USA > New York > Suffolk County > Yaphank > Yaphank as it is, and was, and will be. Containing biographical sketches of all its prominent men, the characteristic proclivities of its "funny" people, its business and business "monarchs," its facilities for enterprise and improvement, > Part 1
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F 129 .Y2 H7
YAPHANK AS IT IS
AND WAS.
ITS PROMINENT MEN AND THEIR TIMES,
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
Champ. Copyright No. Shelf . 12.97
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
1
2
Yours truly , L. B. Homan
YAPHANK AS IT IS,
AND
WAS. AND WILL BE.
BIOGRAPHD'AL SKETCHES OF ALL ITS PROMINENT MEN, THE CHARACTERISTIC PROCLIVITIES OF ITS " FUNNY " PEOPLE, ITS BISINESS AND BUSINESS " MONARCHS," ITS FACILITIES FOR ENTERPRISE AND IMPROVEMENT, AND AN IMPARTIAL. DESCRIPTION OF THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES ENJOYED AND SUFFERED BY ITS CITIZENS.
THE SUFFOLK COUNTY ALMS-HOUSE AS IT IS.
THIS WORK CONTAINS THE MOST AUTHENTIC AND PLEASING HUISTORY OF THIS " MODEL " INSTITUTION BEFORE THE PUBLIC.
{ OF C
17
1-75 6 600 7-03 1
BY I. BEECHER HOMAN.
" Every town and city in the United States should induce its best-informed writers to put its annals into the permanent shape of a book, that its early history may not be forgotten Of these volumes of local interest and value, there cannot be too many." -New York Herald
J.P. l.
11
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1875. By L. BEECHER HOMAN, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
JOHN POLHEMUS, Printer, 102 Nassau St., New York.
TO MY MOTHER,
THE DEAREST FRIEND I HAVE ON EARTII,
N Dedicate this Wtorh.
THE CULMINATION OF HER FOSTERING INCENTIVE, AND KIND, CHEERING WORDS.
INTRODUCTION.
" To know your country to its farthest veins, Find out its heart ; there all its being tends."
I deem formality, or apology, not requisite as an em- bellishment to the INTRODUCTION of a work that must prove of intrinsic value to all to take an interest in the local affairs of their country.
To become acquainted with the lives of men who have figured in conspicuous capacities, and whose names are familiar in coalition with the LOCAL INSTITUTIONS, UN- DERTAKINGS, EXCITEMENTS and AFFAIRS of their times, is an almost insatiable desire of some; and to be familiar with the RELIABLE HISTORY of any town or village, and the peculiarities of the people, is an acquaintance as eagerly sought as it is laudable and beneficial.
To gratify that commendable propensity, I have gath- ered and carefully compiled the RELIABLE FACTS con- tained in this MINIATURE HISTORY, and look to the hearty appreciation of my reading friends, and the public, as a verification of its GENUINE WORTH.
When first I took my pen to write, Strange bodings whisper'd " Fan!" And grim prognosties did unite To make my faint heart quail. I knew that rhetoric were vain In lauding OLD YAPHANK, And that success I must attain By writing bold and frank.
viii
INTRODUCTION.
I know the place of which I write, And know the people better ; Of ev'ry sentence-wrong or right- I am the sole begetter. I've tried the simple faets to write, Impartially and true ; And ev'ry thing that tends to blight, Did faithfully eschew.
But if mistakes I do record- For writers sometimes will- I hope my FRIENDS will not accord And blame an erring quill ; For I am sure my heart was right, And that no bias did Encourage me to falsely write What JUSTICE would forbid.
If I to please the Tinker write, And not the Tailor, too. I may be term'd a flatt'ring wight, As "penning " Devils through. In this fast age of Great Events, The wonders we expect ; And one will be " My Compliments " From those I least respect- If Fortune ever smiles as sweet Upon my luckless head, Or fills my heart with joy replete ('er things I've never said.
L. B. H.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
" YOURS, TRULY," FRONTISPIECE.
WILLIAM JONES WEEKS.
PAGE 36
EDWARD WICKHAM MILLS,
50
SERENO BURNELL OVERTON. 1
16 66
EDWARD LIVINGSTON GERARD.
..
EDWARD HENRY S. HOLDEN, M. D.,
GEORGE FRANKLIN THOMPSON, ..
