Jefferson County New York Biographies

Transcribed by Jeffrey Tooley

Jefferson County New York Biographies extracted from the History of Jefferson County in the State of New York, by Franklin B. Hough, 1854

BRONSON, Ethel, Biography

ETHEL BRONSON, a native of Connecticut, removed to Rutland in 1805, and assumed the agency of that town and a part of Henderson, of which his brother had become the purchaser. He was thrice elected to the legislature, and held for many years the office of judge of the county court. At the time of his death, in 1825, he was president of the Jefferson County Bank. He was not ambitious for public office; but in those qualities that make a good citizen, a kind neighbor, and a valued friend, he was preeminent. He was kind and liberal, almost to a fault; yet public spirited, and enterprising, and possessing a character marked with integrity and probity; he was beloved by his friends, and respected by all who knew him. [Source: History of Jefferson County in the State of New York, by Franklin B. Hough; Sterling & Riddell, 1854]

BURCHARD, Peleg, Biography

PELEG BURCHARD, born in Norwich, Connecticut, in 1790, removed in early life to Utica, and in 1809 settled in Watertown, as a merchant, from whence he removed to Brownville, where he failed in business. In 1828, he was elected county clerk, and held that office twelve years, a sufficient evidence of the confidence and respect of the public. His success in being repeatedly elected to this lucrative office may be mainly ascribed to his personal popularity, gained by a kind and obliging manner, which won the regard of whoever was brought in contact with him. In 1843, he was appointed by Tyler, collector of Cape Vincent, which office he held during this and the next presidential term. He died at Cape Vincent, February 2, 1851, of a bronchial disease, and was interred at Watertown. He was a brother of Jedediah Burchard, the celebrated evangelist. [Source: History of Jefferson County in the State of New York, by Franklin B. Hough; Sterling & Riddell, 1854]

CRAWE, Dr. Ithamer B., Biography

DR. ITHAMER B. CRAWE, the eminent attainments of this person in the natural sciences, and especially in botany and mineralogy which he pursued with peculiar ardor and success, entitled him to particular notice. He was born in Enfield, June 11, 1792, and in 1802 removed with his parents to Madison County, New York.

In youth he evinced a passion for the study and collection of plants, and his health having failed in 1811, he devoted for two or three years, the most of his time to these pursuits. In 1817, he made two fishing voyages to Newfoundland, and from which he returned with health restored, and in March 1818, commenced study with Dr. Hastings, of Clinton, with whom he remained three years. In the session of 1821-2 he attended lectures at the New York University, and in April 1822, he received a county license to practice medicine. In the same year he removed to Watertown, where he engaged in the practice of his profession. He subsequently removed to Ogdensburgh, and about the year 1836, was employed to superintend some lead mining operations in Lubec, Nova Scotia. This business, not meeting the expectations of its projectors, he returned, and after several years residence at Pontiac, in Michigan, he again settled in Watertown, still cherishing his fondness for botanical and mineralogical researches, and devoting the intervals allowed by his arduous professional business to their pursuit. Having been requested by Professor Gray, of Cambridge, to procure for him some plants that occur on Perch Lake, he visited that locality, June 3, 1847, where, with two others, he ventured out in a leaky boat which, when several rods from shore, filled with water. Being an excellent swimmer, he started to return, but being encumbered with clothing, he drowned before reaching the shore. The members of the medical profession, and the Masonic fraternity, of which he was a zealous member, testified their respect for his character by resolutions that were published in the county papers. A sketch of his life was also published in Silliman's Journal. [American Journal of Science, second series, iv. 300]. [Source: History of Jefferson County in the State of New York, by Franklin B. Hough; Sterling & Riddell, 1854]

DEWEY, Timothy, Biography

TIMOTHY DEWEY, a native of New England, for many years a civil engineer, and resident of New York, but for about fifteen years previous to his death a citizen of this county, died at the residence of his son, William Dewey, in Lyme, November 19, 1853. He constructed the first New York Gas Works, which conferred much professional eminence, and in all the relations of life, proved himself honest, high minded, and exemplary. [Source: History of Jefferson County in the State of New York, by Franklin B. Hough; Sterling & Riddell, 1854]

