USA > New York > Cortland County > Virgil > Festal gathering of the early settlers! and present inhabitants of the town of Virgil, Cortland County, N.Y., 1853 > Part 13
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NUMBER XXXVIII.
W E have now arrived at a chapter of Conventions and Cel- ebrations. It was common about fifty years since to have gatherings of the common schools, including a dozen or more, generally in the Summer but sometimes in the Winter. It was us- ual to have a list of questions printed and distributed through the schools to be committed to memory, and at the gathering have them propounded and answered in concert, as one of the exercises. The only record of a like gathering was on the 10th of February, 1831. There were present ten schools with their teachers, and the account was taken of the whole number of scholars belonging to the schools. As they were formed and marched, with flags and banners flying, at the head of martial music, the view was particularly inspiring.
The account of the schools was as follows :
WHOLE NO.
TEACHERS.
SCHOLARS.
NO. PRES.
Salisbury Clark,
84
70
William Meeker,.
101
57
Erastus Phillips,
50
50
Emily Mahan,.
36
25
Hiram Bouton,
62
31
Isaac Bloomer, ..
63
35
Cortland Hill,.
44
25
Katherine Morse,
31
20
David Robinson,
31
7
Eli Smith,
35
8
Total,
537
328
In 1826, the first fifty years of the life of our Government was completed. It occurred that many minds were exercised on the sub- ject of the celebration of the Fourth of July, as a jubilee of Amer- ican independence. The people were comparatively few, and had little knowledge of the way to celebrate that anniversary; but the interest was such that a celebration was arranged for the Fourth ; and those engaged resolved to do their best to render the occasion an interesting one. Michael Frank was chosen to deliver the oration, and other arrangements were made to correspond. When the morn- ing arrived it was found that we were without clergy. Some of our
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well meaning citizens had persuaded the several ministers that it was unsuitable for a gospel minister to officiate on such an occasion. The best that could be done was to select individuals to perform the parts, and proceed, which was done. The attendance was rath- er thin, but the result was satisfactory. Frederick Hyde read the Declaration; Nathan Bouton offered prayer, and Michael Frank delivered the oration.
On the 25th of August, 1853, a gathering was had, called the Festive Gathering, which has been sufficiently set forth in the pre- ceding pages.
Time passed on and events transpired, and when the Centennial approached, some minds began to cherish the idea of celebrating the same; and one great argument in its favor was the fact that the three individuals who performed the important parts in 1826 were still living and vigorous, and anxious to act in the same capacity again. Much correspondence was had, but it was finally agreed to call a meeting of those who were favorable, and one was held of considerable interest, especially with the aged men of the former oc- casion. Committees were appointed to have charge of the matter in its varied departments. Soon the people were generally aroused, and several unanticipated appendages were added. It was not or- iginally designed to have cannon to employ in the exercises. But some were unwilling to have the day pass without the roar of can- non, and it was had principally through the persistent urgency of J. G. Tyler. It was afterward suggested that young ladies be se- lected. to represent the several States, dressed in suitable uniform, which met the approbation of the managers. This proposition was suggested by Miss Josephine Mott, and goes to her credit. Miss Satt Sanford with A. E. H. Ladd and wife, had the charge of the selection of these young ladies and suggesting the manner of their costumes, which was very creditably performed. Soon the project of a company of fusileers was started, which was got up and man- aged with consummate skill and maturity of design. Arrangements were also made for fire works in the evening.
Now follow four biographical notices of the persons who en- gaged in the celebration of 1826, and also in 1876. It will be seen that this may lie open to the charge of egotism, inasmuch as in the
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responses after dinner there will be some repetition, but it was in- dispensable that the speakers be left untrammeled, and that they were confined to the subjects allotted to them.
NUMBER XXXIX.