108
JAMES HUGGINS WEEKS, ESQ.,
.
116
SIDNEY H. REren, ..
128
REV. INGRAM N. W. IRVINE, .. 202
THE SUFFOLK COUNTY ALMSHOUSE. .. 206
CONTENTS OF PART FIRST.
1.
YAPHANK AS IT IS. PAGE.
A General Review, 21
The Land of Local Penny-a-liners, and Eden of Gossip,
As it is and was, .
24
II. ITS BUSINESS.
YAPHANK AS IT IS .- ABBREVIATED SKETCHES OF PROMINENT YAPHANKERS. JOHN PHILLIPS MILLS.
His Style of Business, 30
Personal, 31
Ilis Charity,
31
IV.
ROBERT HAWKINS GERARD.
In a Manufacturing Capacity, 32
Personal, .
33
His Early Life,
V. WILLIAM J. WEEKS.
Personal, 37
His Business, 39
Public and Private,
46
VI. DANIEL DOWNS SWEEZY.
Personal, 47
His Business,
48
In the Family,
xii
CONTENTS.
VII. PAGE.
EDWARD WICKHAM MILLS.
His Youthful Enterprise, 51
His Sensible View of Business, 52
Popular with all, 52
Personal,
53
VIII. ALFRED ACKERLY.
ITis Business, 55
In the Church, 56
IX.
SAMUEL F. NORTON.
As a Neighbor and Friend, 57
In the Church, 57
At Home, 58
X. JOHN HAMMOND.
Personal,
59
At Home, in the Church, and Abroad,
60
SAMUEL LESTER HOMAN.
Personal,
62
XII. SERENO BURNELL OVERTON.
Embarks upon a Mercantile Sea,
68
Personal-The True Man, 69
XIII. EDWARD LIVINGSTON GERARD.
Personal,
73-74 .
A Review,
75
His Accomplishments,
XIV. SAMUEL SMITH.
Public and Private, 77
His Insanity, 78
Ilis Horrible End,
78
CONTENTS. xiii
XV. PAGE.
EDWARD HOMAN.
As a Neighbor and Friend, 80
Public and Private,
XVI. Doc. JAMES I. BAKER.
Personal, 82
His Early Life, 83
Trials and Triumphs, 83
A Neighbor, Friend, and Farmer,
3.4
XVII. MORDECAI HOMAN.
Off for the Mines, . 86-87
Adventures in California,
Success and Failure, 87-88
On the Sea and Land,
88-89
XVIII. EDWARD HENRY S. HOLDEN, M. D.
His Moral and Scientific Worth, 93
His Recommendation, 93-94
A Review, 94
XIX. NATHANIEL TUTHILL.
Mr. Tuthill's Business, 98-101
His Benevolence, 102
Alexander Smith, 102-3 .
XX.
AUGUSTUS FLOYD.
The Descendant of a Noble Family, 104
llis Personal Appearance, 104
His Eccentric and Retired Life, 105
A Brief Sketch, 106
GEORGE FRANKLIN THOMPSON.
His Qualifications as a Business Man, 109
A Word to the Gentle Ones, 110
His Decided Step, 110
xiv
CONTENTS.
XXII. ALFRED REID, SR.
PAGE.
An Orphan's Struggle, 112
Being in Business, 113
A Financial Crash,
113
Personal,
114
XXIII. JAMES HUGGINS WEEKS.
His Early History, 117
As a Railroad Man,
118
Personal,
118
XXIV. HON. WILLIAM SIDNEY SMITH.
As a Military Tactician, 122
From the Drawing-room Across the Wilderness. 123
As a Public Man, 123
Personal,
124
XXV. SIDNEY H. RITCH.
Station Island-William Gurney,
120-30
Fall of Savannah-Abraham Lincoln's Death, 135
Personal,
.
136
CONTENTS OF PART SECOND.
I. YAPHANK AS IT WAS .- CONTAINING BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE MEN THAT ONCE WERE PROMINENT. ESQUIRE MORDECAI HOMAN. PAGE.
His Small Beginning and Final Achievements, 139
THOMAS HOMAN.
His Characteristics, 111
DEA. SIMMONS LAWS. 143
RICHARD HAWKINS. 144
JONAH HAWKINS.
