USA > New York > Oneida County > Annals and recollections of Oneida County > Part 45
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The banks of Utica have ever been among the soundest institutions of the kind in the state. Their credit has never been shaken for a moment, and they have never been materi- ally affected by the financial crises and revulsions which have wrecked so many of their fellows. Of the Utica Bank Mr. Huntington was president thirty-two years, and Mr. Hunt, cashier twenty-three years, and of the Ontario Brauch A. B. Johnson, Esq., has been presidentabout thirty-two years, and Mr. Rockwell was cashier twenty years; and it is but ' fair to presume that the success of these banks has been in a great measure the result of the experience and skill of those officers.
On the 16th of September, 1830, a branch of the United
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States Bank was opened here, and remained until the branches of that institution were withdrawn upon the expiration of its charter. John C. Devereux was president ; W. W. Fra- zier, cashier ; J. C. Devereux, John Williams, R. B. Miller, John E. Hinman, Nathan Williams, S. D. Childs, W. Crafts. James Sayre, Samuel Lightbody, directors.
Not far from the year 1810, a branch of the Manhattan, Bank was established in Utiea. Messrs. William Floyd. James S. Kip, F. A. Bloodgood, Solomon Wolcott, John Bellinger, Thomas Walker, Apollos Cooper, M. Hitchcock. H. Huntington, Nathan Smith, Ephraim Hart, and Nathan Williams were directors that year. The author has not ascertained how long the branch was continued.
INSURANCE COMPANIES.
March 29, 1816, an act was passed incorporating the Utica Insurance Company. Bryan Johnson. James S. Kip and Alexander B. Johnson, were the commissioners named in the act for receiving subscriptions to the stock. The act was prefaced by the following singular preamble : " Whereas it has been represented to this Legislature that incorporating an Insurance Company which has been formed in the village of Utica, will tend to mitigate the awful calamities of fire, to give greater security to manufactures, and more confidence to those who adventure their property on our vast navigable waters, and whereas, it doth appear that these objects are landable, and that a company promoting them in the interior of our country, where the profits must necessarily be small. should be liberally encouraged, therefore," ete.
This company ceased to exist many years ago. It owned
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and occupied the building on the north-west corner of Whites- boro and Division Streets.
Under the recent general law authorizing the formation of Insurance Companies, the following companies have been or- ganized in Utica.
The Utica Insurance Company, capital $150,000, organ- ized in 1850.
The Etna Insurance Company, capital $125,000, organ- ized in 1851.
The Farmers' Insurance Company, of Oneida County ; capital $100,000, organized in 1851.
STEAM WOOLEN MILLS.
In 1846, a new spirit of enterprise was created or brought into exercise in Utica. It was evident that the city had ar- rived at a point, whence its progress would be slow, even if not brought to a " stand still," as to population and business, unless new fields should be opened. Before this, large sums of the capital of the place had sought investment in other cities and states, upon the lakes, etc. Without water power, without the benefits of shipping, except upon the canal, with- out the natural advantages possessed by other places, yet with a large amount of capital ready for use, something was to be sought out, if Utica was to keep pace with other places of its size. A public meeting was called and a committee appointed to see what could be done with steam. After vis- iting many of the manufacturing establishments of New En- gland, this committee made a report which was published, in which the advantages of steam were set forth, and many in- teresting facts given. As a result the Utica Steam Woolen Mills Company was organized this year, with a capital of
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about 8100,000. First directors: Andrew S. Pond, presi- dent; Samuel Churchill, secretary ; Thomas Colling, treas- urer ; Dolphus Skinner, Nicholas Devereux, George T. Tay- Jor, Benjamin Cahoon, Hamilton Spencer, and C. Goodrich. William C. Churchill, agent. The factory buildings were erected during the following year upon Nail Creek and Col- umbia Street. Number of carding machines thirty, number of spindles, 2,400 ; number looms, fifty ; number of hands employed, one hundred males and seventy five females. About 300,000 pounds of wool are used annually, making about 150,000 yards of broad-cloths of various qualities. About 836,000 are paid annually for labor.
GLOBE MILLS.
The Utica Globe Mills Woolen Company was organized in 1847, and erected its factory buildings upon Nail Creek and Varick Street. First directors : Alfred Munson, presi- dent; Theodore S. Faxton, vice president ; William J. Ba- von, secretary ; Martin Hart, treasurer ; Horatio Seymour, Andrew S. Pond, Hamilton Spencer, Julius A. Spencer and Palmer V. Kellogg. Samuel Churchill, agent. In capital, amount of wool used, cloth produced, machinery, etc., etc .. these are the same as in the Steam Mills. These factories are driven by powerful steam engines, which are found to possess many advantages over water power. For heating the buildings, coloring, scouring, drying, etc., heat is obtain- ed from the boilers, and the factories are lighted by gas. manufactured upon the premises.