F REDERICK HYDE spent a portion of his youth here. He early engaged as teacher of the common schools, and was considered eminent in that employment. He afterwards studied medicine-the earlier part of his pupilage being with Dr. Hiram Moe, of Lansing, Tompkins county, and the later portion with Dr. Horace Bronson, of Virgil, Cortland county ; and after graduating at Fairfield Medical College, he at once commenced the practice of his profession in Cortland, where he now resides, actively engaged in the duties of his profession. He, in due time, acquired the repu- tation of an eminent physician, which he still maintains. He has the confidence of the community as the following facts will fully testify. He was Trustee of the Cortlandville Academy, from its first organization, while it continued ; and on the resignation of its first President, Judge Reynolds, he was elected in his place. He has been Trustee of the Cortland Normal and Training School since its commencement, and is now President of the Board. He is Presi- dent of the Cortland Savings Bank. He has been a member of the Cortland County Medical Society since 1833. He was a member of the Medical Association of Southern Central New York, during its lifetime. He is a member of the Central Medical Association of New York. He was elected a permanent member of the New York State Medical Society, in 1854, and was elected its President in 1865. He participated in the organization of the American Medi- cal Association at Philadelphia, in 1847, and has continued a per- manent member of the same. He was a delegate from the New York State Medical Society to the International Medical Congress held in Philadelphia, 1876.
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Early in his professional life he began to contribute to the litera- ture of the medical profession, and has continued to do so, as the American medical journals and printed transactions of the different medical associations in which he is honored with membership, will abundantly show. He held the professorship of Surgery in Geneva Medical College, and discharged its duties for sixteen years. On the organization of the Medical Department of Syracuse University he was elected Professor of Surgery in this institution, the duties of which post he continues to discharge. He has ever been accounted a man of integrity, sound judgement and practical sagacity. Also combining the traits embraced in the comprehensive word, reliable. He has generally enjoyed excellent health, which, for a man of his age gives him a remarkable youthful appearance.
NUMBER XL.
N
ATHAN BOUTON was born in Virgil, July 27th, 1802. His early life was familiar with the privations and hard- ships incident to the time. His opportunities for education were such as other children and youth of the time enjoyed. He was sup- posed at the age of thirteen to be rather an adept in figures, which led his fond father to determine to give him the opportunity to be- come a land surveyor. A place was found in Genoa where an ex- perienced surveyor lived, who was pursuaded to take him and teach him the elements of the profession, in the Spring of 1816. The ex- pense was three dollars for tuition and two dollars for board. All the knowledge he ever gained afterward on the subject was the re- sult of his own experience and study. He was not furnished with instruments till 1823, when he commenced practical land surveying, and continued the same employment during forty-four years, when nearly all the work, after ten years, was in settling disputed lines and harmonizing those in conflict. The work done has been rather
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extensive and spread over a large share of the towns of Virgil, Mar- athon, Lapeer, Harford, Cortlandville and Dryden. Also some in Freetown, Scott, Truxton and Homer, implying the confidence of the general public in his skill and accuracy.
At the age of eighteen he was employed in teaching school, in which he continued from time to time, till 1845, in which he evinced great perseverance, though not always very popular. In connection to this he was appointed to school offices, such as Commissioner, Inspector, and Town Superintendent. He has always been a strong friend to education and an efficient promoter of the cause, in the time of his active life. The fact of his writing out at the sugges- tion of his father, the plan for the New York and Erie Railway, has been sufficiently set forth in the previous pages. In 1857 it pleased the people to commit to his trust the interests of the county, and he was elected to the office of State Legislator, by a majority of nine hundred or there-abouts; the duties of which he performed to the satisfaction of his constituents. Since that time he has been chosen on the Board of Supervisors against a very popular compet- itor. In moral and religious aspects he has had much to do, and, especially, in the late renovation of the Presbyterian Church, of which he has been for more than fifty years an efficient member. He was chosen to the office of Deacon, June 21, 1833, which office he has held since. He has been an ardent supporter of the temper- ance cause since 1829, and of the anti-slavery cause since its first inauguration. He has been the firm supporter of all the causes operating in the community, that have promised the progress and well-being of the same. Among other things he gave for the con- struction of the Syracuse & Binghamton Railroad two hundred dol- lars, and lost it; also to the Southern Central three hundred dollars, and lost two hundred of the same. He has likewise had committed to his trust the settlement of six or more estates; and three of them were heavy, involving the adjustment and distribution to the legatees of the several estates, the portions due to them respectively. All the estates involved embraced interests of more than fifty thousand dollars; and all this has been done without any fault being found from any reputable source. He has also collected the material for the History of this Town, which is now, at the time of this writing, in press, and has written the same out.
