USA > New York > Columbia County > Gazetteer and business directory of Columbia County, N.Y. for 1871-2 > Part 16
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station is the most important one on the Harlem Railroad, in the County, south of Chatham Village. The average amount paid, per month, on freight received is $2,000; on freight for- warded, $3,000 ; and the average amount received, per day, on passenger fares is $40.
Harlemville, (p. v.) in the north-west corner, contains one hotel, three stores, a shoe shop, two wagon shops, three or four blacksmith shops and one church (M. E.)
Green River, (p. v.) in the north-east corner, derives its name from the river of the same name, on which it is located, and which rises in the town of Austerlitz, flows south-east and empties into the Housatonic River, in Conn. The stream, when the water is high, has a greenish appearance, and from this fact and the green trees along its bank its name is derived. The stream is noted for the abundance of trout it contains. The village contains one hotel, one church, (Christian) a shoe shop, blacksmith shop and saw mill.
The town was settled at a very early day ; the south part by immigrants from Mass., and the north by Dutch settlers. Among the latter were families by the name of Showerman, Blackman, Kinyon, Fregers, Evarts and Shurts. Foster was one of the first settlers near Hillsdale village; and Cols. Win. Tanner and Jared Winslow near Green River. The State surrendered its claims to the lands actually occcupied March 12, 1703. Unhappy disputes relative to titles to land in this town, long agitated the inhabitants, and several lives were lost in the controversy before it was finally settled by arbitration.
The Eust Hillsdale Baptist Church was organized with 14 members, May 28, 1787, and with Rev. Stephen Gano, D. D., as its first pastor. The first house of worship was erected in 1787 ;
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and the present one, which will seat 250 persons, in 1839, 'at a cost of about $6,000. The present number of members is 58. At present (May 18:1) there is no pastor, Rev. E. Beardsley having left Jan. 1, 1St1. This is the oldest church in the town, and the following are the names of the 14 constituent members at the date of its organization : "James Martin, Caleb Woodward, jr., Wm. West, jr., Ambrose Latting, Griffin Wilde, Joanna Latting, Ruth Jordan, Phebe Martin, Ester Terry, Rosannah West, Lucy Loop, Anna Woodward, Sarah Martin and Anna Wilde."
The First M. E. Church, of Hillsdale, was organized in 1808, with 30 members, by Rev. Win. Swayze, and its first pastor was D. Ostrander. The first house of worship was erected in 1811, and the present one, which will seat 400 persons, in 1845, at a cost of $6,000. The present pastor is Rev. A. Davis, and mem- bership, 150.
The First Presbyterian Church, located at Hillsdale village, was organized August 16, 1831, by Rev. L. B. Van Dyck, who was its first pastor, with 14 members. The first edifice was "accepted " by the Society July 4, 1833; it was repaired in 1831, and will seat 800 persons. Its value is 85,000. The present membership is 50, and Rev. Winthrop H. Phelps is its pastor. During the pastorate of Rev. L. B. Van Dyck, from its organization to July 25, 1834, 100 persons joined the Church.
The West Hillsdale M. E. Church was organized some 40 years since. The first and present edifice, which will seat 300 per- cons, was erected in 1853, at a cost of 82,500. The first pastor Was Rev. Elbert Osborn; the present one is Rev. Abraham Davis. Its present membership is 75.
The North Hillsdale M. F. Church erected their present house of worship, which will seat 225 persons, in 1837, at a cost of ₹5,000. Its present pastor is Rev. J. H. Champion.
The Harlemville M. E. Church erected their first house in 1820; and the present one, which will seat 250 persons, and whose estimated value is 83,000, in 1854. Rev. - Croft is the present pastor.
The Christian Church, located at Green River, was organized in 1>51, with 30 members, and Allen Hayward as its first Ristor. The house of worship was erected the following year. It will seat 400 persons, and its estimated value is $2,000. The present pastor is Thomas Taylor, and the membership, about 20.