His Earthly Labors, 145
Uncle Jonah's Anterior Position,
146
JONAS BUCKINGHAM. 146
IV. MORDECAI OVERTON.
A Numerous Family, . 147
DANIEL HAMMOND.
The Social Custom of his Day,
148
V. ESQUIRE WILLIAM PHILLIPS.
A Review,
150
The Old Squire's Peculiarities, .
150
DANIEL HOMAN. 151
VI. ISAAC MILLS. 152
His Death,
xvi
CONTENTS.
APPOLLAS MILLS. PAGE.
His Illustrious Wife, 154
The True Man, . 155
VII. DANIEL B. SWEEZEY. 156
VIII.
ROBERT HI. HAWKINS, JUN.
His First Struggle, 159 .
A Tribute to His Memory,
159-61
CONTENTS OF PART THIRD.
I.
THE FAILINGS OF THE PEOPLE.
Gossiping, 165
Covetousness, 167
Rushing Enterprise, 167
II.
THE BENEFICENCE OF YAPHANKERS. 169
III.
MORAL AND IMMORAL YAPHANK. 171
IV. YAPHANK AS IT WAS.
What comprised Yaphank in 1800, 174
Yaphank Mills, and their History, 176
The Old Grants, . 177
Why Yaphank was not a City, 178
V.
OUR DIMINUTIVE YALE.
The Yaphank District School, and its History. 180
The School-house-Past and Present, 181
VI. YAPHANK CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.
Make my Grave in the Wildwood, 184
Why are our Dead Promisenously Buried ? 184
An Absolute Requirement, . 185
CONTENTS. XV11
VII. PAGE.
TEMPERANCE IN YAPHANE.
The Noble Cause and its Sustainers. 186
A Brief Sketch, 188
VIII. OUR RELIGIOUS HOMES.
The Centres of Christianity in Yaphank, 191
The Yaphank Presbyterian Church. útil
The Clergymen of the Church, 193
Francis Drake, 193
Charles Sturges, 193
Clark Lockwood, 194
ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH.
The Bishop's Address. 195
A Contrast To-day, 198
IX. REV. INGRAM N. W. IRVINE.
His Early Struggles and Collegiate Achievements. 203
Personal, 204
SUFFOLK COUNTY ALMS-HOUSE.
A Model Home for the Poor, 207
The Farm, 208
The Home, 209
The Main Building, 209
Division of Sexes, 210
The Attending Physician, 210
William J. Weeks, 212
Edward L. Gerard, 212
Doct. E. H. S. Holden, 213
Part First.
CONTAINING
A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF YAPHANK.
AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF ITS PROMINENT CITIZENS.
PART- FIRST.
YAPHANK AS IT IS.
A GENERAL REVIEW -- THE LAND OF LOCAL PENNY -A-LINERS.
AND EDEN OF GOSSIP-AS IT IS, AND WAS, AND WILL BE! A GENERAL REVIEW.
Much has been said, and much written, about the listless mode of busines, and the quiescent enterprise of much- abused Yaphankers.
Among the many facts I am privileged to present in this little effort, an endorsement of all those reports may be credited.
When I began writing this record of local affairs, I was kindly informed by literary friends and advocates, that my future "inky " success would be sadly marred if I matured these my fool-hardy determinations : To publish, or chron- icle the most interesting events that ultimately transpired since 1800 ; and to publish a complete, reliable, and read- able history of this oasis in the wilderness of " local edit- ors " and "county paupers," since that " dark age." " To err is human."
If I too highly embellish my illustrations regarding one peculiar class and their innate failings, please consider them the bloated apparitions of a clouded imagination, and not the base intentions of a prejudiced mind. As I have seen, thus have I written. I have faithfully sketched from original subjects, and conceitedly assert a correct transfor- mation.
22
YAPHANK AS IT IS.
Another idea prompted me to complete my undertaking, although more dormant and not so philanthropical as my first. It was the natural one of pecuniary advancement- one of peculiar interest to me.
Some. also, declare that I have built upon a diminutive foundation, and failure is inevitable. Well, failure, and not success, is the general law of life ; and if I gain the former I must content myself with the majority, if I accom- plish the latter I certainly shall rejoice with the minority.
