Watertown Daily Times, Friday, Nov. 4, 1892
FRENCH PIONEERS
The Fayels and Coopers— The Founder
of a Family---Scenes from the French
Revolution---John and William Fayel
(Correspondence of the TIMES.)
THE FAYELS AND COOPERS.
In a preceding article I wrote of the influence of Frenchman and French capital upon the settlement of northern New York, and alluded to the Fayels and Coopers of direct French descent, promising to write of them in a subsequent article. That promise I now try to fulfil (sic).
In writing about a family the members of which you have known intimately for more than fifty years, and from every one of whom you have received unnumbered kindnesses, the observant reader may perhaps discover that I am more or less influenced by a feeling of affection, and therefore liable to over-estimate excellencies and may-hap overlook (sic) faults altogether. But it is only fair to state at the beginning, that a family of farmer boys, surrounded with the many disadvantages so common to nearly all that northern region sixty years ago, which turned out two able newspaper men, to say nothing of its other members, must be a family having some fibre in it quite out of the common run of the farmers' sons who usually take to mercantile or other strictly business pursuits when the farm becomes distasteful.
The founder of the Fayel family in America was John Fayel, born in Basle, Switzerland, in 1774. At 10 years of age he was left an orphan, and came to that Mecca of all the migrating Swiss, the grand city of Paris. Unprotected, of tender years, an orphan in a great city, he was most fortunate to have fallen into the hands of the good James LeRay de Cbaumout, and remained a member of that distinguished man's family for nearly 30 years, illustrating, by his sturdy devotion to his patron’s interests, that spirit of ancient feudalism wholly unknown in America and almost forgotten in Europe. He was in Paris all through the dreadful scenes of the French revolution. He saw Louis XVI and his beautiful queen, Marie Antoinette, as they were being returned to Paris after their futile attempt to escape. He saw Robespierre as he was paraded through the streets on his way to execution, and had previously been present near the scaffold when many of the "aristocrats" were guillotined. What he there saw of blood appears to have banished from his breast any desire to become a soldier, and when, under Napoleon's conscription, be was drafted to join the army of Egypt, the influence of Mr. LeRay saved him from such a fate, on the ground that he was not a native nor a citizen of France. In 1805 he came to America with Mr. LeRay and remained in his employ as coachman until 1820. He had the honor of driving President Monroe from Mr. LeRay's chateau (near LeRaysville) to Sackets Harbor, at the conclusion of the celebrated visit the president made to his distinguished fellow-citizen.
In 1820 Mr. Fayel thought it about time to settle down for life, and having married Marguerite, one of the daughters of that William Cooper who will be mentioned in a subsequent article, he commenced a farmer's life near Gilbertsville, Otsego county, N. Y.. where the money he had saved and allowed to remain in the hands of Mr. LeRay, enabled him to purchase a neat farm, well stocked and with a fine orchard. Here all his children were born, William, Joseph, John, Edwin and Sophia. In 1831, after hearing much about, the ''Black River country," he removed to Theresa and purchased the farm so well known for 40 years as "Fayel Place," about a mile south of the village. Upon this valuable farm his children throve, Horace Greeley's "New Yorker" being their mental pabulum, the district school their supposed educator, and farming, their occupation. And there, too, the beloved and honored father died in 1840, after having cast his last vote for William Henry Harrison.
The care of the family then devolved upon the two eldest sons, William and Joseph, with John for an active assistant. They prospered and were respected by every one. But John had higher ambitions, and surprised his brother one day by expressing a desire to emigrate west and to become a newspaper man. He brought up at Joliet, Illinois, where be became an expert practical printer inside of three years, and returned to his home. An opening what soon made for him in one of the Watertown newspaper offices, and it was not long before Ambrose W. Clark selected him for a partner, and they resurrected the "Northern New York Journal," which had become almost a menace to society under the erratic management of a Seventh Day Baptist preacher. The "Journal" readily fell into line as a republican exponent, after having served the old whig party to its end, and soon became one of the leading firmly newspapers in Jefferson county. Col. Clark was the out-of-door partner, while Mr. Fayel attended to all the details of the office, writing the leading editorials and making friends on every hand. His journey to Labrador in company with the writer was only one episode In his editorial experience, he having gone the previous summer to Pembina and to the Red River of the North, then looked upon as beyond the uttermost confines of even semi-civilization. Meeting on that journey the celebrated Chippawa chief, 'Hole in the Day," they formed so friendly an acquaintance that when, years afterwards, they met In Washington, the stalwart chief was rejoiced to recognize his “white brother."
Mr. Fayel’s abilities as a newspaper man were of a high order. His newspaper never indulged in personalities or abuse. During all my intimacy with him at Watertown as a contemporary, and afterwards in Washington, I never heard him utter an oath or an improper word, and his bitterest comment upon an unworthy person was marked by his silence. As Col. Clark came to be more of a publican having been elected for the second time to congress, and as Mr Fayel’s health had failed by reason of close attention to business, it was thought best to sell the “Journal," and it was disposed of at a fair price.
