ARTHUR




The Arthur and MacArthur families are identical. The MacArthurs are a sept of the Clam Campbell, Scotland, and have been seen in Argyleshire since before 1300.
(I) Bartholomew MacArthur, of Scotch ancestry and birth, is said to have come from England to Groton, Connecticut. He was born as early as 1725. He was a soldier in the revolution, from Groton, in Captain Mill's regiment. He had a son Richard, mentioned below.

(II) Richard, son of Bartholomew MacArthur, dropped the prefix to his name. He was born about 1750 and spent his early days in Groton, Connecticut. He was a ship carpenter by trade. According to the first federal census, taken in 1790, he was living in Westfield, Mass., and had in his family two males over sixteen, five under that age and six females. At that time none of the name of Arthur or MacArthur were reported in Connecticut. He was a soldier in the Revolution from Conn., and was at one time a prisoner of war. He was a private in Captin Stotldard's company, Eighth regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Oliver Smith, from September to November, 1776; also in Captain Thomas Wheeler's company in 1778.
He died in Westfield in 1790, aged forty years. He married Hannah Bradford, great granddaughter of the Mayflower company (See Bradford).
Children: 1. Bradford, born at Groton, Sept. 20, 1773; died at Martinsburg, N.Y., Sept. 9, 1855, a man of standing and influence; married Ruhamah Ely, born March 27, 1777, daughter of Nathan Ely of West Springfield, Mass. 2. Levi, mentioned below. 3. Richard. 4. Russell. 5. Joseph. 6. Elisha (an Elisha Arthur, probably his uncle, was in the Revolution). 7. Mrs. Orvisa Moore. 8. Mrs. Elisha Tiffany. 9, Mrs. Joseph Sheldon. 10. Mrs. Jeremy Hillman.
In 1802 or soon afterward, Mrs. Hannah (Bradford) Arthur went from Westfield with her children to Lewis county, New York, took up a large tract of land at Martinsburg, cleared and improved it, and developed some of the finest farms in that section, many of which have been owned and occupied by her family and descendants to the present day. She died at Martinsburg, Dec. 13, 1831, aged eighty-four years.

(III) Levi, son of Richard Arthur, was born in Westfield, or Groton, March 20, 1780, died Nov. 28, 1861. He cleared a farm at Martinsburg, N.Y., and became one of the leading farmers of his day. He married, April 4, 1805, Sally Hovey, born April 28, 1785.
Children: 1. Jane, born at Bennington, Vermont; died Oct. 19, 1861. 2. Ann, Feb. 27, 1807. 3. Orlando, see forward. 4. Caroline, June 16, 1812. 5. Melissa, June 11, 1815. 6. Alfred, Aug. 20, 1818; mentioned below. 7. Pamelia, Aug. 20, 1820. 8. Levi, March 1, 1823; died Dec. 10, 1877.

(IV) Orlando, son of Levi Arthur, was born June 4, 1809, in Martinsburg, N.Y. He was educated in the common schools and after leaving school engaged in farming and followed that occupation throughout his life. He was born at a time when the country about his home was in a state of wilderness, and endured through his earlier years all the trials and deprivations of a pionner life. He lived, however, to see primitive conditions give way to modern improvements.
He married Jan. 23, 1834, Eliza Ann Mastin. Children: 1. Elijah, Nov. 12, 1834; died Feb. 2, 1835. 2. James E., April 22, 1826; died Sept. 12, 1839. 3. Orlando Jr., born Aug. 6, 1838. 4. Charles D., May 12, 1840, mentioned below. 5. Lewis, July 22, 1841. 6. Martha A., Jan. 23, 1843; married Amos Peebles. 7. Frances H., Jan. 10, 1845; married Henry Coat. 8. Caroline, Dec. 3, 1847; married James Kelly. 9. Almedia, Nov. 19, 1849; married John McCue. 10, Eliza Ann, July 22, 1851; married John McCue; died Aug 2, 1872. 11. Nancy A., Sept. 9, 1853; married Samuel Roberts.

