USA > New York > Greene County > Dear old Greene County; embracing facts and figures. Portraits and sketches of leading men who will live in her history, those at the front to-day and others who made good in the past > Part 10
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
213
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
Among the names that are to be found on the old register of the Catskill Mountain House is that of Aaron Burr, a famed character of the Colonial period. Mr. Burr frequently made trips into this section and the Mountain House which was on a primi- tive road was reached by saddle parties, and these parties took several days or weeks to make trips farther into the country. Mr. Burr probably was on his way from a visit to the Prevosts at Green- ville as he resided at Albany, and later on was married to the widow Prevost.
Catskill Mt. House in 1828.
In the course of several interviews with F. N. Du Bois who lived in Catskill we have been able to get some very interesting matters of the early times that have never before found their way into print and which form a part of this book. One of the pleasant- ries of the early history which he tells is of Government Meat In- spector Williams who was stationed at Catskill Point during the days of the slaughter houses to which we have referred. Williams was great on his judgment of meat. and Williams was also very tender on venison and bear steaks. Peter Schutt, grandfather of Louis P. Schutt who kept the old hotel where Frank Ryan is
214
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
located was a great hunter and a great practical joker. After one of his successful hunts he made Williams a present of a fine bear steak, and after Williams had exploited his bear steak to his hearts content, Schutt very sedately informed the inspector that it was a pig steak. Mr. Schutt afterwards purchased the property at Kaaterskill falls where the Laurel House is located, and this was run about 25 year ago by L. P. Schutt.
Mr. Du Bois tells of visiting the old paper mill in Austin's Glen with his father when a lad, and of the interest he took in watching the paper making. The old mill has been torn down.
John Du Bois who at one time lived with his parents in the homestead house on the Du Bois place drove to Newburgh with a load of straw, going and returning on the ice and he sold his load to Gen. George Washington for use in the Continental army. He was then a lad of about 17 years. Whether the money he received in payment for the straw was worth a Continental or not we know not. The expression came down and still is common. In those days there was a loom and spinning wheel in every house, and the lumber used was sawed out by hand. Many of the big cedars were worked up with the aid of a whip saw.
Mr. Du Bois says that around 1841 he attended a lecture by one of Catskill's teachers, Prof. R. L. Ross and that he demonstrat- ed the electric light. Nor has he forgotten the old ruler with which Mr Ross demonstrated that he was master of the school. He also remembers Dr. Porter very well, at the time when he lived at the corner of Spring and William streets, being the last house in the direction of the river.
George C. Fox until recently in business on the corner of Main and Factory streets recalls the visit of Jay Gould to Catskill in the early 30's, on which occasion Mr. Gould had with him a wheelbarrow which he was pushing through the street, and that barrow contained a surveyor's outfit with which he was making the necessary surveys for maps of Greene, Schoharie, Delaware and other counties. A few of these maps are still in existence and they are worth their weight in gold. The maps showed views of
215
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
villages and the location of residences scattered along the highways over which Mr Gould passed. And Mr. Gould failed not to col- lect tribute for the jotting of the locations of farm houses on the map. The surveying of these maps led to the great railroad in- terests of Mr. Gould.
William Smith, Uncle Sam.
L. S. and William Smith built a considerable part of Cats- kill, and they fill an important niche in the history of Catskill. Wm. Smith came to Catskill from South Westerlo around 1820 or possibly earlier and his last visit to Catskill was during Old Home Week 1908, when he was seen on the streets in his suit of stars
216
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
and stripes, recalling to Catskillians the fact that he was the orig- inal Uncle Sam. He was then bordering 90 years of age and sprightly as the average man at 60. In company with his brother they employed at times 100 masons and carpenters, and their work is still in as good shape as when first built. The mansion of Artist Church on Mt. Merino was built by them, and many other build- ings including the Catskill High school, the Fiero house on Wil- liam street, the Methodist church, Baptist church, in 1850. Among the tradesmen who learned their craft of this firm were the Wolfs, Rulands, Edwin Lampman, Geo. W. Holdridge, Adrian Mull, Gotleib Fromer, Charles Beardsley and Geo. H. Warner.
We present a very fine portrait of William Smith. He died at Tuscon, Arizona, in 1910 at the age of 91 years. He was for- merly reputed to be wealthy, but at the time of his death he was in absolute poverty, and a subscription was raised to save his re- mains from a pauper's grave,
In the barn of another hotel at Brosnaham's street, now Bronson street a man named Highdecker hanged himself, and the incident killed his business.
