighteen began teaching,
which he continued four years. He inherited the farm from his grandfather. He has
about 230 acres, and keeps about thirty cows, besides a considerable amount of young
stock. He is a Republican, and has been excise commissioner for ten years, also in
spector of elections several years. He is a trustee of Lawrenceville Academy, and
agent for the unsold lands in the town. He is correspondent for the following papers :
Courier and Freeman, Potsdam Herald, Adirondack News and Ogdensburg Republican.
January 22, 1885, he married Margaret, daughter of John and Maria (Clark) Charlton,
and they have two sons : Oscar Fred, born May 24, 1887 ; and Arthur Romaine, bom
November 8, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Shepard are prominent members of the Deer River
Grange No. 702, also of the Good Templars, and they are active members of the Con
gregational church. Mr. Shepard takes an active interest in public affairs. His farm
is as good as can be found in the town and is kept in an excellent state of cultivation.
He believes there is no nobler occupation in life than farmiug.
Patten Herbert G, Lawrence, was born in Lawrence, June 23, 1863. His father
was Davis S., a son of Robert, who was born in England, but emigrated to Ireland,
where he died in 1818. David S. was born in Ireland, County Armagh, November 26,
1809, and about 1820 he and his brother, William, came to America and settled in Ver
mont. In 1840 David came to Lawrence, and in 1842 to the farm now owned by the
subject. He married in Vermont, February 7, 1840, Martha G Randall, of that State,

310 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
born December 30, 1822. They reared six sons and six daughters. Mr. Patten died
May 1, 1884, and his wife June 26, 1878. The children of David S. and wife were as
follows: Mary M. born August 9, 1842, married A. E. Chafflee, and died June 12,
1855, leaving four children; Porter, born 1844, died 1846; William G, born April 19,
1846 ; Delia and Amelia, twins, born in 1848 and died in 1850 ; Henry S., born March
15, 1851, who resides with our subject ; Emma, born December 5, 1854, married Rich
ard Clark of Waddington ; Timothy T., born September 3, 1857, resides in Waverly,
N. Y. ; Ella M., born April 18, 1859, married Leon Barney; George S., born March 4,
1861, and lives in Badaxe, Mich. ; Herbert G. ; Ida, born October 2, 1865, and resided
with our subject until her death, October 7, 1893. Herbert G. was educated in the
Lawrenceville Academy, and has devoted considerable attention to veterinary work, re
ceiving in 1890 a license to practice. He is a member of Deer River Lodge No. 499,
F. & A. M., and of Lawrenceville Lodge No. 619, I. O. 0. F., also of Good Templar
Lodge No. 173, and P. of H. No. 702 of the same place. January 26, 1886, he married
Mary, daughter of Michael and Margaret Gabler, and they have two children : Howard
L., born October 31, 1886; and G Arthur, born November 27, 1888. Mrs. Patten died
December 17, 1892.
Robinson, H. N., Massena, born April 17, 1806, is a son of Daniel and Esther (Kil
burn) Robinson, the former born in Massachusetts in 1774. The father of Daniel was
Ichabod, who lost his property in the Revolutionary war, and moved from Massachu
setts to Vermont, where he cleared a home. He was a soldier of the Revolution and
died in St. Liwrence county in 1804, while on a visit to his son, being the first person
buried in the Massena cemetery. Daniel came here in 1802, one of the first settlers,
and bought the farm now owned by our subject. He was an extensive land and lumber
dealer. He had nine children, all deceased but three: H. N., Holton and George.
Daniel died July 9, 1855, and his wife in 1829. H. N. Robinson was reared on a farm
in Massena, and educated at the Potsdam Academy. He followed farming until about
1874, when he retired and rented the farm. In 1837 he married Mary M., daughter of
Ira and Chloe (Nichols) Goodridge, of whose ten children, four survive. Mr. and
Mrs. Robinson have one adopted son, Joseph, now in New York in the mercantile bus
iness. He was educated in Fort Edward and Potsdam Academies, and was prepared
for college when the war broke out, when he volunteered, and served about four years.
At the close of the war he was engaged to write the discharges of soldiers. He served
as adjutant, quartermaster, and on Ricket's staff. In politics H. N. wishes to go down
as a Cleveland man. Joseph is a Republican.
Horton, R. J., Massena, was born in Ira, Rutland county, Vt., a son of Hezekiah, a
native of Guilford, Vt, born in 1791, who went to Clarenden, Vt, when a boy, and
there married Anna Hutchinson, born in 1790, by whom he had three children. In
1840 they came to Massena and settled on the farm now owned by R. J. Horton, where
the father died in 1844, and the mother in 1875. At the time of his parents' settlement
in this town our subject was sixteen years of age. February 16, 1853, he married Har
riet Russell of Massena, born September 7, 1830, in Peru, Essex county, N. Y., a daugh
ter of John and Naomi Russell of this town. Mr. and Mrs. Horton have had two
children ; Edson J., born February 11, 1854, who was educated in the Potsdam Normal

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 311
School, and is engaged in farming. He married Sarah J., daughter of Philemon Polley
of Massena, and has two children, Mark P. and Harlan R. ; Elon A. was born in Mas
sena, June 26, 1859, was educated in Massena and Potsdam, and graduated from East
man's Business College in 1880. He is engaged in the carriage business, both whole
sale and retail. March 22, 1888, he married Una E. Benson of Massena, daughter of
Samuel Benson, and they have had two children : Hazel H. and Floyd E. R. J. Hor
ton has been a Republican since the organization of the party. He and wife are mem
bers of the Baptist church.
Dodge, S. W., M..D., Massena was born in Massena, March 9, 1845, a son of LeviR.,
born in Andover, Vt, April 2, 1815, whose father Major Thomas Dodge of New Hamp
shire, was born August 13, 1773, a descendant of the Salem Dodges, who came to Massa
chusetts in 1629, from Cheshire, England, where they are of very ancient lineage.
Thomas Dodge had eleven children. He received the title of major from the Vermont
militia. Levi R. came with his parents, when two years of age, tc Massena, where the
major bought 160 acres of land, most of which is still in the possession of the family.
He was among the earliest settlers. March 20, 1844, Levi married Lois P. Young,
daughter of Robert Young of New Hampshire, born December 31, 1790. To Mr. and
Mrs. Dodge were born these children : S. W., our subject ; Luther A., born October 12,
1846, died December 22, 1881 ; James B., born December 22, 1847 ; Orange W., born
January 17, 1850, a professor in Ogdensburg Academy; Henry, born January 18, 1852,
died September 12, 1877 ; Mary L, born March 12, 1857, a teacher ; Harvey R., born
June 9, 1852. Mr. Dodge died in 1880, and his wife survives him. S W. Dodge was
on the farm until the age of fifteen. He was educated in Lawrenceville, Malone and
Potsdam, teaching, attending school and preparing for the medical college. He studied
medicine with W. P. Gordon, M. D., of Old Ripley, 111., for one year, and was over a
year at Ann Arbor, Mich., medical department. Returning home on a visit he decided
to finish his medical education at the University of Vermont, where he was for a year.
He was two years at Bloomingdale, N. Y., then a year at Vermont University, gradu
ating in the spring of 1875. He began practice at Bloomingdale, where he remained
until 1889, then came to Massena, where he has built up an extensive practice. He is
a member of St. Lawrence and Northern New York Medical Societies, is a Republican,
aud was town clerk five years in Franklin county. He was U. S. examining surgeon
at Bloomingdale fourteen years. He is a Good Templar of Massena Lodge No. 566,
belongs to Massena Grange No. 704, Massena Court No. 693, I. 0. F., is a court deputy
and a court physician. He is a member of Gordon (111.) Lodge No. 473, F. & A. M.
July 28, 1875, he married B. Narina, daughter of Hiram and Martha (Rice) Fish, and
they have had four children : Leon H., born June 15, 1876 ; Mark F., born January 20,
1878; Sidney W., born January 11, 1885; Ruth Lucmda, born September 8, 1893.
Cooper, Eugene, Lawrenceville, was born May 7, 1846, a son of James Cooper,
born in Salem, Mass., about 1804, whose father came to Constable and later to
Brasher buying a farm, where he lived until shortly before his death. He married
Jane Ann, daughter of Daniel and Polly (Mansfield) Smith, of Vermont and Con
necticut respectively, the former having served in the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs.
Cooper had six children, five sons and one daughter, all living but one, Robert U.,

312 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
who was killed January 9, 1891, at Denver, Col., by falling from a building, on
which he was working, a distance of forty feet Eugene Cooper, our subject, was
reared on a farm and began life on the same. After seven years he bought a farm
in Connecticut which he sold after two years and bought again. In 1877 he again
sold and came to St. Regis, Province of Quebec, and was there three years engaged
in mercantile business. He sold out and bought a farm of 200 acres near Law
renceville, where he remained till March 4, 1893, then rented his place and bought
a small farm where he now lives. He keeps a dairy of twenty-five cows, and is
also engaged in raising horses. Qrie of his principal crops is hops. Mr. Cooper
married first, Laura, daughter of Joel Wheeler of Connecticut, by whom he had one
daughter, Jenette, wife of Samuel Barrett of Seymour, Conn. Mrs. Cooper died in
1879, and he married, May 1, 1880, Anna E. Burkett, daughter of Michael and
Margaret (Connors) Burkett, and they have two children: Walter E., born Febru
ary 22, 1881; and Eva May, born Mry 16, 1882. In politics Mr. Cooper is a Repub
lican, and he and wife are members of the Catholic church of Lawrence.
Atwood, I. M., Canton, was born in Pembroke, Genesee county, March 24, 1838.
Received the usual academic and high school education, graduating from the Lockport
Union School in 1855. He taught school several terms, founded and conducted the
Genesee Classical Institute, and fitted for entrance to the sophomore year in Yale Col
lege, in 1859. He began preaching and studying for the ministry in that same year,
and was ordained at Clifton Springs in 1860. In 1867 he became editor of the Univer
salist, now the Christian Leader, in Boston, Mass., and has held editorial connection
with that journal continuously up to the present time. After twenty years of service as
preacher and editor, he was called from his parish in Cambridge, Mass., to the presi
dency of the Theological Seminary in Canton, entering on his duties in that position in
June, 1879. The same year he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Tufts
College, having been given the degree of M. A. by the St. Lawrence University ten
years before, in 1869. Dr. Atwood has contributed to the journals and quarterlies of
of the day on a great variety of themes, and has published besides '' Have We Out
grown Christianity," Boston, 1870 ; " Glance at the Religious Progress of the Country,''
Boston, 1874; ''The Latest Ward of Universalism," Boston, 1878; "Walks about
Zion," Boston, 1882; " Episcopacy," 1884 ; :' Revelation," 1890 ; and " A System of
Christian Doctrines," 1894. He contributed papers to the Religious Press Congress
and the Parliament of Religions, in Chicago, 1893. In 1861 Dr. Atwood was married to
Almira Church of Clarendon, N. Y., and they have four daughters and one son, the Rev.
John Murray Atwood of Clifton Springs.
Gilbreth, William, Lawrence, was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, May 14, 1828,
a son of Samuel and Ellen (Garven) Gilbreth, the latter also born in Ireland, who reared
nine children. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbreth came to America in 1841, setting first in Vermont,
and nine years later they came to this county and settled on the farm now owned by
our subject. The latter was thirteen years of age when he came to Vermont, and six
teen when he came to St. Lawrence county. He was educated in the public schools
and worked in the woolen factory in Vermont about five years. He is the owner of
about 113 acres of land, and follows general farming, keeping twelve cows. He also

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 313
has about 500 sugar trees. In politics he is a Republican, and in 1856 he married Mar
tha Beattie, a native of Ireland, born in 1832, died February 16, 1885, a daughter of
James and Mary (Forsythe) Beattie, who had two sons and five daughters. Our sub
ject and wife had four children : Mary E., born November 16, 1857, died May 27, 1882 ;
Sarah J., born June 4, 1859, died May 29, 1879; Alice L., born June 18, 1864, and mar
ried September 20, 1887, Webster A. Ballard, a native of Lawrence, born October 20,
1864, a son of Elwood D. and Ruth M. (Day) Ballard of Peru, Essex county. Webster
A. Ballard and wife have had two children : Warner D., born June 18, 1889; and May
R., born February 23, 1892. The fourth child of our subject, Anna M., was born August
5, 1869, and married H. D. Blanchard of Nicholville, by whom she has one child,
William L.
Andrews, Morris B., Massena, was born in Massena, July 23, 1821, a son of John B.,
mentioned in this work. Mr. Andrews was reared and educated in Massena, and also
attended the Malone Academy and Potsdam Academy. He engaged in farming when
a young man, and inherited about 107 acres of land from his father, to which he has
added until he now owns about 250 acres of land and village property. He resided on
his farm until 1888, when he came to the village and has since lived retired. Mr. An
drews has always voted the Democratic ticket, but has not aspired to office. March 16,
1863, he married Margaret, daughter of James and Sarah (England) Carney, the former
a native of Ireland and the latter of Massena, who were the parents of eight children, and
who both died in Massena. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews have had one son, Justin B., born in
Massena on the old homestead, January 5, 1865. ' He was educated in the common
schools and the Massena High School, and also follows farming, living in the old home.
He is a member of Massena Grange No. 704, of which he is a past master. He is also
a member of the I. 0. F. Court No. 693 of Massena. His wife was Evelyn Chittenden,
daughter of Nelson Chittenden of Louisville, by whom he has two daughters, Lena C.
and Velma E.
Aldrich, Newton, Gouverneur, was born June 6, 1830, in Luzerne, Warren county,
N. Y., a son of Seth Aldrich, born in Athol in 1799, and' Mira Adams, born in Luzerne
in 1805. He came to Gouverneur in 1867 and engaged in the lumber business, in which
he is still interested. Mr. Aldrich is president of the Bank of Gouverneur, of the Gouv
erneur Wood Pulp Company, and of the United States Talc Company. He is also a
member of the firm of W. Weston, Dean & Aldrich of Natural Dam. March 17, 1858,-
he married Kate Griffin, a native of Warren county, daughter of Henry and Margaret
(Lindsay) Griffin. Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich have one son, Herbert G., born December 3,
1860, at Luzerne, who is now practicing law at Gouverneur. He graduated from Ham
ilton College in 1884 and from Harvard Law School in 1888. September 2, 1890, he
married Jennie A. Loucks.
Bridges, J. D., Massena, was born in Chester, Vt, November 22, 1821, a son of Wil
son, whose father, John, was a captain in the Revolutionary war. Wilson was born in
Athol, Mass., in 1792. He came to Chester, Vt, with his parents, and there married
Lucy L. Dana, a native of Vermont, by whom he had four children, two now living, J.
O. and J. D. In 1826 Mr. Bridges came to Massena and settled at Racket River Bridge

314 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
on a farm where he spent the remainder of his life. His wife died in 1834, and he
married second, Maria Hall of Fort Covington. N. Y., by whom he had seven children.
He served in various town offices and died in 1876. He served in the war of 1812.
J. D. Bridges was five years old when he came to Massena. where he was educated in
the public school and later went to Potsdam Academy. He has always been a farmer,
and has been extensively- engaged 'in cattle buying, for the past twenty -five years. He
first engaged in teaching, which he followed for several terms. He now owns 400
acres, and has also given his only son 175 acres. He is a Democrat and has served as
justice of the peace sixteen years. In 1845 he married Lydia Boynton of Massena,
born March 19, 1826, a daughter of Luke Boynton of Montpelier, Vt., born October 9,
1798, who came to Massena in 1823, and here died in 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Bridges have
had two children : Guy B., born in 1846, now residing in Massena, who for many years
has been connected with the stage line, also the steamboat line. He married first, in
1868, Louisa Hodgkins of Massena, and had one son, Fred, now married in Brooklyn.
Mrs. Bridges died in 1878, and he married second, Margaret Combs, bv whom he has
three sons : Roy, Guy and Harry. Ida, second child of J. D. Bridges, was born April
3, 1853, and married James Britton of Massena, who afterwards established the. Mas
sena Bank, of which he was president several years. Ida died November 19, 1878, and
Mr. Britton died in January, 1894.
Robertson, D. M., Canton, was born in Gouverneur, December^, 1829. He was edu
cated in the Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary and the Canton Law School. He was
admitted to the bar in 1871, and opened his present office in the same year. In 1861
Mr. Robertson enlisted in Co. A, 60th N. Y. Infantry, and served nearly two years,
enlisting as a private and returning home as a major. In 1872 he married Sarah
Thatcher, and they have one daughter, Jessie Robertson. Major Robertson has been
president of the St. Lawrence County Veteran's Association for two years, was for
merly deputy county clerk of St. Lawrence county, was for several years superinten
dent of the St. Lawrence County Agricultural Society, and is now and has been for
three years president of the Canton Savings and Loan Association.
Delaney, Thomas, Massena, was born in Mountrath, on of the chief towns in Queens
county, Ireland, March 3, 1820, a son of John and Catherine (Kennedy) Delaney of
Ireland, who came to Canada in 1848, and two years later to Massena, where the
mother died in 1858, aged seventy-two years, and the father in 1865, aged eighty-
four years. Of their seven sons, only two survive. Thomas was reared on the farm,
educated in the common schools, and in 1840 emigrated to the United States, land
ing in New York on May 15, and worked for the Shakers of Albany at gardening
until late in the fall, then went to Woodville, Jefferson county, where he engaged
in distilling until November, 1844, when he went to Dickinson's Landing, Ontario,
to superintend a large distillery at that place, and remained in that position until
the close of 1850, when the concern closed up business, and he then came to Mas
sena and commenced farming, in which he is still interested. He owns a farm of
about 150 acres ef highly cultivated land, nicely situated on the St. Lawrence River.
In 1881 he, with his family, moved into Massena Village, where he owns a com
fortable residence and where he still resides. Yet, though partly retired from the

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 315
active duties of farming, he still takes a lively interest in the progress and devel
opment of agriculture. He is a Democrat and was appointed census enumerator in
1875, held for many years the offices of inspector of elections and excise commis
sioner, and has also filled many positions of trust and responsibility, the duties of
which he discharged with scrupulous fidelity and care, to the entire satisfaction of
all the parties interested. He and all his family are members of the Catholic church.
In 1845 he married Caroline Jaycox of Massena born February 4, 1826, a daughter
of William and Barbara (Ruport) Jaycox, who were among the earliest settlers of this
town, the former dying in 1836, the latter in 1886, in Massena. Mr. and Mrs. De-
lany have had eight children, four of whom are now deceased, namely: John M.,
died at the age of six years : E. Ado, died aged five years ; Martha A., born July 6,
1854, died April 2, 1892 ; and William J., born March 28, 1848, and died October 6,
1893, leaving two daughters, Bessie L. and Mary L. The surviving children are : Lu-
cilia, wife of Herbert H. Holcomb of the town of Stockholm, now of California, by
whom she has had seven children, Maud (deceased), T. Tyler, Delany J., Kate E., James
F., Harry and Jeremiah ; Agnes, wife of Capt. James Fox of Massena, owner and
captain of the steamer Algona, a freight and passenger boat on the St. Lawrence River ;
T. Edwin, married first, Ella Costigan, who died April 26, 1890, and second, Sarah
Bennet, by whom he has one daughter, Ella M. He resides in Ogdensburg; and S.
Inez, wife of Charles McQuillan of Chicago, by whom she has one daughter, named.
Ellen A.
Sanford, Hon. Jonah, Hopkinton, was born in Cornwall, Vt, November 30, 1790.
He was the son of Hon. Benjamin Sanford, who was born in Litchfield, Conn., in 1756,
and in 1784 removed to Cornwall, Vt, of which town he was a prominent citizen.
Jonah Sanford's educational advantages were limited, and through his own efforts he
became an influential citizen of this county. He was a farmer, but being ambitious he,
while young and the country new, purchased a few law books and mastered them even
ings, after working throughout the day on his farm. He was elected to various offices
of trust: supervisor of his town, member of Congress during the unexpired term of
Silas Wright, judge of the Court of Common Pleas, also a member of the Constitutional
Convention. He was appointed commissioner to lay out a road between Hopkinton
and Port Kent, a distance of seventy-two miles. He discharged this duty with strict
integrity and untiring zeal. He made several trips through the great woods before a
tree was cut. In the military service he began early life as a volunteer in the War of
1812. Mr. Sanford was granted power by Governor Morgan to raise a regiment of
volunteer infantry, and in 1861-2 he organized in Potsdam, N. Y., the Ninety-second
Regiment and accompanied it to James River. Here his health failed. His extraordi
nary efforts in this work with his age, being seventy-one years old, so told upon him
that he reluctantly resigned his commission and Col. Sanford returned to his home. In
1811 he married Abigail, daughter of Rev. Henry Green, of Cornwall, Vt. He then
came to Hopkinton and purchased the farm where he resided over fifty years, and until
his death December 25, 1867, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. Mr. Sanford's first
wife died in 1842, and in 1845 he married Miss Harriet Barney, of Belleville, Jefferson
county, N. Y. She is living and is eighty-two years of age. Mr. Sanford was the

316 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
father of eight children by his first marriage, and two by his last marriage. He was a
strong Republican and a lover of his country. At one time he had two sons and four
grandsons in the war. His son Rollen died in Andersonville prison after suffering for
weeks for the want of food and care.
Palmer, George W., Lawrence, was born in Franklin county, December 18, 1831, a
son of Leonidas Palmer of Hinesburg, Vt, born in 1801, who married CyrenaHoadley,
of Vermont, by whom he had six children, four of them were school teachers, one was
a justice of the peace for many years, supervisor for about fifteen years, a member of
assembly two terms in the third district and land surveyor, our subject being the oldest.
L. Palmer first came to Franklin county, and in 1840 to St. Lawrence county, and set-
led on the farm now owned by George W. Here he died in 1874. He was a Republi
can and served in various town offices. His wife is now living at the age of eighty-
three, there being now four generations in one house. Our subject was nine years of
age when he came to this county, and he was educated in the common schools, teach
ing for a number of years when a young man. He is a carpenter and joiner by trade,
but follows farming principally. He owns 159 acres of land and keeps a dairy of nine
teen cows, owning Jersey cows among the stock, and also keeps sheep. He is a Re
publican and has served several years as trustee of schools. He is a member of P. of I.
Riverside Lodge at Lawrenceville. His wife was Eliza Washburn, a native of Wil
mington, Essex county, N. Y., a daughter of Israel and Asenath Hurd, who came from
New Hampshire to Essex county, where they died. By a previous marriage to Caro
line Sweet, daughter of Thomas Sweet, of Hopkinton, our subject had two children :
Edwin E., who died in infancy ; and Estelle M., a music teacher, who married Uriah
Denton, by whom she has had one child, Carl E.
Maley, A. J., Massena, was born in Massena, August 19, 1844, a son 6f John, a nat
ive of Ireland, who came to America when a child. He settled in Massena, and there
married Philena Perkins, a native of Stansted, Canada, born in 1802. Mr. and Mrs.
Maley had five sons and two daughters, three sons surviving. He went to California
in 1851, returned to Massena in 1852, and died in 1860, leaving a farm of 300 acres in
Massena, besides other real estate in Iowa. His widow resides with our subject at the
age of ninety-three. A. J. Maley was educated in the common schools, and at the age
of seventeen he went to Iowa (1861). In 1862 he enlisted in the Twenty-fourth Iowa
Volunteers and served eight months, when he was discharged on account of disability.
In August of the same year he enlisted in the Eighth Iowa Cavalry and served two
years and four months. He was in several engagements and many skirmishes, and was
taken prisoner at Atlanta, Ga., July 13, 1864, taken to Andersonville, held for five
months, then removed to Florence, S. G, where he remained till February 13, 1865,
when he was paroled, and remained in the hospital at Annapolis and at Little York, Pa.,
where he was discharged in July, 1865. At the close of the war he spent a short time
in Massena, then returned to Iowa. He spent the next few years in various work. He
went to Cornwall, Canada, and was proprietor of the American House for seventeen
years. In 1891 he came to Massena and became proprietor of the Allen House, where
he now resides. He followed farming several years prior to this. He is a Republican
and a member of Cornwall Lodge No. 125, F. & A. M. He is also a member of the

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 317
A. 0. U. W. No. 214 of Cornwall, and of the G. A. R. of Massena. In 1867 he mar
ried Elizabeth Patterson, by whom he has one daughter, who was educated in Williams-
town Convent, in Canada, and who now lives at home. Mr. Maley owns 163 acres
of the original homestead, and has added eighty-five acres, keeping a dairy of forty
cows. McEuen, A. E., Lawrence, was born in Lawrence, January 17, 1834. His father,
Captain Carlton, was a son of George, one of the pioneers of Hinesburg, Vt, who came
from Shaftsbury, Vt, and the grandfather of George came from Edinburgh, Scotland.
Capt. Carlton McEuen married Wealthy Calkins, of Hinesburg, Vt, born in 1797 and
died in 1826. They had three children. He married second Phoebe Millington, of
Lawrence, in 1833. She was born in Fairfax, Vt, in 1799. By her he had four chil
dren. He settled in Lawrence in 1825, his death occurring February 2, 1866, and there
lived and died. His farm is now owned by our subject, Augustus E., who was educated
in the common schools, and is a farmer, owning 300 acres of the old homestead and an
other place of 250 acres. In partnership with his brother, R. H., he owns 260 acres,
and his sons at home also own 125 acres at ' Fort Jackson. He has a dairy of forty
thorough-bred Ayrshire cattle, and is also an extensive breeder of Shropshire sheep and
Chester white hogs. He has a fine sugar bush of about 1200 trees. In politics he is a
Republican, and has served his town as highway commissioner, assessor and supervisor.
He belongs to the P. of H. No. 702, and was first master of the lodge. Mr. McEuen
married, March 14, 1860, Martha Witherel, of Hopkinton, who was born in Orwell, Vt,
October 7, 1841. They have had four children ; J. W., who died August 27, 1876, aged
thirteen years; Guy G, G. Wright, and Clyde A., all living at home. Mrs. McEuen
died September 25, 1886.
Hopson, B. M., Massena, was born in Salisbury, Herkimer county, August 3, 1818, a
son of Abel, son of Alvirus, of New Haven, Conn. The wife of the latter was Mary
Munger, by whom he had ten children. He and wife both died in Salisbury, N. Y.
Abel was born in New Haven, Conn., and at the age of eight years came with his par
ents to Herkimer county, where he spent most of his life. He married Hannah Avery,
daughter of Stephen Avery, formerly of Connecticut, who was a soldier in the Revolu
tion. B. M. Hopson was reared on a farm and educated in his native town. He came
to Brasher in 1847 and had just forty-five dollars, and settled on a dairy farm, coming
to Massena twelve years later, where he bought a large farm, keeping a dairy of fifty-
one cows. He is a Republican and cast his first vote for General Harrison in 1840, and
has been assessor, excise commissioner, etc. In 1838 he married in Herkimer county,
Catharine, daughter of George Loucks, and they have had seven children : Richard M.,
who was drowned in Wisconsin, aged twenty-two ; George H., who lives on his fath
er's farm. He married Libbie Hitchcock, by whom he has two sons : Fred M. and Nor
man A. • Norman A., son of B. M. Hopson, who resides on his father's farm, and mar
ried Mary Tracey, by whom he has two children: Floyd B. and Lulie; Irving F., who
lives in Massena village, and married Delia Carton, by whom he has two children :
Carlie and Catharine ; Amelia A., wife of Jacent H. Denison, of Wisconsin, by whom
she has six children: Burton, Elsie, Delia, Martin, Rowena, and Lon ; M. Rowena, de
ceased wife of Nathan H. Denison, who left two children : Nellie A., and Floyd M. ;