DOXTATER, Robert B., Biography

ROBERT B. DOXTATER, was a native of Adams, where he was educated, and in early life engaged in merchandize with much success. In 1849, he removed to Watertown, and commenced trade with Messrs. Brayton & Howland, on an extensive scale, and at the completion of the Watertown and Rome Rail Road, was appointed superintendent. This office he filled with distinguished ability, until early in 1853, when he resigned, and was soon appointed superintendent of the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana Rail Road. He had but just entered upon this important trust, when he was stricken with apoplexy, and died at Laporte, Indiana, May 17, 1853, aged 39. His remains were brought back to Adams and interred. In energy, ability, tact, skill, and integrity, Mr. Doxtater had few superiors. [Source: History of Jefferson County in the State of New York, by Franklin B. Hough; Sterling & Riddell, 1854]

ESSELSTYN, Richard M., Biography

RICHARD M. ESSELSTYN, was born May 12, 1778, at Claverack, then Albany County, and at the age of twelve removed to Massachusetts, where he resided six years and returned. In 1801, he accompanied Messrs. Smith and Delamater to Chaumont, as surveyor, and subsequently engaged in trade with his brother John B. at Cape Vincent, of which place he was almost the first settler. On the occurrence of war, he removed to Watertown, and was appointed county clerk, the duties of which he performed with much ability. He died of yellow fever, at Utica, October 2, 1822. The board of supervisors of which he was a member, at their meeting soon after, passed a series of resolutions expressive of their respect to his memory. [Source: History of Jefferson County in the State of New York, by Franklin B. Hough; Sterling & Riddell, 1854]

FOSTER, Jabez, Biography

Jabez Foster, was born August 1, 1777, in Lebanon, Connecticut, from whence he removed to Lewis County, and at an early period settled as a merchant, at first in Burrville, and about 1807 or 1808 in Watertown Village, where, in company with O. Hungerford, he transacted a large business during the war. For several years he held the office of county judge, and in every station of life acquired the esteem of those around him, by the kindness of his manner, and probity of character. He died at Monroe, Michigan, December 10, 1847, of congestion of the lungs. [Source: History of Jefferson County in the State of New York, by Franklin B. Hough; Sterling & Riddell, 1854]

GILBERT, Marianus W., Biography

MARIANUS W. GILBERT, was long a citizen and merchant of Watertown, held for many years the office of clerk of the board of supervisors, village trustee, and supervisor, and was much esteemed for his public spirit and moral worth. He died at Watertown, June 7, 1839, aged 53. [Source: History of Jefferson County in the State of New York, by Franklin B. Hough; Sterling & Riddell, 1854]

GOLDSMID, John L., Biography

JOHN L. GOLDSMID, was born near London, November 1789, of wealthy parents, and in youth entered the British army, with a commission as Second Lieutenant of Cavalry, from which he became Lieutenant Colonel. He served in Spain during several years, and afterwards in the East Indies, during which service he was several times wounded, and was necessarily exposed to many hardships. After spending several years in traveling, and experiencing the opposite extremes of fortune in financial operations, he came to New York in 1829, and afterwards settled on a farm in Champion, from whence he removed to Watertown. He there engaged in business that made him generally known, as his intelligence and amiable character made him universally respected. He died at Watertown, December 8, 1853, aged 64. [Source: History of Jefferson County in the State of New York, by Franklin B. Hough; Sterling & Riddell, 1854]

GREENE, Alpheus S., Biography

ALPHEUS S. GREENE, a native of Rhode Island, removed to Perch River, in Brownville, in 1812, as a physician, where he resided eighteen years, during which time he was repeatedly elected to the assembly, and was appointed county judge. In 1829, he was appointed post master at Watertown, which office he held eleven years, and in 1846, was chosen a delegate to constitutional convention. He died in the lunatic asylum, at Utica (of which he had been an inmate for two years), February 25, 1851, aged 64. [Source: History of Jefferson County in the State of New York, by Franklin B. Hough; Sterling & Riddell, 1854]