(V) Charles D., son of Orlando Arthur, was born May 12, 1840, in Martinsburg, New York. He was educated in the common schools and reared to the occupation of farming. He became one of the most successful farmers in the county. He made a specialty of dairy farming and kept apace with all the modern appliances.
He married, March 7, 1876, Adeline, daughter of Michael and Anna (Quinn) McCue, born Feb. 4, 1849, in Denmark, N.Y. Her father, Michael McCue, was born in Ireland and came to this country when a boy, and settled in Denmark, Lewis county, N.Y. Her mother, Anna Quinn, was born in Ireland, and also came to this country when a child. Their children were: Thomas, Peter, Michael, John, Eliza, Anna, Adeline. Mr. McCue died in 1903, his wife early in life.
Mr. Arthur served his town as supervisor and in other local offices, and was a member of the Presbyterian church. He died March 18, 1904. Children of Charles D. Arthur:
1. Levi, born July 15, 1875; lived on the old homestead; married 1899, Ella Lawlee; children: Mildred, Anna G., Dorothea, Charles D. Mabel.
2. Adeline, born Feb. 20, 1881; married Rev. Charles T. Henry, pastor of Presbyterian church of Durham, N.Y.
3. Anna, born June 25, 1884; married Charles Payne, of Martinsburg; child: Clarence D., born 1909.

(IV) Alfred, son of Levi Arthur, was born Aug. 20, 1818. He was brought up to hard work on his father's farm. He attended the district schools. When he came of age he settled in that part of the town of Martinsburg known as Glendale, now Glenfield. He became one of the most successful dairy farmers in Northern New York, a pioneer in advanced methods, and accumulated a large property. In politics he was a Repulbican, and he held the office of supervisor for several years. He was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
He died Jan. 12, 1896. He married (first), April 7, 1844, Mary Elizabeth Peebles, born Dec. 22, 1822, died Jan. 1855. He married (second), Levisa Slater, daughter of Rudulph Slater of Copenhagen, New York. She died Nov. 27, 1882, and he married (third), Jan. 7, 1884, Mary E., daughter of A. O. Bingham.
Children of the first wife: 1. Helen Elizabeth, born June 16, 1845; married Dec. 30, 1868, Charles M. Bassett.
2. Alfred Judson, Dec. 8, 1848, died young.
3. Eugene, mentioned below.

(V) Eugene, son of Alfred Arthur, was born in Glenfield, Lewis county, New York, Nov. 22, 1858. He attended the common schools, the Martin Institute of Martisburg, and a select military school at Tivoli-on-the-Hudson and Cazenovia Seminary.
In 1878 he went to Colorado and engaged in business as a general merchant in the firm of Tedman Brothers & Company, for two years.
He returned to Lowville, N.Y., and engaged in the retail clothing business under the firm name Kinley & Arthur. After four years in this business, he entered into partnership in the firm of Arthur & Bates, dealers in grain, flour and building materials. The firm continued with marked success until his partner, Warren W. Bates, died in 1888, after which Mr. Arthur continued alone for two years. In 1890 he admitted to partnership F. L. Tedman, and continued until 1896, when the business was sold. He was not in active business again until 1903, when he established the coal and wood business under the firm name of Eugene Arthur & Son. This business was sold in 1904 to L. B. Parker & Son, and the firm bought the mills and conducted a large business in grain and coal. The firm became a corporation April 1, 1909, under the name of the Arthur Grain & Coal Company, with Eugene Arthur president, F. S. Tedman, vice-president and A. Karl Arthur, secretary and treasurer. This is one of the largest industries of the kind in Northern New York, both wholesale and retail.
Mr. Arthur conducts a large farm. He is a member of Lowville Lodge No. 134, F. and A.M. and a charter member and former president of the Lowville Club. He is a Republican in politics, and a Unitarian in religion. He has been a trustee of the village and member of the board of education, served as president and trustee for nine years.
He married, Dec. 2, 1879, Flora Adams, born at Lowville, Jan. 22, 1859, daughter of Parker Adams of Lowville.
Children:
1. Alfred Karl, born June 10, 1881; educated at Lowville Academy and Hamilton College (A.B., 1903); associated in business with his father; he is a member of Lowville Lodge, No. 134, F. and A.M. He married July 21, 1906, Alice Guilfoil, of Detroit, Michigan, and music and drawing teacher in the public schools of Lowville before her marriage; child: Marrie, born July 12, 1908.
2. Corine, Feb. 20, 1888; educated in the Lowville Academy and Bradford (Mass.) Academy; married Nov. 17, 1909, Le Roy W. Arthur.
3. Dorothea, Feb. 26, 1893, attended Lowville Academy.
Two others died young.