318 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
S. Louisa, wife of Allen Kezar, of Massena, by whom she has two children : Ernest and
Earl. Our subject is the owner of large tracts of farming lands in Brasher, Massena and
vicinity. Since 1884 he has lived in the village.
Dana, L. A., Massena, was born in Massena Center, December 18, 1826, a son of
Samuel Dana, born in Amherst, Mass., March 26, 1790, and married Julia Moody of that
town, born November 6, 1792. They had ten children, of whom nine grew to matu
rity. In 1814 Mr. Dana came to Massena, where he lived on a farm. He was a Repub
lican in politics, and his death occurred in July, 1882, that of his wife in July, 1880.
L. A. Dana was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He remained.
on his father's farm, which he purchased in 1882. He afterwards sold all but ten acres,
and in 1891 came to the village of Massena, where he has since lived. He is a Repub
lican, a member of the P. of H. No. 704 of Massena, and married April 11, 1871, Fan
nie Dunn, of Massena, born August 27, 1830, a daughter of Joel Dunn and Relief Lis-
comb, the former born in Bakersfield, Vt, September 20, 1798, and the latter bom in
Hartland, Vt, September 4, 1798. Both came to Massena when young, their marriage
occurring in 1829. They had five children. Mr. Dunn died in March, 1871, and his
wife in August, 1868.
Smith, Frank H., Gouverneur, was born in Moira, Franklin county, January 15, 1836,
a son of Daniel and Mary E. (Sails) Smith, the former born in Grafton, N. H., in 1813,
and the latter born in Grand Isle county, Vt. Frank H. came to Gouverneur in 1837.
His first business was in a hotel until 1861, since which he has been engaged in agri
cultural pursuits. He now lives in the village and owns a farm of 180 acres on Johns
town street, two and a half miles west of Gouverneur. February 7, 1861, he married
Martha H. Parsons, daughter of Richard and Maria Parsons, natives of Johnstown, N.
Y. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one child, Henry G Smith, born in 1864. Mr. Smith is
an active member of the Gouverneur Masonic Lodge, and is a past master, member of
Marble City Commandery, Media Temple, Mystic Shrine.
Lavack, Frederick, Gouverneur, was born March 27, 1842, in Canada, a son of Joseph
and Lizzie Lavack. He was two years of age when his parents removed to Ogdens
burg. In 1860 they came to Gouverneur, where Mr. Lavack has since resided, with the
exception of the years 1868-75, when he was in Syracuse engaged in the factory of D.
L. Fry. From 1875 to 1877 he was engaged in the jewelry business in Gouverneur, and
at that date founded the drug business, which he has successfully conducted up to the
present time. In 1876 he married Mary, daughter of Noah Loomis, of Gouverneur, and
they have had five children : Jennie, born December 18, 1882 ; Winifred, born May 27,
1884; Florence, born January 11, 1889; Anna, born August 6, 1877 ; and Robert, born
February 28, 1879, all now living. Mr. Lavack is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and in
politics a Democrat. He is a prosperous business man, and held in high esteem by his
fellow townsmen.
Witherell, H. E., Hopkinton, was born in Hopkinton, July 31, 1835, a son of Stephen
R., born April 17, 1799, in Vermont. His father was Job Witherell. Stephen R. mar
ried Abigail Moon, came to Hopkinton and bought a farm, where he lived the remainder
of his life, dying August 14, 1878. His wife, who died in 1882, bore him these chil-

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 319
dren: Clarissa, Charlotte, George R., Eugenia (who during the war was a prisoner at
Libby prison and was nearly starved to death, his weight being reduced from 200 to
ninety pounds), and our subject, H. E. Witherell, who was reared on the farm and
worked with his father as long as the latter lived. Afterwards he bought the home
stead, which he still owns, together with other property, comprising about 500 acres in
all. He keeps about thirty-five cows and also a flock of sheep, about 110 head. In
1863 he married Louisa Miller, daughter of Stephen Miller, of Essex county, born July
25, 1844. His wife was Abigail Jenney. Mr. and Mrs. Witherell have had two sons
and one daughter: Edna, born June 22, 1864, attended the Lawrenceville Academy
and Potsdam School, and has been a teacher for a number of years ; George, born
August 24, 1865, is a bookkeeper for a lumber company ; Charles, born February 5,
i867, is also in the lumber business in Washington. Mr. Witherell is a Republican in
politics. Smith, E. M., Massena, was born in Massena, this county, November 10, 1820, a son
of Perez Smith, who came from Massachusetts to this town in 1812, settling near Mas
sena Centre, and in 1840 came to the Springs, where he died in 1855, aged seventy-five
years. His wife, Elizabeth Fields, was a native of Massachusetts, and they had eight
children. Mr. Smith was a Democrat and was overseer of the poor many years. Our
subject was reared on a farm and educated in Massena and Potsdam Academy. In 1849
he married Margaret E. Polley, of Canada, daughter of William Polley, who was born
in Massachusetts. She was reared by an uncle, Capt. John Polley, the first man who
owned the springs at Massena, and who was in the War of 1812. He built the
house now owned by our subject. Mr. Smith is a Democrat, and was custom house
officer under Buchanan. He engaged in keeping boarders in Massena Springs in 1850,
and has continued in that business longer than any other man in the place. He owns
a very comfortable home, and has about eight acres of land, known as the old Captain
Polley place.
Wight, Allen, Gouverneur, was born November 14, 1824, in Fowler, and is the son
of John and Laura (Hodgskin) Wight. He prepared himself for teaching at the Normal
School at Albany and taught twelve terms. He was school commissioner four and a
half years, having charge of 153 schools. He has since followed civil engineering and
surveying, and managing his farm near Little York for the past thirty-two years. In
1888 he sold his farm and moved to the village of Little York. In 1891 he bought his
present location of twenty-two acres, where he has since lived. December 25, 1853,
Mr. Wight married Lury Geer, born in Fowler, July 6, 1831, daughter of Aaron and
Martha (Burdick) Geer. She died July 31, 1859, and he married second, September 21,
1859 Lucy (Fuller) Johnson, born in Fowler, May 1, 1835, daughter of John andZeruah
(Bly) Johnson. Mr. Wight's children are : Laura, born June 28, 1855, who married,
September 16, 1873, Andrew Leach (their children being Clarence E., born March 6,
1877 and Flossie) ; Edgar Allen, born January 29, 1857, married in Nebraska Mary
Cleveland (their children being Hattie L., born July 20, 1883 ; Nora J., born November
28, 1885; Blanche B., born February 2, 1888; Mary E., born May 2, 1891); Nora
Jane, born February 12, 1861, and married, February 21, 1882, William S. Griffiths;
Julia Ann born July 25, 1862, married, November 19, 1885, Sidney Brown (their chil-

320 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
dren being Sayles Allen, born April 10, 1888; and Nora Linn, born December 10, 1890) ;
Grant John, born March 15, 1864, married, July 29, 1890, Anna Meridith Hanna;
Blanche, born March 8, 1878, died January 24, 1883. Mr. Wight is a direct descendant
of Thomas Wight, wdio settled in Dedham, Mass., about 1636, who probably came from
the Isle of Wight
' White, Erastus R., Russell, was born in Hermon. September 15, 1838, a son of Al-
phonso White, born in Oswego in 1808, who came to Hermon and married Janette Hale,
daughter of Peleg Hale. Mr. and Mrs. White had four children, two now living. He
and wife are dead, the latter dying in Russell in 1860. Erastus R. was educated in the
common schools of his native town, and learned carpentry, which he followed until
1871, except for two years, when he served in the war. In 1871 he came to Monterey
and engaged in the manufacture of lumber, purchasing the Rose saw mill, and in 1873
he bought his present farm. In 1883 he went to Monterey and engaged in the mercan
tile business for two years, since which time he has been a farmer, owning seventy-
two acres of fine land. He is a Republican and is now serving his second term as jus
tice of the peace. In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, Eighty-third N. Y. Infantry, and
served two years. He was wounded in the hand at the battle of the Wilderness. Mr.
White is a G. A. R. man, of Rice Post No. 169, and a member of High Fal's Lodge No.
428, F. & A. M. In 1860 he married Hannah Robinson, of Antwerp, by whom he has
had two children : Floyd, who died aged eighteen months ; and Carrie, wife of Silas
Wright, by whom she has one child, Floyd W. Mrs. White died, and October 4. 1870,
he married second Ellen Van Ornum, daughter of Harry Van Ornum, of Russell, and
they have one daughter, Mary E., wife of Lewis Phillips, of Russell.
Pierce, William H., Hopkinton, was born in Hopkinton, October 4, 1845. He was a
son of Porter, who was a son of Rolland Pierce, of Maine, who came to this county
and town with his wife, by whom he had three sohs and four daughters. Porter was
born in 1816 and came to this town with his parents. His wife was Mary Wilkinson,
a native of Jay, N. Y, and they had eight children. They died in 1871 and 1877 re
spectively. William H. Pierce was educated in the common schools and brought up to
farm work, owning now 100 acres of dairy land and keeping fourteen cows. He is a
Republican in politics During the late war he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred
and Sixth N. Y. Volunteers (1863), and served till the close of the war, having been in
the following battles : Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Monocacy
Junction, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, and Sailor's Creek. He was wounded
at Winchester and also at Cedar Creek, and was in the hospital five months. In
1874 Mr. Pierce married Sarah G, daughter of Joseph Kempton, and they have one
daughter, Ada, wife of Addison Snell, a farmer of Hopkinton, and they have one son,
Guy Snell.
Thomas, Alonzo H., Parishville, was born in this town July 20. 1853, a son of Har
rison Thomas, who was a son of Reuben and Rhoda (Rice) Thomas, who had six chil
dren. They were natives of Claremont, N. H., and came to Parishville in 1812. Alonzo
H. was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools and Potsdam Normal
School. He followed teaching for three years, and worked at the carpenter's trade for

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 321
fourteen years, but has for some time been engaged in farming. He owns 143 acres of
land. In October, 1882, Mr. Thomas married Frances H., daughter of Capt. J. H.
Hitchcock, of Washington, D. C. Mr. Thomas and wife have three children : Ethel E.,
Eva M., and Helen A. Our subject is a Republican in politics, and is one of the
charter members of the West Parishville Grange No. 542. He and wife are Free Will
Baptists. Tharrett, James, Hopkinton, was born in Clinton county, December 11, 1825, a son
of James, born in Lincolnshire, England, about 1797, whose father, Joseph Tharrett, of
England, had five sons, only one of whom, the father of our subject, came to America.
James was married in England in 1818 to Mary Needham, crossing the ocean in 1821,
and settling in Champlain, where he worked in the lumber yards for five years. From
there he went to Canada, then came to Franklin county and settled on a farm for about
seven years. He then returned to Canada and followed farming the rest of his life.
He died in 1872 and his wife November 10, 1886. They had four sons and two daugh
ters. At the age of about ten years our subject came with his parents to this county,
and he early engaged in farming, which he followed as an occupation all his life. He
bought and sold several pieces of land, but finally settled in Hopkinton, where he now
owns a good farm of about 200 acres, a small portion of which is in Lawrence. Jan
uary 9, 1851, he married Celinda Clark, born May 2, 1826, daughter of Orange B. and
Hannah (Sweet) Clark, who came from Vermont in 1825. Mr. and Mrs. Tharrett have
had' three sons and three daughters : Clark and Milton, who live at home ; George, who
went west and became a successful farmer, afterwards sold his farm, and has not since
been heard from ; Annie, wife of a Mr. Matthews of this town ; Eva, wife of Josiah
Smith, also of this town ; and Nellie, wife of Edgar Corser, a farmer. Mr. Tharrett is
a Democrat in politics, and they attend the M. E. church.
Shaw, A. B., Russell, was born in Bolton, Warren county, March 20, 1817. His
father, Samuel, was a native of Massachusetts, who married Delight Barker, by whom
he had six sons and three daughters. He came with his family to Russell in 1843 and
here spent the remainder of his life. When our subject was three years of age he went
with his parents to Herkimer county, where they lived previous to coming to Russell.
In 1843 he married Mary J., daughter of Ebenezer and Susan (Rodgers) Dodge, of New
Hampshire and Canada, respectively, who had three children : Charles Dodge, Helen
M., and Mrs. Shaw. After their marriage our subject and wife lived for a time in Rus
sia, Herkimer county, and then for three years in Wilna, Jefferson county. They then
came to Potsdam, and later to Jefferson county. Next they spent some time in the
west, returning to Potsdam, where they lived till 1875, since which time they have re
sided in Russell. Mr. Shaw at present owns 1,200 acres of farming land, and keeps 100
cows and young stock. He is a Republican in politics and has been poormaster and
member of the Board of Excise. He has also been offered the office of supervisor three
different times, but has always declined. He is a member of Russell Lodge No. 666,
F. & A. M.
Sayer, Ransom E., Ogdensburg, was born in St. Lawrence county in 1852. He, in
connection with his father, inaugurated the business here in 1875. The copartnership

322 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
existed until two years ago, when his father returned to agricultural pursuits. The
latter possessing three or four farms a few miles from Ogdensburg. Ransom E.
married Mary Jane Lawrence, and they have two sons. Mr. Sayer keeps several
hands and a team busy. His business consists of wholesale and retail baker and
confectionery. Perkins, A. J., Hopkinton, was born in the town of Parishville, January 28, 1848,
a son of John L., whose father, Leonard, is mentioned elsewhere in this work^
John L. was born in New Hampshire, May 27, 1810, and died in Parishville Aug
ust 17, 1876. He was a farmer and came to Parishville when a young man, own
ing 800 acres of land. He was a Republican and was assessor and postmaster.
January 8, 1834, he married Clarissa Brown, by whom he had nine children. Mrs.
Perkins died December 31, 1891. Our subject was educated in the public schools
and has always been a farmer. He owned a farm of 200 acres in Parishville, which
in 1891 he exchanged for 160 acres in Hopkinton, where he now carries on general
farming, keeping a dairy of twenty cows. June 20, 1872, he married Harriet, daugh
ter of Hasting S. Cowles, one of the earliest settlers of Parishville, who died May 3,
1893. His wife was Lucretia Sampson, by whom he had three children. Mr. and
Mrs. Perkins have had two children : Alice, wife of Frank Wilson of Parishville;
and Olive J., who died October 25, 1885.
Putnam, B., Russell, was born in Sutton, Worcester county, Mass., December 12,
1816. Moses, his father, was a native of that State also, born in 1789, who mar
ried Lovina Livermore and had two children. They came to Jefferson county and
finally to Russell, St. Lawrence county, where they died, Mr. Putnam in 1869 and
and his wife in 1882, aged ninety-two years. Our subject went to Jefferson county
at the age of seven, with his parents, and there grew to manhoood. He married
Nancy, daughter of Daniel and Thuseba (Grimes) Burton, of Swanzey, N. H., who
came to Herkimer county in an early day and later went to Jefferson county, where
Mr. Burton died in 1869 and his wife in 1854. They had six children. To Mr.
and Mrs. Burton were bom .three children: Oscar, who died aged eight years;
Florence, wife of C. G Spencer of De Kalb, who has two sons, Oscar and Ira ;
and Charles B., born in Champion, Jefferson county, March 25, 1861, who was reared
on a farm and educated in the common schools. He came with his parents to Rus
sell in infancy and married, November 18, 1875, Adda Hosley, a native of New
York, and daughter of Almon Hosley, who died in Russell in 1875. Charles B. and
wife have had one child, Florence, born December 23, 1881. Mr. Putnam is a Dem
ocrat in politics, and he and his father are engaged in farming, having a place of
210 acres, and a dairy of thirty aows.
Peck, Daniel, Gouverneur, was born in Rutland, Vt. July 1, 1822, a son of John and
Sabra (Rounds) Peck, natives of Vermont, who came to Fullerville in 1837. John Peck
was a Baptist minister. Our subject was connected with the iron business in Fuller
ville until 1861, the firm being Fuller & Peck. In June, 1862, he enlisted in Co. K,
106th N. Y. Vol. Infantry, and served two years. He was in the Army of the Poto
mac, brigaded at Harrisburg, and was aide on the staff of Col. B. F. Smith. He was in

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 323
the battle of the Wilderness, and was on General Seymour's staff. He was mustered out
July 1, 1864. He then began the business of hotel life in Fowler, came to Gouverneur
in 1876, and kept the Peck House. He was supervisor of Fowler nine years and was
elected to the Legislature in 1879, for the regular term of three years. March 10, 1842,
he married Martha Fuller, a native of Rossie, by whom he has had children as follows :
Anna, born December 25, 1842, married Justus Pickett, April 6, 1864, and now lives at
Fergus Falls, Minn. ; Celinda, born February 2, 1849, married February 2, 1866, Hor
ace Pickett, and now lives at Fergus Falls, Minn. ; Everett, born January 11, 1860,
married February 7, 1884, and resides in Gouverneur, occupying the position of clerk
in the Peck House.
Johnston, J. P., Ogdensburg, was born in Hinesburg, Chittenden county, Vt., August
21, 1841. His parents moved into this county from Vermont, early in 1846. He re
ceived a common school education and afterwards learned the carpenter's trade, and
followed contracting and building for a number of years, but desiring to materialize
some of his plans regarding buildings, he commenced the study of practical architecture
and soon, through persistent effort, became a leading man in his profession. Gradually
extending his work, he became known most favorably within a radius of seventy-five
miles of this city, in both this country and Canada, and to-day there is hardly a hamlet
in St. Lawrence county but what contains specimens of his skill and ingenuity. In
Ogdensburg he designed the Ogdensburg Club Honse, and many churches, residences,
etc. Mr. Johnson married in October, 1871, Emma E. Burt, and they have three chil-
dred. He is a member of Masonic lodge, Ogdensburg Club and has been a member of
the council for the past four years.
Ingerson, Eneas, Russell, was born in Jefferson county, February 18, 1833. His
father, David, was a son of Jonathan, who came to Jefferson county in an early day,
where he died. David was born in Vermont, and came to Jefferson county when a
young man. He married Almira Grover, by whom he had five children. In 1843 he
went to Gouverneur and settled. He served two years in the late war, and his death
occurred  , his wife dying in 1850. Eneas was ten years of age when his father
settled in Gouverneur,. where our subject was reared and educated. He engaged in
farming, working by the month at first, and later renting in Hermon. Later he came
to Russell and followed the same work until about 1869, when he engaged in the manu
facture of lumber for twenty years in Clifton. He next came to Monterey and manu
factured lumber for four years. He then bought the lot he now owns, on which he
erected a fine residence and an ice house. He has been engaged in the grocery busi
ness, in connection with milling, for the past twenty years, and for the last six years
has kept a hotel at Monterey. Mr. Ingerson voted for Lincoln, but has been a Demo
crat ever since. While residing in Clifton he served as justice of the peace, town clerk,
and highway commissioner. He is a member of Vernon Lodge No. 500, F. & A. M.,
and has been a Free Mason since 1861. He has been twice married, first to Vesta A.
Wait, of Jefferson county, by whom he had three children : Seymour G, deceased ;
Florence G., deceased ; and Charles, deceased. Mrs. Ingerson died April 22, 1891, and
he married second Emma Hamilton, of Russell.

324 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Parker, B. G., Gouverneur, was born in Gouverneur, May 13, 1858, the only son of
George and Helen R. Parker. The father was at that time a merchant, but at the
breaking out of the war he enlisted in the service of his country, and served as captain
of Company D, Sixteenth N. Y. Volunteer Infantry. He afterwards represented his
district two terms in the Assembly, and was collector of customs at the port of Oswe
gatchie. Captain Parker died in 1883. Mrs. Parker is of English birth and education,
and during her husband's absence in the army and on official duties was most able and
successful in business affairs, and the training of her family. B. G. Parker was edu
cated in the public and private schools of Ogdensburg and Gouverneur Wesleyan Semi
nary. He early evinced a taste for the printing trade, beginning his work in that line
at the age of fifteen. Four years later he established the Norwood News, which he
conducted five years. In 1882 he returned to his native town and established the
Gouverneur Free Press, a flourishing and popular Republican newspaper. In this busi
ness his sister, Helen I. Parker, has assisted him, having been local editor since 1887.
Mr. Parker is now associated with P. L. Doyle in the publication of the Potsdam Re
corder. Aside from his newspaper business Mr. Parker has been a large investor in real
estate, and has added much to Gouverneur by the building of numerous fine residences
and two marble blocks. He has been actively identified with the Masonic orders and
with the Presbyterian church.
Hatch, E. B., Hermon, was born in Jefferson county, December 25, 1842. His father
was a hotel keeper, and our subject was connected with that line of business until nine
teen years of age, when he came to Hermon and in company with his father conducted
the Hermon House for three years. He then traveled for a Syracuse boot and shoe
house for two years, and then went to Georgetown, Col., and followed mining for five
years. Proceeding to California his party was the second one to cross the wilds of
Arizona. He returned to Illinois and farmed for two years, after which he returned to
St. Lawrence county and went into the saw mill and cheese box business, and this oc
cupation he followed nineteen years. In April, 1893, he bought a stock of general
merchandise in this place and began his present business. In 1872 Mr. Hatch married
Susan Beach, of Winchester Springs, Canada, and they have one daughter, Cecil. Mr.
Hatch is a member of the Foresters and also a Mason.
Haselton, Harry S., Hopkinton, was born in Lawrence, February 22, 1836, a son of
Albanus, who was a son of Moses Haselton, a native of New Hampshire, who married
Harriet Fulsome, and came to this county among the first settlers. Albanus was born
in New Hampshire in 1807, and came to Lawrence when a boy. He married Charlotte
Merchant, born in Vermont in 1809, by whom he had six children, and died in 1882.
His wife resides with her son, Silas E. Harry S. Haselton took up farming after his
education was completed. He resided in Lawrence until 1862, when he came to Hop
kinton, and now owns 165 acres of land and keeps a dairy of twenty-two cows. He is
a Republican in politics and has been assessor for nine years, highway commisioner
four years, etc. He and family attend the Congregational church. January 1, 1861,
Mr. Haselton married Mary J., daughter of Silas Merchant, one of the first settlers of
Lawrence.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 325
Hatch, L. B., Russell, was born in Russell in 1857, a son of S. G Hatch. The grand
father of our subject was William, who married Temperance Chalker, of Vermont, and
had five children, three now living. Of these S. G Hatch came to Russell in an early
day, and by industry has made for himself a fine home, his farm being a valuable one
of about 200 acres, upon which he now resides. L. B. Hatch was reared on a farm and
received his educatiou in the common schools. At the age of seventeen he began teach
ing in the schools of Russell, working at farming during the summer time and teaching
winters. He taught about ten terms, and on May 7, 1889, he married Libbie Davis,
daughter of Wheeler Davis, of Russell, formerly of Delaware county. In 1881 our
subject bought the farm in Russell upon which he now resides and engaged in general
farming and dairying. He keeps an average of about fifteen cows and six or seven head
of young cattle. Mr. and Mrs. Hatch have two children : Herbert S., born October 16,
1882 ; and Grover L , born November 9, 1884. Mr. Hatch is a Democrat, and he and
family are members of the Baptist church.
Hatch, A. J., M.D., Russell, was born in Russell, April 12, 1861, a son of S. C. Hatch,
a native of South Canton, born in 1826, whose father was Dr. Hatch, born in Vermont,
who came to South Canton. S. G Hatch came to Russell with his parents when six
years of age, and has always followed agriculture. He married Ann, daughter of Justus
Ives, of Russell, and they have had eight children, four now living: Victor G, L. B.,
Martha B., and A. J. The latter, our subject, was educated in the St. Lawrence Semi-
mary and the medical department of the University of Vermont, beginning practice in
1885 in Norwood, where he remained about eighteen months. He then came to this
town, where he has built up an enviable reputation as a reliable practitioner, his rides
extending into the towns of Russell, Fine, Clifton, Pierrepont, Clair, etc. In 1886 he
married Fannie F., daughter of T. P. and Harriet Johnson, both of Vermont, but now
residents of Russell. They have had one child, who died in infancy.
Hunkins, John, Russell, was bom in the Province of Quebec, May 7, 1828, a son of
Moses C. whose father, Moses Hunkins, was a native of Bradford, Vt, born July 16,
1775, and married Hannah Scagel, by whom he had five sons and four daughters. Mr.
Hunkins and wife came to Russell in 1842, where they lived a number of years, until
Mr. Hunkins became blind, when he lived with his sons. His death occurred in 1878
and that of his wife in 1848. His second wiEe was a Mrs. Lampson. The father of
Moses was Robert Hunkins, who came with General Wolfe to Quebec. After the
close of the war he remained in America and became a captain in the Revolution.
Moses G Hunkins was born in Bradford, Vt, August 27, 1801. He lived in his native
State until the age 6f eighteen, then went with a colony of young men to Quebec,
where he married Salona GilfiUian, of Canada, born May 2, 1809, and afterwards he and
wife came to Russell (1842) and settled on the farm now owned by Ira Curby. Mr.
and Mrs. Hunkins had seven children, all now living. He died January 15, 1877, and
his wife March 15, 1892. John, our subject, came to Russell with his parents at the
a^e of fourteen, and lived on the farm until he became of age, when he went as a sailor
on the lakes, and during the coldest part of the year was on Lake Michigan and the
Illinois Canal. He followed this calling three years, then married Maria Grieve, a nat
ive of Edwards, born October 19, 1840, daughter of James Grieve, of Edinburgh,