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NUMBER XLI.
C OL. MICHAEL FRANK was born in Virgil, December 12th, 1804. His education was acquired in the schools of the Town and its vicinity. During the years of his residence here he became widely known in the county. He was elected Inspector of Common Schools several years in succession; also elected Supervis- or of the Town. He was chosen Captain of the first company of artillery organized here. He was also prominent in the formation of several societies for mutual improvement among the young peo- ple of the Town. On the Fourth of July, 1826, he delivered an oration on the occasion of the Fiftieth Anniversary of American Independence, and on the Fourth of July, 1828, he delivered a tem- perance oration which resulted in the formation of the first Tem- perance Society in the Town.
He changed his residence from Virgil to Preble, in the north part of the county, in 1836, where he engaged in the mercantile business, and where he married Miss Caroline J. Carpenter, his present wife. While in Preble he was elected Supervisor of the town, in 1838, and Town Clerk, in 1839, which latter office he re- signed, to go west. In the fall of 1839 he moved to Southport, now Kenosha, Wisconsin, at which place he became associated in the publication of a newspaper, The Southport Telegraph; and was connected with that paper, altogether, about twelve years. He also had editorial charge of other papers, for short periods. Prior to the adoption of State government in Wisconsin, he was a member of the Territorial Council three years, and after the adoption of State government, he was a member of the Legislative Assembly one year. He was elected by the Legislature in 1848, one of the Board of Commissioners to revise the laws of the State ; also elected by the Legislature in 1861, a member of the Board of Regents of the State University.
On the incorporation of Southport as a village, in 1840, he was chosen President of the village ; and on the change of the name of Southport to Kenosha, in 1850, and the incorporation of the place as a city, he was chosen Mayor. He held the office of Justice of the Peace two years, Treasurer of Kenosha county four years, City Superintendent of Schools six years. He was appointed Postmaster
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at the city of Kenosha, by President Lincoln, and held the office about six years. In the military line he was appointed by Governor Dodge, of Wisconsin, Colonel of the militia, and subsequently Gen- eral of the militia. Although commissioned a General, he has been more familiarly known the past thirty years, as Colonel Frank.
In matters of religion, morals and education, he has a well earned reputation. He united with the Congregational Church at South- port, in 1840, and has retained a church connection ever since. He was active in the early temperance movements in Wisconsin, and has always been a firm friend of the cause. In educational matters, particularly the introduction of the Free School System in Wiscon- sin, he did efficient service through the press, and other agencies. In 1870 he was appointed to a clerkship in the Treasury Depart- ment, at Washington. During the period of over eight years since he has been in government employ, he has been comparatively iso- lated, as most government employees are. The only marked event in his history during this time, was the delivery of an oration, July 4th, 1876, in commemoration of the Hundredth Anniversary of American Independence, in the same town and village where he delivered the Fiftieth Anniversary oration, just a half century before. It is probable that no event parallel to this occurred among the over forty million of people in the United States.
NUMBER XLII.
C OLONEL WILLIAM SQUIRES. Though he was not born or reared in Virgil, yet, as he was the Marshal (the duties of which office he performed with peculiar activity,) at the Centen- nial, where the three preceding individuals who had participated in the two celebrations fifty years apart, it was concluded to be fit- ting that a brief biographical sketch should be given of him also.
William Squires, son of Zachariah and Catharine Squires, was born in Binghamton, N. Y., November 23, 1798. With the excep-
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tion of the privation and hardship which is unavoidable with all early settlers, the early life of the subject of this sketch was not remark- able or unusual.