(III) Elisha, youngest son of Richard and Hannah (Bradford) Arthur (q. v.), was born in Westfield, Mass. about 1784, and died Oct. 30, 1859. In 1802 he came with his mother's family to Lewis county, N.Y., where he was reared on a frontier farm, and there grew to manhood.
He married Martha Moore, born in Sunsbury, Connecticut, March 17, 1783, came to Lewis county with her brothers whil still a young girl, and died Apr. 13, 1844.
Children: Joel, see forward; Marilla, born Feb. 18, 1808; Square, Jan. 2, 1810; William, Nov. 9, 1811; Susannah, Dec. 30, 1813; Flavius, Nov. 10, 1815; Sukey Ann, Aug. 29, 1817; Emeline, Sept. 28, 1819; Dwight, Aug. 18, 1821; Elizabeth, April 16, 1823; John, May 20, 1824; Redexsa, Sept. 1, 1829.

(IV) Joel, eldest chld of Elisha and Martha (Moore) Arthur, was born at Martinsburg, Lewis county, N.Y., Nov. 18, 1806, and was reared as a farmer, an occupation he followed during his entire life. His education was acquired in the district school.
He married Mary, born in Lowville, N.Y., Dec. 15, 1815, daughter of Joseph and Lydia (Benjamin) Webb. Joseph Webb was a farmer, and served as a soldier during the war of 1812. He had children: Mary, Ruth, Silas, Caroline, Hammett, Fred, Julia and Lydia, Clistee, Lavista and William.
Children of Joel and Mary (Webb) Arthur:
1. Wallace W., born Dec. 18, 1835, died Feb. 20, 1903.
2. Martha E., born Aug. 12, 1838, died March 11, 1886.
3. Jay F., born March 13, 1840, died July 9, 1888.
4. Emma M., born Dec. 17, 1843, married Allen Jones, and has child, N. Arthur Jones, born May 6, 1872.
5. Harriet L., born May 25, 1846, married William V. Reed (see Reed).
6. Dwight J., born Dec. 4, 1848.
7. Joel Arthur, died May 12, 1861.


ARTHUR

(for preceding generations, see Bartholomew McArthur I).

(III) Joseph Arthur, son of Richard (q. v.) and Hannah (Bradford) Arthur, was born in Westfield, Mass., Dec. 19, 1786, died Sept. 12, 1872. In 1802 he came with his mother's family to northern New York, settling in Martinsburg, Lewis county, where for more than a century the family have been prominent. Joseph Arthur settled on a tract of heavily timbered land, which he cleared and improved, erecting buildings, and followed farming throughout his active years in his life. He was upright and honorable in all his actions, and gained and retained the esteem of his neighbors.
He married, Oct. 15, 1809, Sibyl Shaler Bush, born Apr. 29, 1784, died Feb. 8, 1861.
Children:
1. Mary, born July 29, 1810; died Sept. 11, 1834; married feb. 12, 1832, Lorenzo R. Hills.
2. Egbert, born June 27, 1812, died Oct. 16, 1858; married Feb. 29, 1846, Betsey Bosworth.
3. Cornelia, born Feb. 17, 1814, died Nov. 14, 1885; married June 12, 1846, Frederick Ford.
4. Augustus, born May 8, 1815, see forward.
5. Julia Velonia, born July 1, 1817, died Apr. 20, 1876; married Lyman Buckley, March 18, 1841.
6. Charles, born March 9, 1819, died July 27, 1902; married Sept. 13, 1847, Ann Allen.
7. Morris Holmes, born Nov. 23, 1820, died Oct. 3, 1833.
8. Edwin, born July 9, 1822, died Aug. 8, 1822.
9. Abigail Shaler, born Aug. 25, 1823, died Sept. 13, 1823.
10. Horatio, born Aug. 25, 1824, died Jan. 26, 1903; married (first) Nov. 4, 1845, Julia Finch, who died Oct. 21, 1848; (second) May 4, 1853, Mrs. Eliza A. Carter, who is still living.