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HUDSON CITY was formed from Claverack, and incor- porated as a city, April 22, 1785. The express object of it. incorporation was to facilitate commercial operations. The charter included all the territory north of Livingston Manor. west of Claverack Creek, and south of Major Abrahams (now Stockport) Creek, extending 180 feet into the Hudson. A part of Stockport was taken off in 1833, and Greenport in 1837. It lies upon the east bank of the Hudson, and like that river derives its name from the English navigator of 1609. It is at the head of ship navigation, near the center of the west border of the County, distant by rail 282 miles from Albany, and 116, from New York. Its surface is a rolling upland. It is built on a ridge, elevated some fifty feet above the water, varying in width from six to fifty rods, and whose sides on the north and south have gradual and uniform slopes. This ridge rises abruptly by a slate bluff to the height of sixty feet at the edge of the river, and having a gentle upward inclination for one and a half miles, terminates in Prospect Hill, a rounded emin- ence 300 feet above the surrounding lands and 500 feet above the river. North and South Bays, two shallow bodies of water. cut off from the river by the road-bed of the Hudson River Railroad, extend about 1,000 feet inland and constitute the western extremity of the ridge a promontory, on which, at the edge of the bluff, a public park containing an area of about one and a half acres has been laid out, and some attempt has been made to ornamentit. This, owing to its elevation and projec- tion into the river, or rather the encroachment of the waters of the two Bays upon the land on either side, giving it the advantage of an actual projection, not only affords a most beautiful promenade, surpassed by but few in the country, but an extensive view of the windings of the Hudson to the north and south, dotted with boats whose white sails dance playfulis upon its waters which kiss and press with gentle fondness their shapely sides, and the row-boats whose oars throw off the crystal globes which sparkle with resplendent beauty as they catch and reflect the sun's bright rays. Our view also takes in Athens, which is directly opposite, across the river, with the grand old Catskills in its rear, towering from 2,000 to 3,800 feet, till their tops are kissed and frequently obscured by the misty clouds which hover round them ; to the left the Moun- tain House, reposing near the summit of the Catskills; directly to the left is Mt. Merino, a noble hill, having an elevation of 250 fert; while in our rear is Hudson with its paved walksani shaded streets, which cross each other at right angles ; Prospect Hill, which alone seems to have checked the growth of the City eastward; and in the distant rear are the Green Hills of Mass.
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Add to this the ever active ferry boats, connecting the City with Athens, and the steam boats plying between it, New York, and other points; the swift moving trains on the Hudson River and the Hudson & Chatham Branch of the Boston & Albany Railroads; and the scattered houses, on either bank of the river, nestled among and peeping out from the trees and shrubbery, to whose dark and sombre outlines they form a pleasing contrast, and you have a picture which for varied and quiet beauty the brush of the artist can but faintly portray. A more extended view may be obtained from Mt. Merino and Prospect Hill. Perhaps that afforded by the latter is most pleasing and least obstructed. It affords not only an excellent view of the points of interest before mentioned, but also of the beautiful and fertile valley of Claverack Creek; also the villages of Claverack, the old hive which has sent out so many swarms into other parts of the County, Mellenville, Stottville, and other small settlements; and on the east, at the foot of Mt. Merino, may be traced by its silvery brightness the serpentine course of a little stream which empties into the South Bay, be- fore doing which, however, its waters are augmented by a still smaller stream. The hills girdle as it were an immense basin, and their rugged tops arc alternately variegated with patches of dark, dense woods and light bare ground; while the more immediate vicinity is gently undulating and covered with a distinguishable verdant foliage, interspersed at intervals with handsome dwellings and neatly kept farm yards, which at once bespeak wealth and culture for their owners, or occupants.
Warren street, on which are the principal business blocks and private residences, extends from the bluff overlooking the river, along the crest of the ridge, to the foot of Prospect Hill. Few streets in any city have a finer location than this.
In the river, opposite the City, is an extensive mud flat, con- cealed by the flow of the tide, but disclosed by its ebb, through which a canal has been cut for the passage of the Hudson and Athens Ferry ; but which was long since abandoned in conse- quence of the facilities it afforded the owners of small boats for the transit of passengers and goods, and the consequent diminution of business with the Ferry Co., and is now nearly filled up by the washings of the tide and current.
