USA > New York > Broome County > Gazetteer and business directory of Broome and Tioga Counties, N. Y. for 1872-3 > Part 15
USA > New York > Tioga County > Gazetteer and business directory of Broome and Tioga Counties, N. Y. for 1872-3 > Part 15
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110
CONKLIN-FENTON.
and its abettors went so far as to hold their meetings on the Sabbath, and to read Paine's 'Age of Reason' to the mul- titude. They showed their hostility to the Christian religion, by attending meetings for divine worship, and either succeed- ing with theirs immediately, before the Christian Congregation had dispersed, or they would commence before the stated hour of Christian worship. Meetings then were held in a school house, in which the whole community felt they had an equal right. The magistrate of the place however, who took a part in this demoralizing cause, too active for his own interest or last- ing reputation, was in consequence finally deposed from his office." In what the culpability of the so-called infidels, im. plied in the quotation from Mr. Wilkinson, consisted, does not appear, unless it is found in the persistance of the right to the free exercise of their religious convictions ; for the right to the use of the school house for religious purposes remains unques- tioned, and his charge does not implicate them in any breach of decorum. But we will draw the mantle of charity over an historic period in which men were sometimes led by blind zeal to unwittingly persecute those who differed with them in mat- ters of religion, and look with intense gratitude at a present which ensures comparative immunity to all from similar perse- cutions.
The First Baptist Church of Conklin, located on the river road, near the east center of the town, was organized in 1855, with forty-three members, by Rev. S. M. Stimson of Binghamton, who was the first pastor. Their house of worship, which will seat 225 persons, was erected in 1856, at a cost of $1,600. There are sixty members. The present pastor is Rev. Edward H. Ashton. The Church property is valued at $4,500.
The M. E. Church, located on Little Snake Creek, was organ- ized with sixty members, by Rev. C. N. Arnold, who became and is still its pastor, in February, 1872, in which year their church edifice, which will seat 225 persons, was erected, at a cost of $2,000. The Church property is valued at $2,500. The number of members is 75.
FENTON* was formed from Chenango, Dec. 3, 1855. It lies upon the east bank of the Chenango River, and borders on
* It was formed as Port Crane, (which name it derived from Jayson Crane, one of the engineers on the Chenango canal,) and its name changed to Fenton, March 26, 1867, in honor of Reuben E. Fenton, in consequence of the extreme aversion of a part of the inhabitants to the former name, an aversion which was so potent as to induce some of them to resist the payment of taxes.
The names of the officers elected by the Board of Election, (composed of John Bishop, George Hickox, Willet Cross and H. A. Slosson, the latter
111
FENTON.
the south boundary of Chenango county. Its surface is hilly, but the hills are broad and the slopes gentle. The steep hills which border along the Chenango and rise from 500 to 700 feet above it, confine the valley of that river within narrow limits. Page Brook,* the principal stream, flows in a southerly direction through the west part, and divides the uplands into two distinct ridges. Osborn Creek rises near the tunnel on the A. & S. R. R. in the north part of the town of Colesville, and entering this town near the south-east corner, flows in an east- erly direction to the Chenango, into which it discharges its waters a little north of Port Crane. Pond Brook is composed of two ponds over a mile in length and separated from each other by a sharp ridge, called the "Hog Back," under which the water from the upper passes into the lower pond. The out- let is but a few rods from the river and as the ponds have a con- siderable elevation above it, an excellent water power is formed. This has been and still is a great resort for fishermen. The ponds are yet stocked with various kinds of fish. The surface of the country for some distance around is very peculiar. It consists of plain land interspersed with basins or small valleys, some of which descend to a great depth below the general level. These basins have no connection with each other and all pre- sent the appearance of having been ponds at some remote period. The plain was formerly covered with a dense growth of pine. The soil is well adapted to tillage. On the hills it consists of a clay and slaty loam underlaid by hardpan, while in the valleys it is a rich gravelly loam and alluvium. With the exception of the country bordering the Chenango River and Page Brook the town is comparatively new. Along these streams are some fine farms and sightly residences. Among the latter are the residences of James E. Waite at Port Crane, Marvin Conniff at North Fenton and Jno. Hullt at the con- fluence of Page Brook and the Chenango River, which, in point of architectural beauty, compare favorably with villas of greater pretensions. The latter is especially attractive. It is situated
clerk of the Board,) Feb. 12, 1856, are as follows: (No choice was made for Supervisor,) Hermon Waite, Town Clerk; John Bishop, Enos Puffer, Thomas Taber and Ebenezer Crocker, Justices; John B. Van Name, School Superintendent; James Nowland and Benj. A. Potter, Commis- sioners of Highways; James A. Barnes, I. D. Amsbury and Geo. P. Mil- ler, Assessors; Wm. Slosson and Garry V. Scott, Overseers of the Poor; Hiram Silliman, Collector ; Henry Kark, Sherman McDaniel, John Jones, Leverett Jeffers and Willet Cross, Constables; Daniel Hickox, Wm. Wil- liamson and Simon J. Lounsbury, Inspectors of Election.