GUTHRIE, Dr. Samuel, Biography

DR. SAMUEL GUTHRIE, of Sackets Harbor, was a practical chemist of much reputation, and is noted for being one of the three independent discoverers of chloroform, which was simultaneously obtained by Souberian, in France, and Liebeg, in Germany, although its anesthetic properties were not know till long after. He is said to have been the inventor and first manufacturer of percussion pills, which, with "caps" filled with an analogous compound, have almost entirely superseded the old flint locks of fire arms. In his experiments he nearly lost his live from accidental explosions. He died October 19, 1848, at Sackets Harbor. [Source: History of Jefferson County in the State of New York, by Franklin B. Hough; Sterling & Riddell, 1854]

HAWKINS, Joseph, Biography

JOSEPH HAWKINS, a native of Connecticut, settled in Henderson, about 1810, where he continued to reside till his death. He took a prominent part in the business of this section of the county, and after the war became somewhat extensively engaged in the commerce of the lakes. In 1828, he was elected to congress, Mr. Perley Keyes being his opponent; and, while in office, was instrumental in procuring a reform in the laws that applied to the navigation of the lakes, of which his personal acquaintance had led him to see the necessity. This act was passed March 2, 1831, which abolished custom house fees, and substituted salaries; placed British vessels on an equal footing with American, as related to the amount of duties, and fixed the tariff of goods from the Canadas at no higher rates than were charged at the colonial ports. The act required the registry of vessels employed in the casting or carrying trade, and belonging in the United States. As the law had previously existed, it had operated as a premium for small vessels, and a prohibition for larger ones, and led to various modes of evasion, among which was the building of large vessels, and flooring up, so that the measurement, by the custom house rules, would be much less than the actual capacity. Mr. Hawkins held for several years the office of county judge, and adorned the society in which he lived, by his amiable and gentlemanly department. He died in Henderson, April 20, 1832, aged 50. His friends E. Camp, and E. G. Merrick, have placed over his grave a tablet, with the following inscription: "The navigation of our lakes was relieved from grevious custom house fees by his zealous efforts as member of congress, in 1830." [Source: History of Jefferson County in the State of New York, by Franklin B. Hough; Sterling & Riddell, 1854]

HOPKINS, Jesse, Biography

JESSE HOPKINS, son of Joseph Hopkins, was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, in 1766. His father was a prominent citizen, and repeatedly honored with the public confidence, who for thirty years held the office of judge of probates, and died while in the discharge of his official duties. Jesse Hopkins received a liberal education, and early evidenced a versatility of talent which fitted him for any pursuit to which he might apply. At the age of seventeen, on the visits of Generals Washington and La Fayette, at the residence of his father, La Fayette was so pleased with the youth, that he made him his aid during a series of military operations in that quarter. His youth prevented him from enlisting in the army, and his love of country from accepting the invitation of La Fayette to visit France, and engage in a lucrative pursuit. He says of himself in a volume which he published in 1828: [Patriot's Manual, embracing stirring and revolutionary topics.]

"I was in childhood at the commencement of the Revolutionary War, and at its close had just arrived at that age which entitled me to shoulder my musket - an age alive to all the interesting events of the day. Being a son of a Revolutionary Patriot, who was a member of the state legislature, I had an opportunity of acquiring considerable political information, for many years, as well as inhaling that spirit of patriotism, which was characteristic of the times. * * * * The same spirit which actuated our ancestors, in acquiring the privileges we enjoy, is as essential to their continuance as it was to their attainment, therefore youth of this country can not be too often reminded of the hardships and trials of various kinds, which their forefathers endured, and through which they are now enjoying the richest temporal blessings Heaven has in store for man."

Mr. Hopkins often wrote poetry with much taste and fluency, several pieces of which still exist; but although meritorious, he never allowed them to go beyond the sacred precincts of the family circle. He first engaged in manufactures, among which was that of silver-plated shoe buckles, which soon came into general use. In 1803, he married at Hartford, but his wife dying soon after, he spent five years in speculating in the West Indies. After his return, he married his cousin (a great grand-daughter of Samuel Hopkins, D. D., the celebrated divine of Newport, R. I.), who is still living in Vermont.