The writer remembers that in 1882 there hung on the wall in the Catskill Recorder office a long strip of ironwood bark drawn into a slip knot, and dusty with age, and near by it was the skin of a 6 foot rattle snake. With the bark slip knot an old settler had hanged himself, and he is led to believe it may have been Highdecker. Nelson Mundin a Catskill fish peddler of very un- certain age ranging the 90s possibly used to come to the office of the Recorder and usually this slip knot was exhibited to him and he would turn and run away in great terror. Mundin han an idea that if he went to bed he would die, and it was said that he slept in a chair, and it is certain that he died setting in a chair. We can still hear him calling "Fresh Prospect Park Shad."
The slaughtering of cattle in a regularly conducted meat business commenced at Catskill Point around 1800, at which time cattle in large droves were sent across the country through Gilboa, Prattsville, Cooksburgh to Catskill, and while vast numbers were
217
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
sent to New York to be slaughtered many were killed at the Point for packing purposes. Solomon Woodruff and Francis N. Wilson were at the head of this industry. Every barrel of pork or beef to pass government inspection and was marked U. S. Samuel Wilson was the inspector and originated the term known as Uncle Sam. James Gleason was the boss and when pay day came he would climb up a ladder and announce to the men that they had that week spilled more blood than ever Napoleon did. F N. Wilson Fire Company was named in his honor. 300 cattle were killed a day.
Orlando Bogardus later came into prominence as a dealer and always announced that the weight was plump scant when he made a sale. Later Captain Hiram Bogardus was in the business and had associated with him Oliver Bourke. Mr. Bourke con- tinued the business for many years and became Esquire Bourke, a man of sympathy and well and honorably known whose death occurred a few years ago.
In addition to the slaughter of cattle, tanning hides was one of the early and leading industries of Greene county and neighbor- ing counties in fact, an industry that has passed. C'ol. Zadock Pratt the George Washington of the county was one of the pion- eers in this industry and made a fortune in the business at Pratts- ville. Jay Gould was associated with him in Pennsylvania. Few C'atskillians are aware that a large tannery was located at the head of Main street. This was owned and managed by Henry Ashley, Nicholas Swartwout and later Jones and Bagley, who had numerous business enterprises in Catskill, hotel, grocery, boarding house, etc. Another tannery was located on the Hans Vossenkill.
From a description of town and county life in America in 1800 we gather the information that Catskill in 1792 numbered 10 dwellings, and there were in 1800, 156 houses, 2 ships, 1 schooner. S sloops, each capable of transporting 100 tons, and all carrying produce to New York. On a single day in 1801 four thousand bushels of wheat were brought in Catskill and 800 loaded sleighs came in by the western road. At this time Catskill was something of importance as a center of trade from the western part of the
218
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
county and adjoining counties and the point from which most of the shipping was done.
During the 20's Catskill had an artillery company that was commanded by the intrepid and crafty Jared Stocking, and Athens had another that was commanded by Capt. Sam. Hamilton. The war spirit was still thrilling their veins, and when the Athenians stole down and captured Catskill's brass 6 pounder there was some big fight on. Catskill wanted to celebrate. They did so, but Athens got the gun and hid it, and went to Mackey Croswell's tavern for ammunition, after wetting their flint locks in Croswell's good rum, they discovered that Stocking's men in their bare feet had got the gun. And they hid it so successfully in Isaac Du Bois loft that it never came back.
Wooley Scott lived near Diamond Hill which was remov- ed to make room for shale brick plant opposite the Hopenose, and he was one of the most eccentric characters of the early period. Tradition says that he was never sober on a week day or drunk on Sunday, and that while he was taking in the yarns, reminiscence, and elixirs of the groggery, he was jibed by boys, like Catskill boys 30 years ago pestered the High Hill Hallenbecks, three characters who came to Catskill with a few bean poles to sell generally, and getting loaded would start for home. Then a pack of boys would follow them through the street and take their poles, pull them from the wagon and do all sorts of things to anger them. These men will be remembered by many. Wooley Scott was the victim of some very mean pranks. The boys not only stole his clams, dumped his sand, lured away his horse, but they set fire to his load of straw. Wooley claimed that he was a near relative of Sir Walter Scott, but he was a better judge of rum than poetry.
In his reminiscence of Catskill, Thurlow Weed tells of the murder of one John Williams, and that after the finding of the body it was shown that he had been at the house of Nancy McFall. The angry populace gathered at the Mc Fall place and demolished it. Later the alleged murderer was apprehended, convicted, and hanged. An hour afterward a reprieve arrived. That was around 1800.