* This stream is named from Isaac Page, who settled on it in 1807.
+ Mr. Hull was the first Supervisor elected in the town, au office he has since several times filled. He has for several years been extensively en- gaged in erecting public works, and has held important trusts from the State.
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FENTON.
about twenty-five rods from the main road, on an elevation of forty feet, covering an area of about two acres. It is approach- ed from the east on an artificial embankment, and is surrounded by trees and shrubbery which give evidence of fine taste in their owner and constitute it a most lovely retreat.
The Chenango Canal extends through the town, following the course of the Chenango river. The Syracuse and Bing- hamton R. R. crosses the south-west corner, about three-fourths of a mile east of the border. The Albany and Susquehanna R. R. enters the town near the south-east corner and, running in an easterly direction until within about a mile of the south- west border, turns south and runs nearly parallel with the S. & B. R. R., leaving the town on the south border.
The town covers an area of 17,972 acres, of which, in 1865, according to the census of that year, 9,759, were improved. Its population in 1870 was 1,499.
During the year ending Sept. 30, 1871, it contained nine school districts and employed nine teachers. The number of children of school age was 428; the number attending school, 354; the average attendance, 177; the amount expended for school purposes, $2,215 ; and the value of school houses and sites, $4,260.
PORT CRANE, (p. v.) on the Chenango canal, in the south part, contains two fine, new churches, (Baptist and M. E.) two stores, a hotel and a good school house. It has been for many years a depot for considerable quantities of lumber, and, being a canal village, boat building and repairing has been an im- portant branch of its industry. It is nearly surrounded by hills, although lying on the bank of the Chenango. Formerly, for nearly two miles below, the river washed the base of per- pendicular rocks, known as Crocker Mountain, and the in- habitants were obliged to cross this summit to get to Binghamton. But now the canal is cut in its base and is separated from the river by an embankment wide enough for a highway, both of which are protected by a slope wall. A fine view is afforded of the A. & S. R. R. as it winds along the mountain side, far above the level of the canal. Port Crane station on this road is distant from the village about a mile.
NORTH FENTON (p. o.) (also known as Ketchum's Corners) is pleasantly located in the valley of Page Brook, in the north part of the town. It contains a fine church, a store, grocery and a large cheese factory. The people are energetic and en- terprising .*
* This was the place of residence of the late Rev. Enos Puffer, who, during the Rebellion, invented a bomb-shell charged with inflammable matter.
113
FENTON.
The first settlement is believed to have been made by Elisha Pease in 1788. Jared Page, -- Vining and Timothy Cross,* were also early settlers. Isaac Page, Garry Williamson,t John F. Miller and Elias Miller settled on Page Brook, in 1807. John F. Miller located one mile below North Fenton, where his son, Robert T. Miller, now resides. He died March 5th,
* Mr. Cross is still a resident and is hale and hearty. He is conversant with many of the daring exploits of the early settlers in their encounter with wild beasts. Owing to its peculiar situation Port Crane was for many years a famous sporting field. It lies outside the arc formed by the bend in the river in its vicinity, In its rear is a fine circular range of hills, which ter- minate above and below in perpendicular rocks called the upper and lower rocks, and which is divided nearly midway, by Osborn Creek; while in front are manificent hills filling the arc down to the river's brink. A hound set after a deer anywhere in the area inclosed by the river and this semi- circle of hills was sure to bring it to the water at one of the points of rocks, and if it escaped those stationed there would cross the stream and take to the opposite mountains. Deer were numerous and in warm weather, as is their custom, visited the salt licks in large numbers. Mr. Cross relates an adventure of Isaac Page, who knew of one of these resorts, and, as was his custom, went one night to watch. Soon his experienced ear detected signs of the approach of the expected game. He waited some time, but failing to ascertain their whereabouts, he concluded they had left the viciu- ity without the usual manifestations, and became convinced that some- thing extraordinary was the matter. He was not long left in suspense, for his conviction was soon confirmed and his attention riveted to two fire-like 'balls which gleamed above a log but a few feet in front of him, and from behind which they seemed gradually to rise. At this critical moment he leveled his trusty rifle, with as much precision as the darkness rendered practicable and fired, and rising, walked deliberately away. In the morn- ing he returned and to his surprise saw that he had shot a large panther. Thus the unaccountable leaving of the deer the previous night was explained.
