USA > New York > Steuben County > A history of Steuben County, New York, and its people, Vol. I > Part 28
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In his home he was a kind, indulgent husband and father, forgetful of himself, thoughtful only for the welfare of those who leaned upon him. In the community he was a useful, respected, honored citizen, and his death has cast a shadow of sorrow to very many hearts, not only in Bath, but through- out the country, where his newspaper was a welcome weekly visitor in many homes, and especially among the older generation .- H. O. Elkins, Editor Stou- bon Courier.
The announcement of the death of Mr. A. L. Underhill of Bath, in last evening's Tribune, came in the nature of a shock, and produced a widespread feeling of sorrow throughout the entire community, in which Mr. Underhill had many warm friends and acquaintances. For a great many years he has been prominent in the affairs of the county, and a familiar figure in the state. He was a man thoroughly respected for his many high qualities of
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY
mind and character, for his industry, his genial personality, and his general good fellowship. In business as in everything else, he was successful, due to his intelligence, methodical carefulness and good judgment. As a demo- crat he was devoted to the cause of both party and country, a hard worker, a conscientious and wise adviser, a skilful leader and enthusiastic follower. As a resident of his home community he was a kind friend. In his home circle he shone specially, having all the attributes that go to make the Ameri- can home what it is, and there he will be missed more than elsewhere. Our deepest sympathies go out to the family in their sad and sudden affliction .- W. H. Greenhow, President New York State Press Association and Editor of Hornellsville Tribune.
A" warm friendship has existed between Mr. Underhill and the writer since "the happy years of his residence in Dansville," to use his own words in a private letter a year ago this month. His death comes to us like that of an elder brother. Mr. Underhill was one of the best and truest of friends and his life was filled with kind thoughts and helpful deeds. He will be widely missed and deeply mourned. Mr. Underhill was active and prominent in social, political and religious . life .- A. O. Bunnell, Secretary State Press Association and Editor of Dansville Advertiser.
By the death of Anthony L. Underhill in California last Saturday Steu- ben county journalism loses one of its most successful and prominent repre- sentatives. He combined fine executive ability and enterprise with genial per- sonal qualities that made him the friend of all and one whose friendship was valuable and prized. His bereaved family will have the sympathy of a very large circle of friends in their great loss, such a circle as comes only to those who, like him, have been known for many years by the visits of the weekly newspaper to the homes and firesides of the people .- Russell M. Tuttle, Edi- tor of Hornellstille Times.
Mr. Underhill was one of the most successful publishers in this state. He always printed a live paper, and by his industry and push accumulated a handsome property. * *
This news caused profound sorrow throughout that section, as well as to the senior editor of this paper, who had been his lifelong friend. We were boys together, and have always known each other as tried and true friends .- Lima Recorder.
The news of the death in Los Angeles, California, of Anthony L. Under- hill, one of the proprietors of the Bath Advocate and of the Corning Demo- crat, brings with it a feeling of deep sorrow to all who knew Mr. Underhill and his manly worth. And there are few persons in this section of the state who did not. For more than half a century he had been identified with the newspaper business in Bath. His success where many another would have failed, and the esteem in which he was held, are fair measures of his worth as a business man and a citizen. He was of the old school of editors, but believed in progress, evidence of which has been given his newspapers. Al- though seventy-two years of age, he was active in all things concerning his business matters, and was at his desk in the Advocate office each day when in Bath. He was a vigorous writer, but at all times a fair opponent. He was kindly and generous. The friends he made were glad to be thus numbered.
Mr. Underhill will be missed as a business man, as a charitable citizen and as a conscientious Christian. During his life he had afforded employ- ment to a large number of men and was counted as a fair, kind and equitable employer. Although performed quietly, he was the author of many beneficent deeds, and Bath residents generally mourn his sudden demise .- Elmira Ad- vertiser.
In the death of Anthony L. Underhill, of the Both Advocate, country journalism has lost one of its most conscientious and respected representatives.
He was a man of engaging personal qualities. a graceful writer and a painstaking, successful and honorable journalist. He was true to every con- viction of right, fearless in denunciation of wrong-doing, and an earnest ad- vocate of the things that contributed to the welfare of the community. In the broadest sense of the word he was a democrat-earnest, active and influential in the community in which he lived-and his whole life was exemplary and above reproach. The unexpected intelligence of his death brought grief to many hearts .- Seneca Folls Reveille.