219
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
Dr. Croswell, Rev. Dr. Porter and Major Jacob Haight who served the County in the legislature are reckoned by Mr. Weed as the three great men of the early period. He also classed Judge Moses Cantine as a Christian gentleman and a lawyer, 1812. The Judge was state senator and being a Catskill printer succeeded Judge Buell as state printer.
In 1838 there was located in the rear of the Methodist church at Catskill, a brick yard operated by Chauncey Hall, and there was another yard on Academy street operated by one Denell and from 1839 to the present time there has been a brick yard at the Hop-o-nose. The first was operated by Eber Scott and later by Cole followed by Thos. E. Ferrier and later Ferrier and Golden and now by Golden and Son. There was another brick yard where the Holdridge stone dock now is, operated first by four brothers, later by Holdbrook, who was put out of business when the great bank in the rear of the yards slid down into the valley burying a big kiln of green brick. Joseph Hallock put up a stately brick house on the site of this yard. Samuel Du Bois, an early settler, had a yard near the present Glass works, and the brick from Cats- kill went into the Croton reservoir many of them.
Another successful yard was that of Cooke and Hardwick, later the Walshs, and the Ferriers, and for many years the Wash- burns.
A very interesting incident happened at Leeds in the days of the early history of the Dutch church which has withstood the storms of over a century. It appears from the narrative of Benjamin Wiltse an old resident of Catskill who used to tell about the incident, that the old bell that called to worship had a harsh discordant melody that jarred the nerves of the old ladies of the congregation and finally it was planned to have the bell retuned. Milton Fowks had an enviable reputation as a founder, and he could tune a bell to the Queen's taste. So Milton was waited upon by a delegation and it was all arranged that the great discordant bell should be lowered from the steeple, and taken to a conven- ient spot near the bridge, where with water handy the tuning was to be done. Then a scaffold was built and the bell suspended be-
220
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
neath it, and with plenty of rails and branches of trees, a fire was started under the bell. About this time Old Bill Schuneman suggested that while the metal was getting warmed up they should all go up to the tavern and get a gin cocktail. This was done and in the ginning up the fire grew warmer and the bell was forgotten for a time. On their return to the creek the bell was found to have entirely melted. The discordant melody of the old bell dis- turbed the quiet of the Leeds Sundays nevermore.
Spofford's Gazetteer of 1813 says in referring to the business of that period, Catskill will probably become the third if not the second city on the Hudson in wealth, population and commercial importance.
In 1812 a penalty of $10 was authorized as a punishment for any child, slave, apprentice or servant firing fire crackers or other fireworks in Catskill.
Orrin Day grandfather of Orrin Day president of the Tan- ners National Bank of Catskill, is said to have been first chief of the Catskill fire department in 1824. The first mention of a fire organization was in 1806, and in 1807 Richard Hall and Orrin Day were at the head of a fire company, the first named being foreman. And in 1809 a bucket ordinance was passed. There was a fine of $3 for not complying with the bucket law and Orrin Day was authorized to prosecute any persons not complying with the law.
In 1824 money was appropriated for the purchase of a hand engine, hose and a lot on which to build an engine house. In 1827 Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was formed. T. K. Cooke, Philander Selleck, Henry Hill, James Van Gorden, James Pink- ney, Judson Wilcox and James Breasted were members of this company. Later came Caleb and Orrin Day.
One of the important early interests was the marble busi ness and a pioneer in that line was Israel H. Baldwin in the early 30's. He was the first. He drove to Catskill with a wagon load of marble and stopping in front of Lyon's Hotel the horse was stricken with blind staggers and fell on him. For 6 months he was laid up and in May, 1834, he commenced to make tombstones. Later
221
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
he took in a partner named Whitney, who robbed the firm and it took Mr. Baldwin 20 years to recover from the financial blow. He was in business where the public library now stands, and was suc- ceeded by his son Charles who moved to Water street and later to Main street near the Commercial Hotel. He died in 1898 at the age of 85 years. He was one of the leading men in the First Baptist church and superintended the building of the presen church in 1871. He was also a member of the Board of Educa- tion for 20 years.
Charles Baldwin conducted the business until his shop was torn down to make room for the village building. As a marble cutter he was an artist.
George Elliott had a marble business in Jefferson in 1863. C. A. Noble commenced operations in 1882.