Mr. Cross also relates the following incident of himself: One day he heard hounds on the trail, and as it was evident the deer would cross the lower rocks too soon for him he took his favorite dog in a dug-out and crossed over to the upper point on the other side. As he expected the deer came to the river, crossed and took to the mountains. The dog, being well trained, crossed likewise and was soon on the trail. This was as Cross anticipated, and taking his dog in his arms he took his station in the road which runs along the river-bank several feet above the water. Soon the deer made its appearance in the road and he threw the dog very nearly against it. Both deer and dog plunged into the river. The deer came to a bar, on which it was able to maintain a footing, and stood at bay. As the current was swift the deer had the dog at a disadvantage, for as often as the dog swam to it, it was struck under by the fore-paw of the deer, and would come to the surface some distance below. Cross stood for some time a spectator of the unequal contest, until apprehension for the safety of his dog induced him to wade out to its assistance. Intent in watching its assailant the deer did not heed his approach until he got within a few feet of it, when it suddenly turned, rose upon its hind feet, and tried to strike him down. In its struggles, the deer struck one foot into Cross's hand. He immediately grasped it. At the same time it became so firmly entangled in its horns as to draw its head into the water, where Cross had it entirely at his mercy. When the dog, which was nearly .exhausted, saw its enemy subdued, he took a position on the deer and retained it till its master drew both ashore.
+ Garry Williamson's was the third deed recorded in the Broome County Clerk's office. His son, Garry Willliamson, lives on the old "Home- stead."
114 FENTON-KIRKWOOD.
1869, aged 87 years. His sons (Geo. P., Robert T., Hurd F. and Addison,) are still residents of North Fenton. The birth of Chester Pease, in 1793, was the first in the town ; the death of Mrs. Pease, in 1789, was the first death; and the marriage contracted by Gardner Wilson and Polly Rugg, in 1800, was the first marriage. The first saw mill was erected by Elisha Pease in 1797; and the first store was kept by Thomas Cooper, in 1813. Ozias Masch taught the first school in 1800. Rev. John Camp conducted the first religious services in 1798.
As nearly as we have been able to ascertain the number of persons who enlisted during the war of the Rebellion in Port Crane and its immediate vicinity was sixty-four, of whom twelve were killed. Enlistments were made in the 16th N. Y. Ar- tillery, and the 27th, 50th, 89th, 109th, 137th, 149th and 179th Regts. N. Y. Vol. Infty. North Fenton furnished, in addition to the above, twenty-six men, who enlisted in the 8th N. Y. Cavalry and the 79th N. Y. Infty., and of whom six were killed or died from wounds received or disease contracted while in the service.
" The First Baptist Church of Port Crane was organized with nineteen members, by W. Alibum, in 1860. Their first pastor was Rev. A. P. Menie; the pulpit is at present supplied by Rev. H. H. Mills. Their house of worship, which will seat 350 per- sons, is a very fine one, and was erected in 1870, at a cost of $5,000. There are thirty-three members. The church prop- erty is valued at $6,000.
The M. E. Church, at Port Crane, was organized in 1841. Rev. G. A. Burlingame was the first pastor .* Their house of worship, which will seat 250 persons, was erected in 1870, at a cost of $4,700. There are forty-five meinbers. The church property is valued at $5,000.
The First M. E. Church, located at North Fenton, was or- ganized in 1832, by Rufus G. Christian, Ebenezer Cole, Charles Elliott, Justin Watrous, Garret Williamson and Claude Ham- ilton. The first church edifice was erected the same year; the present one, in 1871, at a cost of $2,000. It is a very fine build- ing and will seat 400 persons. The first pastor was Rev. P. S. Worden ; the present one is Rev. Thomas Burgess. There are 120 members. The church property is valued at $6,000.
KIRKWOOD was formed from Conklin, Nov. 23, 1859. It is one of the southern tier of towns and lies near the center of the County. It is separated from Conklin, on the west, by
* Until his death, May 22, 1872, this Society enjoyed the ministrations of Rev. Enos Puffer.