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STEAM COTTON MILLS.
The Utiea Steam Cotton Mills Company was organized in 1847, with a capital of #230,000. First directors: Alfred Munson, president ; S. D. Childs, T. S. Faxton, E. A. Gra- ham, C. A. Mann, William Walcott, and Horatio Seymour. The main building is 300 feet long by sixty wide, and three stories high, and has wings extending back from each end, and an engine house adjoining the centre. The mill was put in operation in 1850, although but about half filled with machinery. The building at present contains :
No. of spindles, 7000. Capacity for about 15000. 46 360. 300.
looms, - 180. hands. 165.
Number of yards manufactured about 1,200,000; estimated ,capacity for 2,400,000 yards annually. The buildings, en- gine and machinery are all of the best kind, neither money nor time having been spared in their ereetion and manufac- ture. The steam engine is one of the finest in the state, and the machinery is all of the newest patterns and contains the latest improvements, and as a whole it is highly creditable to the managers and stockholders and ornamental to the city. Location, west side of State Street, between Columbia and Court Streets.
These three manufacturing establishments have given a new impulse to the city. Various other branches of business connected with or dependent upon manufacturing establish- ments have grown up, and altogether have added several thousands to the population. There are also various other joint stock companies and associations engaged in other branches of manufacture. A rolling mill for different kinds of bar iron went into successful operation in 1850, An
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establishment for manufacturing all descriptions of brass and iron wood-screws, by newly invented machinery, has been in operation several years. To enumerate the several machine shops, furnaces, and manufactories of a great variety of articles of iron, steel, wood, stone, brass, leather, etc., etc .. would exceed the author's limits. The artisans of Utica hold a high rank in their various departments, for ingenuity, skill and success.
WATER WORKS.
The Utica Water Works Company was incorporated by an act passed March 31, 1848, with a capital of $75,000, and in 1850 an act was passed authorizing an increase of its cap- ital to 8150,000, by virtue of which it has been increased to 885,000, and all paid in. First directors : James Watson Williams, Nicholas Devereux, Alfred Munson. Andrew S. Pond, Charles A. Mann, Horatio Seymour, S. D. Childs. Willard Crafts and Thomas Hopper. On the 21st of April. 1819, a contract was made with Thomas Hopper, Esq., to construct the necessary works for conducting the water to and through the city, and with such energy and perseverance was the work carried forward, against many discouragements and difficulties, that the water was let into the city on the cth of November following. The water is taken from Frank- fort hill, four miles distant, and conducted through a brick aqueduct, three miles, and in cast pipes one mile to the res- ervoir between High and Chatham Streets, and thence by iron pipes through the principal streets of the city.
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GAS WORKS.
The certificate of incorporation, under the general law, of the Utica Gas Company, was signed on the 21st, and filed in the office of the Secretary of State on the 22d of November, 1848. Capital, 880,000. First directors: Nicholas Devereux. S. D. Childs, Geo. S. Dana, Hamilton Spencer, Thomas R. Walker, James Watson Williams, John F. Seymour, John Lee and Lemuel H. Davis. During 1849, the necessary buildings and apparatus, upon the lower side of Water Street. near the termination of Washington Street, and the laying down of pipes in various streets, were commenced, and the stores on Genesee Street were first lighted by gas on the 16th of September, 1850, and several public buildings and churches soon afterwards. Since then a gradual progress has been made in lighting streets and carrying gas into other parts of the city.
ANCIENT BRITONS' SOCIETY. 1
The Ancient Britons' Benefit Society was organized April 13, 1814, and incorporated by an act of the Legislature April 18, 1815, and its charter renewed by an act passed March 23, 1829. This society is composed of natives of Wales and their descendants. Its members pay $3 per an- num, in quarterly payments ; and receive $3 per week while incapacitated for labor by sickness ; and in case of the death of a member, the sum of $20 is appropriated to defray his funeral charges.
The first officers of the society, under its charter, werc. John Adams, president; William Francis, vice-president ; Daniel James, secretary ; John Stevens and Thomas George,
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stewards ; and Titus Evans, Henry Reed, John Rees, Jour Reed, jr., Thomas Thomas, Patner Lloyd and William Davies, standing committee.