Yaphank is the Indian name of a creek and neck of land on the south side of the town, at South Haven ; and the line running north from the head of Yaphank Creek is called Yaphank Line. Yaphank Neck is between that line and the Connecticut River, and consequently does not in- clude Yaphank Station ; but the name properly belongs to the Neck west of Carman's Mills.
The name Yaphank was suggested by William J. Weeks, about the year 1845, when application was made to the P. O Department to establish a post-office in this place ; the former name, Millville, being objectionable for that purpose, as there were already thirteen of that name in the United States, and one being in the State of New York. The name Yaphank was familiar here, as applied to a boundary line passing through the eastern part of the village. The appellation is unique for the purpose, for the place, for the people.
The district boundaries are more regular than any in the town-being nearly square-and are two miles and five- eighths from the north to the south boundary, and two and three-eighths from east to west. The district contains 6} square miles, one-quarter of which is under excellent culti- vation.
PENNY-A-LINERS AND GOSSIPPERS.
Arm-in-arm we meet this debris of society. One acts, and the other reports. As the Long Island Leader recently re- ported, Yaphank is truly made unenviably famous by its
23
YAPHANK AS IT IS.
"army of local reporters." All events, from a new door. knob to a clam-bake, are duly reported to our country periodicals by these " mashers" of the quill.
No one escapes. People fear to deviate from the beaten rontine, for fear their names will " get in the papers" nn der some horrible heading. Thus many are compelled to curb their chafing enterprise, at the risk of serions individ- ual damage-for instance, an explosion : and poor, fretting Yaphank must lie dormant because we support a standing army of -! Why, one of our most modest male inhab itants purchased an elegant pair of pants, recently, and he was struggling to "try them on," to ascertain the "fit," when some unfortunate mishap caused a fearful rent in the -- the -, and the poor fellow dared not patch them for fear it would get in " the papers -" the patch I refer to.
The great bustling world or the busy little city would not halt to criticise a man's misfortune or a woman's success.
Business directs their attention towards objects more beneficial to mankind.
Life is more informal in the village.
There every man knows. or wishes to know, every man's business.
A new picket-fence. a repaired chimney, Mr. So-and-So's " beautiful addition to his house," combine to form the general digest of weekly instalments to our country papers. as the flavored literature of the village.
It has always been questionable with me whether or not the reading public cares if an unknown rustic has "painted his fence," or "is going to paint his cow-shed." and whether such information will prove interesting. It is generally believed that country editors publish such chaff from scarcity of interesting news.
Is there not a pleasing equivalent to this local swash ? Yes. Encourage the compilation of home facts possessing historical interest. and welcome only such to the centre-
·
24
YAPHANK AS IT IS.
table. If it be not as "fresh," the "hash " will certainly be more palatable for being condensed.
FIGURES AND FACTS.
To descend from the realms of poesy into the world of fact, Yaphank is a scattered settlement, with clusters of pretty cottages at almost regular intervals.
It has a fine avenue, which connects it with the villages of the east and south side.
The population, within the Post-office district, numbers about eight hundred souls.
While such is its condition physically, Nature's fair handiwork has been sadly marred by individual neglect and quiescence.
The record of Yaphank is a record of one-sided prosper- ity and aggrandisement.
The prominent citizens are " characters" in the drama of our village life, which I have endeavored to portray in this book.
Il.
ITS BUSINESS.
The occupation of the people is as varied as their tastes and characters. The primitive occupation was "tilling the soil ;" but simultaneous with every limited "rush " of emigration, other original and necessary branches of trade followed. Now, in consummation. we present the following "remarkable " directory of business :
1 Dry-goods and Hardware 2 Medical Offices.
. Store, including the Post- office.
2 Grist Mills.
2 Lumber Mills.
2 Blacksmith Shops.
1 Printing Office.
1 Upholstering Shop.
1 Express and Stage Line.
1 Shoe Shop.
1 Lumber Yard.
2 Wheelwright Shops.
1 Meat Market.
1 Veterinary Establishment.
1 Dressmaking Establish- ment.
A few years ago the people supported a factory, two stores, and three churches. The factory has long been closed, one store now forms the mercantile centre, and the Christian element support but two churches. The Baptist is immersed.