This City is the western terminus of the Hudson & Chatham Branch of the Boston & Albany Railroad, and an important station on the Hudson River Railroad. The former Company have built a handsome depot in the north-east part of the City and fitted it with all the modern appliances for the comfort and convenience of its patrons. Its location, however, does not seem to have been chosen with a view to secure the same
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happy results, though this inconvenience is compensated in a measure by the prolongation of the line to the river, near the depot of the Hudson River Railroad. Under the management of the present Company the prosperity of this road is insured. They have a repair shop at this point in which are employed 33 men. The total number of men employed at this terminus is 162. This branch, of which J. T. Waterman is managing agent, was consolidated with the B. & A. road in the winter of 1870, up to which time it was under the control of the present Company, who leased it from the Western Massachusetts R. R. Coal is the principal article of freight. During the year 1870, about 130,000 tons of anthracite, and 35,000 tons of bitumin- ous coal were shipped over the road. A new slip is now being constructed for the convenience of unloading boats and to in- crease the facilities for conducting this branch of the business.
Hudson has enjoyed seasons of business prosperity and cor- responding seasons of adversity; and when we consider that it is the third incorporated city in the State, being preceded only by New York and Albany, it must be conceded that its growth has not been commensurate with its natural advantages. · Various opinions are entertained as to the cause of this manifest retardation of its expansion and increase in population; but the one most universally advanced and which to us seems most satisfactory and conclusive, attributes it to the diffusion of an element among its wealthier citizens, which not only makes them averse to investing their hoarded wealth in business en- terprises which give reasonable promise of success and re- muneration for invested capital, and are calculated to enhance the growth and material interests of the City, but to discourage with a singular selfishness and jealousy the disposition in others to reap the benefit growing out of judicious enterprise and in- dustry, and which their own illiberality alone prevents their en- joying. But there are noble and noted exceptions to this charge, in persons whose influence is being gradually and the more perceptibly felt as this incubus-this illiberal element - dies out. There is a strong tendency manifested to embark in manu- facturing enterprises, which is, we believe, Hudson's true source of wealth, and by which branches of industry it is already very respectably represented. It is asserted that during the past ten years it has attained more substantial growth than in the previ- ous fifty, and this progressive tendency gives promise of per- manencr. Having done what seems to be the legitimate pro- vince of the historian to do, we proceed to give some attention to the business now conducted here.
The Clapp & Jones Manufacturing Co. was organized Dec. 15, 1869, and incorporated Dec. 27, 1869, with Jacob W. Hoysradt,
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president; M. R. Clapp, superintendent ; and S. R. Rainey, treas- urer. It is a stock company with a paid up cash capital of $50,000, and is engaged in the manufacture of the well and favorably known Clapp & Jones fire engines, hose carriages, tenders, trucks, &c. Their works afford facilities for the manufacture of 40 steamers per year, which would necessitate the employ- ment of 100 men. The number of men now employed is 40, and they are making at the rate of about 24 steamers per year ; but the Company contemplate increasing the number of em- ployees to 60 about the middle of May, (1871,) the increasing de- mand for their engines necessitating increased facilities. A brass foundry is connected with the establishment, and the patterns and wood work are made here; in fact they do all the work necessary in the construction of the engines from the rough material. The motive power is furnished by a thirty- horse power engine. The average daily wages paid is $2.85. The engines manufactured at these works are of a very superior character, and vary in capacity, weight and ornamentation, the price being governed in a great measure by the latter quality. The boilers, pumps, valves, gauges and mountings are peculiar- ly their own and present many novel yet simple improvements, due to the inventive genius of Wm. Clapp, the efficient super- intendent, all of which are covered by Letters Patent, or Patent applied for. Perhaps nothing more forcible and pertin- ent can be said in favor of these engines than the fact that they have been awarded the first premiums at every fair at which they have been exhibited. This distinctive engine was first manufactured in New York by Messrs. Clapp & Jones in 1866, but as their superior qualities became known the demand for them rendered increased facilities necessary and the present Company was formed and Hudson selected for the location of the buildings, which stand on the land reclaimed from the South Bay. The present building was begun in March 1870, and in June of the same year the first engine was completed.