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115
KIRKWOOD.
the Susquehanna, which, with its several small tributaries, form its waters. The surface is generally hilly, though along the river extends a fine broad intervale, enriched by the fer- tilizing deposits of the adjacent hills. The hills, which, on the west side of the river, are steep, on the east side have a more gradual descent. On the hills the soil consists of clay and gravel, largely intermixed with slate; while in the valley it is a deep, rich alluvium and gravelly loam. Most of the remain- ing timber consists of oak and chestnut. The pine, of which there was a considerable quantity, has mostly been cut and sent to market, the stumps being utilized as fences. Varions kinds of grain are grown successfully, and dairying is carried on to quite an extent.
The New York and Erie R. R. passes through the town, fol- lowing the course of the Susquehanna.
The town covers an area of 18,437 acres, of which, in 1865, according to the census of that year, 12,706, were improved. Its population in 1870 was 1,402.
During the year ending Sept. 30, 1871, it contained ten school districts and employed ten teachers. The number of children of school age was 491; the number attending school, 399; the average attendance, 219; the amount expended for school purposes, $2,401; and the value of school houses and sites, $4,360.
KIRKWOOD (p. v.) is located in the south-west part, on the Susquehanna River, and the N. Y. & E. R. R., by which it is distant eleven miles from Binghamton. It contains one church, (M. E.) a school house, three stores, a wagon shop, a harness shop, two blacksmith shops, a shoe shop, a paint shop, forty houses and 155 inhabitants. About one mile south of the vil- lage, on the Susquehanna, are the Kirkwood Mills, of which M. A. Andrews is prop. They consist of a grist, saw and planing mill. About 100,000 feet of lumber are sawed in the saw mill. Considerable custom grinding is done, and but very little plan- ing.
KIRKWOOD CENTER (p. o.) is situated on the Susquehanna River, and the N. Y. & E. R. R., near the center of the west border. It is distant from Binghamton by rail eight miles.
RIVERSIDE (p. o.) is located in the extreme sonth part, on the Susquehanna River, and on the N. Y. & E. R. R. It con- tains one church, (M. E.) one school house, a cooper shop, wagon shop, blacksmith shop, store, twenty-five dwellings and 125 inhabitants.
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KIRKWOOD.
STANDLEY HOLLOW is located in the north-east part, and contains a school house, blacksmith shop, five or six dwellings and about twenty-five inhabitants.
Ferguson's saw mill, located on the Windsor road, about one mile from the town line, saws about 50,000 feet of Inmber an- nually.
We are unable to give the date of the first settlement of this town ; but among the early settlers are the following: John and William Jones, who came from near Trenton, N. J., in 1802, and settled on the river about two miles below Kirkwood, at which time the country was new and the forests abounded with all kinds of game; Henry C. Bayless, who, with his father, came from Middlesex Co., N. J., but immediately from Wilkes- barre, Penn., in 1808, and settled on the farm contiguous to the Conklin bridge ;* Ely Osborne, who came from Windsor, Conn., about 1812, and located at Standley Hollow, formerly known as "South Osborne Hollow "; Ezra Carrier, who came from Liberty, Sullivan Co., in the autumn of 1814, and located on the river, about five miles from Binghamton, on the farm now occupied by James White; Moses Standley, who came from Bennington, Vt., in 1820, and located in the eastern part of the town, near Osborne Hollow ; Thomas M. Carroll, who was one of the first settlers at Standley Hollow; and Arthur Attridge, who located in the north part of the town in 1824, at which time there was only one house between his and the Chenango River.
The first grist millt in the County was erected in 1790 at or near the mouth of "Fitch's Creek," about four miles above Binghamton, and it, as well as the creek on which it was located, was named from Jonathan Fitch, to whom it belonged. Mr. Fitch was from Wyoming, and settled on the creek to which he gave his name in 1789. He is believed to have been the first representative to the State Legislature from Tioga County, though some confer this honor upon Gen. Patterson, who settled at an early day at Whitney's Point.
* At that time, says Mr. Bayless, there were only three families near them, viz. : the Berkalews, Bounds and Roods, all of whom lived near Kirkwood, which was then covered by a forest of oak and hickory. The river afforded the principal carrying facilities. Their grists were taken to mill by this means. On one occasion when he and his brother attempted to cross the river at high water, their canoe became unmanageable and ran against a tree, up which they climbed and were obliged to remain some time before they could right their canoe.