326 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Scotland, born October 1, 1793, whose wife was Mary Watson, born October 13, 1831.
They came to Edwards in 1818, where he died April 19, 1877, and she on October 7,
1860. Our subject and wife have had four children : Lucina S., born January 12, 1859 ;
Celia S., born December 9, 1865, died August 29, 1892 ; Mina J., bom April 28, 1871 ;
and Bessie G., born January 1, 1877, died March 17, 1887. Mr. Hunkins followed
farming till 1861, then went on the Erie Canal and wintered in Washington, where he
lighted for the government. He followed the canal for seven years and then returned
to Russell and sold his farm, buying the one he now owns of 110 acres. He is now
filling the office of game protector. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of Her
mon Lodge No. 500, F. & A. M.
Hasbrouck, Levi, Ogdensburg, was born in Ogdensburg in April, 1851. He received
an academic education, after which he was engaged in banking for three years. Mr.
Hasbrouck then became cashier of the Ogdensburg and Lake Champlain Railroad and
Ogdensburg Transit Company, and in 1891 became secretary and treasurer of the St.
Lawrence wholesale grocery concern. Levi Hasbrouck's grandfather, Louis Hasbrouck,
was the first county clerk of this county, president of the village of Ogdensburg, a
member of the State senate, postmaster, etc., and his father was an eminent lawyer.
The Hasbrouck family originally came from Hasbrouck, France, in 1675, and settled in
Ulster county, N. Y. Mr. Hasbrouck is prominently identified with the Episcopal
church, is a member of the Ogdensburg Club, and is both socially and financially rated
among Ogdensburg's most popular and solid citizens.
Hodgkin, Jay F., Gouverneur, was born December 5, 1845, a son of Phineas and
Esther A. Hodgkin of the town of Fowler. In 1877 they moved to Spragueville and
engaged in the manufacture of cheese, and still own the factory. They came to Gouv
erneur in 1890, where they have since resided, dealing in dairy products. Our subject
married, March 28, 1871, Delia A., daughter of Smith Cleveland, and they have two
children : Nora M., born January 10, 1872 ; and Blanche A., born August 4, 1875.
November 3, 1863, Mr. Hodgkin enlisted in Co. K, 18th N. Y. Cavalry, and was hon
orably discharged May 11, 1866. He was under General Banks in the Red River ex
pedition, and after Lee's surrender was in the service in Texas, where he was mustered
out at Victoria. He was justice of the peace in the town of Rossie for eight years.
In 1894 he was re-elected assessor. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Banks
Post No. 156, G. A. R., and is a Republican.
Gore, James, Russell, was born in Canada, June 26, 1844, a son of John, who was a
son of William Gore, a native of Ireland, where he was reared and educated. He mar
ried Sarah Gore, by whom he had three sons and two daughters. In 1832 he came to
Canada, and there died. John Gore was born in Ireland, where he married Mary Mar
tin, and they had three sons and six daughters. He came to Canada in 1832, and in
1863 came to Canton. About 1869 he went to the oil regions of Pennsylvania, where
he was killed by an engine, March 18, 1870. His wife lives in Canada. James Gore
was reared on a farm and educated in Canada. He was apprenticed to a harness-maker
with his brother, at the age of twenty-two, and in 1871 came to Russell and engaged
in the manufacture of harness, and here has continued, with the exception of two years.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 327
September 21, 1870, he married Olive J, daughter of George L. Hosford, and they have
had one adopted daughter, Geitie B. Gore, who died age! eleven years. Mr. Gore is a
Republican in politics and is serving his second term as town clerk. He is a member
of Russell Lodge No. 566, F. & A. M.
Grandy, J. L., Russell, was born in Canada, August 10, 1829, a son of Samuel, whose
father, Samuel, sr., resided in Vermont many years. He had seven sons and four
daughters, and came to Stockholm in his later days, where he died. Samuel, jr., was
born in Vermont in 1786, and there married Phoebe Brockway, a native of New Hamp
shire, and daughter of Maran Brockway, a soldier in the Revolution. To Mr. and Mrs.
Grandy were born thirteen children. Mr. Grandy came to Stockholm in 1841, and
three years later to Russell, where he died inl858 and his wife in 1863. J. L. Grandy
came to Stockholm at the age of eleven years and to Russell at the age of thirteen.
He has always followed agriculture, and manufactured lumber two years. He owns
360 acres of land. April 17, 1849, he married Arvilla M. Gibbs, a native of Russell,
born April 17, 1828, a daughter of Joseph Gibbs of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Grandy
have had eight children: Eliza A., who married first, Charles W. Alverson, by whom
she had two children, Emma L. and J. Wesley. Mr. Alverson died September 2, 1882,
and she married second, G. H. Knox of Hermon ; Nettie M., wife of Abel Andrews,
by whom she has had four children living and one deceased, Minnie, Leon, Gertrude,
Grace and Floyd. They live in Pitcairn ; Charles L., married Nettie Manchester of Pit
cairn, and has one child, Floyd; John B., married Luna Derth ; Jay G, married Chloe
Northrup of Russell, and has two children, Gertrude M. and Lelon E. ; Frank, married
Jennie E. Hall of Gouverneur, and has one child, Florence; Clara D., married William
W. Rose of Kansas City, and has three children ; Carrie is the wife of Addison G. Hall,
and has two children, Lynn and Annis. Mr. Grandy is a Republican, and has been
highway commissioner of the town.
Eaton, J. B., Gouverneur, was born in Massachusetts, September 1, 1823, and learned
the trade of millwright, which he has followed up to the last three years, during which
he has been engaged in the grocery business. He married Elizabeth Smith in 1848,
and their children are : George and Wilfred. His present and second wife is Adelia
Van Duke, whom he married in 1884. She is of Mohawk Dutch descent.
Stearns, Melvin J., M. D., Massena, was born in town of Massena, October 5, 1843 ;
was reared on a farm and attended the school at Massena Center, which was one of the
best in St. Lawrence county. In the autumn of 1860 he attended Potsdam Academy.
and the following winter taught the school in what is known as the Carton school dis
trict in Massena. During the winter of 1861-2 and spring of 1862 he attended the
academy at Lawrenceville. Returning to his home from school in the summer of 1862
and feeling that the government needed his service, he was the first man to enlist in
Co. F, 106th Regiment, N. Y. Volunteers, July 24, 1862, and was made first sergeant
of the company, afterwards quartermaster sergeant of the regiment, and later commis
sioned first lieutenant of his old company, which he commanded in the closing cam
paign of the Army of the Potomac which terminated at Appomattox. He with his
regiment participated in many of the important battles in Virginia and Maryland, and

328 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
was severely wounded at Monocacy, Md., July 9, 1864. At the close of the war he
was mustered out of the army and returned to his home in Massena. September 23,
1865, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary L. Staplin of Gouverneur, and resided
in Massena until 1871 when he with his family went to Iowa. In 1878 he entered
Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, and graduated in 1880, and graduated near
the head of a class of eighty-seven. He began the practice of medicine at Atlantic, la.,
but returned to Massena and began practice early in the year 1882, since which time he
has had a successful practice. He has always been prominently identifitd with the
Republican party, and has been for several years a member of the board of education
of Massena Union Free school. He has been for many years a member of the Congre-
gat'onal church.
Stone, John G., Louisville, was born in Louisville on the farm he owns, June 18, 1847.
He is the second of a family of three children born to I. G. and Ann (Powers) Stone.
John G. was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, aud has always
followed farming. He owns 104 acres, the original purchase of his grandfather, to
which he has added thirty-one acres. He keeps seventeen cows, five yearlings, eight
horses and ihirty sheep. He is a Republican, and has been assessor one term. He is a
member of Louisville Grange No. 732, and also of the A. O. U. W. of Ogdensburg, No.
375. He and family attend and support the Methodist church. Mr. Stone married in
1872, Mary E., daughter of Patrick Matthews of Louisville, and they have had four
sons: Willie J., at home; George M., a student at Potsdam Normal School; Fred C
and Ray B., both at home.
Scarborough, James M., Massena, was born in Massena, March 25, 1826, a son of
Michael (born January 6, 1785), a native of Canada. Michael was one of the first set
tlers of Massena, coming previous to the War of 1812, in which he served and for which
service his wife drew a pension. He first settled where Mr. Andrews now lives, but
later moved west of Massena village on to 400 acres of land, which he cleared. It
was upon this farm that his wife (Maria Robinson) and child, a daughter, were mur
dered by a Frenchman named Gerteau, on February 22, 1816, for money, of which he
obtained only twelve dollars. He also murdered his nephew who was working for
Mr. Scarborough. The latter was left with one daughter three years old, who grew to
womanhood and married Wm. Monroe, of Canada, by whom she had two sons and
one daughter. The sons are now living, one, Watson, a farmer on the homestead, and
William, a physician at Newington, Canada. Mr. Scarborough married second Mary
A. Marsh (born May 29, 1794) in Cornwall, Canada. They had ten children — three
sons and seven daughters — all living except the youngest son and two of the daughters.
Mr. Scarborough engaged in shipping flour to foreign countries, and failed in business,
after which he contracted for land, a part of which is now owned by James M. He
and wife were members of the M. E. church. He was upright, honest and kind to
his family. He died in 1878, and his wife in 1888. James M. Scarborough was reared
on a farm until eighteen years of age, when he learned the carpenter's trade, which he
followed until 1863, when he engaged in farming, and now owns 507 acres on Long
Saut Island, and thirty-four where he now resides. He keeps in all seventy-five cows.
He is a Republican, and has never asked for office. Mr. Scarborough has been twice

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 329
married, first, March 25, 1864, to Inez Hutchins, a native of Long Saut Island, daugh
ter of Jacob Hutchins. She bore him three children, two living : Ella, wife of Will G.
Clark (has one child, Edna I.) ; Susan E., wife of Loren Earl, of Long Saut (have two
children, Rufus and Charlotte L.) Mrs. Scarborough died May 11, 1874, and he mar
ried, in 1876, Alice, daughter of Alfred Edwards, of Brasher. They have had two chil
dren, one living at home, Estella. The maternal grandfather of subject was Abram
Marsh, a native of Massachusetts ; his wife was Catherine French ; they had eight chil
dren. They lived and died in Cornwall, Canada.
Andrew, Jacob, Louisville, was born in Canada, August 26, 1838, a son of John Andrew
of Canada, who died in 1870 at the age of seventy-one. His wife was Katie Morgan,
and they had nine children. Mrs. Andrew died in 1879. Jacob was reared on a farm
and educated in the common schools. In 1856 he came to Louisville, where he has
ever since been engaged in farming, owning a place of 200 acres, and keeping a dairy
of thirty-five cows. He married in 1860 Marion Wright of Louisville, daughter of
Asel and Wealthy Clark, early settlers of the town. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew have had
eleven children, four of whom grew to maturity : Charles J., Adelbert A., Almeda A.,
and Nellie A. Mr. Andrews is a Republican and a member of Massena Grange No.
704. His wife and children are members of the Congregational church.
Bayley, J. B., Massena, was born in Newbury, Orange county, Vt, April 27, 1818,
a son of James Bayley, 2d, who was a son of Colonel Joshua, a son of General Jacob
Bayley, who was in the French and Indian Wars. He settled in Newbury, Vt, where
he died March 1, 1816. Colonel Joshua was born in 1753 in Newbury, Vt, and died
in 1841. He had eight sons and four daughters, and was a colonel in the Revolution
ary war. James Bayley was born in the same town June 10, 1784, and died in 1859.
His wife was Sirena Bigelow, born in Vermont, by whom he had two sons and four
daughters. He came to Massena in 1838 and settled on a farm where he died. Our
subject was educated in the common schools, came to Massena at the age of twenty
and has resided on a farm most of his life. He came to the village in 1869, where
he has since lived retired. He has 200 acres of land and village property, is a Re
publican in politics, and has been a successful farmer. He married Elizabeth,
daughter of John Maley, a native of Massena, who married Philena Perkins, the latter
surviving him, aged ninety-two years. Mrs. Bayley died in 1876 and he married sec
ond, Eliza, daughter of Robert and Ann (Shirkley) Dixon of Canada. They have had
two children, Maude and James G. The father of Mrs. Bayley was born July 27, 1799,
and died July 13, 1879. Mrs. Dixon was born in May, 1819, and died in 1859.
Benson, O. P., Massena, was born in the town of Massena, December 28, 1842, a son
of Samuel, a native of Vermont, born December 12, 1815, who came to Massena in
1840, and cleared a home. He was left without a father at nine years of age, but be
ing energetic, became possessed of a comfortable competency. Another generation
back were Cyrus and Mary (Mills) Benson, he born in Vermont August 22, 1786, and
she in Scotland April 17, 1792, the former dying March 19, 1843, and the latter Octo
ber 1, 1860. Samuel Benson, father of our subject, was twice married. His first wife
died August 16, 1865, and he married second, Abigail Riley of Bombay, Franklin

330 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
county, born May 6, 1829, by whom he had three children : Una, and two who died
young. He died December 10, 1883. 0. P. Benson remained on the farm till the age
of eighteen, and October 1, 1801, he enlisted in Co. A, 97th N. Y. Vols., and partici
pated in the battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, etc., and Octo
ber 27, 1864, was taken prisoner at the second battle of Fair Oaks, and confined in
Pemberton, Salisbury and Libby prisons. He was released in February, 1865. At the
time of his capture he was sergeant major, and on his return he was made first lieuten
ant. He was honorably discharged in the spring of 1866, and in November of that
year he married Susan G, daughter of Abram and Elizabeth A. (Carter) Prunner of Vir
ginia, by whom he has had six sons and four daughters. After his marriage Mr. Ben
son engaged in farming in Virginia till 1881, when he sold and bought the old home
stead in Massena, where he lived until 1894, when he rented the farm for three years
and removed to a home close by. He now owns 180 acres of land and keeps a dairy
of sixty-two cows. lie built the first silo in the town, and made it a success. In pol
itics he is a Prohibitionist, and is a member of the G. A. R. of Massena.
Crooks, H. F., Massena, was born in Malone, Franklin county, September 5, 1824, a
son of John, a native of Brandon, Vt, born in 1777, whose father, John Crooks, was
born in Ireland in 1737, and came to America and married Lydia Holbrook, of Massa
chusetts, by whom he had six children, of whom John came to Malone in 1810, his
parents coming with him. (They died in 1825 and 1840 respectively). John married
first Elizabeth Lull, born in Brandon, Vt, in 1787, a daughter of John and Deborah
Lull. Mr. and Mrs. Crooks had eight sons and two daughters. He died in 1864, his
wife having died in 1846. H. F. Crook was educated at Malone Academy, and at the
age of seventeen learned the miller's trade, which he has always followed. He assisted
in the building of the first factory at Bicknellville. He resided in various places until
1852, when he came to Massena Springs and bought thirty-nine acres of land, where he
now lives. He owns 260 acres in Norfolk and keeps thirty cows. He is a Democrat,
and he and family are Episcopalians. He married, February 26, 1852, Mary Reed, of
Massena, born February 27, 1825, a daughter of Stephen E. Reed, whose father,
Stephen, was a native of New York city, born in 1762, and came to Massena in 1801.
Stephen E. was born in Essex, Vt., in, 1797, and at the age of four years came to Mas
sena with his parents, where he spent his life on a farm, and died in 1871. His wife
was Hulda Clafflin, by whom he had three children : Mary, as above ; Alma, wife of J.
E. Clary ; and Stephen W., who married Agnes Ellis. Our subject and wife have had
two children : Ella F., born November 24, 1855, who married Newton W. Lawrence,
of Bangor, Franklin county, March 10, 1880, and has one child, Mary R. ; and Cora A.,
who was born July 27, 1864, and married, November 19, 1889, Eugene Sullivan, an en
gineer on the R. W. & O. R. R., and they have two children : Harry R., born October
28, 1890 ; and Thomas T., born September 14, 1892. Mrs. Crooks died April 30, 1888,
near Gainesville, Florida, where she is buried,
Chase, H. Benjamin, Massena, a young and enterprising lawyer of Massena, was born
November 22, 1867, a son of Clark E. Chase, whose father, Hiram, came from Ver
mont to Massena when the country was new. His wife was Lydia Spaulding, also of
Vermont, by whom he had five sons and a daughter, all now living except Clark E.,

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 331
father of our subject, whose death occurred May 15, 1884. Clark E. was reared on the
farm, educated at the Fort Covington Academy, and married Ann, daughter of Na
thaniel Brewer, of Massena, who came from Massachusetts and was one of the first
settlers. Miss Brewer was educated at the Fort Covington Academy and the Potsdam
Academy, and was for a number of years engaged in teaching, as was also Mr. Chase,
though his principal occupation was farming. He was also engaged in surveying at
Massena and the surrounding towns, and practiced law in the justice's court. He
and wife had one daughter and six sons: Eliza, Nathaniel, Giles, Charles, Alonzo, Clark
and H. B., all now living except Clark. Mr. Chase was a Republican and held the office
of justice of the peace fifteen years. He was also highway commissioner. Mrs. Chase
is still living on the homestead farm. H. B. Chase graduated from the Massena
Union School in 1889, taught school a portion of the year for three years, and began
reading for the law in 1S9.1, having been eighteen months in the office of Hon. J. C.
Keeler, of Canton. He then went to the Albany Law School, graduating in the spring
of 1892, upon which he went into the office of Hon. John I Gilbert, of Malone, and in
February, 1893, was admitted to the bar. On the 5th of April following he opened his
office at Massena, where he is now located in the bank building. He is attorney and
general counsellor and will give prompt attention to all business or cases brought to
him. In politics he is Democratic, and is a member of the Court Massena No. 623, I.
O. F.
Carton, Z. B., Massena, was born in Massena, December 8, 1856, a son of Luke, born
in Massena, September 10, 1823, whose father was James Carton, born in County Wex
ford, Ireland, in 1787, who came to America in 1816 and settled in Massena. After a
short time he took a farm, which he cleared, and before his death owned 220 acres,
which is still in the possession of the family. He died May 17, 1874. Luke, father of
our subject, was a teacher and a county school commissioner of long standing. The
latter part of his life he spent on the homestead farm. January 1, 1840, he married
Marcia E., daughter of Caleb Russell, of Massena, and of their eight children six sur
vive. He was a Republican and served as assessor and supervisor a number of years.
He died October 16, 1893. Z. B. Carton was educated in the Union School at this
place, also the Lawrenceville Academy, and began teaching at the age of eighteen, con
tinuing six years. He then bought the St. Lawrence Creamery and Cheese Factory,
where he has since carried on a successful business. He is a Republican, and a member
of Massena Lodge No. 513, F. & A. M., also the Court of Massena No. 623, I. 0. F., of
which he is chief ranger. He is also a member of the Grange.
Crinklaw, Jerome, Lawrence, was born in Lawrence, November 24, 1850, a son of
James, son of Robert, a native of England, bom in 1790, whose wife was Frances
Youn"- also bom in England, in 1702. Robert came to Essex county, and to Lawrence
in 1838 settling on the farm now owned by our subject, where he died in 1873, and
his wife in 1857. James was born February 28, 1814, and married, April 28, 1839,
Electa Williams, born July 4, 1818, in Onondaga county, a daughter of James and
Phoebe (Tappan) Williams, the latter a cousin of Judge Tappan of Potsdam. James
Crinklaw and wife had two sons and seven daughters. He died September 21, 1892.
Our subject was educated in the common schools and Lawrenceville Academy. He

332 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
owns 300 acres of land, keeping a dairy of thirty-four cows and young stock. He is a
Republican in politics, and a member of Deer River Grange No. 702 of Lawrenceville.
December 10, 1881, he married Christy, daughter of Stillman Griffin of Moira, whose
father was an early settler of St. Lawrence county. Mr. and Mrs. Crinklaw have three
children: Edith, born May 11, 1883; James, born May 26, 1888; and Horace, born No
vember 15, 1890.
Drake, Loren M., Lawrence, was born in Moira, Franklin county, October 8, 1846, a
son of J. A. Drake, born in Grafton, N. H., in 1814, whose father was Daniel Drake of
Grafton, who had three sons and four daughters. In 1817 he came to Franklin county,
where he settled on a farm and built a log cabin. J. A. Drake began business for him
self at the age of twenty- five years. He bought 130 acres of land in Moira, which he
sold and bought again. Again he sold, then bought the farm of 156 acres where he
now lives at the age of eighty years. The farm is now carried on by his son, Reuben.
Mr. Drake has been twice married, first to Caroline Moody by whom he had six sons
and four daughters. He married second, Caroline Lavery. L. M. Drake, our subject,
was educated in the common and select schools of Moira, and has always been a farmer.
He first invested in a farm with his brother, which they worked together nine years,
then sold. Loren then came to Lawrence, buying the farm of 208 acres, which he now
owns. He carries on general farming and dairying, keeping about thirty cows, and
also has a sugar bush of about 500 trees. Mr. Drake married, in 1867, Lucina, daugh
ter of Milton and Lois (Washburn) Watson, natives of Vermont, who came to Franklin
county in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Drake have had three sons and four daughters :
Arthur G., Almon P., Milton M., Clara G, Alice M., Lois D. and Julie E.
Day, Luther B., Lawrence, was born in Underhill, Vt, November 11, 1842, a son of
Noah Day, whose father was Edward Day of Jericho, Vt. The wife of Edward was
Susan Ransom, by whom he had thirteen children. Noah was born in Jericho, Vt, in
1804, and married Alvira Castle of Essex, Vt, by whom he had eight children. He
died in Vermont in 1890, and his wife in 1878. Our subject was eight years of age
when he came to Lawrence. When a young man he went to Muskegan, Mich., where
he engaged in lumbering. He also went to Pennsylvania, where he was at work for
some time in the oil regions. His home, however, has been in Lawrence. He is a
Republican, and a member of Elk Lodge No. 577, F. & A. M., and of Deer River
Chapter No. 197, R. A. M. He married first, November 14, 1870, Frances, daugh
ter of Daniel Harris, by whom he had two children, Clinton and Clayton, twins, the
latter dying in infancy. Mrs. Day died February 8, 1885, and January 6, 1894, he
married Mary G., sister of his first wife. November 2, 1861, Mr. Day enlisted in
the 92d N. Y. Volunteers, and after one year's service was discharged on account
of disability. Daniel Harris, father of Mrs. Day, was born in Middlesex, Vt., July
30, 1806, a son of Samuel, a native of New York, who came to Lawrence in 1807
and built the first frame house in the town. Daniel married Christiana Long. He
died November 24, 1893, and his wife October 15, 1890. Mr. Day owns 197 acres
and keeps a dairy of twenty cows. He also owns 160 acres in Kansas.
Donaghue, A. F., Massena, a native of Windsor, Vt, born September 27, 1826, a
son of William Donaghue, born at Windsor, February 1, 1786. The grandfather of

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 333
A. F. Donaghue came from Ireland to Abington, Mass., where he married Mary
Nash, and they had nine children. In 1787 he went to Vermont, where he died
in 1839, and his wife in 1825. William was reared on a farm and for a time taught
school, as did all his sisters but one. Mr. Donoghue was eleven years deputy sheriff
at Windsor, Vt. He married Sophia Orvise, born February 7, 1786, daughter of
David Orvise, of Vermont and they had two sons and two daughters. He died in
1874, and his wife in 1879. A. F. Donaghue received a good education in the common
schools, and worked for a time in a meat market in Boston. In 1853 he bought a farm
in Massena, which he soon sold and bought another one, which he still owns. He
keeps about fifteen cows and thirty-five sheep, and also raises thorough-bred Chester
White swine, besides having a large sugar bush. March 23, 1853, he married Laura,
daughter of Ephraim Hyde, and they have four daughters and one son : Isabel gradu
ated from the Normal School of Potsdam, and taught for a time. She is the wife of
Orange Dodge of Ogdensburg Academy ; Minnie is the wife of Guy Russell, a teacher
of music ; Dora was a graduate of Ogdensburg Academy, and a teacher. She died
March 16, 1892, aged twenty-seven years; Helen is the wife of Joseph Clark, a civil
engineer for some time in the employ of the N. P. R. R. ; David was educated at Mas
sena and Potsdam, and has taught several terms of school. Mr. Donaghue is a Repub
lican and a member of Massena Grange No. 704.
Denison, R. H., Massena, was born in Massena, May 15, 1850, a son of E. M. Deni
son, a native of Lewis county, born 28, 1807. The grandparents were Nathan and
Betsey (Frazer) Denison, the former born in Stonington, Conn., February 8, 1766, and
the latter a native of Scotland. The parents of Nathan were Elisha and Katurah
(Minor) Denison. Nathan had one child, the father of our subject, who came to Mas
sena with his parents about 1814, and after the death of his father he was for thirty
years on the River St. Lawrence. About twenty-two years ago he gave over the full
control of the farm to his son, R. II., who took care of his parents. Mrs. Denison died
August 14, 1888, but Mr. Denison survives. R. H. Denison has spent most of his life
on the homestead farm, which he devotes to general produce, dairying, etc., having
also a sugar bush of about 1,400 trees. He is a breeder of Percheron horses. Febru
ary 3, 1872, he married Emma Howard, born August 9, 1854, in Ohio, a daughter of
George and Delia (Harris) Howard. Mr. and Mrs. Howard have had two sons and a
daughter. George Howard was a railroad contractor. He was a member of Co. H,
11th Illinois Cavalry, in the war of the Rebellion, and received several wounds. He
was also a soldier in the Mexican war. He died of yellow fever in Tennessee. The
mother resides in Massena at the age of sixty years.
Douglass, Henry A., Massena, was born in Louisville, January 22, 1825, a son of
Lucas L. born in 1793, whose father was born in Scotland. Lucas L. came to Louis
ville settling on a farm in what was then known as Douglass Bay, and in 1826 he
came to the farm owned by our subject, where he died in 1837. He married Clara
Reed of Essex, Vt., and of the children of this union five grew to maturity. Mr. Doug
lass died December 25, 1872. Henry A. was reared on a farm, owning at present fifty
acres of the old homestead. He is a Democrat and has been highway commissioner.
February 9, 1853, he married Caroline Joy, a native of Colchester, Vt., born February

334 HISTORY. OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
4, 1831, and a daughter of Levi and Susan (Russell) Joy. They have had these chil
dren: Fred I., born October 29, 1854, died in 1859 ; Luke, born March 19, 1857, is em
ployed in a wholesale store in Buffalo ; George H., was born May 2, 1859, was educated
in the Union Free School at Massena, and resides with his parents on the farm. He is
a member of Massena Grange No. 704. Mr. Douglass is a member of the Presbyterian
church Dewey, Willard E., Massena, was born in Potsdam, September 6, 1860, a son of
James Dewey, son of Eli Dewey, born in Connecticut in 1796, who came to Canton
with his parents in 1800, they being Chester and Annie (Parish) Dewey, natives of
Connecticut, Mr. Dewey's father having been a native of England, and the first of the
family to come to America. Chester and family settled in Potsdam, being the fifth
family in the town. He was pressed into the army in the war of 1812, and met his
death from exposure in the service. He and wife had six children. He died in 1813.
Eli Dewey married Maranda Champion, of Vermont, who came to Potsdam and taught
school. She was married in Potsdam and was the mother of one son, the father of our
subject. Eli died in 1834, and his widow married for her second husband Lucius
Dewey, no relation of Eli, and they had one daughter. Mrs. Dewey died in 1872.
James Dewey was born in Potsdam, March 29, 1828, was reared on a farm and edu
cated in the common schools, and, except for three years as cheesemaker, has since fol
lowed agriculture. He was the builder of the first cheese factory in the county. He
lived in Postdam until 1865, then came to Massena and lived on Barnhart Island three
years, and then moved to the Phelps farm, and in 1882 bought back the Earl farm of
268 acres, where he has since resided. He is a Republican and has served as highway
commissioner and assessor. .In 1850 he married Sarah Abbott, of Potsdam, a daughter
of John and Sarah (Davis) Abbott, of Potsdam, and they had five children : Louisa L.,
born October 16, 1851, who married Alfred Bangle; Edna L., born September 2, 1853,
married John H. Bacon, of Massena, and died January 29, 1890; Willard E., who was
reared on the farm and is in partnership with his father. He is a Republican and a
member of Massena Grange. December 22, 1877, he married Mary E. Harris, by
whom he had three children : Elmer, Arthur and Frank. Mrs. Dewey died November
20, 1892, and he married second, January 24, 1894, Annie Elger, of Massena, daughter
of Thomas and Cordelia Elger. The fourth child of Mr. Dewey was Albert J., born
January 2, 1863, who was an electrician, and married Louisa Wise, of Boston, where
she now lives. He died in 1889. The fifth child was Robert G, born 'November 25
1868. He is a clerk for J. L. Hyde, of Massena.
Davis, Truman, Fowler, was born in Canajoharie, October 21, 1835. His first busi
ness experience was acquired as a clerk. At nineteen years of age he went into busi
ness for himself at Brier Hill, and remained there twenty years. He then went to
Harrisville, where he lived thirteen years. He came to Little York in 1879. He does
an extensive business in condition powders for horses and cattle, and takes much inter
est in thorough bred trotters, owning some himself. He was supervisor of Diana
in Lewis county, in 1869, and in 1870 was nominated for sheriff of the county, and
was elected justice of the peace in Fowler until he refused the office. He was post
master at Harrisville for a term of years. In 1856 Mr. Davis married Maria Van Evra

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 335
and their children are Mrs. R. E. Webb, Roscoe, and G. G Davis, the postmaster at
Little York. This gentleman is also largely interested in talc mining. Mr. Davis's
father was A. S. Davis, who was born in 1803, and died in 1875.
Ellithorpe, Paschal B., Lawrence, was born on his present farm in Lawrence, August
27, 1841, a son of Danforth Ellithorpe, born in Vermont, November 17, 1797, who mar
ried Paulina Phelps, born in Orwell, April 10, 1797, by whom he had four sons and
four daughters, only two sons now living. Mr. Ellithorpe and family came to Nichol
ville, N. Y., about 1820, and here they died, the father November 14, 1877, and the
mother May 23, 1867. Our subject was educated in the pub'ic schools and Potsdam
Academy. He remained on the homestead until the death of his mother, then clerked
in the Union store at Nicholville four years, after which he and his brother built the
store owned by Mr. Smith, and engaged in the mercantile business five years, residing
in the village until 1886, when he removed to the old homestead, where he now lives.
He owns 160 acres of land here, besides seventy-five acres in Dickinson, also village
property. Mr. Ellithorpe is a Republican, and has served as assessor two terms, being
now on his third term. He is a member of P. of H., No. 702, of Lawrenceville, and
November 11, 1873, he married Ella, daughter of George Falkner, of Parishville, and
they have had these children : Thurman, born July 19, 1875, who is a conductor on an
electric car in Brooklyn; George W. F., born April. 2, 1877; P. B., jr., born August
17, 1879; W. Henry, born January 11, 1882 ; Celestia A., born June 15, 1884; Howard
P., born March 13, 1886.
Fish, H. R., Massena, was born in Massena, July 23, 1853, a son of Hiram Fish, born
in Ira, Rutland county, Vt., September 3, 1805. The grandparents of our subject,
Preserved and Abigail Fish, were natives of Massachusetts, and Mr. Fish was one of
the first men in prominence in the county, being magistrate and selectman twenty-one
years, and member of assembly seventeen years. Of their twelve children Hiram was
the eighth child. He engaged in various pursuits, and finally settled on a farm. He
was instrumental in organizing the Farmers' National Bank at Malone, of which he
was one of the principal stockholders. He was an active church worker and contri
butor. He married first, in 1827, Maria Newtown, who died in 1831 ; and second,
Minerva Chapman, by whom he had three children, the only survivor being Marcus,
who died in 1876. His third wife was Martha, daughter of Jesse and Betsey (Brad
ley) Rice, of Franklin county, by whom he had four children: George P., of Iowa;
Narina B., wife of Dr. Dodge, of Massena ; Jessie M., wife of James Rankin, of Mas
sena- and Hiram R. Mr. Fish died in March 25, 1891, and his wife in September,
1880. H. R. Fish was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools, and
with the exception of a year in Iowa has worked on the homestead farm all his life,
and this farm he bought of his father about 1882. He carries on general farming and
dairying, the farm comprising about 204 acres. June 23, 1881, he married Bertha L.,
daughter of D. T. and Sarah (Hyde) Beebe, and they have had one daughter, Josephine
C. born August 26, 1883. Mr. Fish is a Republican and member of Massena Grange,
No. 704. They are Baptists.