The Hudson Iron Co. was organized in 1849 under the general manufacturers' law, as a stock company, with $175,000 capital, which has been increased at various times until its present capital is $375,000. Its officers are Geo. H. Power, president ; Sidney Seymour, secretary and treasurer; and Jacob W. Hoysradt, general agent. They employ 100 men, the average daily wages paid to whom is 8175, and manufacture 50 tons of the best quality of pig iron per day. This amount has been produced for the past seven or eight years. From 35,000 to 38,000 tons of ore is converted annually, and 34,000 tons of coal and 10,000 tons of limestone is annually consumed in smelting it, the latter being used as a flux and purifier. The
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hematitic ore is obtained from West Stockbridge, Mass., a .. ! the magnetic, from Lake Champlain and Fort Montgomery. Two furnaces are in operation, each 15 feet in diameter at the boshes, and 47 feet high. The blast for blowing purposes produced by a vertical condensing steam engine of 400 hor. . power. The iron produced is of an excellent quality, adapted for all purposes for which iron is used, and especially for foun- dry use. The Company own about 90 acres of the South B ... The furnaces were originally set upon piles, but since operations were commenced, about 10 acres of the Bay have been reclaimed by filling in with cinders and debris from the furnaces. It the intention of the Co. to fill up the Bay, or so much of it a: they own. In 1869 some 600 feet river front was sold to the Delaware & Hudson Coal Co., who have made the necessary survey for the erection of a coal depot, and it is their desigh to fill in immediately for that purpose. Delay has arisen in con- sequence of the recent difficulties with the coal miners.
The Columbia County Iron Works were leased to John A. Griswold & Co., of Troy, by the Columbia County Iron Work, Co. in 1862. The latter is a stock company. The works are located near the river, on Water St. Richard P. H. Durkee is superintendent and agent. Fifty men are employed in the manufacture of pig iron, of which 8,000 tons are annually pro- duced, valued during the past year (1870) at $30 per ton. About 16,000 tons of coal, 4,800 tons of limestone and 18,(1) tons of ore are annually consumed. The motive power is furnished by two low pressure steam engines of 75 horse power each. The iron produced here is used at the Rensselaer Irva Works, at Troy, of which John A. Griswold & Co. are the pre- prietors.
The Hudson Foundry and Machine Shop, under the charge of Gifford Brothers, was established in 1816 by Elihu Gifford, and was for many years the only foundry between New York and Albany. The buildings cover about three acres of land. 1: one department are made castings of all descriptions, from t. most minute and simple to the most cumbrous and comple- cated; in the other all kinds of machinery, steam engines and agricultural implements. About 500 tons of pig iron are an- nually consumed in the manufacture of designs, anl 275 tous of coal and GO cords of wood are required to meltit. In the con- struction of molds and cores. 150 tous of sand for the former a' !! 30 barrels of flour for the latter are required annually. Lars quantities of wrought iron are used ; and 30,000 feet of lumia. are consumed in the construction of flasks and patterns fr castings. These works give employment to sixty practica! molders and machinists, to whom 835,000 are yearly paid.
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R. H. Mitchell & Co.'s Machine Works, located on State, be- twoen Seventh and Green Streets, and formerly owned by { harles H. Prentiss, have been operated nearly nine years by :Le present proprietors. The most important of their manu- (tures are machinery for the manufacture of paper, and Evans' Patent Graduating Circular Plane. The latter is designed for planing convex and concave surfaces and is rapidly growing in- to favor among wood workers. The patent was purchased by them several years since for $10,500. A portion of the work .: this plane is done at the Steel Works in Philadelphia, Trenton and Worcester. This establishment gives employment to about 20 men; consumes annually about 300 tons of pig iron and 200 tons of coal ; and manufactures and sells about 150 of these planes.
Hunt & Miller's Stove Foundry, originating with Charles Mc- Arthur, has been in operation many years. Under his able man- agement it grew into notoriety and success, and upon his de- vase it passed into the hands of Messrs. Hunt, Holmes & Co., under whose auspices its good reputation continued. It after- wards became the property of the present owners, who have produced many new and beautiful designs, perfected its work- manship and enlarged its interest until it has obtained the name of " the model stove manufactory." The foundry is situ- ted on Water St., opposite the Hudson River Railroad Depot. When in full operation about 60 men are employed. At present about 350 tons of iron are used annually, together with 150 tons of coal and 100 tons of sand.
Hudson Steam Mill, J. J. Martin & Co .; proprietors, is situ- ated on Franklin Square, and is under the management of W. II. Harder. The building is an old land mark, but it has been improved in appearance and fitted with machinery adapted for grinding flour, feed and plaster, and calculated to dispense with much manual labor. The mill is taxed to its utmost capacity to supply the demand made on it. It employs ten men ; pro- duces daily about 60 barrels of rye flour and 30 tons of plaster ; and consumes nearly 5,000 bushels of grain per week.