In 1805, he was appointed an agent for Henderson; where, after various success, and, as he claimed, ill usage from Mr. Henderson, he was ultimately unfortunate. In the settlement of that town he evinced great public spirit, and devotion to the settlers, and the public generally, and contributed largely from his own means towards measures tending to the general welfare. Perhaps his greatest error arose from the tenacity with which he adhered to his federal creed, and opposed any military, or naval operations in Henderson Harbor, which would have given that place an importance that it will now scarcely attain. This sacrifice of interest to principle was characteristic of the man. He erected a fine seat at the head of the bay, commanding a prospect of unrivaled beauty; and during all the reverses of any eventful life he was characterized by a remarkable ambition, and energy of character, which never seemed daunted or lessened, even by the infirmities of age. He died at Henderson, in the 71st year of his age. [Source: History of Jefferson County in the State of New York, by Franklin B. Hough; Sterling & Riddell, 1854]

KEYES, Perley, Obituary

PERLEY KEYES, was born in Acworth, New Hampshire, February 24, 1774. At the age of fifteen he left the paternal roof, and with his elder brother, Frederick, repaired to Saratoga County, New York, and engaged in lumbering on the North River. After some time he returned to New Hampshire, was married November 20, 1796, and in 1799 left Acworth for Montreal, from whence he proceeded to Kingston, and thence to Rutland, where he settled and resided several years. In the fall of 1809, having been appointed sheriff, he removed to Watertown, where he afterwards lived. Being almost without the advantages of early education, but endowed with a native strength of mind and clearness of judgment, he soon acquired the confidence of the republican party, of which he was the ardent supporter, and held successively the offices of magistrate, judge of the county court, sheriff, collector of customs at Sackets Harbor; was twice elected to the state senate, and in 1813 and in 1814 was a member of the council of appointment. His active political course made him obnoxious to the opposite party, who, from his influence among his own, named him the king; but among his political friends he was warmly esteemed. The estimate they formed of his character, will be seen in the following extract from a letter from Silas Wright, Jr., A. C. Flagg, E. Croswell and William L. Marcy, to martin Van Buren, dated Albany, March 15, 1830, recommending him for the office of Governor of Wisconsin Territory, then about to be erected:

"The political activity and firmness of Judge Keyes, for a long series of years, and indeed during his whole life of political action, has been only equaled by the remarkable clearness and force of his native mind. In this state, there are few men whose services for his friends in our heated and frequent conflicts, are to be remembered with more gratitude or less of regret than his. We are fully sensible that by his undeviating attachment to his party and his friends, he has incurred to a marked degree the hostility of our political enemies, and that all his private as well as public acts have been the subject of scrutiny as persecuting as it has been unprincipled. But the best evidence which could be offered in his favor, is the fact, that during and in the midst of the most bitter of his political persecutions, he has been repeatedly returned to our legislature, and twice to the highest branch of it, and from a district where the best republican candidates had often failed of their election. * * * We do not urge him as a man learned in books, but when we say what your own observation has often proved to you, that he has never been a member of our legislature without gaining an influence equal to that of any fellow member, and that he has at the expiration of every term left that body with a public character for talents and sagacity perceptibly raised, and with a hold upon the feelings of his political friends decidedly strengthened, we can not fear accusations of want of capacity for the office we ask for him. We know him to be a plain, unassuming farmer, with a mere country education. But when, with these limited advantages, he has proved himself more than equal to his associates in public life, the inference would seem to follow, that he can not be so profoundly ignorant as to disgrace those who repose confidence in him. He is in truth a plain, unlearned man, but with a sound, strong mind, and in the practical exercise of an unusual share of common sense. These are qualifications without which learning is of little use, and with which a moderate share of learning may make a very respectable and very useful man." An apoplectic stroke prevented his applying for this office. He died at Watertown, May 13, 1834. [Source: History of Jefferson County in the State of New York, by Franklin B. Hough; Sterling & Riddell, 1854]