+It is probable, that for a few years after this mill was erected, it was the only one within at least eighty miles west of it, for in 1792 we find that the inhabitants of Newark Valley, in Tioga County, and within the limits of what was then known as "Brown's Settlement," carried their grists to this mill, a distance of forty miles.
117
KIRKWOOD-LISLE.
The Christian Church, located at Kirkwood, was organized Oct. 18, 1856, with nineteen members, by Rev. J. G. Noble, its first pastor. Their church edifice, which will seat 250 per- sons, was erected the following year, at a cost of $1,000. There are forty members ; but there is no pastor. The Church prop- erty is valued at $900.
The First M. E. Church of Kirkwood was organized with twenty-five members, in 1860, in which year their house of worship, which will seat 230 persons, was erected at a cost of $1,500. The first pastor was Rev. J. M. Grimes; the present one is Rev. James N. Lee. There are seventy-five members. The Church property is valued at $4,000.
LISLE (named from Lisle in France,) was formed from Union, March 14, 1800. Barker, Nanticoke and Triangle were formed from it April 18, 1831. The line of Berkshire, Tioga Co., was altered in 1812, and a part of Union was taken off in 1827. It is the north-west corner town in the county. Its sur- face consists of a hilly and broken upland, unequally divided by the valley of Tioughnioga River. The hills have an eleva- tion of from 400 to 700 feet above the river ; their declivities are generally steep-too steep to admit of cultivation. Tiough- nioga River, which runs through the east part of the town, in a southerly direction, is the principal stream. The other streams are small. They are Yorkshire and Fall creeks. The former flows easterly nearly through the center of the town, the latter in the same direction, near the north line; both empty into the Tioughnioga. The head waters of Nanticoke Creek are in the south-west part of the town. The narrow valley of Yorkshire Creek breaks the continuity of the western range of hills. Along the valleys the soil is a rich gravelly loam, but on the hills it is characterized by clay and slaty gravel, underlaid by hardpan. The moist clayey loam on the summits of the hills is better adapted to grass than grain culture.
The Syracuse and Binghamton R. R. extends through the town, following the course of the river.
The town covers an area of 25,083} 'acres, of which, in 1865, according to the census of that year, 14.560} were im- proved. Its population in 1870 was 2,525.
During the year ending Sept. 30, 1871, the town contained twelve school districts, in which fifteen teachers were employed. The number of children of school age was 806; the number attending school, 660; the average attendance, 364 ; the amount expended for school purposes, $6,396; and the value of school houses and sites, $16,710.
H
118
LISLE.
LISLE (p. v.) is situated on the west bank of the Tiough- nioga, at the junction of Yorkshire Creek with that stream, and is a station on the S. & B. R. R. It is an incorporated village and contains two churches, (Congregational and M. E.) a Union graded school, two dry goods stores, one hardware store and tin shop, a drug store, three harness shops, a carriage shop, three blacksmith shops, one furnace and machine shop, a grist mill, two saw mills, a large tarnery for tanning sheep skins, a jewelry store, a variety store, two dental offices, two shoe shops, a clothing and furnishing store, a furniture manufactory, a milliner shop, a tailor shop and about 500 inhabitants.
YORKSHIRE, (Center Lisle p. o.,) situated near the center of the town, on the Creek of the same name, contains three churches, (Baptist, Congregational and M. E.) one hotel, a dry goods store, a grocery, a large tannery* for tanning sheep skins, a steam saw mill and grist mill, a wagon shop, a blacksmith shop, a milliner shop and dressmaker shop.
KILLAWOG, (p. o.) situated in the north-east part, on the S. & B. R. R. and the Tionghnioga River, contains two churches, (Baptist and M. E.) two dry goods stores, a grist mill, a steam. saw mill, a blacksmith shop and thirty or forty dwellings.
MILLVILLE, located on the Tioughnioga, near the south-east corner of the town, contains a large tannery, a grist mill and saw mill, a blacksmith shop and several dwellings.
The first settlement is believed to have been made in 1791,t by emigrants from North East, Dutchess Co. Among these and those who subsequently settled at an early day were Eben- ezer Tracy, Eliphalet Parsons, Josiah Patterson, Whittlesey Glea- son, Edward Edwardst and David Manning. The last two settled on the Tioughnioga in 1795. The first birth was that of Henry Patterson, in 1793; the first marriage, that of Solomon Owen and Sylvia Cook; and the first death, that of Wright Dudley. Jacob Hill built the first grist mill. Capt. John Johnson from Conn., we are credibly informed, kept the first store and tavern.ยง
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