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Mr. Underhill was a thoroughly industrious man and one of the few who have made a success out of country newspaper business. He was very devoted to his family, and toiled incessantly and unselfishly gave his labors for their benefit, and they will sorely miss a kind and most indulgent parent .- A. E. McCall, Editor Bath Plaindcaler.
Mr. Underhill was one of. the best known and most successful newspaper men in the state, having been proprietor of the Advocate since 1860. He was postmaster at Bath from 1886 to 1890, and for years was active in the coun- cils of the democratic party. Following the death of his son, William Under- hill, he conducted the Repository-Messenger here for a few months in 1885, as he related in an interesting letter written to the editor of this paper on the occasion of the fiftieth year of its establishment. His death will be widely and sincerely regretted, especially among the newspaper fraternity, for he was respected and beloved by all who knew him .- Ontario County Times.
His death has caused widespread sorrow. Probably no man in Steuben county was better known or had a larger circle of personal friends than Mr. Underhill.
He was deeply interested in education, always earnest in the welfare of the schools, and was active in everything that he thought would be for the good of the community. In politics he was always a staunch Democrat and for many years has been a popular leader. His death is a loss that is far reaching and will be sincerely regretted not only in his own town, hut throughout the country .- Cohocton Times.
Mr. Underhill has always been prominent in the Democratic ranks of his town, county and state, and a progressive business man-a man who will be missed from among those who have been associated with him during his active life. His life has been a noble one, leaving behind him a record that his children, of whom there are five who survive him, may and will point with pride. The press of Steuben county will unite in saying, "The light has been turned out from an active brain, a life of honor and uprightness has ended, peace go with him."-Avoca Advance.
He was a man loved by all, and a friend to deserving, and never refused to assist those in distress. During sixteen years of service in his employ we found him every day with a smile and a pleasant word. His age was seventy- two years. He leaves two daughters and three sons to mourn his loss. The body is expected to arrive in Bath tomorrow .- Addison Record.
The newspaper fraternity will hear with regret that Anthony L. Under- hill, the veteran editor of the Steuben Farmers' Advocate of Bath, died at Los Angeles, California, last Saturday .- Rochester Herald.
He was a most courteous gentleman, and a newspaper writer of rare ability and keen judgment, and his death will be regretted not only among his newspaper friends, but in the community where he had so faithfully la- bored for a full half century, and where he was held in the highest esteem .- Palmyra Courier.
He was one of the most prominent, successful and highly-respected pub- lishers in western New York, and his death is a severe shock to a wide circle of acquaintances .- Canisteo Times.
The deceased was one of the best-known newspaper men of the country and his death is sincerely regretted by the newspaper fraternity .- Nunda News.
He was one of the oldest, most successful and influential newspaper men of western New York .- Watkins Express.
Deceased was among the oldest and most respected newspaper men in the southern tier .- Chemung Valley Reporter.
Deceased was a staunch Democrat, an able editor and successful business man .- Mt. Morris Enterprise.
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY
With sincere sorrow the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren of Steuben Lodge No. 112, F. and A. M., place on record this testimonial to the late Hon. Antliony Lispenard Underhill.
For more than forty years a member of this lodge, for several years its Worshipful Master and one of the truest supporters of its principles and teachings in this community. Devoted to its interests, he gave freely of his time in assisting in every manner its officers and members in the discharge of their duties. He never turned a deaf ear to a brother in distress. Clear and able in his chosen profession, kind and gentle in his manner, wise and prudent in his counsel, he has left a record which all may envy and seek to emulate.
Mourned by all who knew and loved him, he has passed to his eternal rest in the full vigor of his manhood, with an unblemished character and a life passed in benefiting mankind.
The Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren have directed this me- mento to be inscribed on the records of the lodge as an imperfect tribute to his memory, and also that a copy of the same be duly signed by the Wor- shipful Master and Secretary and transmitted by the former to the immediate family of the deceased.