The following is a list of the presidents of this society since 1825, the records of previous years having been lost. The annual election takes place on St. David's day, the Ist of March, unless that day is Sunday, when the election is upon the next day. William Francis, in 1825. '31, '33 and '35 ; Thomas James, sen., 1826, '27 and '29; David Reed, 1829. 38. 40 and $11 ; John Adams. 1830 ; Thomas James, 1832 : Thomas Sidebotham. 1834; David E. Morris, 1836 and '37 : Thomas James. jr., 1839 ; Llewellyn D. Howell, 1342; Mor- jen M. Jones. 1813 and '44 ; Benjamin Owens, 1845 ; Henry Roberts, 1846 ; Peter Davies, 1847 and '48; Thomas B Howell, 1819; Philip Thomas. 1850: Henry. Roberts. 1851.
The society has held its quarterly and annual meetings regularly ever since its organization, although. for a time, ity members were few and funds small ; but for some years past it has been in a more prosperous condition. having a fund of from ten to fifteen hundred dollars.
MEC.IANICS' ASSOCIATION.
On the 5th day of May, 1831. a meeting of "sundry mechanies " was called, and held at the inn of John King. corner of Washington Street and the canal, and of which John Culver was chosen chairman, and J. D. Edwards. sec- retary : voted, " that we deem it necessary and expedient for the mechanics and manufacturers of Utica and its vicinity. to form themselves into an association, for mutual interests and benefits," and that Messrs. John Culver, Stephen Walker. ..
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G. Walker, J. Mason, D. C. Macomber, R. R. Rhodes, J. D. Edwards, A. B. Williams, W. C. Rogers and James McGregor, be a committee to draft a constitution and by-laws.
May 12 .- Constitution and by-laws reported and adopted.
May 16 .- The association elected the following officers for the year, viz: Thomas Walker, president ; Kellogg Hurlburt, vice president ; J. D. Edwards, secretary ; Zenas Wright, treasurer ; Simon V. Oley, William Francis, James McGregor, W. C. Rogers, A. B. Williams, D. S. Porter and Augustus Hurlburt, directors.
The " Utica Mechanics' Association " was incorporated March 30, 1833. The objects embraced within the design of the association were the encouragement of the mechanic arts, the improvement of those engaged in them, the main- taining of a reading room, an apprentices' library, procuring of public lectures, etc., etc. By the charter, Thomas Walker, Andrew S. Pond, John Parsons, Gardiner Tracy, Jacob D. Edwards, Zenas Wright, and their associates, were declared a body corporate ; and its first officers under the charter were, Thomas Walker, president ; A. S. Pond and J. Parsons, vice presidents ; Gardiner Tracy, corresponding, and J. D. Edwards, recording secretaries ; Zenas Wright, treasurer ; Joseph E. Bloomfield, James Murdock, Julius A. Spencer, Rufus Northway, John Mason, Thomas Thomas, jr., John S. Peckham, John .A. Russ, Philo C. Curtiss, Robert R. Rhodes, Elisha A. Maynard, James McGregor, Harvey Barnard, Thomas Colling, Ezra S. Barnum and John J. Francis, direc- tors. The following persons have been presidents of the association; viz .: T. Walker in 1831, '32, '33, '34, and '35 ; Gardiner Tracy, 1836, '37 ; Rudolph Snyder, 1838, '39, '40, '41 and '42; E. S. Barnum, 1843 ; John S. Peckham, 1844 ; Harvey Barnard, 1845 ; Levi Cozzens, 1846; Simon V. Oley, 1847 ; Dolphas Bennett, 1848; Otis Manchester, 1849 ; Grove
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Penny, 1850 ; D. Bennett, 1851. In 1836 and '37, the edifice known as Mechanics' Hall was erected by the association, partly with the subscriptions of the citizens generally and partly witlı funds loaned upon a mortgage of the property, to be repaid from tlie income of the building. In 1836, the association com- menced the holding of annual fairs, for the exhibition of all kinds of manufactured articles and works of art -; and for the encouragement of exhibitors. small premiums were paid or diplomas granted upon those worthy. For a few years past these exhibitions have greatly increased in interest, in the number and quality of the articles exhibited, and the number who have visited them. For 1850 and 1851, the fairs were particularly honorable to the managers and exhib- itors, and it is believed that no city west of New York can excel the mechanies and artisans of Utica, in the variety. beauty, design and workmanship of their products. From the rents of the hall and receipts of fairs, the association will soon be out of debt, when they will be able and willing greatly to increase the amounts and number of premiums.
SCHOOLS.