336 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Fortune, W. E., M.D., Lawrence, was born in Nicholville, October 25, 1856, a son of
Carr Fortune, born in Scotland, July 16, 1820. Archibald Fortune, grandfather of the
doctor, came to America in early life, bringing a family of eight sons, another having
been born in this country. Mr. Fortune first settled in Essex county, removing in 1841
to Lawrence, where he died in 1856. Carr, when a young man, went to Canada and
learned the tanner's trade, coming to Lawrence in 1841, where he engaged in that busi
ness in Nicholville. He died August 19, 1881. He married Huldah, daughter of Joseph
Olin, of Lawrenceville, by whom he had four children, three sons and a daughter, two
sons surviving. Mrs. Fortune survives her husband at the age of sixty-two years. W.
E. Fortune was for a short time with his father in the tannery. He attended Potsdam
Normal School, taught school, and in 1881 graduated from the Albany Medical Col
lege, and has since practiced with marked success at Nicholville and locality. In 1882
he married Martha Traver, daughter of Alexander Traver, of Adirondack, and they had
one son, Carr. The family are Democrats, and the father was for years a justice of the
peace. Our subject is a member of Elk Lodge No. 577, F. & A. M., and is a Royal
Arch Mason.
Fisk, Charles A., Lawrence, was born in Malone, January 16, 1849, a son of Nathaniel
and Sarah A. (Blachley) Fisk, who had these children : Darius N.. born December 19,
1833; Almina S., born October 19, 1835; Jane A., born October 27, 1837; Edward B.,
born April 29, 1840; Lucy J., born November 15, 1842; Marion M., born May 14,
1845 ; Herbert A., born December 10, 1847; Charles A., born January 16, 1849; Jeda
G, born May 12, 1854 ; and Emma, born April 15, 1857. Mr. Fisk came to Malone in
an early day, where he died in 1862. He was a tinner by trade, which business he
followed many years. Mrs. Fisk died in 1893, aged seventy-nine years. Charles A.
Fisk was reared on the farm in Malone, and was educated in the academy at Malone.
At the age of nineteen he came to Nicholville and bought out Benjamin F. Kellogg, and
has since carried on a very successful business. He is a manufacturer of tin and cop
per goods of all kinds, and also a dealer in glassware, stoves and hardware, occupying a
three story building. He is a Democrat, and a member of Elk Lodge No. 577, F. &
A. M. September 1, 1874, he married Celestia M. Day, daughter of Russell Day of
Nicholville, and they have two children, Blanche and Ella.
Hamlin, D. A., Lawrence, was born in Lawrence, August 11, 1838, a son of Leonard
a native of Vermont, born January 13, 1807, whose father was Joseph Hamlin. Leon
ard came to Lawrence in the early days and cleared him a home. His wife was Mary
Briggs, of Vermont, by whom he had three sons and two daughters. They spent their
last days with their son D. A., who in 1867 took charge of his father's farm, and cared
for his parents until their death, the mother July 16, 1877, and the father January 20
1884. About 1878 Mr. Hamlin sold the homestead and bought 128 acres where he now
lives, to which he has added seventy-two acres. He follows general farming and dairy
ing. March 27, 1861, he married Lucinda, daughter of Levi Lavery, who came to Law
rence in 1825, and died November 30, 1883. In August, 1862, Mr. Hamlin enlisted in
Company E, One Hundred and Sixth N. Y. Infantry, and was honorably discharged at
the close of the war. He was taken prisoner at Martinsboro', Vt, and confined in Libby
prison about six weeks, from whence he was taken to Annapolis, where he was set free

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 337
and at once joined the regiment at Culpepper, Va. He was among those who wit
nessed the surrender of General Lee. Mr. and Mrs. Hamlin have had two children :
Sherman R., born July 19, 1866, resides in Boston, and is a graduate of the Lawrence
ville Academy ; and Cora, born April 25, 1868. Mr. Hamlin is a Republican in politics,
and a member of Deer River Grange No. 702. He is also a member of Sanford Post'
G. A. R.
Hartwell, J. W., Massena, was born in Massena, February 16, 1861, a son of Joseph
and Sarah F. (Smith) Hartwell. The father of Joseph was a farmer of Vermont, and
the parents of Sarah F. Smith were Martin and Polly (Ramsey) Smith, who came to
Massena about 1815. Mr. Hartwell was in the carding business at Bennington, Vt, a
short time, and then came to this town, going into partnership with H. Reed and build
ing a carding mill, which they conducted for many years. The latter part of his life
he spent in farming. He died in 1874, leaving a farm of 330 acres. J. W. Hartwell
was reared on the farm and educated in the Massena Union School and the Potsdam
Academy. He is now working the old homestead, carrying on general farming, with
a dairy of about forty-five cows. He is a Republican, and a member of the Massena
Grange No. 704.
Hawley, George W., Lawrence, was born in Calais, Me., April 3, 1859, a son of
George and Carrie (Hill) Hawley, the latter dating her lineage back to one of the pas
sengers of the Mayflower. Mr. and Mrs. Hawley had four children. They came to
Hamilton county in 1871, and later to St. Regis Falls, where they now reside. The
grandfather of our subject, John Hawley, was a native of England, who settled in Nova
Scotia, where he died. George W. Hawley was reared in Lawrence, his father being
a contractor. At the age of twelve he came to Hamilton county, and then to St.
Lawrence county, St. Regis Falls. In 1880 he came to this town and purchased thirty
acres, to which he has added 140 acres, making 170 in all. He keeps a large dairy, a
number of horses, and has a sugar bush of 800 trees. In 1881 he married Sarah M.
Stewart, a native of Canada, and daughter of William and Maria (Howell) Stewart,
early settlers of Canada, where the father died, his widow residing with her daugh
ter. Mr. and Mrs. Hawley have had four children : Carrie M., William G., and Jen
nie. He is a Democrat, and a member of the St. Lawrence County Lodge, No. 619,
I.' 0. 0. F.
Jones, William Henry Harrison, Louisville, was born in East Bethel, Vt., April 27,
1816, a son of William Jones, whose father, William, was born in England, and came
to New Hampshire, where he died. He was a Revolutionary soldier. His son William
was born in New Hampshire in 1782, went to Vermont when a young man, where he
married Polly, daughter of Daniel Cole, of East Bethel, Vt. They had eight children.
In 1822 he and family came to Massena and settled on the farm now owned by the
subject of this sketch. He died at Massena Center in 1844, and his wife in 1850.
William H. H. was reared on a farm, educated in the public schools, and while in
Massena he owned several farms, having a reputation for first-class ability in his chosen
occupation. In 1882 he came to Louisville and bought twenty acres of fine land, on
which, in 1893, he raised thirty-five large loads of hay and 350 bushels of grain. He

338 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
has been interested in the raising of horses, and although seventy eight years of age, he
still delights in breaking colts. He is a Republican, and he and his wife are members
of the Second Advent Church, of which he has been deacon eleven years, trustee, etc.,
fifteen years. Mr. Jones married first in 1841, Irene Plumly, daughter of Deacon
Plumly, of Potsdam. She died February 29, 1844, and December 16, 1845, he married
Cordelia U. Carpenter, of Moriah, Essex county, born November 22, 1821. Her parents
were Elisha and Sallie Carpenter, natives of Vermont, who came to Essex county in an
early day. Mr. Jones and wife have had four children: Theodore, who married Mary
Eggleston, and lives at West Potsdam; Melros, who married Florence Eggleston, and
lives in West Potsdam ; Mary, who died aged twenty-two years ; and Helen, who
married J. R. Hawley, and lives at Albuquerque, N. M.
Kingsley, Wesley, Louisville, was born in Louisville in 1853 (June 19), a son of Or
vis Kingsley, a son of Elias, who was a native of Connecticut, born October 31, 1762,
who was a soldier in the Revolution. His wife was Abigail Story, born January 7,
1788, by whom he had six children. He came to Louisville in 1840 and settled on the
farm, a part of which our subject now owns. He died August 13, 1840, and his wife
December 7, 1880. Orvis Kingsley was born in 1816, and came to Louisville at the age
of twenty-four, where he married Mary Simpson, a native of Stowe, Vt, born in 1820
(May 5). They had one son, our subject. Mr. Kingsley died March 10, 1894, his
widow surviving him. Wesley Kingsley was educated in the public schools, and was
engaged in the mercantile business at Racket River one year. His principal occupation
has been farming and stock dealing. He also handles agricultural implements, and
represents the Worcester Buckeye Mower and the Osborn Binder, etc., the Deer River
Plow, Curtis Plow and Scotch Plow, Mr. Kingsley owns 210 acres, and keeps a dairy
of fifty cows. March 17, 1885,. he married Libbie, daughter of Rufus Heague, of Louis
ville, who died November 25, 1886. Our subject is a Republican in politics. He has
made a specialty of breeding Elial G. and Wilkes strains of horses.
Kinney, John S., Massena, was born in Massena, December 25, 1864, a son of John
Kinney, who was also a son of John, a native of Ireland. John, jr., was born October
8, 1821, in Ireland, and came to Massena at the age of sixteen years, where he died.
In 1859 he married Miss A. A. Kingston, a native of Brasher, and a daughter of Samuel
and Avi Kingston, of Ireland, who came to Brasher in 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Kinney
had two children : M. Jennie, who was educated in the Union Free School and Pots
dam Normal, from which she graduated in 1885, and is now engaged in teaching in
Windom, Minn. Our subject, John S., was reared and educated in Massena, and at
the close of his schooling he taught one term. He is now engaged in farming, owning
124 acres, and keeps a dairy of twenty-five cows. He is a Republican in politics, and
he and family are members of the Methodist Church.
Lord, Alexander H., Ogdensburg, was born in Vermont in September, 1838, of Eng
lish parents. His father, Henry, was a surgeon in the British army, and later a pro
fessor in McGill College at Montreal. His parents died when he was but nine years
old, from cholera, within a week of each other. The son, thus left an orphan and
destitute, by industry and energy worked his way up and obtained a good education.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 339
When twenty-two years old he secured the position of engineer upon the St. Lawrence
and Ottawa Railroad. May 1, 1860, he married Sarah Tomlinson, who, with three
sons and three daughters, survives him. In 1861 Mr. Lord was employed as engineer
upon one of the steamers of the Northern Transit Company, which position he held for
seven years, at the expiration of which, February 1, 1868, he was appointed superin
tendent of the city waterworks, then just completed. He held this position till the
time of his death, discharging the duties with fidelity and ability until about four years
ago, when, illness preventing him from engaging in active business, his eldest son,
Harry, has performed the duties of superintendent under the advice and direction of the
father. In 1880 Mr. Lord opened a furniture store in the building where Bell Brothers'
block now stands. His own time being occupied at the waterworks, Mr. A. M. Herri
man attended to this store and also conducted an undertaking business for himself.
From that location his store was moved to the site now occupied by L. McGillis, and
from there he moved to the present site. Mr. Herriman resigned his position, when
Harry Lord took charge of the management of this store, which he has since conducted
with marked success. During his years of active business life, his thoroughness, ability
and integrity in the discharge of his official duties, and his kindness of heart, won him
the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. Mr. Lord was a prominent member
of the Odd Fellows and Masonic fraternities. He died May 18, 1893.
Lavery, W. N., Lawrence, was born in the town of Lawrence, July 29, 1847, a son
of Marda Lavery, born October 11, 1801, a son of John L., who came from Ireland at
an early day, settling on a farm in Essex county. He had eleven children. Marda
Lavery began business for himself early m life, being put out to work at the age of
eleven. At about twenty-one years he came to Lawrence and bought a farm, his deed
being the first one given in the town. He marrried, in Essex county, Hannah Moore,
and came at once to Lawrence, where they settled upon a farm and spent the re
mainder of their days. They had three sons and one daughter. He died August 28,
1879, and his wife in October, 1881. W. N. Lavery received his education in the
common schools of Lawrence and the Lawrenceville Academy, and has always re
sided on the old homestead, having added seventy-five acres, and now owns a tract of
225 acres. He engages in general farming and dairying, keeping about thirty Ayrshire
cows, and he also deals in horses and sheep. February 8, 1877, he married Alice E.,
daughter of H. A. and D. J. (Dudley) Boland, natives of Castleton, Vt., who came to
this county about 1848. Mr. Boland was a practicing physician in Waddington four
teen years, then came to Lawrenceville, where he practiced twenty years. He died
in October, 1891, and his widow still resides at Lawrenceville. Our subject has had
two children : Jennie, born March 24, 1879, died in infancy ; and R. W. Lavery, born
May 20, 1882. Mr. Lavery is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Deer
River Grange, No. 702.
Murphy, James, Massena, was born in County Cork, Ireland, August 15, 1817, a son
of James and Julia (Riley) Murphy, who had six sons and a daughter, all now de
ceased. James came to America in 1837, and on the passage shared his berth with
a "stowaway," who robbed him of his money, and he was obliged to go on foot from
here to Cornell, where he crossed the St. Lawrence River into Brasher, his sister being

340 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
then a resident there. He was a man of learning, having taught school in Ireland. In
America he learned the trade of stone dresser, at which he worked the greater part of
his life. He worked on the Military Academy at West Point, on Suspension Bridge
at Niagara, Victoria Bridge at Montreal, etc. In 1842 he married Bridget Melmoe,
daughter of Bartholomew and Margaret (Donnaher) Melmoe. She was a cousin of
the famous General M. Corcoran, of the Sixty-ninth N. Y. Vols. Mr. and Mrs. Mur
phy had seven children : Thomas, a farmer on the homestead ; J. P., a clergyman at
Cherubusco, N. Y. ; J. L., a lawyer at Spring Valley, 111., and city attorney; Julia,
wife of Peter Martin, a farmer of Waddington ; J. E. and M. B., farmers at Massena.
Mr. Murphy was a Democrat and a Catholic, was a genial, witty, honorable man, be
loved by all who knew him. His wife died in 1890, and he, March 24, 1894. J. E.
Murphy was educated in the Lawrenceville and Fort Covington Academies, and was
two years in Holy Cross College, Worcester, Mass. He has taught school six years in
this_State and two years in Canada. He was three years jn the mercantile business in
Potsdam, but since the death of his mother he has resided on the homestead, where,
with his brother, he carries on the farm. In 1870 he married Mary E., daughter of
John and Sarah (Barnhart) McGinn, and they have had two sons and four daughters,
of whom one son and three daughters died in infancy. John F. was educated in the
Malone Academy, and is station agent at Lisbon on the G V. R. R. M. B. Murphy
was born at West Point in 1851, and was educated at Ft. Covington Academy and
Potsdam Normal School. He has taught school and been engaged in the mercantile
business at Ogdensburg six years. For a number of years he has worked the old
Langtry homestead of 228 acres, to which his wife fell heir. In the spring of 1894 he
rented the homestead, with a dairy of forty cows. In 1881 he married Jane, daughter
of Joshua and Catharine (Smith) Langtry, he a native of Brasher, bora August 15,
1825, and she of Massena, born February 12, 1830. Mr. and Mrs. M. B. Murphy have
had two sons and a daughter: James 1, died in infancy; James 2, born September 14,
1886; and Catharine, born March 11, 1884.
Maher, Dennis J., Lawrence, was born on a farm in Lawrence, April 9, 1845, a son
John B., a native of Ireland, who was there educated, and became a teacher. He
married Margaret Moore of his native country, by whom he had two sons and two
daughters. He came to New York city and then to Hinesburg, and worked in a
woolen factory for several years. About 1842 he came to Lawrence and settled on
twenty-five acres, where our subject now lives, and here he and his wife died the
latter November 27, 1885. Dennis J. Maher was educated in the common schools and
Lawrenceville Academy, and at the age of eighteen, in 1863, he enlisted in the Ninety-
second N. Y. Vols., Co. G., and served eighteen months. He was wounded at Cold
Harbor, June 5, 1864, and received his discharge on account of disabilities in February,
1 865. He then learned photography, which business he followed in Colton a short
time, then came to Lawrence and settled on the homestead in 1871, when he sold his
interest to his brother, and rented a farm in Lawrence, which he bought in 1873 then
sold it, and returned to the old homestead, where he now lives retired. He has a
farm of 150 acres of land and follows general farming and dairying, keeping about
twenty cows, and has a sugar grove of 700 trees. In 1893 he engaged in breeding

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 341
registered Jersey cattle, and has now sixteen head, the only herd in the town. Mr.
Maher is a Republican and has served as highway commissioner. He is a member of
Deer River Grange, No. 702, and of Sanford Post, G. A R., No. 473, at Nicholville.
In 1871 he married Mary J. Richmond, of Potsdam, by whom he had five children:
Ellen M., Varick E., Edith G., Earl D., and Mary J. Mrs. Maher died May 12, 1878,
and May 10, 1879, he married second Mrs. Julia M. Oliver, widow of Edgar H. Oliver.
She is a daughter of E. Moody Dana, of Lawrence.
Dana, Elihu M., Lawrence, was born in Massena, January 12, 1820, a son of Samuel
Dana, a farmer of Massena, who settled there when a young man. Elihu M. came to
the town of Lawrence in an early day, being one of the pioneers of the town. He at
first engaged in farming, but being accidentally disabled, gave up farming in 1855, and
engaged in mercantile business at Lawrenceville. His death occurred February 22,
1894. In 1884 Mr. Dana took as a partner in his business M. H. Ross, who is the
present proprietor. Mr. Dana was twice married.
McKimm, James, Lawrence, is a native of Ireland, born in County Sligo in 1829, a
son of James McKimm, who came to America about 1851, with eight children, and set
tled in Vermont at first, then removed to St. Lawrence county, and settled on the farm in
Lawrence now owned by James. He married Elizabeth Littell, a native of Ireland.
Mr. McKimm died in 1867, and his wife about 1854. James came with his parents
from Ireland and bought the farm of 150 acres, which he now owns. His parents
lived with him until their death. George, brother of James, was a soldier in the late
war, a member of Co. A, 106th N. Y. Vols. James married, in 1865, Mary, daughter
of Henry and Mary Whitesides, of Ireland, who came to America about 1851. Mr. and
Mrs. McKimm have had two sons, of. whom one died in infancy, and Albert H. was
born October 22, 1858. He is now carrying on his father's farm, which consists of
general produce and dairying. He married first Charlotte A. Whitcome, of Norfolk,
and had one daughter, Hattie M., born April 6, 1886. Mrs. McKimm died November
6, 1888, and he married second Nellie Barfley, daughter of De Witt G and Lorenda
(Wolson) Bartley, of Oswego. Mr. McKimm is president of the Lawrenceville Center
Cemetery. Albert is a member of the Deer River Grange, No. 207, Elk Lodge, No.
577, and Iroquois Lodge, No. 593, I. O. 0. F.
Newland, Peabody, of Lawrenceville, was born in Middletown, Vt, September 30,
1801 a son of Beria M. and Lida (Grinnell) Newland, of Vermont, who came to Law
renceville in 1827. The ancestors of this family came to America in the Mayflower,
and the first white child born after the arrival of the Pilgrims belonged to this family
on the maternal side. Our subject's father was a man of influence in his time and died
aged sixty years, his wife dying aged seventy-six years. From 1840 to 1860 Mr. New-
land engaged in the manufacture and sale of horse rakes, but later returned to farming.
In August, 1828, he married Mary Handy, who died in July, 1839. They had two
children : Sarah J., wife of Joseph Farrington. of Lawrence, and Adoniram A., who
has been a merchant and farmer in the West for many years. Mr. Newland married
second Eliza Chose, by whom he had three children : David J., a successful lawyer in
New York; Mary E., wife of Charles B. Partridge; Helen A., who died aged twenty

342 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
years. Mr. Newland inherited the homestead of sixty acres, to which he has added
forty acres, making it one of the finest farms in the town.
Ormsbee, Amos, Louisville, was born in Louisville, October 16, 1844, a son of Peter,
whose parents were Samuel and Hannah Ormsbee of Vermont. Peter was bora in
Vermont, May 16, 1800, and came to Louisville about 1830, and settled on a farm, part
of which our subject now owns. He was three times married, first to Sallie Hackett,
in 1822, by whom he had five children. She died in 1833, and he married second, Eliza
Tracey of Massena, in 1834, and they had five children. She died June 6, 1855, at the
age of forty-one, and Mr. Ormsbee then married Phoebe Chamberlain, May 25, 1856,
and she died in Madrid. Mr. Ormsbee died April 28, 1872. Our subject was reared on
the farm he now owns, and was educated in the common school". October 22, 1861,
he enlisted in Co. K, 92d N. Y. Vols., and served three years and two months. He
was at Fair Oaks, Petersburg, Fort Anderson and in several engagements. He was
also in the hospital nine months. At the close of the war he returned to Louisville and
engaged in farming, having over 100 acres and keeping a dairy of fifteen cows. He
also breeds Hambletonian horses. Mr. Ormsbee is a Republican, and has served as
overseer of the poor two years. He is a member of the G. A. R., Anderson Post No.
425, and also of the Massena Grange No. 704. October 31, 1872, he married Janette
Ferguson, a native of Canada, born November 20, 1853, daughter of John and Frances
Ferguson, of Scotland and Canada respectively. Our subject had one son, Daniel P ,
who died aged five months.
Paddock, William II., Massena, was bora in Massena, on the farm he now owns
June 14, 1822, a son of Dr. William S., a son of William Paddock, born in Connecticut,
who came to Malone in an early day, where he died. Dr. William S. was born in
Woodstock, Vt., in 1787, was educated in that State, and came to Massena to practice
his profession in 1818, being the first physician in the town. He married Wealthy
Porter, born in Salisbury, Vt, in 1796, and they had four children. Dr. Paddock was
a Democrat, and represented his district in the Assembly in 1834-35-36. He died May
6, 1859, and his wife February 6, 1870. Our subject was educated in the Malone and
and the Manchester (Vt.) Academies, and has always been engaged in farming owning
200 acres of land and keeping a dairy of twenty-five cows. He is a Democrat and has
been inspector of elector of elections, president of the corporation, and took the U. S.
census in the towns of Louisville and Massena. Mr. Paddock is a member of Massena
Grange, and is one of the loan commissioners of the county, September 2, 1847 he
married Susan Andrews, a native of Massena, birn June 23, 1826, a daughter of John
B. Andrews. Mr. and Mrs. Paddock have had eight children ; John, who died in
infancy ; S. Florence, born October 18, 1849, wife of George D. Ormiston of Arkansas ¦
Fred M, born October 26, 1851, resides at home; Mary A., born February 17 1854
wife of George McCartney, married September 2, 1883 ; John S., born January 2, 1856,
who married Anna Spratt, and lives in Aspen, Col. ; Jenny, born April 9, 1858 wife of
David N. Clark (deceased) ; William S., born March 12, 1861, married Belle Ellis of Red
Jacket, Mich ; George G, born March 31, 1866, resides in Montana. Our subject is
one of the originators of the village school, of which he was trustee twenty-five years
and president of the board ten years.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 343
Riley, Daniel, Louisville, was born in Beekman, Clinton county, January 5, 1825, a
son of John Riley, whose father was Lawrence Riley, a native of Ireland, who came
to Clinton in an early day, where he died. John was born in Vermont, where his
parents first settled, in 1791, and came to Clinton county with his parents, where he
married Orpha Finch, by whom he had fourteen children, eleven of whom grew to ma
turity. Mr. Riley finally settled in Louisville, and died in 1867, his wife dying in 1881.
Our subject came to Louisville when seventeen years of age, and here has since re
sided. He owns a farm of sixty acres and keeps a dairy of twelve cows, and has
also twenty-four sheep. He is a Democrat and has served as excise commissioner.
He was married in Massena to Caroline Hutchens, a native of Massena, who has had
one child, George G, born June 16, 1859. He was educated in the Massena Union
Free School, and resides at home on the farm. In 1887 he married Annie L. Bayley,
daughter of William Baley of Massena. He is a Democrat in politics, and the fami
ly attend the Episcopalian church, of which his wife is a member. Mrs. Riley, wife
of our subject, died August 8, 1886.
Russell, E. F., Massena, was born in Massena, August 11, 1862, whose father, N. T.,
was also born here January 25; 1833. He was a son of John, a native of Vermont,
born in 1785. The latter was three times married, his first wife being Sarah Wilcox,
by whom he had two children; his second wife was Lucy, sister of his first wife, and
by her he had four children ; his third wife was Naomi Horton, born in 1796, by whom
he had a son and a daughter. In 1832 he came to Massena and settled on the farm
now owned by his son Norman T., where he died in 1865, his wife having died in
1873. N. T. Russell has followed farming most of his life, but in 1877 he engaged
in the meat business in partnership with D. Hamilton and W. R. Stearns, they be
ing the first to keep a market open the year around in Massena. In 1854 he mar
ried Philena F. Hutchinson, of Jefferson county, by whom he had three children:
Ida wife of J. B. Dodge ; Clara M., a teacher in Albany College ; and Edson F., who
was educated in the Massena Union School and the Potsdam Normal School. He was
for a few years engaged in school teaching, then bought the Massena Center Cream
ery, which he has remodeled and refitted. He is now doing a thriving business, mak-
ing'about 100,000 pounds of butter annually. He at first operated the creamery sum
mers and taught school winters, but now conducts it the year around. He is also en
gaged in the grocery business at the Center, carrying a general line of groceries. June
21 1880 he married Dora E., daughter of J. B. Baily, of Massena, by whom he has had
four children: Bessie P., born March 13, 1883; Leon N., born February 26, 1887 ; Lou
D born June 28, 1891 ; Lela E, born November 13, 1893. Our subject is a Republi
can, and a member of Massena Lodge No. 513, F. & A. M., Massena Grange No. 704,
Good Templars, and I. O F.
Reed Byron G , Lawrence, was born in Lawrence, November 20, 1839, a son of
William Reed, born in Vermont, April 4, 1795, and grandson of Moses Reed, also a
native of Vermont who was a farmer by occupation, and a soldier in the Revolutionary
War In 1837 William and his family came to Lawrence, where he remained till
his death in July, I860. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, receiving a land
warrant for services. He married Ruth, daughter of John Parks, jr., and granddaugh-