One of the oldest men of Catskill who but recently passed was Henry Limbrick, of Livingston street. From 1836 to 1864 he was in the employ of Mr. Beach and in the 70s was in the harness business at the corner of Thomson and Main streets.
The first bakery was started at Catskill by a man named Kendall, whose brother had the distinction of being postmaster General under Andrew Jackson. Amos Kendall was the most ef- ficient postmaster of his day. Baker Kendall did a living busi- ness, near the Saulpaugh. He was succeeded by Reuben Pennoy- er father of Capt. William A. Pennoyer, who later was in the jewelry business and who somewhat eccentric is well remembered by some Catskillians. Pennoyer had a motto on his wagon an- nouncing that "Our Country Wants Bread." This was around 1836.
John Ashley came into competition with Pennoyer about this time. He was also a trustee. John Ashley a son succeeded him as dough man, and later his son Edward Ashley, who took up the practice of menicine and moved to Athens. John R. Hicks took up the business and was later on succeeded by Mc Laughlin and Carey. Other bakers were Henry Selleck, Selleck and Brown, Willis Selleck and during the 80s Edward Ashley who occupied
222
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
the Bloom building on lower Main street and was burned out.
And the interesting incident that is vouched for concerning one of the old residents of Leeds, who recently passed away is that on a certain occasion he called upon the young lady who after- wards became his wife, and was invited to tea. At the table he noticed that his hair had not been combed as he was seated op- posite the looking glass. This flustered him and he dropped his fork. Reaching to pick it up he tipped a cup of tea down his back. Getting straightened around finally he noticed a flap of the table cloth in his lap and thinking that it was a part of his shirt, pushed it back as he supposed, but made it fast by poking it into the top of his trousers. A little later when he got up he carried table cloth, dishes, etc., along with him and the dishes crashed at his feet. It was several weeks after that before he visited at V-s again.
Edwin AAshley, father of Mrs. I. W. Brandow, was a great fireman and for years at the head of the Catskill department.
One of the early shoe dealers was S. B. Abreet, father of John D. Ahreet who continued the business. Mr. Ahreet manufac - tured most of his goods at the start but later on came the store kind. The firm is now Ahreet & Cussler.
Joshua Fiero one the early dry goods dealers came to Cats- kill in 1838 and in 1840 started in business at the corner of Main and Thompson streets, and for 20 years he had stores in Leeds, Kingston and Auburn as well. He was elected to the legislature in 1854, and Senator Harris said he made the best presiding officer the senate ever had. The business was continued by his daughter Miss M. Fiero and she sold out to Fred Conklin in 1915.
The old grocery store in West Catskill is another landmark. It has been in the grocery line for over 100 years. The first record we have is of Samuel Du Bois. The record is broken but another early dealer was Charles Abeel. Sandy Phillips, H. W. Terwilliger, and F. D. Woolhiser are within the present scope. Earlier grocers were W. W. Van Loan, Caleb Spencer, Judson Wilcox, Wilson Paige. Philip Van Orden and J. J. Donnelly.
223
Supplement, Reproduced by Photo Process.
Greene Co. Whig.
EXTRA.
CATSKILL: Monday, April 14, 1851.
Destructive Fire !!! TWO CHURCHES BURNED! Thirty Buildings Destroyed, LOSS $50,000 !
About three o'clock, thus morning, a occupied by. colored people, Eggnor's most destructive fire swept through the T'en Pin Alleys, of which we have no in.
southern portion of our village. Com- formation. meocing in the stables of the Greene County Hotel, I extended to the Hivery ed people.
establishment of Messrs. Beach, and 10 the stables of the Franklin House, and to the Hotel. From thence it extended to the Dutch Church and the buildings in the rear.
It then swept over to the west side of Main street, and the Baptist Church and several other buildings wett soon envel- oped in flames.
The leaping waves of flame, as they swept up the tall spires of the Churches, with snake-like rapidity, conspired to ren- der the scene sublimely grand and mag- Dificent.
The following property is destroyed :
Beach's Livery Stables, including 12 horses, 1000 bushels pats, carriages, and all the appurtenaoces, entirely destroyed. Less aboot $15,000-insured for about $3,500
Greene County Hotel, kept by Van Bergen. Insured for $2,000-lows $3,- 000. 2 horses perislied.
Franklin House, occupied by George Prime-and the building adjoining, oc- cupied by S. Bosworth. Loss 85,000- insured for $3,000.
Reformed Dutch Church -insured for ¿4,000. Loss $6,000,
Parsonage Reformed Dutch Church- Rev. Dr. Murdoch's-insured for $600 Loss 81,200.