(IV) Augustus, son of Joseph and Sibyl Shaler (Bush) Arthur, was born on the homestead in Martinsburg, Lewis county, N.Y., May 8, 1815. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and followed this line of work as a means of livelihood. He settled on a farm near the state road, which he cultivated to a high state of perfection, and ranked as one of the prosperous and industrious farmers of that section. He was a man of exemplary character, and his influence was felt throughout the community.
He married, March 22, 1837, Catherine Searls, born June 26, 1819, daughter of Luke and Alma (Cook) Searls.
Children:
1. Augusta, born Oct. 13, 1838.
2. Maurice H., born July 26, 1841; served as a private during the civil war.
3. Henry Clay, born June 7, 1844.
4. Helen A., born July 6, 1846.
5. Julia, born April 27, 1849.
6. William W., born June 12, 1851.
7. Florence N., born Sept. 21, 1855.
8. C. Bion, see forward.
9. Eddie A., born July 8, 1860.
10. Lachloine, born Sept. 22, 1863.
Augustus Arthur Sr., whose death occurred Sept. 29, 1892, was an elder and trustee of the Methodist Episcipal church for many years, a Republican in politics, and a member of the militia. His wife died Feb. 11, 1879.

(V) C. Bion, son of Augustus and Catherine (Searls) Arthur, was born in Martingburg, N.Y., April 2, 1857. He was educated in the common schools and Lowville Academy. Upon attaining the age for entering upon a business career he accepted the position of clerk for the firm of Fitch & Rogers, remaining for a period of two years. He then entered the store of Stoddard & Mayers in the same capacity, and later engaged in farming, which occupation he has since followed successfully, making a specialty of dairying. He is progressive and enterprising in his methods, keeping a watchful supervision over every detail of his work, and is reaping substantial rewards from his labors.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur are members of the Patrons of Husbandry, affailiating with the state grange, and he has served as master of the grange two terms in addition to holding other offices. He has served as assessor of the town of Martinsburg four years, performing his duties in a creditable manner. He is a member of the Baptist church, and a Republican in politics.
Mr. Arthur married, Oct. 15, 1879, Helen C., born FEb. 16, 1867, daughter of John and Sarah (Gallup) Young (see Young).
Children:
1. Sarah Maud, born July 22, 1880, educated at Lowville Academy and Syracuse University.
2. John Y., born Dec. 24, 1881; educated at Lowville Academy; engaged in farming with his father.
3. Elizabeth L., born Jan. 28, 1887; educated at State street school and Lowville Academy.
Mrs. Arthur and her daughters are members of the Daughters of the American Revolution.


ARTHUR
(for preceding generations, see Bartholomew Arthur I).

(III) Russell Arthur, son of Richard Arthur, came with the family to Lewis county, with his mother and brothers. He married and among his children was George W., see forward.

(IV) George W., son of Russell Arthur, was born at Martinsburgh, New York, March 29, 1811. He married (first) Lucy Searls; (second) Susan Vorce.
Children of first wife: 1. Russell, born Dec. 11, 1834. 2. George Madison, May 29, 1837; died June 30, 1887. 3. Howard W., Aug. 5, 1840; died Jan. 29, 1865.
Children of second wife: 4. Lucy M., Dec. 1, 1842. 5. Charles A., Nov. 22, 1844; died Oct. 19, 1867. 6. Edwin B., mentioned below.