Why should not Yaphank be a city ? It certainly has advantages that no other village in Brookhaven Town en- joys. Its railway communications are excellent. Its water facilities are unquestionably good for manufacturing pur- poses, and could easily, and without much artificial labor, or an enormous outlay, be made to supply sufficient power for half a dozen factories of different kinds, and not hinder the operations of the other mills in the least. Scientific men
26
YAPHANK AS IT IS.
assure me, and others of much experience in such matters declare, that such could be easily, cheaply, and successfully done : and that it would certainly prove remunerative. Labor is cheap here : living is cheap ; and why can't as good a market be obtained for articles that may be manu- factured in Yaphank as are supplied by a Lowell or a Lynn ?
But no one can awaken Yaphankers or induce them into a new enterprise, however promising the inducements ! They are aware that mill-owners make money here, and are the only class of men in Yaphank, with a few exceptions, who do. They know that labor is cheap, that transportation can be made cheap, and that all the facilities are convenient. They also know that they can invest in banking, railway and other enterprises elsewhere, and draw their semi-annual interest without the exertion an enterprise in Yaphank would require. But I wonder if they have lost money enough in foreign enterprises to convince them that it is not all success out of Yaphank ? The city banks fail, the rail- roads pass into the hands of Receivers, curb-stone dabblers grow fat over their false ideas of business economy, and hundreds of dollars are lost here and thousands there ; still our moneyed men will gather and invest their all in city in- stitutions, double themselves up into a religious, philan- thropical ball, wonder why Yaphank is so "dormant " and " far behind the times," and scorn upon the shadow of any home undertaking, and discourage and abuse the unfor- tunate wretch that may mention one. Such is Yaphank to- day !
We never expect Yaphank to make a movement! But why discourage strangers who see our great advantages and wish to improve them ? Why entertain the conviction that because such a movement was never successfully es- tablished that it never will be ? For, friends. I dream my- self, at no very distant day, stopping wondering urchins upon the paved thoroughfares of Yaphank, and telling them of the days when J. P. Mills' store was the great commer- cial attraction, and John Hammond's shoe-shop, the mighty repository of boot-jacks and local news.
27
YAPHANK AS IT IS.
Instead of two hundred dwelling-houses and eight hun- dred people to occupy them, we want one thousand neat, comfortable cottages, and five thousand people. We want ten times the number of business institutions, and smart, energetic people to support them.
We needn't begin building churches for many years vet ! Give one of the two already built three or four good resur- rections, a big poke with the stick of enterprise, a little doctoring with generous medicine, and the " bread of life" will be broken by many more members, and by a happier and more Christian people.
Give the other a little support, cheering words. and shove it into the stream-it will float !
You men who own land adaptable for building lots, offer it for sale at reasonable prices-prices within the means of the laboring classes who wish to settle here. Because neighbor A lives only for himself and family, don't you imitate his actions. Open your heart and ears a little to the benefit of others. You will live happier, die happier, and your many friends will keep the laurels of your useful life ever blooming in their memories.
Draw ten per cent. of the money invested elsewhere, expend it in supporting and establishing home institutions and enterprises, give a cheering word now and then to struggling neighbors, grant strangers a cordial welcome, smilingly tell them of the great advantages long lain unap- preciated and unappropriated, and explain and emphasize the baseness and disloyalty of those who consider it a duty to "run down" and falsely represent their own villages. towns or cities. Do these things-do them well and pa- tiently-and the village will soon make the town. and the town the busy little city.
Don't listen to the prejudiced, out-of-date old stumbling- stones who will ever keep up a wicked sneering, and a sombrous " you can't do it "' They are the rocks in the channel to enterprise ; a good chart and steady nerves will
. 28
YAPHANK AS IT IS.
safely pass them ; and they never amount to much, in the channel or out !
The specific and infallible remedy for the immediate relief of a sickly village is to talk it up ! cheer it up ! and it will soon build itself up! Keep talking, don't lay on the oars, and it will stay up !
MY STARTLING REVERIE.
I. Ah, " OLD YAPHANK !" land of my birth, My young heart yearns for thee ! Few in the great world know thy worth, And what thou yet wilt be ; When we thy rustic life transform- Thy car of progress move, Thy money'd men will then reform, And smilingly approve.
II.