Baptist Church-insured tor 82.500. Loss $5,000.
Dwelling of Dr. John Doane-insured. Dwelling of Mrs. Charles Clarke-in- sured.
Dwelling of the Misses Sherman-in- sured for 81,000-loss $1,500.
Dwelling of Robert Dorlon-owned by Benjamin Richards, New-York, loss $2,- 000-partially insured.
· Dwelling and Shop of Messrs. New- bury. Loss about $1000-no insurance. Dwelling and confectionery of William Barnett-owned by Edwin Croswell- partially insured.
Telegraph Office of J. R. Sylvester- insured.
Shoe Shop of Jolin Rase-
Mechanics' Hall, loss about 8800- insured for 8400.
Lavalle's Market, belonging to Ed- win Croswell, and several other building
1
Church and School house of the color-
Houses owned by Van Deasen, in the rear of the Dutch Church, occupied by Mr. Cargill, and Mr. Clark-insured.
H. Brown, proprietor of the llourly Stages, loscs 4 horses, carriages, and considerable house furniture, loss $1000, no insurance.
Independent of the losses sustained, the furniture is considerably injured in every place.
Mr. John R. Sylvester will occupy the building one door below Mr. Charles Willard's, as a temporary Telegraph Of- fice, until the Ist of May.
The above estimates may not be cor- rect. as we have been obliged to collect um hastily. They will not vary much, however.
Two Fire Companies from Hudson, kindly volunteered their services. They have the thanks of the community for their assistance.
It was supposed at one time, that all the buildings on the west side of Broad Street would be destroyed.
BEREA AND NOVA SCOTIA GRIND- STONES .- The sub-criber offers for sale, al the sign of the Anvil, ao assortment of Grind- siones, atthe lowest rates. F. SAYRE.
Ca'skill, February 10, 1919. 50ut
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
Another very old stand is the Hill paint store. This was built in 1821 by Peter Breasted, He died in the 50s and was suc- ceeded by Eaton Dunham, and later by H. K. Hill who with his son-in-law, Wm. B. Donahue still continue. It was Mr. Dunham who stationed at his door the iron dog in 1849, which has been the object of curiosity ever since, and which as the result of Hal- loween pranks was finally chained fast to prevent the dog from migrating to other points. Steamboats and stage coaches were the subjects of their art.
George C. Fox on the East side is one of the veteran grocers and has only lately retired in favor of his son Arthur P. Fox who is at the old stand.
There have been more changes in the grocery business than any other business in Catskill. Conklin Brothers, F H. Russ, Vernon Ford, Geo. C. Cowles, W. E. Minkler, have passed with many others but P. V. R. Timmerman who succeeded Jones and Bagley still remains after 50 years at the upper Main street stand.
Among the earliest grocery firms were Alfred Foote on up- per Main street, Foote and Grant, French and Ethridge, Wilcox and Givins, Meach and Beach, Cowles and Meach, Elias Pen- field, Meach and Edwards, Shaler and Fox. Mr. Shaler and Mr. Fox alone are living.
More than 85 years ago John Lusk was in the hardware business on Main street. The firm of Mann and Cooke was form- ed about 1840 and John T. Mann, and Frederick and J. Atwater Cooke were the members of the firm. Frederick Cooke continued the business and was followed by John T. Mann, and later on by Day and Holt, and later the Day and Holt Co. Jeremiah Day, Samuel E. Holt, Philip Walsh, and P. Dewitt Hitchcock many years clerk of the village of Catskill, comprieing the firm.
Another early hardware dealer was Francis Sayer and John T.Powers, later on Russ and Beach. and Mattice and Wessell. and now the Catskill Hardware Company.
225
DEAR OLD GREENE COUNTY.
M. H. Johnson, and the Brooks Brothers, Adams and Spencer, H. T. Jones and Son, Conklin and Lattimer are well re- membered in later years.
There have been tailors and tailors, and the great Andrew Johnson was once a tailor. So was Seldon A. Givens one of the early illustrious lawyers of Greene coonty, but he threw the sad iron away for the law book and he made his mark. Another carv- er of cloth in the early days of Catskill was A. N. Hinman, better known as Deacon Hinman. Later came Charles H. Pierson and William Hunter, estimable craftsmen, followed by F. S. Lynes whose long and helpful life was spent in making good clothes, and his son later in business with him, continued the work at his death several years ago. Mr. Lynes was also one of the pioneers of the First Baptist church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.