Adams New York Biographies – Part 3

The following 10 biographical sketches were extracted from the Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y., 1685-1890.

John C. Fox

John C. Fox, son of Samuel and Lucy (Williams) Fox, was born in Adams in 1821, and was educated at Adams Academy. He married Annis, daughter of Lorenzo and Virtue (Sheldon) Rhodes, September 6, 1846, by whom he had two sons, viz.: John J., who was born June 17, 1860; and died January 13, 1867; and William E., born November 29, 1864. The latter was educated at Adams Collegiate Institute, graduating with the class of 1882. He engaged as a clerk in the drug store of W. H. Withington, of Adams, and in January, 1888, purchased the business, which he still continues. John C. Fox died February 15, 1872. His widow and son William E. reside in Adams, on Factory street.

Robert Muzzy

Robert Muzzy, son of Captain Robert Muzzy, removed with his father from Dublin, N. H., when a boy, first locating in Richland, N. Y., and subsequently in Adams. He married Henriette Boyden, of Guilford, in 1827, and they had four sons, Alman, born in 1828, now a resident of Illinois; Francis M. and Joseph B., of Adams; and Lester, of Henderson. Joseph B., born in 1832, married, first, Henriette L., daughter of Harry and Lucinda (Close) Coon, in 1858, by whom he had children as follows: Robert H., of Kansas, Byron J., John B., and Henriette L. His first wife died in 1875 and in 1876 he married Sophia E., daughter of Ambrose and Eveline Hall, by whom he has two children, Rolla J. and Elvan B. Mr. Muzzy is a cheesemaker and farmer, and resides in this town on road 43.

Henry B. Whipple

Henry B. Whipple, Protestant Episcopal bishop of Minnesota, is a native of Adams, where he was born February 15, 1822. The eldest son of John H. Whipple, an early merchant here, Henry B. was also in early life a merchant and a politician; but loving the church and believing his duty lay in the ministry, he gave up a business life and began preparation for his life work. In 1847 he became a candidate for holy orders, and after pursuing a course of theological studies was ordained a deacon on August 17, 1849, in Trinity Church, Geneva, by Rt. Rev. W. H. De Lancey, D. D. His first charge was Zion Episcopal Church in Rome, N. Y., in 1849. On July 15, 1850, Rev. Mr. Whipple was ordained priest in Sackets Harbor by Bishop De Lancey. In 1857 he left Rome to assume the rectorship of the Church of the Holy Communion in Chicago. He was chosen bishop of Minnesota on June 30, 1859, and was consecrated in St. James, Church, Richmond, Va., October 13, 1859.

Newton M. Wardwell

Newton M. Wardwell, son of Daniel and Hetty (Mann) Wardwell, was born in 1821. He clerked in his father’s store for many years, and for several years was engaged in the hardware business in Rome, N. Y. At the breaking out of the civil war he enlisted in the Union army as commissary, with the rank of captain, and was subsequently brevetted major, serving two years. After his return from the war he engaged in the malt business in Adams. He married Elizabeth R., daughter of Frederick W. Jones and granddaughter of David Smith, in 1843, and they had six children, namely: Julia E (Mrs. Clark Kellogg), of Adams; Frederick W., who died in Utica in 1881; Emma, who married W. H. Kimball, of Canton, N. Y.; Charles H., of Adams; Henry D., who died in 1885; and Robert D., of Chicago. Mrs. Wardwell died in 1887. N. M. Wardwell and Son are now extensively engaged in the malting business in Adams. Charles H. Wardwell, born in 1855, married Ella M. Dwight, and they had three sons, C. Dwight, Frederick N., and Arthur K. C. Dwight died June 9, 1889, aged nine years. Mr. Wardwell is a wholesale seed grower and maltster, and resides on Spring street in Adams village.

Albert Rice

Albert Rice, son of Jason, was born in 1806, and when quite young located in Watertown. In early manhood he became interested in military affairs, and passed through the different ranks to that of general, which office he filled with honor and ability. He was a worthy citizen, a loving husband and father, and a faithful friend. He married, first, Rebecca, daughter of Dea. Jonathan Davis, by whom he had two sons, Jason and George. His second wife was a sister of his first wife and they had six daughters, namely: May E., Jennette E., Alice A., Carrie R., Ella A., and Mary E. The latter married Alton M. Sanford and occupies the old homestead on road 6, corner 25.