344 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ter of John Parks, one of the Indian captives at the burning of Royalton, Vt, Oc
tober 16, 1780. Her death occurred in November, 1867. Five children were born
to them, namely : Edwin, Alanson, Sarahette, Truman and Byron G. Edwin married
Miranda Bates, moved to Illinois, and died in 1868, leaviug wife and five children.
Alanson married Martha Lewis. He was a soldier in Company I, Thirty-first Regi
ment N. Y. State Volunteers, during the Rebellion. He died in February, 1889, leav
ing a wife and four children. Sarahette married Amasa Tyler, and died in April,
1856. Truman is unmarried and resides in Arizona. Byron G. remained with his
father on the farm until of age. He is now a successful farmer, owning a fine place
of 117 acres in Lawrence, which he devoted to general farming and dairying, keep
ing about fifteen cows of good breed. In 1866 he married Ellen, daughter of Henry
and Louisa (Simons) Erwin. Her grandfather was Joseph Erwin. (See biography
of Senator George Z. Erwin elsewhere). Mrs. Erwin died February 18, 1879, and
Mr. Erwin April 28, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have had one son, Charlie B., bom
February 21, 1872. He has had a good academic education, but has chosen the call
ing of his father, that of farming. The family are members of the Deer River Grange
No. 702, and Charlie B. is a member of Lawrenceville Lodge No. 619, I. 0. 0. F.
Sanford, E. Jonah, Lawrence, was born in Hopkinton, May 13, 1842, a son of Henry B.,
who was a son of Col. Jonah Sanford, mentioned elsewhere in this work. Henry B. was
born in Hopkinton in 1818, and died in 1881. He was a farmer, and served as justice
of the peace six years. He enlisted in Co. G, 92nd N. Y. Vols., in 1861, and October 30
of the same year he received his commission as lieutenant, and was in command of the
Fourth Brigade, Third Division, Fourth Army Corps, from January 30, 1863. November
13 of the same year he was in command of the Ambulance Corps, Third Brigade, Second
Division, stationed at Plymouth, N. G His wife, who was president of the Ladies' Aid
Society of Nicholville, presented to the company of which he was in command, in be
half of the society, sixty-three volumes. In 1837 Mr. Sanford was corporal in the Sev
enth Regiment of Riflemen, Forty-ninth Brigade, State militia, and was commissioned
adjutant of the same regiment September 3, 1842. The wife of Mr. Sanford was Casen-
dania Ellithorpe, daughter of Danforth Ellithorpe, and they have had eight children :
Henry T., Edwin D., Darwin E., Charles A., E. Jonah, Calista P., Annie G, Rosalia.
Our subject at the age of eighteen learned the blacksmith's trade, which he has since
made his principal occupation. In 1861 he enlisted in Company F, Sixteenth N. Y.
Volunteers, and served two years, was at the first battle of Bull Run, West Point
Gaines Mill, where he was wounded, and at Fredericksburg. Mr. Sanford owns a farm
of eighty-six acres where he resides at Nicholsville. He has also patented the section
bar used in mowing machines, which has brought him a handsome sum, and he is now
living retired from active business. He is a Republican, and has served as excise com
missioner. He married a daughter of Elijah Bibbins, of Lawrence, and they have one
son, Ira A., who lives at home.
Sanford, Charles A., Lawrence, was born in Lawrence, January 29, 1855, a son of
Henry B. Sanford, mentioned in this work. He was educated in the common schools
and engaged in farming, which has been his life occupation. In 1883 he bought the
farm of eighty-one acres which he now owns, and on which he keeps a dairy

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 345
of fourteen cows. Mr. Sanford is a Republican in politics, and he and family attend
the M. E. Church of Nicholville, of which his wife is a member. April 11, 1876, our
subject married Martha L. Goodell, a daughter of Joel Goodell, of Hopkinton, who was
also a son of Joel, one of the earliest settlers of the town, who settled on the farm
where part of the family now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Sanford have one son, C. Ralph,
born May 27, 1893.
Wells, Charles H., Massena, a native of Louisville, St. Lawrence county, was born
July 28, 1849, a son of Samuel Wells, born in Louisville, July 13, 1805, and the father
of Samuel was Elijah, of Vermont, who, about 1800, leased the Croil's Island for 100
years of the Indians, but owing to the dishonesty of a brother-in-law he lost the lease.
He married a Miss Bellows, by whom he had four sons and four daughters. He died
aged ninety-three. Samuel was reared on the farm, and cared for his parents until
nearly the time of their death. He owned a farm in Louisville of 120 acres, and was
twice married, first to Elizabeth Heague, a native of England, by whom he had six
sons and a daughter. Mrs. Wells died October 8, 1872, and he married second the
widow of Dana Moore, of Potsdam. Charles H. Wells was reared on the farm and
educated in the common schools, beginning teaching at the age of eighteen years. He
spent a year in Iowa and Illinois farming, and was in the tin business at Massena for a
while, after which he engaged in farming on the Robinson place of 250 acres (1887),
where he has since resided. He has a dairy of forty-five cows, and in one year sold
$2,000 worth of milk. He is also making a specialty of high grade swine. In 1873
he married Mary A., daughter of Harvey and Isabel (McLeod) Robinson, of Massena,
and their children are: William H., born May 3, 1875; John A., born November 7,
1877; N. Eugene, born January 3, 1879; Gertrude M., born February 9, 1881; Mary
E., born February 26, 1884 ; and Grace L., born October 28, 1888. Mr. Wells is a
Republican, and a member of Aultsville Lodge No. 351 A. 0. U. W., and of the Good
Templars of Massena.
Barnhart, E. J., Massena, was born on Barnhart Island, April 16, 1839, a son of
Peter, a son of Jacob, a native of Cornwall, Canada, and son of George Barnhart, of
German extraction, who settled in Cornwall in 1780, and died there in 1811. Three
of the sons of George — George, Jacob and John — came to the island, of which their
father had secured a permanent lease from the St Regis Indians. John afterwards
went to Toronto and became prominent; Jacob and George resided on the island
until their deaths. Peter Barnhart was born on the island, May 8, 1801, and there
reared and educated. He followed farming all his life, and died on the island his father
settled. His wife was Amarilla Barnhart, a native of the island, born October 10,
1807, by whom he had six sons and three daughters, of whom four sons are now liv
ing. ' Peter died May 31, 1853, and his wife February 23, 1880. They were members
of the Episcopal church. E. J. Barnhart, the subject of this sketch, was born on the
island and there educated. His life occupation has been farming, and he now owns 169
acres and keeps a dairy of thirty- five cows; he also owns the Maple Leaf cheese
factory and manufactures about 44,000 pounds of cheese yearly. Mr. B. is a Demo
crat and he and his wife are Episcopalians. Decemb'er 26, 1861, Mr. Barnhart was

346 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
married to Carrie, daughter of David Barnhart (son of George W.). David Barnhart
was born on the island and was there reared and educated. He was married first to
Lucia, daughter of Elijah Burpee, of Canada. Mrs. Barnhart died in 1855, and he mar
ried Elizabeth Burgett. The subject and wife have one adopted daughter, Bertha A.,
a native of Canada, and educated in Massena. She taught school in Massena village
for three years, after teaching on the island and in Brasher a short time,, beginning at
the age of sixteen. She married Cassius A. Hamilton, of Massena, and they live in
Susquehanna, Pa., where he is engaged with a publishing house as general manager.
. Fish, Marcus, Massena, was a son of Hiram. He was reared on a farm and educated
at Massena Union School, and graduated from Rochester Business College. He was
for a while engaged as bookkeeper for J. L. Hyde, of Massena. March 5, 1868, he
married Callie J., daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Hyde) Bebee, he of Vermont (born in
1812), and she of Massena (born July 2, 1819). The father of Mr. Bebee was Calvin,
who came from Vermont to Massena about 1834. He was a farmer. Daniel T. Bebee
was a shoemaker. He bought in Massena 145 acres of land, which he left to his
widow, who rents it with a dairy of eighteen cows. To Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Fish was
bom one daughter, Sarah Genevieve, who inserts this sketch through respect for her
parents, who are both deceased. Her father died December 15, 1876, and her mother
August 20, 1883. They left to their daughter a farm of 76| acres, which she rents with
a dairy of seventeen cows. Mr. Fish was a Republican, and for a number of years was
clerk of Massena. He and wife were active and consistent members of the Baptist
church of Massena, of which he was a deacon. Miss Fish is a member of the Good
Templars Lodge 566 of Massena and of Massena Grange No. 704.
Wells, Otis H., Louisville, was bom in the town of Louisville, February 14, 1839.
He is a son of Elijah Wells, a native of Louisville, born November 7, 1808. Subject's
grandfather was also Elijah Wells. Elijah Wells, jr., was a farmer and owned 160 acres
in Louisville, which he left to his family. His wife was Joanna Hosmer, born in New
York, November 27, 1815. She was a daughter of Otis G. Hosmer, who came from
Vermont to Massena in 1806 and settled on a farm now known as the Captain Bridges
farm. He sold this and moved to Louisville, where he spent the remainder of his lite.
He died in 1883 and his wife in 1872. To Mr. and Mrs. Wells were born three sons
and two daughters : Celia, died at the age of four years ; Henry, a carpenter in Ten
nessee; Jesse, a farmer in Louisville ; Ida, now resides with Otis H. Mr. Wells was
a Democrat, and he and wife were Universalists in religious faith. He died February
7, 1882, and she April 23, 1861. Otis H. was raised on a farm and educated in the
common schools and St. Lawrence Academy. He taught school four years in Minne
sota, and has followed teaching at home in connection with farming, which has been
his principal occupation except during the time he was in the army. He now has a
farm of 260 acres, and keeps a dairy of thirty cows. In 1862 he enlisted in the 106th
N. Y. Vols., and served till the close of the war ; he was honorably discharged June
27, 1865. He participated in the battles of Fairmount, second Cold Harbor, Spottsyl
vania, Wilderness, Monocacy, Winchester and Cedar Creek, the time of Sheridan's
memorable ride. He was promoted to fourth sergeant, orderly sergeant and to first

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 347
lieutenant of Company H. Mr. Wells is a Democrat, and is now supervisor. He is lib
eral in his religious views, but is a Universalist in belief.
Whalen, Edward, Louisville, was born in Louisville, April 17, 1840. His father was
William, born in Montgomery county, N. Y., in 1797. The grandfather was John, who
came from Ireland about 1783, and settled on a farm in Montgomery county, where he
spent his days. A brother Charles was a chaplain in La Fayette's army, and was the
first Catholic priest to say mass in New York city. This family comprised four sons
and four daughters. John W died in Louisville, while on a visit to his son, Charles.
William was a farmer, and came to Louisville about 1825, where he owned over 700
acres of land. He was twice married; first to Miss Goff of Montgomery county, who
bore him three sons ; she died, and he married, second, Ann Murphy, who came to
America from Ireland when nineteen years old; she bore him four sons and two
daughters, all living but Charles, who died in 1872 Mr. Whalen came to Louisville
abous 1825 and purchased land. At his death he left 700 acres to his family. He died
February 14, 1886, and the mother of subject in November, 1878. Edward Whalen
1 has made farming his chief occupation. He now owns three farms : 200 acres where
he lives and raises cattle for the other two farms ; one of 120 acres with twenty cows ;
and one of 270 acres with fifty-six cows. He also owns a half interest in the grist
mill at Louisville and has a large tract of land in Texas. January 20, 1881, he married
Kate, daughter of Patrick Spratt of Rossie, by whom he has two sons and four daugh
ters: Anne, Mary, Catharine, Edward A. and John W. Mr. Whalen is a Democrat,
and the family are Catholics.
Matthews, R. B., Louisville, was born in Louisville, March 9, 1844, the sixth son of
a family of eight children of Patrick and Mary (Moore) Matthews of Ireland, who came
to America in 1832, and after a short time in Canada went to Vermont, finally coming
to Louisville about 1840, and on the farm owned by subject about 1846, where they
spent their lives. He died in 1889, and she in November, 1880, both aged about eighty
years. R. B. Matthews was raised on the farm he owns and was educated in the com
mon and Canton public schools. He followed teaching for fourteen terms and then
went to farming, which he has followed in connection with butter manufacturing and
buying farm produce. Mr. Matthews is a Democrat, and has been assessor three years
and justice of the peace two years. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. of Aultsville,
Canada, and is also a member of the Episcopal church. He married in 1872, Irda,
daughter of David and Murilla Summers of Canada. They have had five daughters :
Lena G., Lottie M. and Ida M. (twins), Jennie and Florence. Ida M. died in 1878,
aged four years. Mr. Mathew owns 223£ acres and a hotel with 11 acres at Louisville
Landing, and keeps a dairy of twenty-eight cows.
Matthews, James, Louisville, was born in Canada, January 27, 1836, third child of
Patrick Matthews. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools and
Potsdam Academy. He followed teaching for a number of years, and was teaching in
Wisconsin when the war broke out. He belonged to the home guard and was cap
tured and held prisoner for a short time. He returned to Louisville, and after teaching
one term, engaged in the mercantile business at Louisville Landing, and for twenty-five

348 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
years has followed that occupation. He has also carried on farming, and owns 214
acres, on which he keeps twenty-five cows. He is a Republican, and has been justice
of the peace seven years, notary public fifteen years, and September 10, 1890, was ap
pointed custom house officer at Louisville Landing, which latter position he now holds.
He was married, January 25, 1865, to Christianna (born October 29, 1842), daughter of
Israel G. and Ann (Powers) Stone of Louisville. They have had six children: Eva E.,
George P., James G., Annie M. and Edith M. ; one died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs.
Matthews are Methodists.
Singleton, Peter, Louisville, was born in Louisville, December 4, 1825, third child of
five born to Thomas and Ellen (Murphy) Singleton, he a native of England, born in
1793, and she of Ireland, born in 1791. He came to Canada in 1817, and after three
years to Louisville, settling on a farm on the county road, from which he removed to
the farm now owned by the subject. He died in April, 1856, and his wife in Decem
ber, 1872. The subject was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. He
has always been a farmer, and also has been a pilot on Long Saut Rapids. Mr. Single
ton owns 233 acres of land and keeps a dairy of twenty-five cows. He is a Republican,
and at present is one of the assessors, serving his second term ; he has been election in
spector, overseer of the poor, and highway commissioner. Mr. S. was married in 1852
to Ella A., daughter of Dennis and Ellen McCarthy, of Massena. They have had seven
children: 1. John F., who married Amelia McGee and had six children ; he died August
28, 1893, in Wisconsin. 2. George H., who was educated at the Potsdam Normal
School ; he studied law with Parker & Mclntyre, and is now practicing in Wisconsin ;
he is also prominent in politics and has been chairman of the board in his town, and has
also served his county in public office. His wife is Hannah Brosnan, a graduate of
Potsdam Normal School, and they have four children. 3. Michael A. 4. Charles D.,
at home. 5. Joseph W., who graduated at Ogdensburg Academy and taught school for
a short time in that city. He also received the first prize for oratory at Ogdensburg
Academy offered by Dr. Brownlow. He afterwards graduated from Georgetown Col
lege, receiving two medals, one for elocution and one for oratory. He went to Bur
lington, Vt., and taught in the college for some time, and also practiced law in that place
for two years. He was nominated by'the Democratic party for State attorney and re
ceived a majority of the votes in the city of Burlington. He is now in Eau Claire,
Wis., practicing law, where he is also quite prominent in politics. 6. Minnie A., at
home. 7. Lydia J„ at school in female seminary in Vermont. Mrs. Singleton died
March 24, 1892. The family are members of the Roman Catholic church.
Cole, Edwin N., Louisville, was born in Louisville, January 18, 1827. He is the fifth
child born to Levi and Phoebe (Baxter) Cole, he a native of Vermont and she of Hart
ford, Conn. They came to St. Lawrence county when young and were married in
Madrid. Mr. Cole was a hotelkeeper, and kept the first hotel in the northwest part of
the town, where he was among the first settlers. He was also a farmer, and a clothier
by trade. He was a Democrat, and was constable for a number of years. He died in
1853, and his wife in 1887. Edwin N. Cole was reared on a farm and educated in the
common schools. He has always been a farmer, and owns a farm of 200 acres and
keeps a dairy of twenty- one oows. He is a Democrat, but never aspired to office. The

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 349
family belongs to the M. E. church. He was married twice ; first, in 1856, to Jane
Roddick, by whom he had four children : A. W., E. M., Viola J., Elma (deceased 1882).
Mrs. Cole died in 1887, and he married, in 1888, Harriet G. Kentner, of Waddington,
a daughter of Gardner and Clarissa (Burlingame) Kentner. By his second wife Mr.
Cole has one child, Stella G M. .
Bradford, Henry, Louisville, was born in Louisville, March 7, 1837, a son of Samuel,
a son of Joseph, a son of William and Jane Bradford, of England, who removed to
Ireland, where Joseph was born November 12, 1766, in Banbridge, County Down. He
came to America in 1785, landing in Philadelphia. He settled in New London, Conn.,
where he married, and went to Vermont, and finally came to Louisville, June 15, 1806,
and settled on the river road, three miles east of subject, and in 1814 came to where
William Bradford now resides and spent the remainder of his days; his death occurred
July 6, 1834. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Colfax) Rose,
born in Wethersfield, Conn., December 12, 1771, and died October 26, 1856. They had
four sons and one daughter. Samuel Bradford was born in Pawlet, Vt, 1796, and
came to Louisville with his parents in 1806. He was twice married : first to Abigail
Wright, born in Vermont, whose parents came to Louisville in an early day. Mrs.
Bradford died May 12, 1830. She had two daughters, Elizabeth and Mary. His sec
ond wife was Mary Chaplin, daughter of John E. and Polly Perkins, born in Massena,
December 10, 1807. Her father was born in 1783, and came to Massena in 1805. This
second marriage produced two sons : William, born November 17, 1834, and the sub
ject of this sketch. Mr. Bradford was a Whig, and a Republican after the formation
of that party ; he was supervisor, custom house officer, and justice of the peace,
holding the latter office many years. He died November 1, 1871, and his wife Feb
ruary 25, 1881. Henry Bradford has been a steamboat pilot on the St Lawrence
from 1868 to 1894 inclusive. He owns 154 acres of land and follows general farming,
keeping a dairy of thirteen cows. He is a Republican, and has been inspector of
customs for six years. He is a member of Waddington Lodge, No. 393, F. & A. M.
September 28, 1859, he was married to Mary L., daughter of Reuben and Lucy Allen,
born in Canton, June 16, 1840. Reuben Allen was born in Madrid in 1807, and his
wife in Louisville in 1808. Mr. Allen and wife had four children. He died at Spring-
ville, Wis., in 1855, and his wife in Canton in July, 1843. Henry Bradford and wife
have three children: Mary R., born April 22, 1863, educated in Lawrenceville Academy
and Potsdam Normal School ; her profession is that of an artist, and she has much
ability in that line ; Samuel P., born March 3, 1867, educated in Ogdensburg, and is en
gaged as a commercial traveler; Walter A., born .March 30, 1871, educated in the
common schools, is at home.
Dewy. Aaron, Louisville, was born in Canada in 1839. He was a son of James, a
native of Vermont, whose parents were Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Goodell) Dewy, of
New England stock, who had a family of four sons and three daughters, all now de
ceased. They went to Canada when James was a boy. Mr. Dewy was a farmer and
innkeeper. His wife and daughter were accidentally burned to death. Three sons
came to the United States; two settled in Fort Covington, and James came to Louis
ville and bought 120 acres of land, which is now in possession of the widow of the sub-

350 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ject of this sketch. The wife of James was Martha Priest, of Hammondsford, who
bore him four sons and four daughters, of whom one son and two daughters are now
living. James and Amos were soldiers in the late war, and both died in the South.
This so grieved their father that on hearing of the death of his second son, he fell sick
and soon died'; his death occurred in September, 1863. The subject, who was at this
time in the West, came home and rented the homestead for three years, and then
bought it. He spent his boyhood days on the homestead farm and attended the
schools of Louisville. He was on the road for a time as a speculator and worked on
a farm a while in Wisconsin. Mr. Dewy was an active, energetic man, and was largely
engaged in speculating. He added forty acres to the old homestead, and left in all 160
acies of land unincumbered to his family. He died suddenly of heart disease, April 27,
1886. April 22, 1867, he married Nancy, daughter of Amos and Isabel (McMurphy)
Short, both of New England. The grandparents were John and Eleanor (Emerson)
Short, and Samuel and Jane (Beaty) McMurphy. The father of Jane was a weaver.
To Mr. and Mrs. Dewy were born one son and two daughters : Bertha A., born July
10, 1869, died August 12, 1889; Ada I., born February 3, 1871, educated at Massena,
and is a teacher; William A., born January 8, 1877, has had charge of the farm for
three years. They have 160 acres of land and keep a dairy of twenty-five to thirty
cows and a few sheep. They also have a one-fourth interest in a farm of 177 acres in
Massena, where they furnish. six cows; this farm is rented. The parents of Mr. Dewy
were Methodist, and the family attend and support the M. E. church.
Mulholland, Henry, Louisville, is the youngest of a family of two sons and two daugh
ters; who were brought from Antrim, Ireland, by their parents, David and Mary (Mc-
Curry) Mulholland, to the town of Louisville, where they settled on a farm in the fall
of 1831. Henry was born in April, 1831. Mr. Mulholland died in February, 1832, soon
after his arrival, and the farm he he bad bought was sold. Mr. Mulholland was reared
a farmer, and educated in the common schools of Ireland. His father was James Mul
holland, and the father of Mrs. M. was Henry McCurry. Henry Mulholland was reared
on a farm, and received his education in the common schools of Louisville and the acad
emy at Gouverneur. His first business enterprise was mining in California and Nevada
which he followed for sixteen years. He next purchased a farm of 106 acres in Iowa
on Des Moines River. Here he married Kate, a daughter of John Soule, a farmer and
carpenter of Fort Dodge, la. One child was born, Charles A., July, 1870, died in May,
1871. Mrs. Mulholland died in September, 1870, and he returned to Louisville and pur
chased a farm of 262 acres, where he has since resided. He has a dairy of thirty-six
cows besides young stock. November 8, 1871, he married Jane E., widow of William
Dodge, of Louisville, who has borne him three sons and two daughters : Mollie H, born
December 21, 1872, a graduate of Massena Union School and now in Potsdam Normal
School. Edward J., born April 15, 1875, educated at Massena Union School. Ellen
M., born July 20, 1877, now in Massena School. Henry E., born May 22, 1879. Fan
nie E., born August 12, 1882. Mr. Mulholland is a Republican, and has been supervisor
and highway commissioner. He is a member of Massena Lodge No. 513, F. & A. M,
The family adhere to the Episcopal church.