Utica Academy .- On the 31st of December, 1813, Jere- miah Van Rensselaer, Arthur Breese, John Stewart, jr .. Thomas Walker, Bryan Johnson, David W. Childs, Ebene- aer B. Shearman, Samuel Stocking, Augustus Hickox, Gur- don Burchard, Benjamin Paine, Abraham Varick, jr., A. Van Santvoord, James Van Rensselaer, jr., Erastus Clark, James S. Kip, Joseph Kirkland, John Bellinger and Nathan Williams signed a petition to the Regents of the University. asking the incorporation of the Academy in the village of Utica, and in which they state, that " they had contributed
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more than one half in value of the real and personal proper- ty and estate collected and appropriated for " the said acad- emy. "The Utica Academy " was accordingly incorporated on the 28th of March, 1814, as appears by the certificate thereof, signed by Daniel D. Tompkins, chancellor of the university. By this charter, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, F. 1. Bloodgood, J. Stewart, jr., A. Breese, Apollos Cooper, Thomas Walker, Solomon Wolcott, E. B. Shearman, Thomas Skinner, Bryan Johnson, Talcott Camp, D. W. Childs, and Anson Thomas, were designated as its first trustees. A select school had been previously established, which was taken in charge by the trustees, and in 1816, a subscription was star- ted by the patrons and friends of the academy, and another by the village corporation and citizens generally, for the pur- pose of erecting an " academy, town house and court room," by their combined efforts and means. In 1816, the lots oc- enpied at present, were purchased of Mrs. Brinckerhoff, for 82,000, with a title confirmed to the trustees of the academy in perpetuity, but in trust, and on condition that the academy should permit " all village or town meetings and courts of justice sitting in said village, to be holden in said building," etc. The building was completed so far as to be occupied in 1817 or '18, but at various periods since has been much im- proved.
In 1818, Rev. Samuel T. Mills was engaged as " precep- tor," and Mr. Whitesides as assistant. The standing of this institution at different periods has been as various as the standing and talents of its several principals and teachers. In 1832, the building was used as a cholera hospital, when the academy library was lost or destroyed.
Utica Female Academy .- The first meeting of the stock- holders of this institution was held February 13, 1837, and
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an aet for its incorporation was passed April 28, of the same year. In this year the 4 lots lying between the upper extrem- ity of Washington Street and Broadway, being 100 by 240 feet, were purchased (with four small dwellings upon them), for $6.300, and upon which the academy now stands. The first trustees were : John H. Ostrom, Nicholas Devereux, Hora- tio Seymour, C. A. Mann, Joshua A. Spencer, S. D. Childs, T. S. Faxton, J. C. Devereux, Alrick Hubbell, T. E. Clark, T. H. Hubbard, Theodore Pomeroy, A. Munson, B. F. Coop- er. Chester Griswold, John Williams, Horace Butler. Charles P. Kirkland. S. P. Lyman. Holmes Hutchinson, and Henry White.
The school was soon afterwards opened in the building known as the United States Hotel, on the corner of Genesee and Pearl Streets, under the care of Miss Urania E. Sheldon, (now Mrs. Dr. Nott), and continued in that location until the completion of the new edifice. Number of students in December, 1838, 168. February 17, 1838, contracts were executed with Messrs. Lyman Scranton, Joshua M. Church, and Truman B. Diekson, for the erection of the academy building of brick, 50 by 150 feet, three stories high, and har- ing been completed, it was leased to Miss Cynthia Sheldon, in January, 1840. The corner stone of the academy was laid June 20, 1838. Miss U. E. Sheldon remained the principal until the summer of 1842, and on the Ist of August of that yen., Rev. James Nichols was appointed to that station. and who, on the Ist of June, 1844, was succeeded by Miss Jane E'. Kelly, the present principal. This institution has ever held a very high rank among the female academies of the wountry, and has received students from nearly, or quite all of the States and Canada. It has always employed from . ten to fourteen teachers in its various departments, exclusive of those of music. painting and drawing, and lecturers upon
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various branches of science. Number of students attending the term ending January 31. 1851, 185 ; whole number with- in the year, 292.
Common Schools .- In common with the various cities of the state, it was found after many years' trial. that the com- von school system of the state. was incompetent for a place o¿ the size of Utica, while the aldermen were the acting trus- tees. Either from faults in the school laws or a failure to execute them, or both, the common schools of the city de- scended to the lowest grade and were patronized by nono who felt any interest in the education of their children, oz who could afford to do otherwise. Incompetent teachers were employed, or if competent ones were engaged, from the inad- cquaey of their salaries, a want of encouragement, and the ir- regularity of attendance, they accomplished but very lit- tle, and their scholars were from families in which little, or no interest was taken in their progress. In fact the common schools of the city were worse than useless, as but little ben. - ciicial was learned, while the children when collected were ready to receive and practice lessons in mischief and crime The school houses, and their furniture, and the books of the pupils were in keeping with every thing else.