Mr. Fayel accepted a position under the government at Washington, where he performed duty for a while, but his health becoming much broken, he came to Saratoga Springs in the late summer of 1863, and died there in the arms of his brother. Like the best of us he had his faults, but they were of the kind that leaned to Virtue’s side. As a friend he was staunch and reliable; as a citizen he was above reproach. If he had been spared to pursue his chosen calling with restored health he would have reached the highest rank, for he had talent, patience, and perseverance, and was of so amiable and kind a nature that he made friends of all who knew him. He sleeps in the village cemetery at Theresa, the scene of his boyish ambitions, whence he sallied forth, with a stout heart, to "seek his fortune." I can but think he derived his gentle bearing and suavity of manner largely from that Marguerite Cooper, his maternal grandmother, who traced her pedigree direct to the Bourbons of France.
Whether it was that William, the eldest son, felt spurred on by the success of his younger brother, or whether the latest newspaper ability that was born into this family had reached a point where it had to demonstrate itself, certain it is that he, too, left the farm and went to Lockport, N. Y. where for several years be was connected with a daily paper “as all around" writer. But “westward" was the cry, and after marrying a good wife he dropped down upon St. Louis, where he made a most enviable reputation through nearly 30 years' service upon the Republican, becoming the best known, most popular and most reliable newspaper writer upon that celebrated paper. He was its war correspondent and his letters from the front were eagerly sought after all through the west.
This characteristic story is told of him: He was with General Curtis, and the enemy were so close in front that all fires were forbidden. The general had notified Fayel that during the night he should start a courier for St. Louis, and thus he had an opportunity to get in a letter for the paper. It was dark, and no one dared have a fire or any bright light. Fayel was in a quandary, but he remembered that near sundown they had marched past a settler's tent, and if he could get back there he would doubtless find a candle, and, hiding its glare under a box, he could prepare his letter. Back he went, paid ten cents for a candle, and started to walk back the two miles. The night was warm, and not to melt the candle, he had rolled it in a piece of wrapping paper, and carefully held it in his hand. Plodding back, with his mind full of his letter, on reaching camp his candle was gone, having been carried so carefully that it had slipped away, but be had a good hold on the paper. So the "Republican" did not hear from him that time, as the Courier was miles away at daybreak.
Mr. Fayel was on duty as reporter for the "Republican'' with the first Indian commission sent to treat with the Sioux nation after the rebellion, and had for his companion in reporterial duty that person who has since become celebrated as Henry Stanley , the African explorer.
In his old age he is one of the "retired" contributors to the "Republican," known and respected by all St. Louis' oldest citizens. His mind is as active as at 40, and "chuck full" of interesting reminiscences of his youth and of the early days in Otsego and Jefferson counties.
Edward (sic) and Sophia, the two youngest of the Fayels, died early, and without unusual prominence. But of Joseph, the second son, there is much that could be said. The departure of his brothers from the farm threw upon him increased responsibilities and labors. To hire the help that was necessary to conduct the farm properly nearly ate up the profits, and after awhile be sold his land and turned his attention to purchasing the cheese manufactured by the dairymen. Eventually he was drawn into general merchandise and a country trade. But it was his career as a leading local politician that brought him into general notice, and made him one of the most conspicuous men of his day in the northern part of the county. A constant reader of Horace Greeley's writings, he was well prepared, at the birth of the republican party, to give it cordial support and unwavering adhesion. I well remember those transforming days, when whigs and barn-burner democrats struck hands together and rallied to uphold the growing demand for freedom in America for black as well as white.
Fayel in this, as in all else be did, held not back in anything. His purse, his house, his teams,—and he had them all and of the best,—were ever ready at the call of his party. His efforts were marked by an enthusiasm and a devotion that were in themselves an inspiration to others. In the district school-house, that nursery of all that has made us great as a people, his voice was heard and his efforts honored by those who listened. That beloved and all-over-alive man, later known as Colonel George W. Flower, was his constant companion and able ally on these occasions, and others who might be named. By them Theresa and Alexandria and Antwerp were aroused to such a pitch that a real pro-slavery democrat was something to be pointed at with wonder. As a general thing it has happened that the early workers for a successful party eventually came in for rewards when the public offices were to be distributed. To me it has seemed a misfortune that this time-honored rule should have been abrogated in the case of Mr. Fayel, and this all the more because, the young men of the republican party will naturally become discouraged in their efforts when they see party rewards passed over to the least deserving and less resolute workers. But as life is filled with experiences that appear to contradict general principles, friend Fayel. in his old age and failing health, can comfort himself with the thought that he is not the only one so treated, nor will he be the last.
J. A. H.
Philadelphia. Pa.. October, 1892.
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