(V) Edwin B., son of George W. Arthur, was born April 5, 1850, died Oct. 27, 1907. He was educated at the public schools of his native town and at Lowville Academy. After leaving school he settled on the old homestead where he was born, and devoted his life to farming. He took especial interest and pride in his cattle and horses, and his life was said to have been one of perfect content. He loved and enjoyed his home and made very effort to make it the pleasantest place on earth for his family. As a citizen he performed his duties conscientiously. He was a Republican in politics. In religion he was a Methodist.
He married, Feb. 4, 1872, Alice M., born in Pinkney, Decv. 8, 1852, daughter of Ralph and Clestia (Wakefield) Weller. Children:
1. Nettie L., born Sept. 7, 1873; married, Oct. 29, 1903, Michael Scheer; child Gladys Scheer, Apr. 5, 1905.
2. Charles H., mentioned below.
3. Burdette E., Sept. 15, 1876.
4. Estella N., May 21, 1878.
5. Warren R., Jan. 14, 1883; see forward.
6. Leroy D., May 23, 1886.

(VI) Charles H., son of Edwin B. Arthur, was born at Lowville, N.Y., Dec. 3, 1874. He was educated there in the common schools and at Lowville Academy. He assisted his father during his boyhood and when a young man learned the trade of carpenter and studied architecture. He engaged in business as a builder and contractor and has been very successful, having had many important contracts which he has performed with the utmost credit. Courteous and hearty in manner he makes friends of all who do business with him. Active, energetic and enterprising, he has fairly own the rewards that have come to him in the course of business. He is a member of Lowville Lodge, No. 134, Free and Accepted Masons and of the Masonic club and is interested in the public affairs of the town. In politics he is a Republican; he and his family are active members of the Methodist church.
He married, Jan. 24, 1900, Elle Staring, born July 6, 1874, daughter of George H. and Julia M. (Schumwag) Staring.
Children of George H. and Julia M. Staring:
1. Ella, mentioned above.
2. Mary, born June 23, 1876; married, Nov. 1, 1899, Herbert Higby.
3. William L., Nov. 14, 1880; married, Jan., 1909, Nellie Shaw.
4. Florence E., Sept. 28, 1882.
5. George H., Dec. 28, 1884.
6. Rae A., Nov. 22, 1886.
7. E. Vern, June 1, 1888.
Mr. and Mr. Arthur have one child, Theodore Edwin, born May 5, 1909.
[transcriber's note: since this History of NNY was published in 1910, people very well may have had children born after the book was published].


ARTHUR
(for preceding generations, see Bartholomew McArthur I)

(III) Elisha Arthur was born in Westfield, Mass., about 1784, a son of Richard and Hannah (Bradford) Arthur. He came with his mother's family in 1802, settled in Martinsburg, Lewis county, N.Y. He was a ship carpenter by trade, which he followed in connection with clearing and improving a farm. He died Oct. 30, 1859.
He married Martha Moore, born in Simsbury, Conn. March 17, 1783, came to Lewis county, N.Y. when a young girl with her brothers. She died Oct. 30, 1859.
Children:
Joel, born Nov. 18, 1806
Marilla, Feb. 18, 1808
Squire, June 2, 1810
William, Nov. 9, 1811
Susannah, Dec. 30, 1813
Flavius, Nov. 10, 1815
Sukey Ann, Aug. 29, 1817
Emeline, Sept. 28, 1819
Dwight, Aug. 19, 1821
Elizabeth, April 16, 1823
John F., May 20, 1824
Rodexsa, Sept. 1, 1829.

(IV) John F., son of Elisha Arthur, was born at Martinsburg, Lewis county, N.Y., May 20, 1824. He was educated in the public schools. He worked on the farm at Martinsburg during his boyhood. He left home at the age of fourteen and served an apprenticeship at the trade of harness-maker. Afterward he engaged in business on his own accord in Lowville as a maker and dealer of harness and continued with marked success for a period of seventeen years. His health suffered from the confinement of his trade, so he sold out and purchased a farm in the town of Martinsburg, and devoted the remainder of his life to farming. He was progressive and prosperious both in business and farming. He was a member of the Baptist church.
Before the civil war he was a Democrat, but after the war began he supported the Republican party. He died Nov. 25, 1891, aged sixty-seven years, six months five days.
He married Roxanna Johnson, born Sept. 7, 1828, died July 2, 1902.
Children:
Frank W., mentioned below.
Ella M., born Feb. 25, 1852, died March 28, 190 _.
Fred J., May 27, 1857
Helen, April 27, 1861, died Sept. 29, 1899.
John M., mentioned below.

