JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK


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MRS. GEORGE DAVENPORT

Copied from the Northern Journal, Lowville, 13 Sept. 1838 "Died - in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Territory, on the 20th ult., Mrs. George Davenport, aged 21 years, late of Watertown, Jefferson county, New York."

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OXBOW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The Oxbow Presbyterian Church was founded and organized on 2 July 1820 by James Sandford. The following people were the first members of the church, admitted through letters from their churches in Scotland.

These constitute the members of the church from July 1820 to December 1820. I hope this information is helpful to people.

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WARREN BACON

Watertown Daily Times Sat. April 9, 1938

Theresa, April 9-Warren Bacon, 81, retired farmer, died at his home here at 9:30 Friday night after a long illness from infirmities of old age. He was born in Rossie Sept. 14, 1856, son of Wilfred and Charity Gipson Bacon. He spent his early life in that region. He was twice married, first to Jennie Kenyon and later to Miss Nancy Tibbles of this region.

For many years Mr. Bacon operated the Casey farm at Stearns Hill, just north of this village. He retired five years ago, coming to this village to live. He is survived by the widow and 13 children. The two surviving children by the first wife are: Mrs. Fred (Nellie) McLaine, Syracuse, and Mrs. Fred (Mae) Howland, this village; by the second wife, Mrs. Louise Lawton, Theresa; Joel, Great Bend; William, Deferiet; Warren, Theresa; Frank, Lafargeville; Mrs. Lillian McAvoy, Frances, Wallace, Arthur and Salina of this place.Funeral services will be held from the C. A. Giltz funeral home on Monday at 2 pm, Rev. Paul Worden of the St. James Episcopal church. Theresa, officiating. Burial will be made in Oakwood cemetery in this village.

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The funeral services for Oscar C. Wilson

From the Watertown Standard, Watertown, NY, June 29, 1921, page 2. Nephews Will Act As Bearers At Funeral

The funeral services for Oscar C. Wilson, aged 78 years, well known retired farmer and Civil War veteran, who passed away at the family home, No. 323 Arsenal Street, at 2:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon following a long illness, will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock., Rev. Charles T. Raynor, curate of Trinity Episcopal Church, officiating. Burial will be made in the family plot in the Brownville Cemetery.

Mr. Wilson's four nephews will act as pall bearers, Thomas Foster of this city, Fred and Jesse Wilson of the town of Brownville and Charles Wilson of this city. J.Broadbent Post, No.188, G.A.R.,of Dexter, of which Mr. Wilson was a member, will attend the services in a body. Oscar C. Wilson was born October 29, 1843, in the town of Brownville, the son of the late John and Clara Underwood Wilson. He was a farmer and the greater part of his life was passed in the town of Brownville. He was a Civil War veteran, serving in Company M, Fifth New York Volunteer Artillery. He mustered into the service September 12, 1862, at Sacket's Harbor and fought throughout the remainder of the war, being mustered out of service at the close of the war. He returned to the town of Brownville and resumed farming. He retired about 11 years ago and came to this city where he had since resided. Mr. Wilson was a member of J. Broadbent Post, No. 188, G.A.R.,of Dexter. Besides his widow, Mrs. Catherine Wilson, he is survived by one sister, Mrs. Jane Wilson Dempsey, of the town of Hounsfield; a niece, Mrs. Walter Patrick, of the town of Brownville, and four nephews, Thomas Foster, Charles Wilson of this city and Fred and Jesse Wilson of the town of Brownville.

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Mrs Nellie A.B. Ferguson Dead

Clayton, Sept 12.- Mrs Nellie Agnes Baltz Ferguson, 75, widow of Clayton J Ferguson, 203 Mary street, died at 3 pm Thursday at the EJ Noble hospital, Alexandria Bay, where she had been a patient since Sunday. She had been in failing health five years.

A prayer service at the family home will be held Sunday afternoon at 2. The funeral will be at 2:30 in the Clayton Methodist church, with Rev Russell E Little, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the family plot in Clayton cemetery.

Surviving Mrs Ferguson are a daughter, Mrs Clifton J (Myrtle) Pete, Clayton; two sons, Harold J Ferguson, Clayton, and Clayton Clyde Ferguson, North Syracuse; a sister, Miss Ethel Baltz, living at the family home, then grandchildren and six great- grandchildren. A son, Leo F Ferguson, died in 1931.