KIRBY, Edmund, Biography

Edmund Kirby was a son of Ephraim Kirby, an officer in the revolution, a member of the order of Cincinnati, and afterwards Judge of the Supreme Court of Connecticut. He was born at Litchfield, Conn., April 18, 1794, (sic) and entered the army in 1812 as lieutenant, and served during the war upon the northern and western frontiers. From 1815 to 1820, he was stationed at Detroit, and in the latter year he joined Major General Brown at Brownville, as an aid-de-camp. From 1821 to 1823, he discharged the duties of adjutant general at Washington, and in 1824, was appointed to the pay department, and again took post at Brownville. From 1832 to 1840, he was engaged in the Black Hawk, Creek and Seminole wars, in which he was actively employed, as well in the fulfillment of his duty, as the exercise of humanity to the sick and wounded, for whom he voluntarily encountered many dangers. During the Mexican War, he was chief of the pay department, and disbursed many millions of dollars. A volunteer aid to General Taylor at the storming of Monterey, and in like capacity to General Scott at Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Cherubusco, Chepultepec and the Mexican Capital, he was ever distinguished for courage, bravery, and devotion to his country's cause. Returning with health impaired, from hardships of a war in a tropical climate, he was received by the citizens of Jefferson County with demonstrations of regard, as sincere as they were deserved, but the seeds of disease had been too deeply planted in his constitution, and he died at Avon Springs, New York, whither he had resorted for relief, on the 20th of August, 1849. His remains were brought back to Brownville and interred in the village cemetery with military honors, and a plain but durable shaft of Quincy granite, has been placed to his memory. It is about eight feet high, and bears the following inscription:

West Side-"Col. Edmund Kirby, Born in Litchfield, Conn., April 18, 1846 (sic), died at Avon Springs, N. Y., of disease contracted during the Mexican War."

North Side - "War of 1812, Black Hawk War."

South Side - "Creek War, Mexican War."

In the various relations of private life, Col. Kirby evinced those traits that elevate and adorn the human character, and the citizens of Jefferson County, will long remember with gratitude the aid and encouragement which they received from him in promoting an interest in agriculture, manufactures, and internal improvements, to which he was zealously devoted during many years of residence among them. The Agricultural Society received his cordial support, and he was one of the founders and an extensive owner of the manufacturing village of Dexter. He married a daughter of Major General Brown, and subsequently purchased his family estate in the village of Brownville, which is still owned by his heirs. The executive committee of the Agricultural Society have recorded the following tribute to his memory. [Transactions of the State Agricultural Society, 1849, p. 597.]

"It is with feelings of deep regret and sorrow that we drop any names from our roll of brotherhood. One however has fallen from our midst the present season. Col. Edmund Kirby is one of those honored names that should not be forgotten. In 1843 he was elected president of this society, and ever felt a deep interest in its advancement. His private virtues are written in our heart; his public deeds will bear the scrutiny of all who shall peruse the pages of their country's history. We are justly proud of his as a member of this fraternity, as our countryman, and as a member of our community. He was one of us, and no interest of ours was of small moment to his benevolent heart. As regards our present prosperity, like the patriarch of old, he desired to see our day; he saw it and was glad. He has fallen full of honors, and lamented especially by those who shared the honor of his acquaintance and friendship. And fellow citizens when we have labored long and faithfully for the advancement of the interests of our county, our common country, may we die as he died-at peace with God and all the world." [Source: History of Jefferson County in the State of New York, by Franklin B. Hough; Sterling & Riddell, 1854]

MASSEY, Hart, Biography

Hart Massey, the third son of Deacon Jonathan Massey, and one of a family of eight sons and three daughters, was born in Salem, N. H., December 5, 1771. In 1792, he removed with his father's family to Windsor, Vt., and in 1795 married and settled in a new town called Saltash, now Lyme, an elevated and sterile forest, from whence, in 1800, he emigrated to Watertown, where he purchased ninety acres of land fronting on Washington street, and to which he soon added another one hundred acres adjoining, and on the ground of the present railroad depot. His first dwelling stood on the site of the Arcade, and at an early day he sold, in lots, the part of his land fronting on Washington Street. The first religious meetings in the village were held at his house, on the Sabbath next after the arrival of his family, in March, 1801. On the 13th of July, 1808, he was appointed colonel and inspector, having previously held the office of quarter master in Colonel Abijah Putnam's regiment, and adjutant to Colonel Gurshon Tuttle. He held the office of collector of the port and district of Sackets Harbor, during the embargo and non-intercourse period, and the war, when the whole frontier of the country was to be watched, and in the exercise of this trust was subjected to peculiar trials and difficulties, from the opposition of those, who, from the violence of party spirit, deemed it meritorious to evade the laws, and embarrass the operations of government, in the prosecution of measures to which they were opposed. [The official papers of Judge Massey have been bound, and placed in the State Library, at Albany.]