Samuel Fuller

Samuel Fuller, with his wife, Ann Phillips, came to Adams in 1830 and located on the farm now occupied by Harrison Fuller. William, son of Samuel, was born in 1813, and died in Adams in 1885. He married Martha, daughter of Heman and Dorotha (Kent) Keep, of this town, September 10, 1837, who died in 1884. Their children were one son and three daughters, viz.: Mary (Mrs. John Snell) and Harrison, of this town; Diana L., who died in 1863, aged 12 years; and Annettie, who died in 1862, aged four years. Harrison Fuller, born in 1845, was educated at Union Academy. He married Ella, daughter of David F. and Mary A. (Eygabroad) Snell, of Watertown, in 1865, and they have one daughter, Mattie Naomi, born February 26, 1881. Mr. Fuller is an extensive farmer and resides on road 34.

Jesse Maxson

Jesse Maxson, son of Paul and Susan (Stillman) Maxson, was born in Westerly, R. I., in 1791. At the age of 15 years he removed to Berlin, N. Y., where he married Betsey, daughter of Christopher and Tabitha (Arnold) Brown, by whom he had two sons and five daughters, viz.: Britta L., Esther (Mrs. George Millard), Christopher B., Paul S., and Angenette (Mrs. Isaac Kellogg), of Adams, and Alma and Louisa (Mrs. L. D. Green), deceased. Paul S. Maxson born in Adams, was reared upon a farm and educated in the common schools. He learned the carpenters’ trade, at which he worked for 12 years. He married Amy L., daughter of Ora and Sophronia (Le Valley) Gould, in 1854, by whom he has one son, Edgar C. Mr. Maxson is proprietor of Maxson cheese factory, and is also a farmer on road 29. His son Edgar C. married Nellie White and they have one son, Henry P., born in 1880.

Calvin C. Totman

Calvin C. Totman, son of Thomas and Rachel (Rice) Totman, was born in Massachusetts in 1793, and when quite young removed with his parents to Washington County, N. Y. He was active and ambitious, and early turned his attention to farming. He married Charlotte, daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Eggleston) Washburn, in 1817, and she died in 1874. Soon after his marriage his house was burned and he lost all his household goods. He then removed to Lorraine, in 1818, and located on a farm of 300 acres known as the “Totman Gulf.” His children were Relief (Mrs. Isaac Washburn); Eliza (Mrs. John Trafton), of Ontario County, N. Y.; Lottie (Mrs. Parley Brown), of Minnesota; Sarah E. (Mrs. Joseph Heath), of Ellisburgh; Calvin Munroe and Laura J. (Mrs. A. B. Gilbert), of this town. Mr. Totman bought the hotel in Adams, and his hospitality became known in all the country round about. He conducted the hotel for more than 20 years, when failing health necessitated his retirement. He died September 4, 1864. Calvin Munroe, born in 1830, spent his early life in Adams. He married Ursula, daughter of Dea. Clark and Peda (Robbins) Wilder, in 1854, by whom he had a son, Freddie M., who died in 1862, and three daughters, viz.: Kittie Adelle Hill, Caddie Estelle Wilder, and Birdie Belle Robbins. Isaac Washburn, father of Mrs. Calvin C. Totman, born in 1809, was reared upon a farm in Exeter, Otsego County. He married Relief M. Totman, widow of Thomas Furguerson, in 1852, who survives him, and resides on Church street, in Adams village.

Jacob Brimmer

Jacob Brimmer, son of Jacob and Sarah Brimmer, was born in Petersburg, N. Y., in 1804, and was reared upon a farm. He married Matilda, daughter of Peleg and Hannah (Peckham) Saunders, in 1831, and in 1834 located in Adams, in the Thomas settlement. He had four sons and four daughters, viz.: Jacob, who resides in Illinois; Dennis, who died young; Nathan, who also resides in Illinois; Electa D., who married Lewis D. Green, who died in Berlin, N. Y., in 1883; Mary (Mrs. George Bull), who resides in Rural Hill, in the town of Ellisburgh; Matilda (Mrs. Porter J. Green), of Illinois; Ambrose, who resides in Belleville, N. Y.; Sarah E. (Mrs. James E. Packer), who died in Missouri in 1885. Mr. Brimmer died in Adams, February 4, 1887. His widow and daughter, Electa D. (Mrs. L. D. Green), reside on Prospect Hill, North Main street, in Adams village.

Giles Parker

Giles Parker, son of Cratus and Olive (Fuller) Parker, was born in Watertown in 1812, and about 1835 came to Adams and located on the farm now occupied by Royal Fuller. He married Rhoda, daughter of Samuel Fuller, February 7, 1836, by whom he had three sons and three daughters, viz.: Maryette, born in 1838, died in 1844; Frances, born in 1843, died in 1845; Livingstone, born in 1845, who resides in Wisconsin; Newton M., who was born August 15, 1847; Diana C., born in 1850, died in 1851; and Samuel F., born in 1853, who resides in Rodman.

Source: Child, Hamilton. Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y., 1685-1890, part one, p. 230-232.  Syracuse, N.Y.: The Syracuse journal company, printers and binders. 1890.