Mrs Ferguson was bon Sept 4, 1882, in Chicago, the daughter of Frederick W and Esther Staulsbury [Spaulsbury] Baltz. Her parents moved to the north country when she was a young girl, and lived at LaFargeville, Theresa, and the town of Orleans. She attended schools at Theresa and Fishers Landing.

She was married to Clayton J Ferguson June 21, 1905, at her parents'' home at Omar by Rev Earl Howland, Methodist minister. The couple lived in the town of Clayton, where Mr Ferguson owned and operated various farms until 1932. In that year they moved to the village of Clayton. Mr Ferguson died July 1, 1943. FERGUSON- In the EJ Noble hospital, Alexandria Bay, Sept 12, 1957, Mrs Nellie Baltz Ferguson, Clayton, widow of Clayton J Ferguson, aged 75 years. Prayer service at the home Sunday at 2 pm. Funeral at 2:30 in the Clayton Methodist church. Rev Russell E Little, pastor, officiating. Burial in Clayton cemetery. Transcribed from an unknown news clipping.

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JASON CAMPBELL

These are not my relatives, but I thought someone might like to have the history for their records. It came from the 1892 Portrait & Biographical Album of Genesee, Lapeer & Tuscola Counties, Chapman Bros, in Michigan. Hope it helps someone.

Colleen JASON CAMPBELL.
Although retired from the active pursuits of the work in which he has for the greater portion of his life been engaged - that of a farmer - our subject is one of the most honored and respected citizens of Grand Blanc. He is a native of Jefferson County, N.Y., and was born August 31, 1822. He is a son of DEXTER and BETSEY (EVANS) CAMPBELL, natives of New York State. On the paternal side he is of Scotch ancestry. Mr. CAMPBELL was reared to manhood in his native State, his youth being spent on a farm. He unfortunately received but limited educational advantages, but has made up to a great extent by his individual efforts for early deficiencies. He is a well-posted man who converses intelligently upon the greatest issues of the day.

While still a resident of New York, he was married December 9, 1848, to Miss HARRIET PIERCE, who was born March 6, 1829, in Niagara County, N.Y. She is a daughter of Sullivan (deceased) and Adelia PIERCE. Her mother is still living in Genesee County, this State, being eighty-seven years of age. Mrs. CAMPBELL was reared to maturity in her native State and received good educational advantages there. To our subject and his wife have been born one son, FRED G., who came to his parents February 18, 1854. He married IDA CURTISS, and by her has become the father of two children - GRACE and ETHEL. In the year 1854 our subject with his family removed to Genesee County, this State, and settled down to farming in Grand Blanc Township.

Here he remained until 1879 when he removed to the village of Grand Blanc, and here became the proprietor of a meat market, for which he did his own butchering a number of years. In 1889 he retired from this business and now acts merely as overseer of the work on his farm. Mr. CAMPBELL came here a poor man. He now owns a good farm of forty acres of land, besides valuable village property. He and his wife, who has been his life helpmate and wise and loving counselor, have by their prudence and industry, accumulated all the property of which they are now possessed. Both are in their religious association united with the Methodist Episcopal Church and he of whom we write has served as Trustee of the same. Mrs. CAMPBELL is a member of the Home Missionary Society and also of the Ladies' Aid Society. They are both interested and active workers in all local matters. Mr. CAMPBELL is a Democrat in politics and although not ambitious to hold party office, he is that most desirable of citizens - an honest, consistent man loyal to the best interests of his locality.

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CATHRYN H. COATS

Cathryn H Coats, Seamstress

Cathryn H Coats, 93, McAuley Hall, formerly of Midtown Towers, died Monday evening at Samaritan Medical Center.Mrs Coats was a seamstress and had worked at Clayton Manufacturing Co, a knitting mill in Clayton and Olga Knitting Mill in Watertown. Born Oct 31, 1908, in Plessis, daughter of Burton and Nellie Hagen Helmer, she attended Redwood High School. She married Neil H Jackson in April 1930 in Rhode Island. He died April 19, 1944. A marriage to Anthony Marquart in Clayton on June 9, 1946, ended. She married Claude W Coats on Aug 5, 1954, at Sackets Harbor. He died July 17, 1974.

Mrs Coats lived in Providence, RI, for six years, then lived in Clayton until 1952, when she moved to Florida and then to South Carolina. She returned to Watertown in 1974. She was of the Episcopal faith, was an avid gardener and enjoyed fishing and crocheting.