At the close of his services as collector, he retired to private life, but always evinced a lively interest in whatever tended to the improvement of the town and county, and was particularly active and useful in founding and supporting the county Agricultural Society, of which he was for several years the president. In educational and religious matters, he was also an efficient actor. On several occasions he was appointed to minor county offices, and in 1820, was made a county judge. In these various capacities, he won the respect and esteem of the public, and proved himself the possessor of a sound, discriminating and vigorous mind. His death occurred near the close of March, 1853. He was temperate and regular in his habits, and in the observance of religious duties, and till the day of his death maintained a patriarchal supervision of his family of nine children. [Source: History of Jefferson County in the State of New York, by Franklin B. Hough; Sterling & Riddell, 1854]

PADDOCK, John, Biography

John Paddock, an elder brother of Loveland Paddock, Esq., the well known banker of Watertown, settled in that place in 8105, as a merchant, in company with William Smith, still living. Theirs, was the pioneer mercantile enterprise in the village, and much the most extensive that had then been undertaken in the county. In 1810, he removed to Brownville, and engaged largely in trade, with several partners, and during two years of the war was sheriff. Upon the establishment of a bank, he labored strenuously in favor of its location at Brownville, but failing in this, occurred in the selection of Adams as its seat. He died in December, 1816, at Brownville. [Source: History of Jefferson County in the State of New York, by Franklin B. Hough; Sterling & Riddell, 1854]

PIERREPONT, Hezekiah Beers, Biography

Hezekiah Beers Pierrepont, who was largely concerned in the early land sales of Macomb's Purchase, and an extensive proprietor in this county, was born in New Haven, Connecticut, November 3, 1768, and was a descendant of the Rev. James Pierrepont, the first settled minister in that colony. The town plat, apportioned to his ancestor at the first settlement of the place, had been retained and occupied by the family ever since. Being of Norman descent, his name is French. The subject of this notice commenced his studies with a view to a profession, but, being of an active and business turn of mind, he left Yale College before graduating, and entered the office of his uncle, Isaac Beers, Esq., an in 1790 went to New York, where, after spending a few months in the custom house, he associated himself with Messrs. Watson & Greenleaf, and as their agent removed to Philadelphia, where success attended his business. In 1793, he entered into partnership with William Leffinwell, and engaged in European trade, in the pursuit of which he went to France. The restrictions upon trade and the liability to seizure, consequent upon the war between France and England, led to his abandonment of trade with France, and to his embarking in that with India and China, which countries he visited in his own ship, named The Confederacy. On his return from India, his ship was boarded by a French privateer, taken possession of, and carried to France, where she was condemned and sold, contrary to our treaty stipulations and the laws of nations. Our government, in its treaty with France, assumed this claim and many similar ones, known as Claims for French spoliations, prior to 1800, for which satisfaction has never yet been given, though congress has been appealed to, during fifty years, and has admitted their justice, by twenty-one reports in their favor. While in Paris, Mr. Pierrepont was a witness of the violent excess of the French Revolution. He subsequently spent two years in England, and traveled on the continent. After the absence of seven years, he returned to New York, and married Anna Maria, daughter of William Constable. He the same year retired from commerce, and purchased his estate on Brooklyn Heights, at a time when Brooklyn was a small village, and contained but twenty-six freeholders. Here he established a factory of gin, which was attended with great success, and the article he manufactured attained a high reputation. But upon the death of Mr. Constable he became so much engaged as his executor, in the management of the extensive tracts of land of his estate, in this and the neighboring counties, that he abandoned his factory and gave his entire attention to the settlement and improvement of these lands and of others, belonging to himself, in the towns of Pierrepont, Stockholm and Louisville, in St. Lawrence County.