His opportunities for education were limited ; yet, by perseverance he acquired such a knowledge of the common branches as was then considered necessary for ordinary business transactions. He lived with his father on a farm, just west of the corporation line, until he was twenty-four years of age. In 1823 he married Lucy Church, his present wife. To clear up a farm of dense forest, pay for it, provide the necessary buildings, support his family and fulfill the obligations of society, was the task to which he invited himself, and which by the most untiring industry and good management, he ac- complished at an earlier day than even he had anticipated, and was permitted to live for a number of years thereafter to enjoy the fruits of his toil and witness the improvement which his own hands had wrought. He served twenty-two years in the militia of the State, holding commissions of Captain, Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel. In early life he interested himself in religious affairs,-was among the first to espouse the cause of temperance, and helped to inaugu- rate the Washingtonian Society. The anti-slavery movement, in its very beginning, found in him a fearless supporter. In the years of 1865 and 1866 he represented his town in the Board of Supervisors acceptably to his constituents. He was one of the originators and active managers of the "Marathon Cemetery "-one of the noted institutions of the place. About the year 1863, he moved into the village, leaving his farm in the charge of his son,-since which time, though almost always busy, he has not confined himself to the man- agement of business. He is now nearly eighty years of age, and bids fair to live yet a number of years.
١
Virgil's Centennial Fourth.
T T HE day was ushered in by the boom of the cannon, procured through the persistent energy of J. G. Tyler.
The following account of the scenes and events of the day is es- sentially a copy of an editorial in the Cortland Standard of July 11th, 1876 :
" In one of the long processions of carriages, which moved from Cortland to Virgil on the beautiful morning of the Fourth, we en- joyed a place, with the beaming and patriotic countenance of the President of the Day smiling upon us. The procession started from the Messenger House about 9:30 A. M., and wound its way over the hills and through the valleys to ' Old Virgil,' which was that day to witness a gathering of her sons and daughters, which would be mem- orable in her annals forever. The Cortland Cornet Band headed the procession, enlivening the way with choice music. From a num- ber of carriages the National colors floated, and red, white and blue plumes on the heads of the horses in front of us made the out-look more patriotic still. As the procession passed on, carriages from various quarters were found waiting along the way ready to fall in- to line, and add still further to the length of the already extended array of vehicles. Before the village was reached the procession stretched back over half a mile, and must have numbered in the neighborhood of fifty carriages. Upon nearing the village the band struck up ' Home, Sweet Home,'-the marshals came riding up to receive the visitors, and the small boy in all his various shapes made himself numerous round about. The place was already lively with a large crowd, and the festive lemonade, gingerbread and pea- nuts were displayed at divers stands. The one hotel was so packed
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VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH.
with people that it was a labor (anything but easy,) to work one's way through it, and all outdoors-at least in the immediate vicini- ty-seemed just as full.
" After a short delay a procession was formed, headed by the Cortland and Marathon Bands, and moved through some of the principal streets."
The following thirty-nine young ladies-the leader representing the District of Columbia, and the others the several States, all ar- rayed in white and decorated with red, white and blue sashes, marched with uncovered heads in the procession, presenting a very beautiful appearance.
SARA CARPENTER, Leader.
Eva Doud, Delia Price,
Antha Price,
Iva Doud, Ina Price,
Mary Seamans,
Ettie Ballou,
Grace Bloomer, Allie Rease,
Josie White,
Nelia Bell,
Emma Hutchings,
Jennie Low,
Luna Hutchings,
Jennie Sherman,
Carrie Webster, Jennie Glazier,
Mary Bouton,
Jesse Pease,
Lillie Glazier,
Mary Space,
Minnie Chrisman,
Nettie Terpenning,
Hellen Chrisman,
Hannah Ball, Hattie Wood,
Emma Branch,
Hellen Mckinney,
Kate Barnes,
Jennie Trapp,
Jennie Hotchkiss, Mary Gleason,
Anna Tyler,
Phemie Skinner, Jennie Tyler,
Nellie Chatterton,
Kate Ryan,
Nettie Bacon.
From the streets the procession passed to the Green in front of the Baptist Church, where a platform had been erected for the ac- commodation of those who were to take part in the exercises of the day. Primitive seats formed by planks being placed on inverted sap buckets were ranged in front and soon filled, and the crowd of those standing up stretched away even beyond the reach of the speakers' voices. The programme of exercises at the church was as follows :
Opening address by the President of the Day, Judge A. P. Smith.