Surviving are two daughters and their husbands, Verna J and Peter M Crabb, and Velma J and Frank A Vendetti, all of Tarpon Springs, Fla; 10 grandchildren, 21 great- grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A daughter, Cathryn F Guyette, died Nov 22, 1992. Eight brothers, John, George, Burt, Ralph, Glen, Bill ""Guy"", Ernest and Willington ""Barney"" Helmer, and a sister, Garland Flath, also died before her. A memorial service at Cummings Funeral Home and burial in Riverside Cemetery, Cape Vincent, will be at a later date. Donations may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County, 425 Washington St, Watertown, NY 13601, or the American Cancer Society.

Transcribed from 13 Mar 2002, Watertown Daily Times, Jefferson County, New York.

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DORR HORTON

DORR HORTON was born on Point Salubrious the son of LeRoy De and Jane Horton. He married Emmeline Fisher also of Point Salubrious. Dorr was a farmer and always lived there. He was in the civil war. I have his military records which I got from Washington DC. He belonged to the 10th New York Heavy Artillery, company H. He is buried at Chaumont. I have some more information on his children if you need any of this. I noticed his name was missing on the list of civil war soldiers buried there.

Thank you Marie Mahay

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Gordon N. Reed, 81, Hay Buyer, Long Ill, Dies

Was taken prisoner at the Second Battle Of Bull Run in Civil War

Chaumont, June 29, Gordon N. Reed, 81, died yesterday noon near the village of St. Lawrence. He had been in failing health for the last four years. For two years he served in the Civil War with the Second New York Light Artillery. At the expiration of his enlistment he returned and was married to Miss Eliza Johndrow. He reenlisted and served until the end of the war. He was taken prisoner at the Second Battle of Bull Run and was exchanged before reaching prison. Returning to this section he engaged in farming which he continued until 17 years ago, when he became a hay buyer, having an extensive business. He retired several years ago. His wife died 17years ago in March.

Surviving are an adopted son, John W. Reed, Clayton and two brothers of Hermon and Frank of Russell, also several nephews and nieces. Mr. Reed was a member of the Forresters' Lodge of St.Lawerence. Funeral services will be held from the home of James Knight, Friday at 10, A.M. , standard time. Interment will be made in St. Lawrence Cemetery. Rev Ethel Knapp, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at St. Lawrence, will officiate.

From the Watertown Daily Standard, June 29, 1921, Watertown, NY

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JOHN SHELEY

OLD TIME FIDDLER AND TRAPPER

Theresa, March 30-1934--John Sheley, 91, well known old time fiddler and expert hunter and trapper died suddently at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Belle Robinson, at Elite Park, near Kelsey Bridge, on Thursday afternoon at 5. Mr. Sheley, had been well until a week ago when he caught cold while out on a trip. Grippe developed and weakened his heart, causing death. Two weeks ago he played in an old fiddler contest at the grange hall here, winning a prize and later in the evening joined in the orchestra in playing for three hours at a rapid clip for the dancing. He said that evening he was feeling as well as ever. He had been on a number of hunting and trapping trips this winter, taking long walks at a brisk pace as he went about the country.

He was born in the town of Theresa June 26, 1842, son of JOHN and ANN SHELEY. Both of his parents were natives of Herkimer county. When a young man he and his brother BARNEY SHELEY spent each winter in Canada hunting. They came out in the spring with loads of pelts. He was a skilled stone mason and only two years ago did some special work for the Syracuse Y.M.C.A. at their camp on Millsite lake. In his early days he learned to play the violin and began playing for the country dances. He learned to play left handed and continued to play that way all of his life. He owned a farm in the Red Lake section which he operated until a year ago when with his daughter he purchased a farm at Elite Park. He still had the Red Lake farm and often walked from one farm to the other, disdaining auto rides which his granddaughter offered to give him.

Mr. Sheley was twice married. His first wife died soon after their marriage. He married his second wife MISS ANN TYLER of this village Christmas DAy; 1865. They celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary a year ago. Mrs. Sheley died just seven months ago to a day. He is survived by a daughter, MRS. BELLE ROBINSON, and a son CHARLES, both of this town. There are two grandchildren, MISS GRACE AND MISS LAURINE ROBINSON. The funeral services will be held Saturday at 2p.m. from the Gilts Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood cemetery here.