He afterwards made large additions to his lands by purchases from the Constable estate and others, and became the owner of about half a million of acres. He annually, from the year 1803, till the time of his death, made a tour of these lands in the summer, and laid out and made many roads, turnpikes, and extensive settlements. Some incidents connected with his visits to this county, are related in the diary of James Constable, extracts from which we have inserted in our account of Ellisburgh, which town has since been inherited by his son William C., who had charge of his lands in the counties of Oswego and Jefferson, while his son Henry E. took charge of those in Lewis, St. Lawrence, and Franklin. Mr. Pierrepont was distinguished for great energy and decision of character, and for his comprehensive and sound judgment. He anticipated at an early day the destined growth of our country, and the consequent appreciation of real estate, and perseveringly adhered to his judgment, through the periods of war, and the various fluctuations we experienced during the first third of this century, and lived to see his hopeful views fully realized. [Source: History of Jefferson County in the State of New York, by Franklin B. Hough; Sterling & Riddell, 1854]

SACKET, Augustus, Biography

AUGUSTUS SACKET, the pioneer of Sackets Harbor, was born in the city of New York, November 10, 1769, where he received his education, and acquired the profession of law. In 1801, having purchased a tract in Houndsfield, he came on and began the first settlement at that place, and commenced its improvement with much energy. Upon the formation of a collection district, he was appointed the first collector, and at the organization of the county court was made first judge. In 1809, having sold his property in this county, he removed to Jamaica, Long Island, from whence, in 1812, he went to Meadville, Pennsylvania, having there purchased 300,000 acres of land. He soon returned to New York City, and in 1820 he went to Rutherford County, North Carolina, having become interested in a large tract of land in that state. By a subsequent transaction he became interested in the islands of the St. Lawrence, and returned to Sackets Harbor, and in 1827 removed to Newburgh. In these varied changes and transactions in land speculations, he was ultimately very unfortunate. He died at Albany, April 29, 1827, of a sudden sickness, while on his way to this county. [Source: History of Jefferson County in the State of New York, by Franklin B. Hough; Sterling & Riddell, 1854]

STERLING, Micah, Biography

MICAH STERLING, was born in Lyme, Connecticut, November 5, 1784, entered Yale College in 1800, and graduated in 1804. He was a classmate of John C. Calhoun, and the friendship there formed lasted through life. After attending a course of law lectures in Litchfield, Connecticut, he studied law with Judge Williams, of Utica, and after residing a year in Adams, removed about 1809 to Watertown, where he resided till his death. In 1821, he was elected to congress, and in 1836 to the state senate. He died April 11, 1844, of scarlet fever, the same day with Egbert Ten Eyck. The directors of the Jefferson County Bank, of whom he had been one, and the members of the bar, passed resolutions expressing their respect for his memory. His character is thus summed up by the writer of an obituary notice:

"Of the public character of Mr. Sterling, the journals of congress and the senate, bear faithful testimony. Possessing talents of a high order, a mind well disciplined by education and reflection, eminently industrious and preserving, energetic, patriotic, and liberal, his career, as a public man, was no less brilliant and honorable, than useful to the public, which it was his greatest glory to serve. But few men have passed through more trying political scenes; and but few, like him, could better command the respect of his opponents. In the private relations of life, the character of Mr. Sterling was most exemplary. Habitually dignified in his manners he insensibly won the respect of all with whom he associated." [Source: History of Jefferson County in the State of New York, by Franklin B. Hough; Sterling & Riddell, 1854]

TEN EYCK, Egbert, Biography

EGBERT TEN EYCK, was born April 18, 1779, at Schodack, Rensselaer County, New York; was educated at Williams College, and studied law at Albany. At an early day, he settled in Champion, and soon after at Watertown. In 1822, he was member of the Constitutional Convention, and in 1823 was elected to congress. He was five years first judge of the county court, and for a long time secretary of the agricultural society, of which he was an active and useful member. He died, April 11, 1844, at Watertown. [Source: History of Jefferson County in the State of New York, by Franklin B. Hough; Sterling & Riddell, 1854]

WHITE, George, Biography

GEORGE WHITE, was born in Hatfield, Massachusetts, October 10, 1775, and was a son of Simeon White. At 18, he removed to Trenton, where he married, and in 1800 to Rutland, where he resided till his death, March 9, 1853. On the 25th of March, 1814, he was appointed a major of the 76th regiment of Infantry, and in 1823-5, was member of assembly. For several years, he was the agent of Rutland. [Source: History of Jefferson County in the State of New York, by Franklin B. Hough; Sterling & Riddell, 1854]