But a new era dawned upon the city, and a revolution most thorough has boon effected. The common schools of Utica it is believed are of as high an order as those of any city in the state. On the 7th of April. 1812, a special act was passed reorganizing and remodelling the schools of the city, which wok effect in the spring of 1843. By this law the entire au . pervision and interests of the common schools, as well as school moneys, were placed in charge of a board of six com. missioners, two of whom are elected annually, and by an ar. rangement between the two political parties, one of these is
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nominated and supported by each, thus placing the schools above the influence of party politics. The first commission- ers were : Rudolph Snyder, Hiram Denio, Spencer Kellogg. Francis Kernan, Robert T. Hallock and J. Watson Williams. Messrs. Denio, Kernan and Williams have since remained in the board. and Messrs. William Tracy, Edmund A. Wet- more and Thomas R. Walker have taken the places of the other three. A new and healthy spirit was soon infused into the schools-they were soon patronized by all classes of citi- xens, and placed upon a respectable footing. Competent teach- ers were employed, new school houses were erected or fitted up, which were filled with furniture, too good to be whittled. and marred, new and improved text books introduced, and a spirit of pride and ambition inspired in the pupils. A large three story building was erected upon the corner of Elizabeth and Charlotte Streets, for the advanced and intermediate do- partments, in which ten teachers are employed, and where the pupils are instructed in most of the branches usually taught in academies. Ten primary and two other intermediate schools are located in different parts of the city. Two other beautiful and finely finished school houses have been recent- ly erected ; one in West Utica and the other on Corn Hill. For all this progress the city is mainly indebted to the ener- gy and judgment of the commissioners. The common school library contains about 3,000 volumes, and is doubtless one of the most valuable and carefully selected public libraries of its size in the State; indeed it is believed that very few pri- vate libraries have been selected with equal care.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Utica Lodge No. 47 (original No. 270), of Jee Masons
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was organized under a charter, dated November 20, A.D. 1816, A. L. 5,816. This charter was signed by De Witt Clinton Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York; Michael Hoffman, D. G. master ; Cadwallader D. Colden, senior G. warden ; Elisha Gilbert, jr., junior G. W .; and John Wells, G. secretary ; and by which Montgomery Hunt was named first master, Ephraim Hart, senior warden, and Thomas Walker, junior warden of the lodge. This lodge has held its regular meetings ever since its organization.
Oriental Lodge, No. 244, was chartered June 7, 1851.
Oneida Royal Arch Chapter, No. 57, was chartered Feb- ruary 17, 1817.
Utica Encampment, No. 3, of Knight Templars and ap- pendant orders, was chartered February 8, 1823. Its officers named in the charter were : Richard Sanger, illustrious G. M., Rev. Elijah F. Willey, generalissimo, and Thomas Lat- timore, captain-general.
Oneida Lodge, No. 70, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, was chartered May 21, 1842.
Skenandoah Lodge, No. 95, I. O. of O. F., was chartered October 13, 1843.
Sehuyler Lodge, No. 147, I. O. of O. F., was chartered March 27, 1845.
Central City Lodge, No. 231, I. O. of O. F., was chartered May 6, 1846.
These four lodges reported 502 members January 1, 1851.
Utiea Degree Lodge, No. 18, I. O. of O. F., was chartered April 10, 1844.
Tri-Mount Encampment, No. 24, I. O. of O. F., was char- tered August 25, 1845.
The Grand Lodge of Northern New York, I. O. of O. F.
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and the Grand Encampment of Northern New York, I. O. of O. F., were chartered September 21, 1849, by the Grand Lodge of the United States, upon the division of the Grand Lodge of this State, and their charter location is in this city.
Central Tent, No. 13, Independent Order of Rechabites, chartered November 21, 1843.
Mount Vernon Tent. No. 17. I. O. of R., chartered De- cember 26, 1843.
Fort Schuyler Encampment. No. 8, E. O. of I. R., char- tered March 11, 1847.
Central New York District Tent, No. 4, I. O. of R., char- tered December 13, 1843.
Mount Olive Tent. No. 11, Daughters of Rechab, chartered May 16, 1848.
Utica Section, No. 85, Cadets of Temperance, chartered April 13, 1848.
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