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JOHN WATSON

From the Hammond Advertiser, April 20, 1933 Prominent Redwood Business Man dies John Watson, Gas and Oil Dealer had been very successful--Death Comes Suddenly

Funeral services were held yesterday morning from the St. Francis Xavier church in Redwood for John Watson, 63 wholesale gas and oil dealer who died in the Hepburn Hospital in Ogdensburg shortly after an illness of but a few days. Rev. W.J.Charbonneau, pastor of the church officiated and internment was made in Redwood. Mr. Watson was born in Redwood July 22, 1869, the son of Donald A. and Nancy Cosgrove Watson. He was married to Miss Carrie Bauter at Brownville in 1894. Three children were born to the couple. One died in infancy and another, Donald, died when about eight years old. One daughter, Miss Emma Watson, survives. For the past 16 years Mr. Watson has been engaged in the wholesale gasoline and oil business. He was the representative of the Texaco company for years. In 1930 he purchased the Dyer Hotel on Main Stret where he conducted his business in part of the building. Surviving Mr. Watson besides his wife and daughter, are a brother, Arthur, of Ottawa, Ont. and several cousins.

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FRANK J. DUFFANY

Frank J Duffany Honored After Many Years At Plant

Theresa, June 7.- When village officials gave a testimonial dinner in honor of retiring veteran employes, they included Frank J Duffany, 84, still an assistant at the municipal power plant, who has 35 years of experience in operating the plant. It was in the spring of 1915 that Mr Duffany, a light commissioner, suggested 24-hour service from the village plant, but a superintendent could not be secured for the long day. So he resigned as commissioner and was appointed to take charge of the plant. Most of the years since that time he has been in touch with the plant, and he resides at the home there a the present time.

Born in Theresa, April 23, 1866, son of the late Frank and Mary Montondo Duffany, he began work at an early age. His first job was with the brick works here at 25 cents per day, doing the same work that the late Gov Roswell P Flower did when a boy. MVB Cole was doing team work for the Brick company and note the fine work of the Duffany youth. He suggested that he take a job with him for haying at about double the wages. The boy accepted, and when haying was over he was hired by the late AN Brittan, chair manufacturer here, to do painting in the finishing department. The late ML Stotler, carriage maker, observed the work of the youth an hired him at good wages for the finishing department in the carriage works. There Mr Duffany spent many years. He left the power plant here for a time to work for the HH Babcock firm in Watertown, but most of his years have been in Theresa. When he left the power plant his brother, Lewis, took over. At the death of Lewis some years ago Frank was soon back at work.

Frank Duffany has two sons living. Harry of Antwerp and Floyd of Watertown. A daughter died some years ago, and Mrs Duffany has been dead for some years.

Transcribed from an unknown news clipping found at Theresa Library, Town of Theresa, Jefferson County, New York.

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1833 FIRE IN WATERTOWN

In the midst of indexing the "Ohio Repository" published in Canton, Ohio beginning in 1815, I found the following in the "Accidents, etc.." section. Most likely a quote from a Jefferson Co. paper. Ohio Repository (now the Canton Repository); issue: Friday, March 1, 1833, Page 3, Column 4 -

On the 8th Ult (February)a fire broke out in Watertown, N.Y. which destroyed the tanworks and oil mill of Mr. Fairbanks - the paper mill and printing office of Knowlton and Rice, and the morroco factory and dwelling of Kiltz and Carpenter, with most of their contents: loss $40,000 of which only $5,000 was insured.

Neal Thompson Gardner, Canton, Ohio

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Robert L GIBBS, Retired Carpenter, Dies at 73

Sunday, July 14 1996

[I live in Houston TX and am a avid genealogist. This newspaper obituary (no name of paper) was in a used book I bought recently. It has so much good genealogy for this family, I thought you might find a place for it on the Jefferson Co. site. I will send original obituary to anyone who would like to have it.
Linda M Sykes]

Plessis--Robert Leslie Gibbs, 73, of 26771 Simpson Road died Saturday morning at Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown, where he had been a patint since July 6. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Frederick Bros. Funeral Home, Theresa, with the Rev.Gene Brown of Thousand Islands Christian Church officiating. Burial will be in Brookside Cemetery. Calling hours will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice.