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 351
Hosmer, Ira G., Louisville, was born in Louisville, May 6, 1829. He is the third son
of a family of eleven children bora to Otis G. and Betsey (Perkins) Hosmer, natives of
Chester, Vt, who came to Massena about 1806, and soon moved to Louisville on the
farm now owned by the subject of this sketch, where Mr. Hosmer died in 1883, and his
wife in 1835. The grandfather of subject, Wm. Hosmer, was born in Boston and moved
to Chester, Vt, where he lived and died. He had eleven sons and one daughter, and
all save one weighed over 200 pounds each. He was in the War of the Revolution, and
four of his sons were in the War of 1812, one of them, Martin, being a quartermaster.
The subject's father was justice of the peace for many years, and held most of the
town offices. Mr. Hosmer was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools.
He has always followed farming and owns 438 acres of land, and keeps a dairy of thirty-
five cows. He is a Democrat, and he and family are Universalists. September 29,
1858, he was married to Betsey, daughter of Wm. and Lucy Perkins, he of Stanstead,
Vt, and she of Connecticut They had three children : William, at home ; Martin, who
married Jane Hart, by whom he has three children, Hattie M., Ida M., and an infant ;
Harriet M., wife of A. John Heague.
Heague, Roff J., Louisville, was born in Huntington, Canada, February 28, 1830. He
was the fifth child of William John and Dorothy (Newman) Heague, who came from
England to Canada in 1827, thence to Franklin county, where Mrs. Heague died in
January, 1835, and he moved to Waddington, afterward to Louisville, and finally in
1849 went overland to California, and died in Momence, 111., in 1864. He married
second Widow Stowell, of Waddington, and had two children. Roff J. Heague was
reared by his uncle, John Newman, of Ogdensburg, and learned the painter's trade.
He came to Louisville when a yonng man in 1848, and, excepting seven years in Pots-
dam always lived there. He followed farming in Louisville and owned 250 acres and
carried thirty-eight He was a Republican and, with his family, a Presbyterian. He
was married, January 1, 1850, to Louisa, daughter of Amariah and Clarissa (Wells) Har
ris born February 18, 1831. William Harris was from Massachusetts, and his wife
from Croil's Island. Mrs. Heague was their only child. In 1820 they came to Louis
ville, where the father died August 13, 1873, and the mother February 4, 1855. Mr.
Heague and wife have had five children : Amariah J., who married, November 9, 1888,
Hattie M. Hosmer, of Louisville, by whom he has one child, Winnifred M., they reside
in Johnsville, Minn. Amos, died in infancy. Winnifred M. was married, June 27,
1877 to Dr. Henry F. Campfield, of Louisville. Libbie, who died October 25, 1886.
She was the wife of W. D. Kingsley, of Louisville. Amos L., at home. Mr. Heague
died December 22, 1883.
Babcock Allen, Massena, was born in Brasher, February 5, 1840. The family is of
English descent, and date their ancestry to three brothers, George, John and Benjamin,
who were among those who came to America in the Mayflower. Benjamin Babcock
was born in Rhode Island, and in 1820 came to Bombay, Franklin county, and engaged
in the timber trade until his death. W. H. Babcock was born in Alburg, Vt, in 1812,
and when eight years of age came to Bombay, and, excepting a few years in Brasher,
spent his life there. His wife was Harriet Wait of Isle la Motte ; she was a cousin of
General Scott and President Fillmore. They had six sons and three daughters. Mr.

352 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Babcock was justice of the peace, and deputy custom house office at Hogansburg. He
is dead and his widow now resides in Brasher. Allen Babcock was reared in the vil
lage of Hogansburg and educated in the same place. At fourteen years of age he' be
gan as clerk in Hogansburg and continued as such until he reached seventeen, when he
went to Helena and learned the miller's trade. He then enlisted in Co. H, 92d Reg t
N. Y. Vols, and was afterwards transferred to the 96th N. Y. Vols, and served four
years and four months. He was absent from his regiment but eight days, and served
as quartermaster on the staff of General Curtis. At the close of the war he retnrned to
Helena and purchased the mill in which he learned his trade and carried it on four
years, and after one year in North Lawrence he purchased the mill at Raymondville,
and was there tweive years. In 1882 he came to Massena and purchased the gristmill
and has since had a very successful business. July 26, 1886, he was burned out, with
no insurance, but rebuilt, and on November 26 was again in running order. His mill
capacity is fifty barrels daily and 500 bushels of other grain ; his business is local, and
he grinds about 15,000 bushels of wheat and 30,000 to 40,000 bushels of coarse grain
annually. Mr. Babcock is a Republican, but has never sought office ; he has been
school trustee for eleven years, and at the present time is president of the board of
education. He is a member of Deer River Lodge, F. & A. M, and he and family are
members of the M. E. church. Mr. Babcock was married March 1, 1866, to Margaret
Carpenter of Cornwall, Canada, by whom he has had four children: Orville A, FredL,
Alma D. and Martha E.
Cubley, William H, Massena, manufacturer and dealer in furniture, and undertaker,
embalmer and funeral director. Mr. Cubley was born in Woodstock, Vt, October 28,
1833, a son of Wm. Cubley, a native of England, who came to Canada when a young
man and worked on the locks. He was a marble cutter by trade, and afterwards
settled in Woodstock, Vt, where he died. His wife was Wealthy Kinney. She was
born in Vermont and raised in Winsor, Vt, by an aunt, the wife of Deacon Hart Smith.
They had three children : Catherine, who is the wife of G. B. Skinner, of Middleport,
Ohio ; William, who died in infancy ; and the subject of this sketch. Mr. Cubley
died in Woodstock, Vt., and his wife in Massena, where she had resided with William
H. for several years. William H. Cubley was a mere child when his father died,
and he was reared on a farm by Deacon Hart Smith in Winsor, and educated in the
common schools, He came to Massena when twelve years of age, and afterwards lived
with James Danforth until he reached his majority, working on a farm and at the
carpeter trade and furniture business. After he became his own master he worked at
carpentering in the summer and in a furniture shop in the winter, and for two years
in the armory at Winsor. In 1867 Mr. Cubley engaged in his present business, and
has been very successful. Mr. Cubley was a Republican for many years, but at present
is a Prohibitionist, and was town clerk one year. He is a Congregationalist, as also
was his wife. Mr. Cubley was married, September 15, 1862, to Martha S. Jones, of
Parishville, born December 26, 1835, daughter of Ralph and Martha (Welch) Jones
of Potsdam. They have had six children: Wm. H, bom August 28, 1863, who has
charge of his father's store ; his wife is Jessie Mawson, of Cazenovia, who was a
teacher at Massena for several years. Katie, born April 25, 1865, died February 10

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 353
1866. Mary M, born May 1, 1867, wife of Rev. Wm. Rochester, of Prince Albert,
Canada, and have one son, Herbert. Charles E, born May 25, 1869, who is now in
Potsdam Normal School. Frank L, born October 15, 1870, now in Rochester Uni
versity. Ralph J, born December 30, 1872, at home. Mrs. Cubley died April 16,
1893. The grandfather of subject was Samuel Cubley, who came to America July
24, 1828, with sixteen children and grandchildren. He settled in Essex, Vt, and
there lived and died December 29, 1829, and his wife, Sarah, died May 8, 1829.
Crary, Ryland' A, Pierrepont, was born in Pierrepont, on the farm he now owns,
August 25, 1850. He is a son of Stephen A. Crary, a son of Nathan. Stephen A.
Crary was born in Potsdam in 1812, and was a young man when his parents came to
Pierrepont. His wife was Juliet Reynolds, whom he married in 1832, and they had
six children. Mrs. Crary died, and he married Mary Smead, by whom he had two
children. Crary was a farmer and owned 270 acres of land. He died July 30, 1880,
and his wife August 21, 1890. Ryland A. Crary was reared on a farm and educated in
the common school. He has always followed farming and breeding Hambletonian and
Phil Sheridan horses. He owns the old homestead, consisting of 270 acres, and at
present has thirty head of fine horses, with Ryswood 216 at head of herd. Mr. Crary
also keeps a fine dairy of twenty-five cows. Ha has been twice married : first to Maria
Bacheller, by whom he had one child, Maud A. Mrs. Crary died in 1873, and in 1875
he married Orley Holcomb, by whom he had four children: Maria E, Mack L,
Nathan G, Gretchen C. In politics Mr. G is a Republican, but not an aspirant for
office. Palmer, J. M, Russell, was born in Wilna, December 11, 1830, a son of Ichabod, a
native of Vermont, who came to Jefferson county and there married Lura Cooley of
that county, by whom he had eight children, six now living. Mr. Palmer and wife
came to Russell in 1847, and took up four thousand acres of land near the village of
Russell. Mr. Palmer was justice of the peace and highway commissioner of the town.
J. M. Palmer, our subject, was born and reared on the farm, educated in the public
schools, and being more than ordinarily studious, managed to become possessed of a
good business education, and by a thorough course of reading became a well-informed
man. At the age of seventeen he came to Russell and studied surveying with Benja
min Smith. He followed surveying several years, and has acted in that capacity on
many occasions. In 1851 he engaged in the mercantile business in Russell, in which
calling he has since been engaged, excepting two years spent on a farm. He has been
a great loser by fire, having been twice burned out with no insurance on stores or con
tents. His lumber mills at Monterey were also burned, without insurance. He carries
in his store a general stock of goods, with drugs and medicines. He is also a large real
estate owner, having in the towns of Fine an'd Russell 2,500 acres of wild lands, and
several dairy' farms in Russell, and village lots and residences in Russell village. He
owns the tub factory of Russell, also the lumber mills at Silver Hill. In April, 1851,
he married Mary Van Ornum, daughter of Harry Van Ornum, who came with his pa
rents to Russell in 1813, and is now living at the age of ninety years. They have had
five children: Celia G. (deceased), Morton J. (deceased), Harry F. (deceased), Alden L.,

354 HISTORY OF ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
who has charge of a printing office in Russell, and Rolla 0, who is engaged in his
father's store. Mr. Palmer is a Republican, and has held various town offices, including
that of town clerk for six years, supervisor for seven years, and justice of the peace for
twenty years. He was member of the assembly from 1867 to 1S71, and has been jus
tice of sessions two years, also was a member of the commission appointed to equalize
the assessments in St.v Lawrence county. He has charge of the postoffice for a number
of years, under Nelson Doolittle, and in 1860 was appointed postmaster, holding the
office until 1866. He was re-appointed under Grant, and held office until Cleveland's
first administration. He was again appointed under Harrison, and has since held the
position. Carton, James, Massena, was born in County Wexford, town of Gory, Ireland, in
1787, came to America in 1816, having been recently married to Mary Doren. who ac
companied him on the voyage. She was born in 1785 in the town of Camolin. They
settled in the town of Massena. They came empty handed, but by their industry be
came possessed of a comfortable competence. They possessed two hundred acres of
land, which they divided among their children, three sons and one daughter : John,
Gregory, Luke and Ellen, all deceased but Ellen. She was the wife of Daniel Tracey,
deceased. Mr. Carton was a Republican and was nine years assessor of Massena. He
died May 17, 1874, aud Mrs. Carton died December 27, 1864. John Carton, when
young, taught school in New York and Canada, and afterwards followed farming.
He died July 9, 1886, aged sixty-seven years. Gregory Carton was a farmer in
Massena. He died March 4, 1874, aged fifty-three years. Luke Carton was teaoher,
county school commissioner and farmer. He was a Republican and was assessor
and supervisor. His wife was Marcie E. Russell of Massena, by whom were born
three sons and five daughters, of whom six survive. The family are liberal in reli
gious views. Luke Carton was born September 10, 1823, and died October 10, 1893,

INDEX-PART I.

Aborigines, characteristics of , 29.
subdivision of nations of, 29.
theories concerning the, 27.
twelve divisions of, 28.
Acadia, settlement of, 34.
Act of erection of St. Lawrence countv,
107.
Acts for preventing obstruction of
streams, 164.
Adirondac Pulp Company, 371.
Agalite Fiber Company, 569.
Agricultural societies, 214 et seq.
Aiken, James F., 718.
Aldrich, Newton, 158.
Alexander, Seth, 140.
Allen, Dr. Andrew H., 304.
E. B. &Son, 172.
E. S., 171.
George B., 393.
Horace, 258.
John, 199.
Samuel, 322.
W. B., 171.
American Talc Company, 574.
Analyses of St. Lawrence and Oswegat
chie Rivers, 125 et seq.
Andrews, William H., 281.
Anthony, Charles, 200.
Asbestos Pulp Companv, 575.
Ashley, Charles, 219.
Assistant justices, 249.
Atwater, R., 163, 526.
Austin, J. H., portrait of, facing 356, Part
I.
Averell, William J., 217.
portrait of, facing 375, Part I.
Aztecs, the, 30.
Babcock, Z. W., portrait of, facing 35.
Part II.
Bailey, Ansel, 156.
Baldwin, Benjamin G., 252.
Silas, 257.
Banks of Ogdensburg, 374.

Bar, present, of St Lawrence county,
282.
Barber, Dr. George W. , 290.
Barnes, Joseph, 161.
Barnett, Dr. Cornelius A. , 32< I.
Barter, 105.
Bartholomew, Charles C, 295.
Bartlett, Capt David L., 198.
Bassett, jr., Dr. John X., 313.
Battle of Isle Royal, 68.
"Bay State" steamboat, 171.
Bavley, Dr. C.W. , portrait of, facing 11,
Part II.
Bean. Dr. John, 297.
James S. , portrait of, facing 136,
Part I.
Beckstead, Dr. Morris, 319.
Bill, Frank L., 717.
Benedict, E. W., 206.
Benevolent organizations, 235.
Benton, Dr. Charles C, 290.
Dr. J. H., 293.
Dr. John W., 307.
Birge, John W, 183.
Oliver W., 184.
Bixby, Charles X., 279.
Black Dick, 131.
"Black Hawk," steamboat, 169.
Black Lake, 110.
Bloodshed, the first between the French
and Indians, 36.
Bower, Dr. Silas J., 313.
Boy fifer, incident of the, 77.
Boynton, Joseph, 296.
Braddock's expedition, 57.
Brasher, churches of, 638.
earh- settlers of, 632.
organization of, 631.
supervisors of, 635.
Center, 637.
Falls, 636.
Iron Works, 638,
Brewerv Artesian Well, analysis of wat
er of, 124.

356

INDEX— PART I.

Bridges, Z. B., 217.
portrait of, facing 284, Part I.
Brinckerhoff, John R., 200, 257.
"British Queen," steamboat, 171.
Bromaghim, Francis, 336.
Brookdale, 523.
Brooker, Dr. John B, 319.
Brooks, Dr. Erasmus D., 302.
Brown, Anthony C, 177.
C. H., 218.
Dr. Hiram D., 311.
Dr. S. E., 305.
General, in the War of 1812, 139.
William C, 256.
"Brownville," steamboat, 170.
Buck's Bridge, 502.
Buckton, or Buck's Corners, 522.
Burning of the "Caroline," 181.
Burns, Dr. Robert, 296.
Buswell, C. T., 292.
Cabot, John, English explorer. 31.
Campaign of 1758, 65.
1759, 66.
1760, 67.
Campbell, Dr. Robert, 296.
Canadians, enmity of, after the Patriot
War, 193.
Canton early settlers of, 424.
organization of, 423.
supervisors of, 429.
Morley and Madrid Plank Road
Company, 167.
Plank Road, 167.
Village, 430 et seq.
banks of, 435.
churches in, 440.
fire department and water works
of, 438.
mills of, 432.
presidents of, 437.
press of, 436.
schools of, 444.
Capture of a girl by an Indian, 344.
of an infant by an Indian, 338.
Carpenter, Dr. James B. , 299.
Carr, P. G, portrait of, 46, Part II.
Cartier at Hochelaga, 33.
voyages of, 32.
"Cataract," steamboat, 171.
Celebration, first national, 130.
Chamberlain, Philo, 173.
Champlain, Samuel, 34.
alliance between, and the Algon
quins, 36.
death of, 40.
enterprise and labors of, 37 et seq.
western expedition of, 38.

Chaney, GaylordT., 263.
Chapin, David M., 205, 259.
"Charles Carroll," steamboat, 170.
Charlevoix's mention of La Galette, 46.
Cheesman, Dr. B. C, 313.
Cheney, Allen, 171.
Child, Dr. N. N. 298.
Christianity, effects of, upon discovery
and civilization, 18.
Church, Baptist, Canton, 440.
De Kalb, 517.
Fine, 700.
Fowler, 606.
Gouverneur, 580.
Hermon, 684.
Hopkinton, 422.
Lawrenceville, 676.
Madrid, 403.
Morristown, 621.
Nicholville, 676.
Ogdensburg, 381.
Parishville, 598,
Potsdam, 494.
Russell, 532.
Catholic, Brasher, 640.
Canton, 443.
Colton, 698.
Gouverneur, 584.
Hopkinton, 422.
Lawrence, 677.
Lisbon Center, 716.
Louisville, 540.
Madrid, 404.
Massena, 416.
Norfolk, 631.
Ogdensburg, 386.
Potsdam, 497.
Rossie, 594.
French, Ogdensburg, 307.
St. Henry's, De Kalb, 517.
St. John's, Morristown, 622.
St. Mary's, Waddington, 712.
Apostolic, Potsdam, 497.
Christian Advent, Massena, 416.
Congregational, Brasher, 639.
Canton, 440.
De Kalb, 515.
Depeyster, 650.
Gouverneur, 581, 582.
Hopkinton, 422.
Lawrenceville, 677.
Lisbon, 834.
Marshfield, 684.
Massena Center, 414.
Morristown, 621.
Norfolk, 630.
North Lawrence, 677.
Norwood, 501.

INDEX -PART I.

357

Church, Congregational, Ogdensburg,
387.
Parishville, 598.
Rensselaer Falls, 560.
Richville, 515.
Stockholm, 523.
Episcopal, Canton, 443.
Massena, 416.
Morley, 459.
Ogdensburg, 383.
Potsdam, 495.
Russell, 532.
Christ, Morristown, 619.
Grace, Norfolk, 630.
St. Andrew's, Norwood, 501.
St. Luke's, Lisbon, 333.
St. Paul's, Waddington, 710.
St. Thomas, Lawrence, 677.
Trinity, Gouverneur, 583.
Evangelical Lutheran, Morristown,
.622.
First, and Congregation of Christ,
379.
First Reform, or Covenanter, Pres
byterian, Lisbon, 333.
Freewill Baptist, Fowler, 607.
Hopkinton, 423.
Lawrence, 676.
Parishville, 599.
Pierrepont, 613.
Potsdam, 498.
Stockholm, 525.
Jewish, Ogdensburg, 388.
Methodist, Brasher, 638.
Canton, 441.
Colton, 697.
De Kalb, 516.
Depeyster, 650.
Edwards, 668.
Fine, 700.
Fowler, 606.
Gouverneur, 582.
Hammond, 660.
Hermon, 683.
Hopkinton, 422.
Lawrenceville, 676.
Lisbon, 332.
Louisville, 539.
Macomb, 693.
Madrid, 402.
Massena, 415.
Morristown, 622.
Nicholville, 676.
Norfolk, 631.
Norwood, 501.
Ogdensburg, 384.
Parishville, 598.
Pierrepont, 613.

Church, Methodist, Potsdam, 494.
Rensselaer Falls, 461.
Russell, 532.
Somerville, 594.
Stockholm, 524.
Waddington, 712.
of Visitation, Norwood, 502.
Presbyterian, Brasher, 639.
Canton, 441.
De Kalb, 517.
Gouverneur, 583.
Lisbon, 331.
Morristown, 621.
Ogdensburg, 381.
Rossie, 594.
Waddington, 711.
Hammond, 660.
St. Paul's, Potsdam, 493.
Second New Light or Reformed Cov
enanter, Lisbon, 334.
Seventh Day Adventist, Pierrepont,
613.
Union, Brier Hill, 622.
Edwards, 668.
Pitcairn, 688.
Universalist, Canton, 442.
Fowler, 607.
Hammond, 661.
Morristown, 622.
Nicholville, 577.
Ogdensburg, 389.
Potsdam, 495.
Somerville, 594.
Stockholm, 525.
Weslyan Methodist, Lisbon, 335.
Macomb, 694.
Morley, 459.
Stockholm, 524.
D. W.,325.
rules, stringent, 51.
Churches at Buck's Bridge, 502.
West Potsdam, 503.
Claflin, Norman H. , 265.
Clare, organization of, 715.
supervisors of 716.
Clark, Dr. Darius, 288.
Edwin, 171.
Clarkson, J. C, 214.
T. S., 162, 200.
Cleaveland, F. N., 271,
Clifton, organization and settlement of
713.
supervisors of, 714.
Close, Dr. S. W., 302.
Colton, churches of, 697.
organization and early settlers of,
694.
supervisors of, 695.

358

INDEX— PART I.

Colton village, 696.
Columbus, Christopher, 23.
early life of, 23.
dismal ending of the life of, 26.
final discovery by, 25.
struggles of, to obtain assistance, 24.
Company of the West, the, 49.
Conger, GerritS. , portrait of, facing 541,
Part I.
Congress of colonial representatives at
Albany, 61.
Constitutional provision concerning In
dian lands, 93.
Cook, J. H.,218.
Cooper, Judge William, 505.
Corbin Family, The, portraits of, facing
571, Part I.
Cortereal, voyage of, in 1463, 22.
County buildings, removal of, 155 et seq.
opposition to the establishment
of, at Ogdensburg, 132.
struggle for removal of, after the
burning of the court house in
1893, 158.
clerks, 220.
building, 130.
office, the first, 134.
office, the new, 160.
judges, 250.
officers appointed, first, 129.
plans for division of, 154.
Treasurers, 220.
Court, County, 249.
house, burning of, 157.
enlargment of, in 1851, 157.
of 1893, the new, 159.
the first, 132 et seq.
the second, 156.
of Appeals, 246.
Common Pleas, 247.
Supreme, 246.
Surrogate's 250.
the first, in Ogdensburg, 248.
Courts, origin of, 243.
Cousin, French navigator, 23.
Crampton, Lucius, 218.
Cranberry Lake, 111.
Crapser, E. S., 160.
Croil's Island, 537.
Curtis, Gates, portrait of, facing 40, Part
Curtis, N. M., 197, 198, 210, 218.
portrait of, facing 197, Part I.
Custom house and post-office at Ogdens
burg, 359.
Dalzell, Robert, 160.
Dandurand, Dr. S. , 304.

Daniels, W. H. , portrait of, facing 348,
Part I.
Darrow, G. F., portrait of , facing 369,
Part I.
Dart, Dr. G., 296.
Wm, A. , portrait of, facing 120, Part I.
Davidson Marble Company, 564.
Davies, Thomas A., 198.
Thomas J., 255, 336, 379, 383.
Day, Hiram W. , portrait of, facing 38,
Part II.
Dead Sea water, analysis of, 121.
De Chastes, patent of, 34.
Deer River, 110.
De Kalb, churches of, 514.
early settlers of, 505.
Junction, 513.
organization of, 504.
supervisors of, 511.
village, 511.
De la Salle, Robert; expedition of, 53.
De Monts, Sieur, 34.
Denio, H., 184.
De Peyster, churches of, 649.
organization of, 640.
settlement of, 641.
supervisors of, 650.
wild animals in, 644.
Derby, T. N., 217.
Discovery, Arabian, 21.
Chinese, 19.
Columbus's, 23.
Irish, 19.
Norse, 20.
pre-Columbian, of the western hemi
sphere, 19.
Welsh, 21.
District attorneys, 251.
Douglass, Dr. De Witt C, 315.
Dorwin, Gustave S. , 274.
portrait of, facing 274, Part I.
Drury, Dr. Alfred, 312.
Dr. B. F., 300.
Dutch chimneys, 104.
Dyke, Chester, 217.
Earthquake of 1663, 52.
Eastman, Benjamin, 197.
East Stockholm, 522.
Edsall, Joseh, 90, 91, 92, 130, 134.
Edwards, churches of, 668.
early settlers of 662.
organization of, 661.
supervisors of, 665.
village, 667.
Edwardsville, 620.
Egert, Amos S., portrait of, facing- 168,
Part I. > s .

INDEX— PART I.

359

Ellsworth, H. G., portrait of facing 438,
Part I.
Embargo act, the, 137.
Empire State Marble Company, 565.
English, awakening of, 61.
posts and claims, 54.
successes, 65 et seq.
Erickson, Lief, voyage of, 20.
Erwin, George Z., portrait of, facing 72,
Part I.
Esquimaux, the, 30.
Everett, Edward A. , 717.
Expedition, Frontenac's, 44.
Father Le Moyne, 43.
Father Raymbault, 43.
to Oswegatchie of Lieutenants Mc
Clelland and Hardenburgh, 77.
Exploration, beginning of French, 31.
Fairchild, E. N., 171.
Farmers, benefits accruing to, by open
ing of railroads, 177.
Feek, Dr. R. G., 317.
Fenian affair, the, 204 et seq.
Fine, John, 153', 192, 197, 199, 253.
churches of, 700.
organization and settlement of, 698.
supervisors of, 700.
village, 699.
Finnegan, Dr. W. B., 319.
Finnimore, Dr. Daniel W. , 316.
First judges, 248.
Flackville, 326.
Flaherty, Michael H. , 158.
Fletcher, Willis J., 271.
Flouring mills of Ogdensburg, 370.
Floyd, Dr. William, 295.
Food of pioneers, 101.
Foot, Henry G., 215.
Stillman, 129.
Ford, David, 92.
mansion, the, 347.
Nathan, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 92, 93, 94,
95, 96, 97, 98, 129, 130, 132, 133, 134,
137, 149, 255, 337, 339, 347, 370, 380.
vault, the, 348.
Forsythe, Captain, 146, 147, 148, 149.
expedition of, to Brockville, 144.
Fort Duquesne, establishment of, 57.
fall of, 66.
Necessity, Washington's victory at,
57.
Fossil turtle, a, (note) 114.
Foster, Edwin W., 161.
Foundries and machine shops of Ogdens
burg, 377.
Fowler, churches of, 606.
early settlers of, 600.

Fowler, organization of, 599.
supervisors of , 605.
France, efforts of, at colonization, 32 et
seq.
Franklin, Benjamin, 56.
Freemansburg, 664.
French colonization at Quebec, 33.
colony, condition of the, in 1659, 47.
enclosures, 238.
first attempts at colonization by the,
32.
hopes, failure of, 71.
influence with the Indians, 58.
king, efforts of the, to encourage set
tlement, 49.
the, on the Ohio, 55.
the first white settlers, 18.
Friday, coincidence of events occurring
on (note), 26.
"Frontenac," steamboat, 109.
Frontenac's expedition, 44.
Fuller, Dr. Ira J., 314.
Fullerville, 603.
Fullington, Charles Y. , 257.
Gabriels, Rev. Henrv, portrait of, facing
335, Part I.
Galloupville, 325.
Gardner Pulp Company, 572.
Garrow, Nathan, 185.
Garvin, Dr. James, 310.
Geology and mineralogy, 113.
George, Joseph, 278.
Gibson, Capt. Warren, 198.
Giffin, Dan S., portrait of, facing 342,
Part I.
Gillett, Ransom H, 259.
Gillson, O. C, 218.
Gilmour, Capt. John C, 198.
Gleason, G. M., 218, 219.
Goodrich, Lt- Col. William B., 198.
Gouverneur Agricultural Society, 215.
and Oswegatchie Railroad, 178.
churches of, 580.
Dairymen's Board of Trade, 219.
early settlers of, 542.
Marble Company. 563.
Masonic Temple, 230.
organization of, 541.
Pulp Company, 570.
quarry industries, 559 et seq.
Richville and Canton Plank Road
Company, 167.
Somerville and Antwerp Plank
Road Company, 167.
supervisors of, 558.
village, 547.
educational matters in, 550.

360

INDEX— PART I.

Gouverneur village hotels of. 557.
libraries and reading rooms in.
553.
manufacturers of, 555.
press of. 578.
public improvements in, 554.
"Governor Smith," boat, 174.
Grand Army of the Republic, 235.
Grangers, 236.
Grass River, 109.
Greene, George Sears, 200.
Gregor, Dr. A. R., 297.
Grist mill, the first, 94.
Hailesborough, 602.
Hale, H. W.,218.
LedyardP., 158.
portrait of, facing 252. Part I.
O. H., 21S.
Hall, George, portrait of, facing 362, Part
Hamelin, Dr. J. A., 306.
Hammond, churches of, 660.
early settlers of, 652, 654.
in the war of 181;;, 652.
organization of, 651.
Rossie and Antwerp Plank Road
Company, 167.
supervisors of, 659.
village, 659.
Hannawa Falls, 611.
Harrison. R. X., 215.
Hasbrouck, Louis, 129, 130, 134, 153, 255,
379. portrait of, facing 6, Part II.
Hawkins, William M. , 717.
Hawley, Dr. C. B., 303, 315.
Hayward, William B., 199.
Helena, 635.
Hendrick, Chief, 61.
"Henry Burden," novel steamer, 170.
Herjulson, Bjarne, Norse navigator, 20.
Hermon, churches of, 683.
early settlers of, 379.
organization of, 678.
Plank Road Companv, 168.
supervisors of, 683.
village, 681.
Herriman, C. B., 219.
Heuvelton and Canton Plank Road Com
pany, 168.
and De Kalb Plank Road Companv,
168. •
early business of, 342.
earlv davs in, 341.
settlement at, 339.
Hewitt, Dr. Henry, 288.
History, study of, 17.