W'm. I. Traver & Son, builders, lumber dealers, and manufac- turers of sash, doors, blinds and moldings, are doing quite an extensive business and one which has contributed largely to the best interests of the City. They employ from 35 to 50 men, d'un many more. The works are located on Diamond St., near the center of the City, and are provided with all the appliances which convenience or utility could suggest in such an estab- lishment. The motive power is furnished by a steam engine of sixty horse-power. The Dyeing House, adjoining the mill, is a
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novelty, and owing to the arrangement of the pipes, 25,0 feet of lumber can be thoroughly seasoned at one time. Through the philanthropy of these gentlemen many have been enabled to acquire comfortable homes, by purchasing the property and paying its value in installments, and though over one hundred houses have been disposed of in that way, not a single mortgag. has been foreclosed for the non-payment of either principal or interest.
The Brewery of Messrs. Phipps & Evans is located in the North Bay, and is under the personal management of C. H. Evans. who, with his efficient assistants, have so systemized and per- fected the arrangements for conducting the business, as to render it a model brewery. No expense is spared in procuring the materials and machinery for the manufacture of the "Evans' Ale." The best Canadian barley and the finest hops the market affords, together with the modern improvements for managing the fermentations and regulating the temperature, have rendered the product of their stills noted, and the process of summer brew- ing not only possible, but easy. The firm have a store in New York at 127 Hudson St., five stories high and furnished with ample cellars for storing during hot weather. This is under the charge of Mr. Phipps. The number of barrels of beer brewed during 1870 was over 50,000; in the manufacture of which 100,000 bushels of barley and 150,000 pounds of hops were con- sumed. The large malt house on State St., in addition to the one at the brewery, although capable of holding 30,000 bushti- of malt, is not sufficiently large for their purpose, and quanti- ties of grain are purchased already malted for use. Under the State St. malt house is a very extensive cellar and sub-ce !. lar, where 6,000 barrels of ale can easily be stored. These cellars are built of brick and stone arches in the most substan- tial manner, so as safely to support the heavy building. The establishment affords steady employment for 47 men.
Millard & Waterbury's Brewery, corner of Second and Chapel Streets, employs 20 men in the manufacture of a light ale for immediate consumption, called "Present Use." Nearly the entire product, 40 barrels per day, is consumed in this vicinity. For some years past more attention has been paid to maltin. than brewing, which they find is quite as profitable. During the year 1870, 30,000 bushels of barley were malted by thet, filling, in addition to other orders, one of 10,000 bushels to Messrs. Phipps & Evans. They also manufactured 10,000 bar- rels of ale. All the modern improvements have been intro- duced into this establishment, and no pains are spared to sus- tain the high reputation their ale has achieved.
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The Hudson & New York Steam Transportation Line came into the possesion of George H. Power, the present proprietor, in 1-68, and does a freighting and commission business. Two boats, the Nupha and Redfield, for the transportation of pas- ungers and freight, run in connection with the B: & A. R. R., and the Company ticket passengers and bill freight to any point on that line. The Redfield is owned in Coxsackie by Messrs. Read & Powell, and runs in connection with this line, which forms a through daily line to New York city.
The Athens and Hudson Ferry boat, owned by Obed Pen- nover of Athens, runs between these two points every half hour.
The City contains three newspaper offices, a job printing office and four banks. The population in 1870 was $.615 ; of this number, 7,002 were natives, and 1,613, foreigners ; s,274, white, and 341, colored.
The City Hall is a brick building, located on Warren Street near the center of the City. The Post Office is in one part of the lower story ; the other part is used for mercantile purposes.
The Public Schools of Hudson are justly noted for their excellence; but we believe they would be still further improved and their efficiency increased by the ignoring of that prejudice which leads its citizens to separate the sexes in their schools, a practice which doubtless originated with the Quakers, who formed about one-third of the early settlers of the City, and with which the private schools (of which there are some very worthy ones,) have had to contend. This is, perhaps, the only seriously objectionable feature which their school system presents. It is gratifying, however, to be able to state that it is beginning to disappear. In 1837 the City was divided into four school districts, and now gives employment to 19 teachers. The number of children of school age, as shown by report for Year ending June 30, 1870, was 3,034 ;. the average attendance, 190.674; and the amount expended for school purposes, $10,508.07. In addition to the public schools there are three ably conducted private schools.
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