Surviving are seven sons: Robert Jr. and Michael both of Theresa; Craig, Watertown; Randall, Manlius; Todd, Redwood; Paul, Depauville, and David, Plessis. Seven daughters: Mrs. John (Linda) Clark, of East Bethany; Mrs Al (Christine)Dodsworth and Mrs. Raymond (Robin) Stephenson, both of Redwood; Mrs Clint (Terri) Bogart, Syracuse; and Sarah, Rachel and Jennifer Gibbs all of Plessis; several grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Born Feb 2 1923, in Baltimore, Md, son of Leslie E. and Matie Green Gibbs, he moved with his family to Carthage when as a young child and attended schools there. He was employed at Pine Camp and served in the Marine Corps from 1942 to 1945, seeing duty in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he resumed employment as a carpenter at Fort Drum, from where he retired in 1985.He married Betty Jean Beauttner in 1942. She died Nov 4 1971. He married Eleanor Driscoll Sep 12 1972. She died Feb 23 1985. Mr. Gibbs was a member of the Alexandria Bay American Legion and a former member of the Philadelphia American Legion

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Charles Worth Howard 1827-1909, married Sarah E. Johnson. Son of Jahaza Howard & Hannah Cronk, grandson of Simeon Cronk & Mary Denney. Lynn A. Howard

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According to a family bible, Elihu Chapman CHURCH Jr. was born in Theresa on 15 Aug 1848. His parents were Elihu Chapman CHURCH (1803-1869) and Emily Makepeace (1807-1872)

Sue-Ann Jacobson

3029 Ryniker Drive

Billings, MT 59102-1028

SueAnnJac@aol.com

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HARVEY H PETRIE

Last Of A Family Of 13 Expires At His Home Near Lafargeville

Mr Petrie With His Parents Came to Lafargeville From Herkimer County By Ox Team When He Was Seven Years Old.

(Special to the Times.)

Lafargeville, Dec 12.- Harvey H Petrie, 93, died Saturday at 6 pm at the Petrie homestead on the Middle Ridge road. Death was caused by the infirmities of old age. He had been in ill health for some time.

Mr Petrie was the son of Jonathan and Margaret Dano Petrie. His parents were born in Germany and upon their arrival in this country settled in Eatons Bush, Herkimer county, where he was born in 1839. He was the last surviving member of a family of 13 children. Mr Petrie came to this section with his parents when seven yeas of age and made the trip by ox team. The family located on the present Petrit [Petrie] homestead.

He had resided at the homestead until five years ago since which time he had lived in Rochester with a niece, Mrs Cora M Daley. He returned recently to Lafargeville and passed his 93rd birthday at the family homestead. There are no near surviving relatives. Four nieces and five nephews survive. Mr Petrie never married. When a young man he was engaged in vegetable gardening.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2 pm from he Lafargeville Methodist Protestant church, Rev Bernard DeGraw officiating. Interment will be in Grove cemetery, Lafargeville.

Transcribed from 12 Dec [1932 pencilled in at top] Watertown Daily Times, Watertown, NY.

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MOSES D. La GRAVES

Stevens Point Gazette, Portage Co., Wisconsin 17 Jan 1923

Death of Old Resident

Moses D. La Graves, for many years a resident of Stevens Point and the town of Plover, died at St. Michael's hospital Friday night. He was taken to the hospital several days ago, suffering with a general breakdown. Mr. La Graves was a widower but he is survived by several children, none of whom are now living here. The remains were taken to Boston's undertaking parlors, where funeral services were conducted by Rev. James Blake at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon. Burial followed beside Mrs. La Graves in the McDill cemetery.

[Son of Dennis LaGraves and Rachel D. Arnold, born c1855 prob. Town of Orleans or Town of Clayton, Jefferson Co., NY]

Anyone with information about this family is invited to contact Dave Simonds

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Mrs. ELMER (GRACE) SPRAGUE

Just wanted to put this obit on the list in case it might help anyone. The following obit is from the Wed. August 26, 1942 edition, page 8, of the Gouverneur Tribune Press.

(Rossie) The funeral for Mrs. Elmer (Grace) Sprague was held Monday afternoon from the Presbyterian church with Rev. William G. Bell officiating. Burial was in Antwerp cemetery.

Mrs. Sprague, a daughter of the late Edwin and Florence Rudes was born May 2, 1885 and lived in Antwerp during her early life. She was united in marriage to Elmer Sprague in 1905. About 27 years ago they moved to Rossie where Mr. Sprague operates a garage and sawmill.

Surviving besides her husband is a daughter, Mrs. Glyndon Shoulette of Rossie and a brother Bert Rudes of Antwerp. The bearers were Herman Petrie, Murray Simons, Theodore Brown, Raymond Stevenson, Kenneth Turnbull, and Mr. Slyker.

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