At a regular convocation of Bath Chapter No. 95, R. A. M., held in Ma- sonic Hall in the Village of Bath, the following pre-amble and resolutions upon the death of our Worthy Companion, Anthony L. Underhill, were unanimous- ly adopted :
Whereas, It has pleased the Supreme Architect of the Universe to sever another link of the fraternal chain that binds us together as Royal Arch Ma- sons by suddenly taking from our midst our Companion and Past High Priest, Anthony L. Churchill,
Resolved, That we as men and Royal Arch Masons realize that we have sustained the loss of a Worthy Companion, a councilor, co-worker and friend, whose hand was ever guided by justice, and whose heart was expanded by benevolence.
Resolved, That we sincerely mourn his loss and most affectionately sym- pathize with his bereaved family in this, their hour of affliction, and trust that He who doeth all things well will fold the arms of His love and protec- tion around those who put their trust in Him.
Resolved, That our Chapter room be draped in mourning for thirty days. Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon our Chapter records, also a copy be presented to the family of our deceased companion.
At a special meeting of the Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Thomas' church, Bath, held this day, the following minute was unanimously adopted :
The Vestry of St. Thomas' meets today to make some expression of their high appreciation of the character of Anthony L. Underhill, Esq., and their conviction of loss which they sustain in his death. Not only was he con- stant in attendance at divine service, but he was singularly reverent and en- thusiastic in his worship, ever giving gladly of resources for the promotion of the temporal and spiritual welfare of our church. Of a personality genial and benevolent, a faith vivid and fervent, respected and admired in the com- munity for his gracious qualities and upright life, he will be sorely missed among us. Therefore, be it
Resolved, That we, the Vestry of St. Thomas's Church, extend to the fam- ily of our departed friend and associate our sincerest sympathy with them in their bereavement, a sympathy the keener since we share their sorrow. And furthermore be it '
Resolved, That a copy of this minute be sent to his family, and that a copy be published in each of the local papers and in the Churchman.
Anthony L. Underhill was the first newspaper publisher to print his paper on a eylinder press and the first to use steam power for printing and folding his newspaper, all of which were used at Bath.
The Washington hand press upon which Mr. Underhill formerly used to print the Steuben Farmers' Advocate is now in daily use as a proof press in the office of the Evening Leader at Corning.
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY
OLDEST NEWSPAPER IN THE STATE.
The Steuben Farmers' Advocate is the third oldest newspaper in the state of New York, having existed uninterruptedly for ninety- four years. It has firmly and consistently maintained the bed-rock principles of the Republican party and candidates in the days of Jackson and of the Democratic party and candidates in the days of Tilden and Cleveland. The following was published in and urged by the Advocate :
Bath, Steuben County, New York, November, 1830. CIRCULAR.
In the interest of the re-election of General Jackson as a Republican, and in the interests of the Republican party in the state and union, we pledge ourselves.
[Subscribed by]
Andrew Simpson, Jasper. Edward Howell, Bath.
William H. Bull, Bath.
Alvah Ellas, Bath.
Samuel W. Burnham, Bath.
William Kernan, Wayne.'
Thomas Bennett, Hornellsville.
Sylvester Holliday, Dansville, now Wayland.
John Cooper, Jr., Cooper's Plains, town of Campbell. Henry Switzer, Bradford.
Barnet Retan, Pulteney.
John T. Andrews, Bath.
Robert O. Jennings, Painted Post, now Corning.
Harry Clark, Orange, now in Schuyler county.
A. B. Dickinson, Hornby.
Dyer Cramer, Cohocton.
John Loop, Bath. Solomon Curtiss, Jr., Erwin.
Samuel J. Beebe, Prattshurg. Henry W. Rogers, Bath.
The following is quite apropos, as showing the political trend of opinion at that time at Bath, the principal and shire town of Steuben county, as well as the political, social and financial center of the county. It is copied from William's New York Register for 1836 :
French bets that if Harrison is alive four years from this time he will be elected president.
Campbell takes him up: A cap worth $16.
J. FRENCH. R. CAMPBELL, JR.
WITNESS: H. M.
The parties to this wager were well known throughout Steuben and adjoining counties as "Jim" French and "Bob" Campbell, after- wards lieutenant governor of the state. The witness was Hugh Magee, former sheriff of Allegany county, New York, afterward sheriff of Steuben county. It is needless to say that "Bob" lost and "Jim" won the cap.
Harrison was alive four years from that date (1840) and was elected president that year, after a most spirited political campaign, in which log cabins, hard cider and coon skins, brass and sheepskin bands and doggerel verses were the novel and principal features. This is a sample:
"Where, O where, is the foxy Martin ?