(V) Frank W., son of John F. Arthur, was born at Lowville, Sept. 30, 1849. He was educated there in the public schools and at the Lowville Academy and Whiteston Seminary. He taught school for several years in the vicintiy of his native town. He purchased the homestead of his father, and since then has followed farming and has been eminently successful with his dairy especially. He is a member of Lowville Lodge, No. 134, Free and Accepted Masons; of the local grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and of the Methodist church. In politics he is a Repulbican.
He married, Nov. 8, 1883, Mary, born at New Bremen, Lewis County, N.Y., Feb. 3, 1860, daughter of August and Catherine (Altmine) Mattis. Her father was born in Lorraine, France.
Children: May, died age three years; Esther, died aged four years; Nina, born May 12, 1885, married Charles Rice; Ethel, March 25, 1887; F. Wayland, June 24, 1889.

(V) John M., son of John F. Arthur, was born at Lowville, New York, Dec. 7, 1866. He attended the public schools of his native town and the Lowville Academy. He worked on his father's farm during his youth and chose farming as his vocation when he came to manhood. He settled on the farm on which he is now living in Martingsburg on the state road near the village of Lowville. He has made a specialty of his dairy and takes rank among the most prosperous and enterprising farmers of the town. He is a memer of Lowville Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of the Baptist church. In politics he is a Republican.
He married Oct. 31, 1900, Lettie I., born at Harrisburg, Lewis county, March 20, 1878, daughter of James McLane. Child, Gertrude Roxana, born June 15, 1904.


ARTHUR

In 1789 four brothers, Reuben, Augustine, Joshua B. and Thomas Arthur, went from Sunken Meadow, Long Island, to Clinton county, New York, and settled in Keeseville as pioneers. At that time there was a scarcity of tillage land on Long Island, and as these young men were desirous of establishing themselves upon farms of their own, they found it necessary to seek them elsewhere. They accordingly journeyed to Keeseville, and being favorably impressed with that locality they purchased a tract of wild land containing four hundred and twenty-five acres, lying between that settlement and Peru, paying one dollar per acre. This tract they then divided equally, each brother having about one hundred acres. The roads were so laid out that the farms were situated upon corners opposite to each other, and this locality has ever since been known as Arthur's Corners. The brothers were accompanied to Keeseville by their sister Elizabeth (or Betsey), and they had another sister, Nancy. Both are again mentioned.
Reuben Arthur, the eldest, was born at Sunken Meadow, Long Island, August 1, 1762; died in Keeseville, Feb. 10, 1830. He married Levira Vail, of Ferrisburg, Vermont.
Children:
1. Sarah, born May 24, 1791.
2. Phebe, Feb. 26, 1793
3. Nancy, June 17, 1795; married a Mr. Stiles.
4. Temperance, married Heman Sprague.
5. Deborah. 6. Louis. 7. Augustine. 8. Reuben.

Augustine Arthur, born at Sunken Meadow, Oct. 28, 1764; died in Keeseville, March 3, 1809. He married Sally Webb, a native of Vermont, and had two children, both of whom died in infancy.
Joshua B. Arthur, born May 13, 1767, will be again referred to.

Betsey Arthur, twin sister to Joshua B. Arthur, married Charles Waterman. She died in Keeseville, April 4, 1813. Her children were:
1. Fanny Waterman; married Dr. Garlick, and had two children.
2. Eliza Waterman, married Alexander Chse.
3. Clara Waterman, born Jan. 1802, died at advanced age.

8. [??] Anna Waterman, married Luther Adgate.
Nancy Arthur was born at Sunken Meadow, May 13, 1769, died Dec. 4, 1792, while on her way from Long Island to Keeseville. She married Jonah Bishop, of Long Island, and left one son, Harvey Bishop, who married and had a family of five children: Henry, Thomas, an infant who died unmarried, another infant, Ann Eliza, born Aug. 18, 1829; married Henry F. Lewis, Jan. 18, 1854, and had two children, and Fanny Bishop.