Music -- " Home, Sweet Home," by the Cortland Cornet Band.
Prayer by Deacon Nathan Bouton.
Music by the Marathon Band.
Reading of the Declaration of Independence, by Dr. F. Hyde. Music by the Cortland Band.
Oration by Colonel M. Frank.
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VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH.
ORATION.
DELIVERED BY COLONEL M. FRANK AT VIRGIL, JULY 4TH, 1876.
F IFTY years ago to-day, I stood before the people of this Town, flushed with the ardor and enthusiasm of youth. I see before me a few survivors of that day, who were then in the vigor of early manhood, now bowed with the weight of years. We are the same in personal identity now as then; have the same patriotic emotions, and the same love of country. But the battle of life during the in- tervening years has seared us with furrowed cheeks and impaired our firmness of step. Had the forms and countenances we then bore been photographed and preserved, and our changed appear- ances of to-day placed by their side, how the contrasts would startle us ! The journey of life from young manhood to old age would be exemplified in striking lessons.
A march of fifty years has brought us near the gateway that opens to the mysterious future, where the multitudes have gone we were accustomed to meet on these streets. While on this long journey what incidents have marked our pathway ? What strange and un- looked-for events have followed in quick succession ?
During the intervening years that have come and departed, all around us has undergone alteration. Fifty years ago the surround- ing hills were covered with primeval forests, and the dark woods en- croached on many a dwelling. Wild flowers bloomed unseen in the wilderness and wasted their fragrance in solitude. The aspect of the country is no longer the same ; old landmarks have disappeared, and much that was unsightly has been removed. Better systems of agriculture have been introduced ; farms have a more attractive ap- pearance ; homes have been improved and beautified.
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VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH.
A half century ago to-day I attempted to describe the progress that had been made during the preceding fifty years. I dwelt with enthusiasm on the advancement of our country in the direction of National greatness ; the diffusion of education among the people ; the rapid development of our agricultural resources; our progress in the arts, and in labor-saving machinery. A collection of agri- cultural implements, machinery, and household articles-common fifty years ago-would make an interesting exhibition for this cen- tennial year. Improvements which were then regarded as triumphs of genius and skill, have since passed into comparative insignificance. Among the new implements of husbandry then being introduced was the grain cradle, which rendered nearly obsolete the old classic sickle. The threshing-flail was the same in kind as employed by the Romans two thousand years ago. The only instrument for mowing was the common scythe, which had undergone no material changes during many generations. Fifty years ago the popular thoroughfares, between city and country, were the turnpikes. A drive on these privileged roads was deemed one of the luxuries of travel, except that the exacting toll gates sometimes ruffled the temper of pleasure riders.
During this period the New York and Erie Canal, connecting the waters of the western lakes with the Hudson river, was regarded the wonder of the age-the greatest internal improvement achieve- ment in America. This State enterprise was for a number of years the principal travel-route between the East and the almost illimitable West. The packet boat, moving four miles per hour, was as much the admiration of the then traveling public, as the modern palace car, with a speed of forty miles per hour.
On our half century anniversary a compliment was paid to Amer- ican genius and skill, as having well nigh reached the limit of art, invention and improvement, leaving only to the succeeding half cen- tury the finishing of what had already been outlined. But how finite is the human mind to unfold the future. Then we had not in all this land one foot of railroad, not a locomotive, nor a telegraph line. Since then a new era has dawned on every department of in- dustry. The necessity for hand labor has been reduced five hundred per cent. by the introduction of machinery, while at the same time the conveniences, the comforts and luxuries of life have been great-
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VIRGIL'S CENTENNIAL FOURTH.
ly multiplied. Science has brought into action many hitherto un- discovered forces,-man now stands leisurely by and directs the machinery that performs the labor drudgery before required of hu- man hands.
Had any one predicted fifty years ago that before this centennial year journeyings on land would be performed at the rate of sixty miles per hour, and that words would be conveyed to distant States with almost the rapidity of thought, such prediction would have been treated as coming from a disordered mind, and unworthy of notice. So of many other discoveries and inventions, the products of our day, the suggestion of their coming realization, would have been deemed visionary.
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