Hoard, Louis De V. . portrait of, facing
36, Part II.
Hochelaga, 32.
Holland, Henrv, portrait of, facing 370.
Part I.
Holt, Man-in, 218.
Home guards, Ogdensburg, 203.
Homeopathic Medical Society, St. Law
rence, 287.
Hooks, Dr. Don M., 319.
Hopkins, Roswell, 163, 250.
Hopkinton, churches of, 422.
early settlers of, 420.
settlement of, 417.
topography of. 419.
Hosford, Prof. E. A., researches of,
21,
Hospital, St Lawrence State, 210 et seq
first board of managers of
211.
Hossie, Dr. T. R., 306.
Hotel, the American, 94.
Hough, Dr. Franklin B., 120.
Houghton, J. C, 217.
Hughes, John, murder of, 357.
Hulburd, Calvin T., 200.
Hurlburt, George W., 158, 271.
Hutchinson, W. B., 219.
Idler, Charles G., 718.
Improvements at La Galette under Fa
ther Piquet, 60.
Indian River, 109.
sovereignty of the soil of Northern
New York, 80.
story, 346.
Indians, decadence of the, 30,
removal of, from La Galette, bv the
English, 74.
Intemperance, 1648-62, 51.
International Agricultural and Mechan
ical Association, 216.
Pulp Companv, 575.
Irving, Washington, 343.
Isle Royal (note), 63.
¦'It takes the cake," 46.
Ives, M. V. B., 158.
"Jack Downing," steamboat, 170.
"Jail liberties," 157.
the, 156.
James, A. B., 161, 192, 194, 217 261
Maj. Edward C, 198, 200, 266.
Henry R, 197.
Johnson, Bill, 192.
Hiram, 215.
William, 182.
Jordon Lake, 111.
Judges, 248.

INDEX— PART I.

301

Judson, David C, 130, 153, 156, 176, 217,
256, 336.
John D., 217.
portrait of, facing 45, Part II.
Roscius W.', 150.
portrait of, facing 199, Part I.
Justices of Sessions, 250.
Fourth Judicial District, 247.
Keeler, John C. , 269.
Kellogg, C. A., 269.
portrait of, facing 269, Part I.
J. M., 716.
Keene, H. B., 219.
Kerr, Dr. H. K, 316.
King, John, 130.
Preston, 188, 190, 260.
Kingsbury, E. P., 278.
Knapp's Station, 523.
Knights of Labor, 236.
Knights Templar, 231.
St. Lawrence Commandery, 231.
Ogdensburg Commandery, 232.
Knowles, Henry L. , portrait of, facing
248, Part I.
" Lady of the Lake," steamboat, 170.
La Galette; description of, by Dela Barre,
63. first occupation of, by Father Lalle
mant, 41.
Indian village at, 74.
mention of in early expeditionary
records, 45.
occupation of, by the English, 73.
occupation of, by Father Piquet, 59.
surrender of to the English, 69.
traditionary account of settlement
and naming of, 41.
Lake Ontario Steamboat Company, 169.
Lakes, 110.
minor, 112.
Lallemant, Father, 51.
Land leases at Oswegatchie granted by
the English, 79.
Langdon, A., 218.
Langworthy, Dr. Stephen, 295.
Larkin, Dr. Aaron M. , 312.
Laughlin, Dr. Henry D., 297.
Laurentian Well, analysis of water of,
122 et seq.
Lawrence, churches of, 676.
early settlers of, 670.
organization of, 669.
supervisors of, 671.
Lawrenceville, 673.
Le Caron, Father Joseph, 38.
Leeds, Ph. D., Albert R., 125, 120.

Lisbon Centre, 326.
early settlers of, 322 et seq.
events of early days in, 328.
measures taken by, in the war of the
Rebellion, 328.
supervisors of , 329.
topography and organization of, 321.
Little York, now Fowler, 601.
Livingston, Robert, 324.
Logan, Rev. Alfred, 382.
Log houses, 102.
"Long Tom," 131.
Lorimier, the claim, 91.
Louisville, churches of, 539.
in the war of 1812, 535.
organization of, 533.
sad event in, 534.
supervisors of, 540.
Lucey, D. B.,277.
Lyon, David H., portrait of, facing 360,
Part I.
Lyttle, John, 324.
Macomb, Alexander, 82, 83.
churches of, 693.
mining companies in, 691.
organization and settlement of, 688.
supervisors of, 693.
McChesney, Dr. Robert, 289.
McClair, Charles W. , portrait of, facing
15, Part II.
McFalls, Dr. David, portrait of, facing
553, Part I.
McGregor, Peter, 217.
Mclntyre, John Gilbert, 265.
McKay, Dr. James S., 318.
McKenzie, William, 181.
McNaughton, J., 279.
Madill, Dr. Grant, 306.
Madoc, Welsh adventurer, 21.
Madrid, bridges in, 399.
churches of, 402.
during the war of 1812, 396.
early settlers of, 394 et seq.
settlement of, 391,
supervisors of, 399.
village, 400.
Magone, D., portrait of, facing 104, Part
I.
Marine Railway, 171.
Marsh, Dr. James M., 311.
Samuel, 198.
Marshville, 683.
" Martha Ogden," steamboat, 169.
Martin, A. T. , 217.
James H, 718.
Masonic, 224 et seq.
Acacian Lodge, 22U.

362

INDEX— PART I.

Masonic, Amber Lodge, 228,
Benevolence Lodge, 226.
Black Lake Lodge, 227.
Brasher Lodge, 229.
Canton Lodge, 226.
Deer River Lodge, 228.
Depeyster Lodge, 229.
Elk Lodge, 229.
Fellowship Lodge, 230.
Gouverneur Lodge, 227.
Grass River Lodge, 227.
Hamilton Lodge, 226.
Hermon Lodge, 228.
High Falls Lodge, 228.
Louisville Lodge. 228.
Massena Lodge, 229.
New Oswegatchie Lodge, 225.
Norfolk Lodge, 228.
Northern Light Lodge, No. 11, 225.
Lodge No. 440, 226.
North Star Lodge, 227.
Ogdensburg Lodge, 227.
Oswegatchie Lodge, 229.
Raquette River Lodge, 227.
Richville Lodge, 229.
Russell Lodge, 229.
St. Lawrence Lodge No. Ill, 227.
Lodge No. 186, 226.
Scotch Lodge, 227.
Waddington Lodge, 228.
What Cheer Lodge, 229.
Wildwood Lodge, 228.
Massawepie Lake, 111.
Massena Center, 410.
churches of, 414.
early settlers of, 407 et seq.
in the war of 1812, 408.
settlement of, 404.
Springs, 411.
Springs, analysis of water of, 124.
supervisors of, 410.
village, 412.
Masters, Frederick J., on Chinese discov
ery of America, 19,
Matrimonial market of Quebec, 50.
May, John, 218.
MayneT.,218. Meade, General, 206, 207.
Medical Association of Northern New
Yqrk, 287.
Society, St. Lawrence County, 284.
Members of Assembly, 220.
Merriam, Ela T. , 200.
Merriman Fred J. , 272.
Merritt, Edwin A. , portrait of, facing 472,
Part I.
Merry, Isaac T., 198.
Miller, Rev. Dr., 382.

Miller, Rev. L. M., portrait of, facing
382, Part I.
Mineral waters, etc., 121.
Minerals, 115.
list of, 117.
Mining, evidences of early, 44.
Missionaries Joliet and Marquette, ex
plorations of, 53.
Monackey, Dr. P., 311.
Monroe, visit of President, 153.
Montreal of 1659 contrasted with the city
of to-day, 48.
surrender of, 70.
Moore and Fields, 160.
Moreland, F. R., 269.
Forrest K., portrait of, facing 44,
Part II.
Morgan Dr. J. S., 296.
Morley, 458.
churches of, 458.
Morris, Dr. Robert, 293.
Morrison, Rev. J. D., 384.
Morristown and Hammond Plank Road
Company, 167.
churches of, 621.
early settlers of, 615.
organization of, 614.
supervisors of, 619.
village, 619.
Morse, A. P., 216.
Morton, George, 268.
Mounds, 239.
Murphy, Thomas N. , 276.
Musgrove, J. W. , portrait of, facing 56,
Part II.
Myers, Charles G., 192, 217, 259.
Myres, Geo. B., 198.
Natural Canal, the, 110.
Natural Dam, 558.
Pulp Company, 570.
Navigation, attempts to improve the, of
the St. Lawrence, 163.
Neary, E. H., 263.
Nevin, Capt. David A., 197.
Newell, Edgar A. , portrait of, facing 26,
Part II.
New France, the Company of, 34.
Newspapers of Canton, 436.
of Gouverneur, 578.
of Hermon, 682.
of Massena, 414.
in Morristown, 619.
of Norwood, 500.
of Ogdensburg, 366.
of Potsdam, 483,
"NewYork," steamboat, 171.
Nicholville, 674.

INDEX— PART I.

303

"Niagara," steamboat, 170.
Noble, Dr. W., 288.
Norfolk, churches of, 630.
early settlers of, 624.
organization of, 623.
Raymondville and Massena Plank
Road Company, 168.
village, 627.
Norsemen, 17.
North Lawrence, 672.
Russell, 531.
Northern New York Marble Company,
565. Railroad, 174 et seq.
Transportation Company, 172.
"Northener," steamboat, 171.
Northrup, Samuel, 161.
Norwood, business of, 499.
churches of, 501.
press of, 500.
O'Brien, Martin, 719.
Odd Fellowship, 233.
Ogden, David A., 254.
Samuel, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 90, 95, 97,
132, 133, 137.
Ogdensburg and Heuvelton Plank Road
Company, 167.
as affected by the war of 1812, 139.
banks of, 374.
bombardment of, 143.
capital crimes or executions in, 354.
cholera in, 353.
churches of, 379 et seq.
city officers of, 362.
Club, 373.
Dairymen's Board of Trade, 219.
defence of, in 1813, 146 et seq.
effect of embargo act upon, 138.
Electric Light Company, 373.
evacuation of, 149.
fires in, 354.
flouring mills, 376.
foundries and machine shops, 377.
Gas Company, 373.
improvements in, 352.
in 1812, plan of, 145.
incorporation of village of, 351.
of city of, 364.
manufacturers of, 375.
population of in 1809, 135.
presidents and trustees of the village
of, 360.
press, 366.
public buildings of, 357.
resumption of business in, after the
war of 1812, 152.
sacking of, 149.

Ogdensburg schools of, 371.
Transit Company, 174.
Turnpike Company, 166.
visit of President Monroe at, 153.
water power, 364.
water works, 364.
"Ohio Company," the, 55.
"Oneida," steamboat, 170.
O'Neill, Andrew, 322.
"Ontario," steamboat, 168.
the second steamboat, 171.
Order of the Eastern Star, 233.
Orvis, H., 215.
Oswegatchie Agricultural Society, 217.
beginning of settlement of, 89.
bridges in, 340, 349.
business of in early times, 342 et seq.
evidences of early occupation near
the, 43.
Fair Ground Company, 217.
first death and first marriage in, 337.
Ford's letter regarding land claims
at, 90.
unimportance of, to the English, 77.
Isaac Wells's description of, 78.
occupation of by Nathan Ford, 85
et seq.
River, 109.
settlement of, 335.
supervisors of, 360.
the, on French maps, 42.
"Oswego," steamboat, 169.
Packard, M. D., 161, 218.
Paddock, Dr. William S., 297.
Palmer, Buel, 198.
Capt. Frank, 198.
Samuel H, 262.
portrait of, facing 367, Part I.
Parish, David, 136, 350.
George, 153, 176, 198, 214.
mansion, the,J350. ,
stone store/30. '  ~ 35° ¦
Parishville Center, 597.
churches of, 598.
organization and early settlers of,
595.
supervisors of, 599.
Turnpike Company, 166.
Parker, Abraham X., portrait of, facing
256, Part I.
David R. P., 273.
Dr. Francis, 295.
Partridge, Samuel, 161.
Passport system during the Rebellion,
202.
Patriot War of 1837, 180 et seq.
failure of, 189.

361

INDEX— PART I.

"Paul Pry," steamboat, 169.
Peace, proclamation of, in 1815.
Pearson, H. C, 172.
Pease, Dr. Freeman A., 309.
Peck, Hiram H. , 200.
Perkins, Bishop, 130, -258.
John C, 161.
Matthew, 130.
Pettibone, Chauncey, 161.
Pickens, John, 217.
Pierce, Dr. Caleb, 294.
Pierrepont Center, 611.
churches of, 613,
early settlers of, 608.
organization of, 607.
supervisors of, 612.
Pioneer life, 98 et seq.
social life, 105.
Piquet, Father, aggressive movements
of, 63. at La Galette, 58 et seq.
dislike of, by the English, 6 .
sketch of (note), 71.
Pitcairn, churches of, 687.
organization of, 685.
supervisors of, 687.
Pitt, William, 65.
Plank road companies, 167.
Plumb, Henry, 143.
Pohlman, Jacob, 336.
Pomeroy, Capt. James, 198.
Pont- Greve, 35, 36.
Poor-expenses, statistics of, 162.
Poorhouse and asylum, 161.
Pope, SethG., 162.
Population, 222, 223, 224.
Porphyry, 566.
Port of Transfer, 174.
Potsdam, early settlers of, 463.
in the war of 1812, 466.
organization of, 462.
Plank Road Company, 167.
Red Sandstone Company, 474.
supervisors of, 482.
village, 470.
banks of, 482.
Bayside Cemetery in, 474.
churches of, 492.
fire department of, 471.
hotels of, 473.
manufacturing industries of,
476 et seq.
presidents of , 471.
press of, 483.
schools of, 486.
water works, 472.
Pre-historic implements, 241.
occupation, evidences of. in St. Law
rence county, 237.

Prentice, Rev. Albert M., 381.
Proclamation, General Wilkinson's, 150.
Proctor, William L. , portrait of, facing
376, Part I.
Public buildings, dissatisfaction with lo
cation of, 154.
Railroad, celebration of completion of
first, 176.
Railroads, 174 et seq.
Raquette River, 109, 411.
Valley and St. Regis Agricultural
Society, 216.
Raymond, Ephriam S., 161.
Judge, 165.
Raymondville, 629.
Recollects and Jesuits, founding of mis
sions by the, 38.
Red Granite, 566.
Regiment, Fifteenth Infantry, 199.
Ninety-second Infantry, 199.
One Hundred and Sixth infantry, 199
Sixteenth Infantry, 198.
Sixtieth Infantry, 199.
Regiments, various, containing St. Law
rence county men, 199.
Religious beliefs and organizations, 329.
Rensselaer Falls, 459.
Reynolds, Dr. G. W., portrait of, facing
400, Part I.
Dr. Jesse, 300, 309.
Mrs. Truman, 324.
Revolution, the, 75.
Richville, 512.
Ripley, Dr. Joseph H., 297.
Rivers, 109.
Roads, the first; laid out, 92.
Robertson, D. M., 280.
Rev. Mr. 383.
Roberval, Lord, first voyage of, 33.
Robinson, George, 157, 200.
"Rochester," steamboat, 170.
Rodee, Henry, portrait of, facing 378,
Part I.
Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg
Railroad, 177.
Rose, David, 336.
Parker W., 157.
Routes, early, 100.
Rowland, George H., 218.
Royal Arch Masonry, 230.
Elk Chapter, 231.
Gouverneur Chapter, 231.
Ogdensburg Chapter, 231.
St. Lawrence Chapter, 230.
Royal and Select Masters,
231.
Rossie, churches of, 594.
early settlers of, 585.

INDEX— PART I.

365

Rossie, Furnace, 589.
in the war of 1812, 587, 527.
Iron Works, 588.
mining in, 590.
organization of, 584.
supervisors of, 592.
village, 593.
Russell, arsenal at, 328.
churches of, 531.
in the war of 1812, 527.
organization of, 520.
supervisors of, 529.
village, 530.
Lawrence, 278.
Leslie W., 158, 160.
Sacking of Ogdensburg in 1813, 149.
St. Albans raid, the, 200 et seq.
St. Jean Baptiste Society, 235.
St. Lawrence County Agricultural So
ciety, 215.boundaries of, 108.
causes which led to the erection
of, 106.
Dairymen's Association, 218.
Dairymen's Board of Trade, 218.
geology and mineralogy of, 113
et seq.
lakes of, 110.
minerals of, 115^
mineral waters of, 121.
rivers of, 109.
soil and timber of, 128.
troops from, for the war of 1812,
139.
first occupation of the southern
part of the, by the French, 40.
International Camp Ground Associ
ation, 622.
Marine Railway Company, 172.
Pulp Company, 572.
River, discovery of, 32.
peculiarity of, in Massena, 405.
steamboat, 170.
University, 446 et seq.
St. Martin, Antoine, (note) 131.
St. Regis River, 110.
Sanburn, Dr. Louis, 295.
Sanford, Carlton E., portrait of, facing
3, Part II.
Jonah, 215.
Sanches, Spanish pilot, 22.
Saw mill, first at La Galette, 60.
Scarborough, Mrs., murder of, 351.
Schemes for improving the navigation of
rivers, 163.
Schools of Ogdensburg, 371.
Scolvus, John, Polish navigator, 22.

Scott, Gen. Winfield, 193.
Scottish, or Ancient and Accepted Rite
232. Princes of Jerusalem, 233.
Princes of Rose Croix, 233.
St. Lawrence Lodge of Per
fection, 233.
Seaver, Capt. Joel, 198.
Henry E., 277.
Seeley, Dr. John, 296.
Sentinel, a faithful, 140.
Serpentine Marble, 566.
Setree, Dr. E. W., 308.
Seymour, Dr. E. G. , portrait of, facing
48, Part II.
David, 135.
Geo. D. V., 217.
George N., 216.
Shanty building, 99.
Shea, Dr. Patrick H, 317.
Shepard, Charles, 200, 216.
Dr. Pierce, -298.
George B. , 275,
Sheriffs, 252.
Sherman, Dr. A. B., 292.
Dr. B. F., 290.
Dr. Frank R. , 292.
Dr. J. Chipman, 293.
Dr. S. N., 291.
Sherwood, Dr. Solomon P. , 296.
Sisson, George W. , portrait of, facing
477, Part I.
Skinnerville, 522.
Smith, Alonzo A. , portrait of, facing 359,
Part I.
A. E., 217.
Calvin Harrison, 257.
Dr. Joseph W., 289.
Dr. Moses E., 305.
Smithers, Samuel and Joseph, 325.
Soil and timber, 128.
Somerville, 593.
South Colton, 697.
Edwards, 663.
Southwick, Dr. David E., 293.
Southworth, E. H, 218.
Southville, or South Stockholm, 522.
Spaulding, M. W, portrait of , facing 27,
Part II.
Special County Judges, 250.
Spinner, an aged, 48.
Sprague, jr., Asa, 156, 161.
Dr. F. P., 295.
Dr. Gideon, 295.
Spratt, Thomas, portrait of, facing 244,
Part I.
Squires, A. Z., 718.
Benjamin, 157.

366

INDEX— PART I.

Stadacona, 32.
State Normal School at Potsdam, 489.
Road, the, 134.
r .ads, 165.
Steamboat navigation, 168.
Sterlin, James, swindle by, 656.
Stetson, Capt. JohnL., 198.
Stillwell, Dr. H. S., 304.
Smith, 161, 214.
Stockholm Center, 523.
churches of, 523.
organization of, 518.
supervisors of, 521.
Stowell, Prof. T. B., portrait of, facing
491, Part I.
Streams, remarkable course of, 1 : 2.
Street Railway, 179.
Streeter, Reuben, 161.
Strong, E. L., 716.
Superstition, effects of, 52.
Supervisors, first board of, 130.
Supplies and money, difficulty in obtain
ing, 95.
Surrogates, 251.
Sweeney, "Major-general," 206.
Sweet, H. L., 218.
Swift, Theodore H, 274.
Talc, 567 et seq.
Mining, 577.
Tappan, Charles O, portrait of, facing
88, Part I.
Taxation of the colonies, effect of, 75.
Telegraph lines, 209.
steamboat, 170.
Telephone line, 210.
Ten townships, the, 81.
Thatcher, Dr. Hervey D., 301.
Thompson, Dr. Abram N. , 307.
J, 218.
Tibbets, John, 322.
Ticonderoga, fall of, 66.
Timber growth on the Oswegatchie,
(note), 76.
Towns, summary of the transfer of, 83.
Treaty of Paris, 71.
Trout Lake, 111.
Tuck, Andrew, 218.
Turner, Alexander, 130, 134.
Alexander J, 323.
Turnpike companies, 166.
Townsend, Dr. Richard, 289.
United States Pulp Company, 573.
steamboat, 169.
Usher, Bloomfield, portrait of, facing 482,
Part I.
Utica and Black River Railroad, 178.

Vance, John A, 260.
Vanden Heuvel, Jacob, 340-342.
Van Kennen, George E., 270.
Van Rensselaer, Henry, 153, 3 71, 2l4,
215, 325, 351.
Verrazzani, John, voyage of, 31.
Vespucci, Madame, 351.
Von Schoultz, patriot commander, 183.
Voyageurs, 41.
Waddington, churches of, 710.
supervisors of, 710.
village, 706.
organization and settlement of, 701.
Wadhams, Rev. E. P. , portrait of, facing
56, Part I.
Wadleigh, Luther E. , 264.
Wait, M. R., 218.
Walch, Dr. Edwin C, 308.
Walker, Daniel, 161.
"Walk-in- the- Water," steamboat, 169.
War of 1812, as affecting Ogdensburg,
139. declaration of, 138.
one of the alleged causes of, 136.
of the Rebellion, 196 et seq,
Washington, George, mission of to the
French at Erie, 56.
Waterman, Robert Emmet, 273.
Weed, William R. , portrait of, facing
478, Part I.
Wells, Nathaniel, 717.
West Potsdam, 502.
Stockholm, 521.
Western continent, virtual beginning of
history of, 17.
Wheeler, William A., 199.
Whitney, Dr. E., 297.
Wilkinson, General, expedition of, 150.
Williams, Charles, portrait of, facing
513, Part I.
Williams, Dr. F. F. , portrait of, facing
287, Part I.
Winthrop, 522.
Wise, Dr. P. M., 297.
Wolves, 336.
Women, importation of young, 49.
Wood, Capt. Wallace W., 198.
Wooster, Charles, 219.
Worth, Colonel, 185, 189, 192, 194.
Wright, Benjamin, 165.
jr., Silas, 161, 214, 253.
Stephen S., statement of, 185.
Young Men's Christian Association, Og
densburg, 390.
Zeni, Nicolo and Antonio, narrative of,
22.

INDEX-PART II.
BIOGRAPHICAL.

Austin, John H., 62.
Averell, James, 43.
Averell, William J. , 7.
Babcock, Z. W., 55.
Bayley,. Dr. C. W., 11.
Bean, James S., 53.
Bridges. Dr. Zena B., 32.
Carr, Philetus G. , 46.
Clarkson Familv, The, 34.
Conger, GerritS., 58.
Corbin Family, The, 8.
Curtis, 50.
Daniels, William H. , 60.
Darrow, George F. , 30.
Dart, William A., 17.
Day, Hiram W., 38.
Dorwin, Gustave S. , 58.
Egert, Amos S. , 28.
Ellsworth, Horace D., 37.
Erwin, George Zalmon, 20.
Gabriels, Rev. Henry, 52.
Giffin, Dan Spafford, 11.
Hale, Ledyard P. , 45.
Hall, George, 61.
Hasbrouck, Louis, 6.
Hoard, Louis De Villers, 36.
Holland, Henry, 63.
James, Henry R., 41.
Judson, John D., 45.
Judson, Roscius W., 49.
Kellogg, Charles A. , 40.

Knowles, Henry L. , 12.
Lee, Rev. John S., 65.
Lyon, David H., 56.
McClair, Charles W., 15.
McFalls, Dr. David, 32.
Magone, Daniel, 57.
Merritt, Edwin A., 1.
Miller, Rev. L. Merrill, 62.
Moreland, Forrest K., 44.
Musgrove, J. W., 56.
Newell, Edgar A., 26.
Palmer, Samuel H, 37.
Parker, Abraham X., 13.
Proctor, William F., 31.
Reynolds, Dr. G. W.. 61.
Rodee, Henry, 39.
Russell, Leslie W., 43.
Sanford, Carlton E., 3.
Seymour, Dr. Elbridge G. ,
Sisson, George W. , 5.
Smith, Alonzo A. , 29.
Spaulding, M. W., 27.
Spratt, Thomas, 57.
Stowell, Thomas B., 16.
Tappan, Charles O., 24.
Usher, Bloomfield, 9.
Wadhams, Rev. E. P., 42.
Weed, William R, 54.
Williams, Charles, 28.
Williams, Dr. F. F., 59.

48.

INDEX

PERSONAL SKETCHES.

Abbott, Rev. Henry Craunce, 3.
Abell, Frank B., 296.
Abernethy, Arthur W., 294.
Cyrus C, 5.
Adams, Charles F., 4.
Milo, 297.
Aikens, John, 182.
Aitchison, Robert, 7.
Aldrich, Newton, 313.
Allen, Alexander, 6.
Dr. Alfred R., 295.
Dr F. D., 298.
Freeman H., 4.
Peter, 6.
R. T., 10.
Samuel, 234.
Thomas, 10.
Ames, Fisher F., 2.
Frank W., 4.
Amo, Alexander, 6.
A. H., 294.
George N., 294.
Anderson, Duncan, 1.
Andrew, Jacob, 329.
Andrews Family, The, 77.
Morris B., 313.
Anstead, Alvin, 7.
George A., 2g6.
Archer, William, 3.
Armstrong, Abner H., 236.
Ashley, Frank, 297.
Joseph, 295.
Loren R., 296.
Ashton, "William H., 180.
Atwater, Edwin H.. 5.
Atwood, I. M., 312.
L. D., 300.
Aust, Henry A., 2.
Austin, Edward J., 1.
S. A.,3-
S. H., 1.
W. D., 295.
Ayres, Stephen, 295.
Babcock, A. A., 12.
Allen, 351.
Sheldon, o,
Z. W., 166.
Bacheller, Henry A., 294.
Bailey, Hollis Hovey, 17.
Joseph A., g.
Sylvester S., 23,
Baird, Robert J., 288.
Baker, Alexahder W., 174.
Dr. Lucius B., 178.
J. V., 292.