Thomas Arthur, the youngest of the Arthur brothers, was born at Sunken Meadow, May 15, 1772; died in 1813. The maiden name of his wife does not appear in the records at hand.
His children were:
1. Lyman Arthur.
2. Azel, married Juliette Reynolds.
3. Charles, married Sally Waterman.
4. Martha, married Azel Arthur.

The Arthur brothers were mainly instrumental in fostering the early growth and prosperity of Keeseville, and in addition to developing the agricultural resources of that locality they were for many years closely identified with its civic affairs, holding all of the important town offices. The following extracts relative to their public service are taken from the town records of Peru:
"Offices held by the four Arthur brothers, 1793 to 1819."
"At the first town meeting in the new town of Peru, held April 2d, 1793, Reuben Arthur was elected constable and collector. April 1st, 1794, town meeting was held at his house and he was re-elected to the same office. (He lived in a log house valued at $25), April 7, 1795, Reuben was elected assessor and Joshua constable. April 5, 1796, Reuben elected town clerk and Augustin overseer of highways, (in that year Augustin was taxed five days' work on the road, and each of his brothers four days.) April 4, 1797, Reuben re-elected, and also one of the three commissioners of schools. Augustin, constable and collector, April 3, 1798, Reuben elected supervisor, Augustin assessor. April 2, 1799, Reuben, commissioner of highways, Augustin assessor, Thomas constable. April 1st, 1800, Augustin assessor and Thomas constable. April 7th, 1801, Reuben commissioner of highways; 1805, Augustin, assossor. 1807, Reuben commissioner of highways, and overseer of poor. Augustin town clerk. 1808, Reuben commissioner of highways, 1810, Reuben, assessor, Thomas constable, 1811-14-18-19, Reuben assessor, 1811, Reuben assessor, Thomas constable."
Note - The years that Reuben and his brothers held of office of town clerk they both spelled their brother's name Augustin. When Reuben was one of the Federal assessors in 1798, the name was written Augustus, but the writing may have been done by Beaumont, Nichols or a clerk).

"In 1798 a federal assessment was made of all real estate in the United States, and Reuben Arthur, who was that year supervisor of the town of Peru, was one of the three assessors for the county of Clinton, the other two being William Beaument, who was supervisor of Champlain, and Caleb Nichols, of Plattsburgh. The assessment roll differed from the ordinary town assessment roll, telling the kind of house and its value, the size of barn, and the name of the neighbor who owned adjoining land."
Extract from Federal Assessment Roll, dated Oct. 1st, 1798:
"Thomas Arthur, 100 acres on a public road joining Joshua Arthur, one log house ($20), 1 log barn, 30 x 20, $630. Joshua Arthur, 106 acres on a public road joining Augustus Arthur, one log house ($12), 1 log barn, 25 x 25, $672. Augustus Arthur, 106 acres on a public road joining Joshua Arthur, one log barn, 30 x 20, $730. Reuben Arthur, 96 acres on a public road joining Robert Moor, one log house ($25), 1 log barn, 30 x 18, $820."
In a separate list of lots not exceeding 2 acres, and in value not less than $100, the Federal assessors put the following: "Arthur, Augustus, on a public road joining Joshua Arthur, one wood house, new, part finished. 80 perches....$150." The $150 put with the $720 of his farm made his total assessment more than either of his brothers, which accounts for his having to work a day more on the road." (Note - Joshua's farm was the one now owned by J. I. Arthur. Augustin's farm is now owned by L. B. Arthur. Thomas Arthur's farm joined Joshua's, and must have been where D. J. Dwyer's now is, and Reuben's lay north of the road and joining the farm now owned by Francis Clark.) N. B.
- Although the descendants of the Arthur brothers are somewhat distributed, quite a number are residing in Clinton county, and one of the most prominent representatives of the family is Dr. Charles Winslow Arthur, of Plattsburgh, who is a grandson of Joshua B.