He went in at Washington and came out at Lindenwald."
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY
The facilities of the Advocate office, its excellent business man- agement, its steadfast adhesion and devotion to its early political affiliations, and its well-retained confidence of the people are well attested by its large retained circulation, and the brilliant political success at the last 1910 election achieved by Hon. Edwin S. Under- hill, the editor of the Advocate and of the Corning Leader, as rep- resentative in congress from the Thirty-third congressional district of the state of New York, who was elected as a democrat in a politi- cal iron-clad republican district, composed of the counties of Steuben, Schuyler, Seneca and Chemung.
Erastus Shepherd commenced the publication of the Western Republican at Bath, Steuben county, New York, in September, 1819. In November, 1822, its name was changed to the Steuben Republican and its publication was permanently suspended in February, 1823.
During the political campaign of 1828, the Steuben Whig was published in Bath by William M. Swain, who afterwards removed the press and material to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and estab- lished the Ledger of that city, since and now a power in that state and in the nation.
"STEUBEN MESSENGER."
David Rumscy, Sr., the father of Justice David Rumsey of Bath, on April 17, 1828, issued the first number of the Steuben Messenger, the third newspaper published at that place. On December 2, 1830, Mr. Rumsey sold the paper to S. M. Eddy, who continued its publi- cation for about a year and sold it to William P. Angel, who there- after changed the name to The Constitutionalist, and continued its publication until the fall of 1834, when it was transferred to Charles Adams. On February 10, 1841, Adams sold out to Robert L. Under- hill; thereafter the paper was continued in the name of M. F. Whit- temore & Company, with R. B. Vanvalkenburg as editor, until the spring of 1843. Then George B. Richardson and John Dowe pur- chased it and continued it as the Steuben Democrat until the cam- paign of 1844, when publication was suspended. In 1848 L. J. Brush revived the Democrat and in 1849 it passed to the ownership of George H. Bidwell, by whom it was published until the close of 1852, when it finally collapsed and disappeared.
The Primitive Christian was printed by Richardson and Dowe, in 1844, with Rev. Jabez Chadwick as editor, publisher and owner, and it was issued monthly, in octavo form, It lived less than two years.
The Temperance Gem was issued from and printed upon the Advocate press for Jeanne Rumsey and Caroline Rumsey, of Ken- nedyville (now Kanona, New York), the editors and owners. It was afterwards printed at Elmira, that statc.
In the spring of 1843 the copartnership of M. F. Whittemore & Company was dissolved, when the Constitutionalist suspended. This left the Whig party in Steuben county without an organ and one was wanted at the county seat. Indications of the important and historie political campaign were foreseen and realized by the shrewd observers of the day. Who was the man for the critical situation and occasion ?
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY
HENRY H. HULL AND STEUBEN "COURIER."
Henry H. Hull, the founder, manager and editor of the Steu- ben Courier for thirty-five years, the unsleeping and vigilant foe of the wavering Democratic party, was born at Preble, Cortland county, New York, in the year 1816. For a number of years he attended the Cortland Academy, an old flourishing and high grade institu- tion incorporated in February, 1819. Dr. Samuel B. Woolworth, afterwards secretary of the regents of the University of the state of New York, was the principal of this academy for twenty-two years. At the close of his connection with this school over four thousand students had attended; up to 1861 the number was ahout nine thousand. In 1839 Mr. Hull's school days closed. He went to Corning, New York, where he taught school for two years. During his pedagogue days he read- law in the office of Thomas A. Johnson, and in 1843 he was admitted to the bar. He did not succeed as a lawyer because journalism was more to his liking. In 1841 he bought of Charles Adams the Corning (New York) and Blossburg (Pennsylvania) Advocate. This paper he published for two years. The venture was unprofitable and, receiving a proposition from the Whigs of the county and from the leaders at Bath (who were with- out a party paper by the collapse of the Constitutionalist, a month before) he moved the press and other material of the Advocate to the county seat and associated with M. F. Whittemore, under the style of Hull and Whittemore. The first, number of the Steuben Courier, on September 20, 1843, was issued with the name of Henry Clay at the masthead as a candidate for president. It was a six- column paper, twenty-one by thirty-one inches in size, and the only Whig organ in Steuben county. After two years Mr. Whittemore closed his connection in the printing business and moved to his farm in Jasper, this county. Not discouraged or daunted by the result of the political campaign of 1844, which destroyed the ambi- tions and hopes of his idolized leader, Mr. Hull alone continued the publication of the Courier, until 1856, when Charles G. Fairman, afterwards the distinguished editor of the Elmira Daily Advertiser, was associated for nine months with Mr. Hull. Mr. Fairman then returned to the position at Elmira which he had left. In 1854, upon the formation of the Republican party,, the Courier became, as it has since been, a vigorous and powerful supporter of the ideals and principles of that party. In 1864 Enos W. Barnes, an able,. impulsive and incisive writer, became a partner. The firm of Hull and Barnes existed, with an interval of six months, until July, 1875, when Mr. Barnes removed to Wellsville, New York, and became the editor of the Allegany County Reporter. Then Harry S. Hull, son of the founder, was associated with his father in conducting the paper, under the firm name of H. H. Hull and son, when the part- nership ended by the death of Henry H. Hull, on June 8, 1876. Mr. Hull conducted the paper alone, until his death, July 9, 1890.