Balcome, Elon 3., 288.
Baldwin Family, 21.
G. S., 21.
Henry K., u.
Ball & Fletcher, 289.
Ballou, Hiram H., 8.
Bancroft, William, 298.
Barber, Ira, 17.
Luman M., 17.
Barbour, W. J., 243.
Barker, Harvey, 16.
Barnes, A. N., 289.
E. S., 16.
George B., 18.
Barnett, Michael J., 274.
Barrows, Aaron, 15.
Barnhart, K. J., 345.
Barry, Frank D., 291.
Bartell, W. VM 23.
Bartholomew, Jerome, 14.
Bartlett, Nathan W., 84.
Batchelder, Benjamin F., 13.
Baum, Fred E., 10.
James N., 22,
Bayley, J. B., 329.
Beach, James, g.
Beaman, F. B., 243.
Beckwith, M. D., 275.
Bedal, T. W., 179.
Beede, Royal S., 270.
Bell, Oliver. 170.
Benham, S. R., 175.
Benson, Charles H., 291.
O. P., 329.
S. Ellis, 11.
Benton, Joseph, 21.
Knowlton, 14.
Bergeron, J. B., 9.
Berry, John H., n.
William C, 18.
Billings, A. B., 19.
Bissell, Ralph, 289.
Bixby, George H., 292.
Bliss, Oliver, ig.
Blodgett, James B., 22,
Blood, Amos, 290.
Bloss, Albro E., 24.
George W., 286.
Boland, William, 28Q.
Bolton, Thomas H., 23.
Bonney, George W., 7.
Oliver E., 20,
Boody, Joseph, 287
Borland, C. W., 288.
Botsford, Dr, Llewellyn T.,
Bouck, Gordon, 292.

Bowen, A. D., 289.
David H., 18.
William C., 274.
Bowhall, William, 16.
Bradford, Henry, 349.
Bradish, John, 19.
Bradley, Oral, 23.
Brassard, John, 243.
Breckenridge, M. P., 286
Bridges, J. D., 313.
Briggs, Benjamin P., 287.
Bristol, L. M., 15.
Brodie, James, 291.
Brogan, Henry, 166.
Brouse, Jacob, 19.
Wesley, 10.
Brown, A. P , 9.
Le Rov S., 22.
N. E.,'18.
Orson L., 179.
Brundage, Charles R., 304.
Brush, Charles H., 189.
Joseph A., 194.
Ruck, Alfred G., 12.
Epaphroditus, 188.
Buckley, John H., 286.
Bullis, Lewis, 178.
Burnham, Francis S., 292.
G. C, 288.
Burt, G. W., i76.
Burtis, S., 243.
Butler, Edwin H., 275.
Ira Daniel, 290.
John F., 14.
Buttolph, James S., 20.
Callaghan, Peter, 24.
Callanan, Thomas F., 281.
Capell, Harvey A. 74.
Capron, E. B., ?6.
Royal E., 281.
Carey, F. T., 32.
Carncross, Randall, 307.
Carpenter, Adam F., 25.
A. S.,281
C. C, 29
H. D., 27.
L. P , 280.
Robert Byron, 280.
Carswell, John, 279.
Carton, James, 354.
Z. B., 331.
Casey, L. B., 276,
Catlin, Christie, 12.
180. Chaffee, James E., 30,
Chamberlain, Worth, 276.

INDEX-PART III.

309

Chambers, W. O., 34.
Chandler, Charles A., 28.
Chaney, John H., 162.
Chapman, H. A., 281.
Charlton, John, 26.
Chartrand, George, 25.
Chase, H, Benjamin, 330.
Chellis, J. S.. 31.
Chittenden, King S., 193.
Varick A., 193.
Church, Charles B., 283.
Harvey, 33.
Jonathan, 280.
Clark, Amos F., 28.
Charles A., 29,
Charles A., 281.
Edmund, 187.
George F , 32.
Harry Noble, 283.
James, 285.
M. W., 279.
Nathan Edgar, 283.
Richard, 25.
S. L , 284.
Silas S , 33.
Silas W., 28.
Thomas, 275.
W. T.,31.
Clifford, M. L., 306
Close, Henry J., 181.
John, 276.
Clutterbuck, William H., 285.
Coates. T A.. 278.
Cogswell, Enos Loomis, 28.-.
Seth L., 282.
Colborn, Benjamin, 276.
Cole, E iwin N., 348.
Colnon, J. W., 279.
Colton, Carlos, 160.
Daniel, 307.
Compton, H. M., 197.
Conroy, Rev. J. H., 32.
Converse, Horace J., 301.
Cook, W J., 25.
Cooper, Eugene, 311.
Coughlin, D. J., 27.
Couper, Joseph, 284.
Joseph P.. 284.
Covey, David M., 278.
H. M., 278.
Cox, James A., 286.
Craig, John, 45-
Crampton, L., 155.
Crane, F M., no.
Crary, Ezra, 163,
Ryland A., 353.
Crawford, George A., 285.
James V., 30*.
Crinklaw, Jerome, 331
Crooks, H. F., 330.
Crosby, Samuel T., 27-
Crossman, Marcus, 169,
W. R., 26.
Crouch, C. F., 169.
Crowley, P. M., 34.
Crysler, G. M., 33.
Cubley, William H., 352.
Currier, L. S., 277.
Curtis, Francis, 196.
Lafayette, 187.
Lyman P., 26.
Cuthbert, William-, 30.
Cutting, A. B., 31.
Daggett, Henry L„ 34.
Dailey, S. W., 39-
Dalton, Thomas, 38.
Dalzell, Robert S., 40.

Dana, Elihu M., 341.
L. A., 318.
Daniels, John, 273
Dardis, James D , 38.
Darrow. George F., 35.
Dart, Dennis R., 272.
Davenport, C. L., 235.
Davis H. K., 35.
Lorenzo, no.
P. A., 192.
Truman, 334,
Dawson, Asa, 274.
Day, Chester. 181.
Luther B., 332.
William H., 184.
De Lack, John, 273.
Delaney. Thomas, 3T4.
Denison, R. H , 333
Derby H. Stanley, 305.
Deschamps George, 272.
Desmond, John, 277.
Dessert,. George H , 273.
Dewy, Aaron, 349.
Frederick L., 37.
Willard E., 334.
Dezell, Kenneth RM 36.
Dixon, William Henry, 190.
Dodd, Henry, 37.
Dodds, George M. 272.
Dodge, Dr. S. W., 311.
Dominy, Levi S., 74.
Donaghue, A. F., 332.
Donald, Henry, 40.
Dorgan, William, 272.
Doud. George C, 40,
Douglas, John W., 305.
Douglass, Henry A., 333.
Dousey, Dr. George H., 277.
Dow, James M., 272.
Drake, Loren M., 332.
Draper, W. H.,37.
Duff, William, 38.
Dunkelberg, C. C, 37.
Dunn, Alexander, 39.
Robert F., 277.
Thomas, 306.
Dunnery, F., 273.
Dutton, Ira, 36.
Eacutt, William, 271/
Earl, Grant, 42.
John W., 42.
William, 43.
Eastman, George L., 269.
S. E., 304.
Easton, J. D., 42.
William H., 43.
Eaton, J. B., 327.
Ehle, M. P., 269.
Elderkin, Noble S , 42.
Elliott, Admiral M., 271.
Xerxes C, 271.
Ellis, Frank D., 269.
Ellison, Wayland F., 41.
Ellsworth, E. S., 126.
Ellithorpe, Paschal B., 335.
Ellwood, Alexander, 43.
Gibson, 43.
Emery, Charles, 41.
Ewings, H. H., 75.
Fac»kerell, L. J., 49-
Fairbanks, Richmond J., 197.
Fairbrother, George, 264.
Fanning, Benajah C, 201.
Farley, John, 265.
Farmer Brothers, 212.
Calvin E., 48.

Farnsworth, Amos, 265.
Farwell, Charles, 46.
Faulkner, Joseph. 265.
Fay, Francis E., 268.
Fenner, C. W., 44.
Judson F., 265.
Fife, Andrew, 267.
James S., 46.
Thomas W., 47.
Finnegan, Dr. W, B., 76.
Fish, H. R., 335.
Marcus, 346.
Fisher, James, 267.
John C, 49.
Robert A., 268.
William, 266.
Fisk, Charles A., 336.
Fitch, A. N., 4,.
Fitzgerald, John, 266.
Flack, Garrett P., 44.
Flagg, Edward W., 45.
Flaherty, Michael H. 76.
Fletcher, Calvin T., 176.
Flint, Frank F,, 264.
Flood, Dr. J. Q., 192.
Ford, James, 49.
John, 50.
Forrester, Irwin D., 266.
Forsythe, Walter, 266.
W. W., 264.
Fortune, Dr. W. E., 336.
Foster, W. J., 265.
Frank, Nathan, 44
Freeman, David, 47.
William A., 46.
Fuller, A. P., 264.
Edward, 266.
William D., 45.
Fulton, John J.. 48.
Gaddis, E. W., 263.
Gage, John C, 57-
Gagnon, J. L., 55.
Gannon, J. H., 299.
Gardner, A. D., 263.
Clark A., 168.
L. M., 262.
Otis, 260.
Garfield, Milton, 262.
Gates, Arba, 175.
A. A., ss.
Gary, Shepard S., 50.
Gedbaw. Francis, 53.
Gibbons, Williams, 51.
Gibson, George, 260.
George N., 56.
Jason, 54.
Giffin, A. D., 262.
Gilbert, E. Howard, 263.
Joseph, 261.
Gilbreth, William, 312.
Gilman, Alman, 187.
Gladding, William L., 260,
Glazier. Ward, 191.
Glennan, John, 260.
Glover & Orne, 262.
Goodale, Lucius L., 53.
R. P., 172.
Goodnough, William H., 55.
Gore, James, 326.
Graham, John, 56.
Grandy, J. L., 327.
Grange, John L>., 261.
Grant, Andrew, 51.
George, 52.
Nelson J., 52.
Samuel, 261.
Graves, James'M., 55.

370

INDEX— PART III.

Gray, C. P., 2:0.
Gregor, David, 51.
Gregory, A. \V., 55.
Griffith, D. C, 57.
J. W„ 262.
Griswold, Joseph N., 54.
Robert B., 53.
Groulx, F. J., 263.
Guerin, Amos, 54.
Gustin, A. H., 185.
Gwin, Hilend, 51.
Hackett, Patrick, 69.
Haggarty, William, 254.
Haig, J. A., 73.
Hale, Oscar H., 71.
Hall, Anson S., 68.
Erastus P., 59.
Giles J., 61.
Hezekiah B., 72.
John, 257.
Walter W. , 66.
Hamell, Henry W., 65.
Hamlin, D. A., 336.
Emory A., 62.
Hannan, John, 61.
Hargrave, John and Richard,
255-
Harrigan, Jay D., 66.
Harris, Allen E., 67.
H. J., 66.
Hartwell. J. W., 337.
Harvey, James Freeman, 255.
Orson, 161.
Hasbrouck, Levi, 326.
Haselton, Harry S., 324.
Hatch, Dr. A. J., 325.
E. B., 324-
L. B., 325.
Robert R., 256,
Hatley, Walter, 68.
Haven, J. M., 60.
Havens, Samuel, 62.
Hawkins, Harry, 68.
Hawley, George W., 337.
J. Goodwin, 302.
Morris B., 162.
Haywood, C. Eugene, 255,
Hazelton, M. V., 68.
Thomas J , 71.
Healy, Philip, 260.
Heath, Almon D.,72.
Frederic M., 64.
Milton, 63.
Heague, Roff J., 351.
Heaton, Charles, 62.
Heckles, William, 258.
Henry, William Y., 254.
Hepburn, Arthur T., 256.
Herriman. C. B., 65.
Hildreth, A. T., 254.
Hill, L. H., 259.
W. S.. 65.
Hilts, Francis, 258.
William J., 65.
Hobkirk, Adam A., 70.
Adam J., 70.
Thomas F., 80.
Hodgkin, Jay F., 326.
Hoit, L. A.. 253.
Holbrook, Giles E., 73.
Holmes, Adam J., 58.
Charles R., 58.
S. W.. 60.
Honeycomb, John S., 59,
Hopson, B. M., 317.
Horton, R. J., 310.
W. J., .77.

Hosmer, Ira G.. 351.
Howard, Ansel T., 163.
Gil:red E.. 173.
Maro L., no.
William Penn, 258.
Hubbard, Benjamin P., 253.
Hulbvird, Calvin T., 258.
Luther, 168.
Sanford W., 168.
Hull. Royal, 256.
Hunkins, John, 325.
Hurlbut, E. A., 257.
Hutton, G. E., 72.
Ide, Russell B., 76.
Idler, John G., 78.
Ingerson, Eneas, 323.
Irish, Albert H., 302.
Jesse C. 250.
Ives, Martin V. B., 79.
Jarvais, Frank, 79.
Jefferson. N. W., 251.
Jenkins, Jotham, 78.
Jenne, E. A., 253.
Jennings, John, 162.
Tewett Proctor, 79.
Johnson, Abner A., 249.
Tames O., 249.
J. B., 77.
J. E.,251.
Johnston, G. B., 76.
J. P., 323.
William H., 251.
Jones, Cyrus O., 252.
Harvey L., 78.
William H. H., 337-
Joyce, James. 250.
'John, 252.
Keene, Col. H. B., 80.
Keenan, William L., 247,
Kegle, M.. 249.
Kelley, J. H., 249.
James J., 82.
Kellogg, Fayette N., in.
Kelly, James, 249.
Kelsey, Delos D., 248.
. Elias, 81.
Henry G., 81.
Kennedy, Martin, 248.
William L., 247.
Kennehan, Patrick E., 171.
Killmer, John, 248
Kingsley, Wesley, 338.
Kinney, A., 81.
Hart S., 80.
John S., 338.
Kinsman, John M., 82.
Kirby, Reynold Marvin, 248.
Kirk, Vernon H., 80.
Knapp, Moore B., 246.
Laberdee, M. L., 83.
W. J.,83.
Lally, P., 243.
Lalone, G. A., 243.
J. H.,245. '
Lamb, Harlan. 242.
Lane, Ge rge E., 84.
Laquier, A. J., 86.
Laramee, Rev. E. C, 87.
La Rock P. H., 87.
Larock, Joseph, 87.
La Rose, Rev. P O., 88.
Lathrop, Mrs. Serepta S., 181.
Lavack, Alexander, 246.
Frederick, 318.

Lavery, W. N., 339.
Lavier, Thomas H., 243.
Laving, Andrew, jr., 246.
Lawyer, A. D., 245.
Leach, J. S., 243.
Lee, Rev. John Stcbbins, 299.
Leete, Asa H., 245.
Lenney, William, 83.
Lesperance, F. H., 243.
Lewis, William H., 86.
Libbey, George E , 178.
Liddell, James, 244.
Lindsay, William P., 245.
Livingston, James N.. 244.
Lockie, George. 87.
Lockwood, jr., Aldis L., 88.
Family, The, 88.
Homer K., 8q.
Long, Ransom B., 185.
Lord, Alexander H., 338.
Losee, William, 244.
Louis, Christopher, 84.
Lovejoy, Henry, 243.
Loveland. M. E., 87.
Lticey, D. B., 195.
Lyman, James W., 246.
Lynde D. S., 166
Elliot, 246.
Lytle, Andrew, 86.
David, 244.
McAllaster, J. E., 238.
McCabe, James B., 112.
McCaffrey, J. G., 240.
McCall, Harry W., 100.
McCarrier, James. C9.
McCarthy, John H., 167.
McCarty, Charles, 95.
McClair, J. E., 236.
McCormick, Francis H , 241.
McCrea, jr., A. L., 98.
McDonald, Edwin P., 92.
McDougall, John H., 242.
McEuen, A. E., 317.
Carlton J., 301.
McGinnis, Edward, 264.
McGregor, R. B., 94.
McGruer, A., 100.
McGuire, James, 240.
McKimm, James, 341.
McMillan, Angus. 159.
McMonagle, Dr. N. D., 112.
McMullin, Paul. 185.
McTavish, A., 92.
McVean, John C, 90.
Mackey, Thomas, 239.
Madoek, John H., 241.
Maher; Dennis J., 340.
Mainville, John, 93.
Maley, A. J., 316.
Manley, Gilbert B., 90.
Mann, Warren, 92.
William T., 242.
Manning, John, 91.
Marceau, C. C, 93.
Marsh, Morgan, 95.
Martin, Joseph C, 98.
Orrin Is,., 186.
Thomas, 94.
Mason, M. C, 94.
Matthews, James, 347.
R. B., 347.
Maxfield, Elijah E., 237.
Mellette, Paul, 242.
Merriam, C. A., 90.
E. N., 99.
Merrill, Silas W., 307.

INDEX— PART 1IL

Merriman, Fred J., 199.
Merritt, S. C, 99.
Merry, Edward, 96.
I. T., 98.
Millar. Dr. William J. L., 200.
Millard, W. L., 94-
Miller, Benjamin H., 241.
Kdward H., 242.
Rev. L. M., 96.
S. Harrison, 93.
Mills, J. A.. 240.
Mitchell, William H., 94.
More, David A., 242.
James, 95-
J. S„ 93
Morehouse, Albert W ., 238.
Morgan, Charles G., 237.
Daniel, 239.
Dorson D., 236.
George, 239.
James, 238.
Morley, George H., 240.
Moore, Samuel,, 199.
Morrison, Rev. J. D., 96.
Moulton, George A. 97.
Mulholland, Henry, 350.
Munro, Donald D., 92.
Murphy, Jpmes,339
M. J., 264.
Murray, Andrew, 241.
Musgrave, Benjamin, 93.
Nash, Sidney L., 233.
Needham, Fred S., 100.
Negus, A. I , 270.
Newland, Peabody, 341.
Newton, A. L.. 236.
Charles W.„ 102.
Newell, H. A., 234..
Nevin, Henry F., 234.
Nichols, Calvin, 102.
Nicolson, R., 100.
Nightengale, John, 233.
' Xoble, E., 112.
Tremont H., 234.
Norman, J. H., 101.
Northrup, Hiram D., 101
Lorenzo, 233
Nyhan, Rev. William B., 159.
O'Brien, Michael, 104.
& Maxfield, 232.
O'Driscoll, Father James, 232.
Olin, Charles M., 233.
Oliver. Thomas, 104.
Olmstead, Joel, 103.
William H., 232.
Ormsbee, Amos, 342.
Ormston, Walter, 105.
Oswell, George B„ 103.
Overacker, William D., 105.
Overton, John A., 105.
Owen, Frank, 103.
Packard, M. D-, 299.
Paddock. William H., 342.
Paige, A. A., 107.
J. W.,226.
Palmer, George W., 316.
J. M.,353.
Paquette, A. A., 107.
Parker, B. G.,334-
M. Sabin, 112.
Parr, William, 225.
Parsons, George S., 113-
Paterson, J. A., 106.
Patten, Herbert G., 309.

Pearson, Andrew M. H., 115.
John, 114.
Unas, 1C7.
Pease, Trueman, 308.
Peck, Comer M., 109.
Daniel, 322.
Frank M., no.
Peet, Charles W., 113.
Pelsue, James B., 231.
Orson J., 184.
Perkins, A. J., 32a.
D.F., 105.
Isaac E., 106.
Perrigo, Harlan S., 113.
Perrin, Byron, 228.
Walter W.,226.
Phair, William, 230.
Phelps Family, The, 226.
Phillips, D , 225.
Phippen, Amasa B., 107.
Warren T., 108.
Pickert. Hiram L., 108.
Pickrell, Dr Evan, 230.
Pierce. T. W , 114.
William H., 320.
Pike, Nelson W., 22g.
Pinney, H D., ic6.
Plumb, L. R., 115.
Popple, G. N., 229.
William J., 224.
Porteous, John S., 114.
Potter, Edson, 224.
Henry, 161.
Pratt, Henry W., 228.
Predmore, H. S., 114.
Price, John E., 229.
Priest, Henry, 299.
Pringle, Gilbert, 231.
Ralph, G., 230.
Proctor, Charles Davis, 225.
H. L. 109.
Putnam, B., 322.
Ralph L. D., 120.
Ramsey. Isaac, 220.
Raymond, George B., 123.
Read, James C, 220.
Reed, Byron G., 343.
E-, 3°4-
Remington, W. R.,n6.
Reuter, J. E , 120.
Rex, Joseph, 220.
Reynolds, J., 182.
Rhodes, Harlow, 222.
Rich,S. D., 219.
Richards, Alfred, 120.
George, W., 119.
James A., 183.
Richardson Family, The, 160.
Rice, D. S , 299.
Harvey, 119.
Rider Family, The, 219.
James M., 202.
•Riggs, Ashley S., 121.
Philo P . 2^2,
Risley, Hubbard, 188.
Roach, E. W., 223.
Robertson, Alexander M., 198.
D. M., 313-
Robinson, C. M., 118.
G. W., 116.
H. N., 31°-
J. E., 218.
John H. 116.
Oliver C, 117.
R. T., 117.
Rodee, John V., 119.

Rodger, Dr. G. H., 183.
H. W„ 122.
John T., 222.
Rutherford, 122.
Rogers, Clark, 279.
Rose, Parker W.. 130.
Rowell, George \V., 223.
Rule, George, 121.
Runions, Oscar, 224.
Russell, E. F , 343.
Edwin F., 118.
George H., 122.
Oscar, 173.
S. K., 223.
William H., 223.
Rutherford, Andrew J., 221.
Alexander, 221.
James, 221.
Jerome, 125.
John, 127.
John D., 219.
J. H., J3o-
John T., 128.
John W., 127.
Nelson, 12=;.
Richard M., 128.
R. Edward, 220.
Robert, 123.
Thomas, 129.
Thomas F., 126.
Walter, 115.
Walter, 127.
William. 125.
W. L., 124.
Sackett, Martin Russell, 303.
St. Denny, Charles, 139.
St. Germain, Frank, 214.
. Louis, 140.
St. Lawrence County Bank, 299.
Sanford, Charles A., 344.
Darwin E„, 300.
Edwin D., 302.
E. Jonah, 344.
Herbert J., 200.
Jonah, 315.
Joseph H., 134,
Silas H., 189.
Sargeant, Harvey A., 135.
Sauve, Emory, 139,
Sawin, J. P., 215.
Sayer, M., 210.
Ransom E , 321.
Scarborough, James M., 328.
Schrier, John, 135.
Schwartzman, J., 216.
Scott, Brayton T., 72.
Robert, 137.
Scullin, Nicholas, 211.
Seaman, R. L., 136.
Seaver, Robert R., 132.
Seely Family, The, 131.
Selleck, Truman M., 143.
Sellers, George W., 213.
Senter, Alpheus A., 133.
Shattuck, E. A , 136.
Henry B., 164.
Shaw, A. B.,321.
Eli M., 142.
William, 138.
Sheldon, E. H. 213
George A , 1 77.
G. B., 213.
Shepard, Fred, 309.
George W., 140.
Shields, Isaiah, 134.
Shiell, George, 130.

372

INDEX— PART III.

Sholette, Leo, 135
Simmons, Philander, 142.
Simonet, Eugene J , 137.
Simpson, Thomas, 215.
Singleton, Peter, 318.
Sisson, jr., George W., 132.
Skinner, John F., 171.
Rev. W. F., 142.
Smead, Oscar H., 144.
Smith, Bela B., 141.
B. Howard, 136.
Carlton, 217.
E. M., 319.
Frank H., 318.
Frank L,, 217.
tames, 141.
ohn C, 196.
L. G , 198.
Robert W., 216,
S. W., 139.
W. F.,218. .
Snyder, John, 210.
Soper, William, 210,
William, 214.
Southwell, Daniel, 218.
Spaulding, B. D.. 216.
Spear, George, 218.
Spencer, James M., 144.
Spinks, Levi, 216.
Sprague, Daniel W., 139,
Squires, John B., 170.
Ktofford, Thomas, 171.
Stanton, Alexander B.,211.
Stearns, Dr. Melvin J,, 327.
Nathan W., 201.
Steinburg, Harvey, 211.
Stephens, David, 143.
Stephenson, Dr. A. Revis, 215.
Stevens, Lewis E., 214.
Stevenson, M. L., 140.

Stewart, Wiley, 155.
Stockwin*C. H
Stone, R.B., 132.

ey, 155.
Ii,, 131.

John G., 328.
Nathan L., 133.
Oscsr O., 210.
Storie, George D., 215.
T. D., 138.
Story, Harvey M., 137.
Stoutenger, Joseph, 130,
Stowe, Charles A,, 214.

Stowe, Thomas, 211.
Sturtevant, De Witt C„ 164.
Sudds, H., 139
W. F., 138.
Sweatt, Charles A , 222.
Sweet, George H., 133.
Swift, Norman, 212
Tait, ti P., 147,
Taitt, James D., 147.
Tallman, William H., 146.
Tann, J. M., 209.
Tate, Thomas B., 145.
Taylor, D. R., 209.
George F , 209,
P. R , 148.
Randolph, 167.
Tharrett, James, 321,
Thonms, Alonzo H., 320.
John, 209
Thompson, John S , 146,
Robert, 147.
Timerman, M. W., 147,
Tracy Family, The, 144,
Tracey, James D., 145.
Tuck, Andrew, 148.
Usher, Luke, 148.
Valley, Mab, 149.
Vanderburg, Fred, 208.
Van Ornum, Chester, 196.
Vebber, William, 165.
Veitch, Thomas A., 208.
Vitas, Alden, 159.
Erastus, i4g.
Volans, Thomas, 149,
Wainwright, J. W., 203.
Lorin M.. 203.
Wait, John, 205;
Myron H., 205.
Waldron, T. F„ 154.
Walker, Charles R , 163.
William, 203,
Walling, Col. William H., 152.
Walrath, Philip, 204.
Wand, Philip, 204.
Watkins, Henry, 204.
Watt, George T., 158.
Weagant, Ernest K.,206.

Webster, W. A., 184.
Weed, William W., 150.
Welch, David M., 157.
Michael, 207.
Sylvester. 207.
Wells, Charles H., 345.
George K., 227.
Henry, 195.
Otis H., 346.
R, T., 299.
Wallace H., 167.
West, Harvey C, 157.
Westbrook Family, The, 206.
Weston, John R., 207.
Westurn, Thomas, 151.
Whalen, Edward, 347.
Thomas, 206.
White, Erastus R., 320.
Whitney, Abner D., 156.
A. S., 154.
D. J., 152.
Milton A., 156.
Thomas J., 208.
Whitton. I. R., 207.
Wight, A'len, 319,
Wilder, William D,, 298.
Williams, C. E., ao6.
Isaac B., 150.
William G., 151.
Williamson, William C, 157.
Willis, Austin, 149
Eben, 165,
Wilson, George BM ^03.
George E., 157.
John, 183
Loren H., 152.
Mvron, 150,
Witherell, H E., 318.
Wood, Henry H., 204.
J. H., 207.
Woodward, G. W., 104.
Worden, H. E., 157.
Wrigglesworth, Mrs. Jane. 174.
Wright, I. W., 204.
Melville S., 154.
S. B., 204.
Yerden, George S., 202.
Voting, Enoch, 202.
W. H., 158.
Zellar, Henry F., 158.