(I) Joshua Barber Arthur was born at Sunken Meadow, May 13, 1767. From 1787 until his death, which occurred at Arthur's Corners, Oct. 25, 1844, he resided in Keesville, and he was a successful tiller of the soil.
He married Chloe Gage, a native of Vermont, and their children were:
1. Henry, born in 1797, died in infancy.
2. Maria, born May 25, 1800; married David Day.
3. Hannah, May 9, 1802; married Arza Kinney; had one son, Wallace, and three daughers.
4. Platt, June 18, 1806; married Fanny Irish; died Dec. 24, 1891, had two children: Elkanah Watson and Louis.
5. Alec, April 30, 1808; married Sarah Sutherland.
6. Johnson V. R., see forward.
7. Louis, married Boadicia Bishop; children: Harry; Lucina, marrie _____ Horsford; Minerva, married E. C. Barr; Clinton; Fred; Leland, married ____ Cain. 8. Betsey, Feb. 6, 1811; married Louis Day. 9. Chloe Ann, became the second wife of David Day. 10. Wallace, married Ann (or Mary) Thompson. 11. Ransom.

(II) Johnson Van Rensselaer, fourth son and sixth child of Joshua B. and Chloe (Gage) Arthur, was born in Keeseville, Sept. 18, 1810. Leaving home at the early age of twelve he became a raftsman and for a number of years was employed in driving logs down Lake Champlain and the Hudson river to New York City. When a young man he established himself in the hotel business at Keeseville, and he maintained a dock in connection with his hostelry, which served as a convenient lodging place for boats. He also owned and carried on a farm in Valcour, New York. He was an upright, concientious man, his word being considered equivalent to a bond, and he was held in the highest estimation by the entire community. After the death of his father he disposed of his property, including the farm in Valcour, and purchasing the homestead at Arthur's Corners he resided there for the remainder of his life, which terminated at the age of seventy-three years. This property, known as the Johnson Arthur farm, continued in the family's possession until 1908, when it was sold.
He married Elmira Lake, born in Rochester, N.Y., died in Keeseville in 1901, aged seventy-seven years. They had a large family of children, several of whom died of diphtheria during an epidemic of that disease which prevailed at Keesville in 1856-57. Those now living are:
Dr. Charles W., the eldest, and Joshua L., the youngest. The latter was born at the homestead, July 1, 1867; married Jessie Garfield, of Keesville, and has a large family.

(III) Dr. Charles Winslow Arthur, eldest son of Johnson V. R. and Elmira (Lake) Arthur, was born in Valcour, Feb. 26, 1844. His early education was acquired at the district school, and at the Keesville Academy. At the age of seventeen he began the study of medicine with Dr. Cole, an able physician of Peru, later matriculated in the medical department of the University of Vermont, and was graduated in 1865. He began the practice of his profession in Lawrence, St. Lawrence county, N.Y., but subsequently removed to Hillside county, Michigan, where he practiced successfully for six years, and while residing there he was married.
Ill health compelled him to return to New York state, and locating in Saranac he shortly afterwards became the regularly authorized physician at the mines at Lime Mountain. Some five years later the rapidly increasing population at the mines necessitated his removal from Saranac to Lime Mountain, where he resided for thirteen years, and after retaining the post of physician there for a period of eighteen years in all he resigned.
In December, 1892, Dr. Arthur established his residence in Plattsburgh, where he has built up a large practice, and in point of service he is on of the oldest physicians in that locality, having to his credit a practical experience of forty-five years. For the past five years he has served with marked ability upon the Plattsburgh board of education. He is a member of the medical board as well as the hospital staff of the Champlain Valley Hospital. He is a member of the Clinton County Medical Society, the New York State Medical Society, and the Masonic Order. He is a member of the Episcopal church.
Dr. Arthur married Charlotte Hart, a native of Michigan. Their children:
1. Susie E., born in Saranac; a graduate of Cornell University and now a teacher in the Plattsburgh high school.
2. Truman S., born in Saranac; now resident of Sackatoon, N.W. Canada.
3. Grace E., born at Lime Mountain; a graduate of Cornell, 1910.
4. Chester W., born at Plattsburgh; graduate Poughkeepsie Business college; clerk in Lozier Works.
5. Harry, born at Plattsburgh, clerk in pulp mill.

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