Then haste the days -- the palmy days- And welcome noise and din,
When enterprise shall trill her lays- When good times shall begin. Then, cheer up, friends ; we must allow We'll see what we will see, And greet the change from what is now, And what it yet will be !
III.
Though in the coldness now we wade That chills our social love,
"I'will change when our rich men have laid Their treasures up above ;
When checks and bank-books are pass'd in, And balanced every one, We'll greet the welcome noise and din- The change we knew would come !
1
29
YAPHANK AS IT IS.
IV.
But oh ! how sweet will be the thought- When cold blows Winter's storm- To know their hoarded gold has bought Them quarters nice and warm ! Methinks up* there they all will hie To found a local bank ; Supported, run and charter'd by The RICH MEN OF YAPHANK !
V.
There are exceptions to the rules- God bless the Fates for it ! And we have men -- not Mammon's tools True men, we must admit ! But those who do the most in prayer, Have records black or blank : And the Dives here, I do declare, Are the RICH MEN OF YAPHANK !
*Down.
TII.
YAPHANK AS IT IS.
ABBREVIATED SKETCHES OF PROMINENT YAPHANKERS.
JOHN PHILLIPS MILLS.
HIS STYLE OF BUSINESS-PERSONAL- HIS CHARITY.
Mr. Mills is a shrewd, successful business man ; a model husband and father. He clings with unwavering tenacity to the interests of his advocates and friends ; but is austere and unrelenting toward the unfortunates who may fail in acquiescing with his views and ideas. As a politician-as a financier-he has been remarkably successful.
His anterior experience and education have proved a pre- cise counsellor in all his speculations, and have brought him successfully out of all his business labyrinths and un- dertakings.
HIS STYLE OF BUSINESS.
He is very exact in keeping his contracts ; is generally prompt in his engagements, and requires the same punctu- ality of others. With his employees he is sharp and pre- cise, and is very " driving" in his mode of business. He is generally regarded as " stern " within his business circle. If his disposition drew him thither, he would make a "noise" in Wall street, at the "Stock Board," or as a railroad operator. He would be successful as a banker, broker, or at any occupation he might choose. He pos- sesses shrewdness, tact, energy and brains. Mr. Mills' prominent characteristic tendency is his innate determina- tion to serve those to whom he is attached, at any inconve- nience or cost.
31
YAPHANK AS IT IS.
PERSONAL.
In society he is affable, complaisant and interesting ; an excellent conversationist ; ever ready with appropriate an- ecdotes, and brief, ludicrous squibs.
He is about fifty-five years af age ; and the cares and changes of a business life have dealt gently with him. He appears not over forty ; has dark hair and beard, a well- knit and developed physique.
HIS CHARITY.
John Phillips Mills might tread as firmly on 'Change as a Gould or Vanderbilt, and possess a limited portion of their enterprising propensities ; but he certainly possesses none of the charitable proclivities that immortalized the names of Peabody and Drew.
Mr. Mills is not benevolently inclined-at least not in Yaphank. His philanthropical prodigalities are not extraordinary-rather miniature !
I have yet to learn that he ever claimed much generous distinction, and as he does not appropriate that which is not virtually his, we may credit it as a redeeming feature, compared with the "features" of most public paragons.
In early life he "tilled the soil," laboring upon his father's farm during the Summer months, and teaching the district ideas how to shoot, in Winter.
He has bowed before Hymen's shrine three successive times, and wept over the graves of two wives. He has but one heir to inherit the fruits of his invincible will and en- terprise. He is reputed to be worth from one hundred to three hundred thousand.
IV.
ROBERT HAWKINS GERARD.
IN A MANUFACTURING CAPACITY-PERSONAL -- HIS EARLY LIFE.
There will always be a niche in the history of Yaphank's benevolent, Christian men, for Hawkins Gerard. It may truly be said of him that he has taught many to do good. but not one to sin. Ever the same unostentatious, energetic man, he has pushed steadily forward, and rolled up an ample fortune-a deserved recompense for perseverance and exclusive attention to business. His life has been ex- emplary. A fitting guiding star for all young men to keep in view.
IN A MANUFACTURING CAPACITY.
Coalesced in partnership with William Sidney Smith, Mr. Gerard established a woolen factory in combination with his milling business. A crisis in financial circles, and the abdication of Robert Russell. the manager, caused a suspension.
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