The Courier was for a long time printed on a Washington hand- press, but after a time Mr. Hull senior installed a Potter newspaper power press, operated by power transmitted from an adjacent fac- tory.
.Soon after the death of the junior Mr. Hull the Courier was bought by the Courier Company, a limited corporation; the form and style of the paper were changed and the job department en-
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HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY
larged and improved; so that today it is a first-class establishment, with the modern additions and improvements, and is a first-class country newspaper establishment. The lamented John Foster Park- hurst, until his elevation to the beneh of the supreme court of the state, was its editor-in-chief; thereupon H. O. Elkins, the present ineumbent, became its editor.
Henry H. Hull was married in 1850 to Miss Clarissa Williston, daughter of the late Judge Horaee Williston, of Athens, Pennsyl- vania. He is spoken of as "a man of fine intellect, a sound lawyer and an able, upright judge." He died at Athens August 14, 1855. He was a brother of Rev. Seth Williston, who preached at Bath in 1802; the first traveling missioner who visited the place.
Henry H. Hull was several times elected supervisor of the town of Bath, and at different times held, by appointment of the gover- nor, the offices of eanal appraiser of the state and harbor master of the port of New York. The duties of all these positions he dis- charged with distinguished ability and fidelity. He was one of the two seuior editors of the rural press in the state, having been in the editorial harness over thirty-five years. On May 19, 1876, while en- gaged in his daily avocation and in apparently good health, he was strieken with paralysis, and lingered, with fond, yet vanishing, hopes of recovery, till his death on the 8th of the following June. An editorial writer, on a journal of opposing views, in reviewing the career of Henry H. Hull, at that time said: "For twenty years before his death he was the most prominent character in Steuben county polities. His influenee extended throughout western-central New York and the southern tier and was felt in the eireles of na- tional polities. He was thoroughly informed concerning national, state and local affairs and possessed an aeute intelleet, a logical mind and a clear and forcible style as a writer. He had no superior on the country press as an able and effective politieal editor. He had an inexhaustible fund of wit and humor and was a master of sareasm and irony. His influence as an editor, combined with his personal characteristies, won for him the position he oeeupied. He possessed a lofty independence and earnest and deep-seated convic- tions and was fearless in the defense of what he considered right. He was a politieian in the broadest and best sense of the term, but was not a slavish party retainer, and hesitated no more to expose knavery in the ranks of his own party than he did in those of the opposition ; and even his political enemies, whom he invariably treated with fairness, never charged him with mean intrigue, with double dealing, with venality or with any of the sins which are so apt to beset those who are actively engaged in politics."
On April 25, 1868, was issued the first number, by Enos W. Barnes, "That Child of Impulse," The Saturday News. Like all precocious children, its life was brief; it survived six months and then was not. Mr. Barnes was, for a number of years, connected with the Courier, as local editor ; afterwards, as part owner. He was a witty, ineisive and interesting writer, and made the paper he was attached to sought after and interestingly readable. After the de- mise of his impulsive child he returned to Mr. Hull and the Courier and remained until his migration to Allegany county. Here he made his paper, the Reporter, published at Wellsville, in that county, a strong influence in shattering that powerful eabal known as the
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