Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 96

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- [from old catalog] comp; Horton, William H., [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers and binders
Number of Pages: 1384

USA > New York > Jefferson County > Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890 > Part 96

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).

643

TOWN OF RODMAN.

rence, Thomas Harrington, Nathan Whitman, Winslow G. Tracy, William A. Flint, Daniel Field, Daniel Kinney, Harry Wagoner, John Burr, Samuel Ralph, Joseph Pratt, Alanson Cummings, Charles Parmeter, Alvin Buck, Ansel Brainard, Benoni Edwards, Samuel Kelsey, Return Russell, Philo Booth, James Glass, Asa Hill. In 1811 Willard M. Winslow settled in the town ; in 1813, William Sill; and about the same time Abel Cole and Nathan Strong, all becoming prominent in the history of Rodman, the latter two hav- ing served as members of the legislature-Cole in 1818, and Strong in 1832. Cole was also a judge in 1815.

The first inn-keeper in the town was Simeon Hunt, who located his tavern at the mouth of Gulf stream, which was a prominent point along the Sandy Creek road, between Zoar and Whitesville. About a mile below Whitesville Benjamin Sill kept a large frame hotel at an early day. This building was yet standing a few years ago, though not in use. Dry Hill at one time was considered of enough importance to have a store, which was conducted by Michael Heustis and John Priest. The building they occupied was after- wards utilized as a wood house by one of the thrifty residents.

The first school in town was taught in the summer of 1803, in Anson Moody's barn, by Miss M. Nobles. A number of log school-houses were erected the next year, which were used until they gave place to a better class of buildings. In 1840 the citizens of Rodman, at a cost of $1,200, which was raised by subscriptions, built a seminary, which was given the name of Rod- man Union Seminary. After a number of years of prosperity the seminary ran into a decline and was finally discontinued, the building being occupied by the public school for a time, when the property finally reverted to the heirs of Nathan Strong.

CHURCHES.

The first religious services in the town, it is said, were conducted in the summer of 1802, by Rev. Mr. Woodward, a missionary, who on a week day preached to a small audience at the cabin of Anson Moody.

Rodman Congregational Church, located at Rodman village, was organized September 22, 1805, by Rev. William Lazelle, a missionary, and at its organ- ization consisted of the following members : Nathaniel Nichols, Reuben Tremaine, Aaron Loomis, Nathaniel Crook, David Coy, Laura Tremaine, Sally Loomis, and David Bishop. In July, 1806, Mr. Lazelle received into mem- bership of the church Jesse Wright, Lydia Wright, William Dodge, Lydia Dodge, Martin Standlif, and Olive Standlif, the whole number of members at this time being 14. This was really the pioneer church in all this region. The church in Adams was formed in 1804, but no minister was permanently settled there until 1811, and in Watertown no minister was located until 1814, when the people of that town united with those of Rutland in the sup- port of a clergyman. The first regular pastor of this church was Rev. David

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TOWN OF RODMAN.

Spear, who preached his first sermon in Rodman on the second Sunday of August, 1808, was installed as pastor September 13, 1809, and continued in the pastorate of the church, with the exception of two years in Smithville, two in Rutland, and two in Denmark, for more than 55 years. Previous to Mr. Spear's ministry Rev. Mr. Priddle and Rev. Mr. Vale labored here, but the exact time of their services cannot now be ascertained. For 10 years after its organization the church was without an edifice, and its meetings were held in school-houses in winter and in barns in warm weather. The first church building, a wooden structure, was erected in 1815. It was 38 feet wide and 50 feet long, and its spire was about 85 feet high. For a number of years it was used without any means of warming, except as individuals brought their own foot-stoves. The church was repaired in 1830, and again in 1843, and in 1849 it was finally abandoned. In 1851 the present house of worship was erected, and in 1877 received extensive repairs, the whole cost aggregating about $7,000. It will comfortably seat 350 persons, and is now valued, in- cluding grounds and other church property, at $8,000. In 1854 a chapel was erected in the rear of the church at a cost of several hundred dollars. The church now has a membership of 115, under the pastoral charge of Rev. Charles A. Redgrave. The Sunday-school has a membership of 120, with an average attendance of 85.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Rodman and Whitesville villages has a house of worship in each village. A class was organized in 1804, the members being Anson and Epaphras Moody, John Fassett, Richard Dye, Alpheus Nichols, Thomas White, Peter Yandes, and Ebenezer Blackstone. Nev. Isaac Puffer, George Gary, Elisha Wheeler, Lewis Whitcomb, and Giles and John Dempster preached in a log school-house, and being driven out held services in John Fassett's kitchen, midway between Rodman and Whitesville. In 1829 the several classes in town were organized into a cir- cuit. The first Methodist meeting in Rodman village was held in 1847, by Rev. Elisha Wheeler, in an old red school-house which stood on the site of the present school building. The same year a subscription was raised, ground purchased of W. D. Allport, and the frame of a church erected. This church was completed in 1849 and dedicated by Bishop Jones. The first class consisted of John P. Billings, Alanson Kinney and wife, C. D. Moffitt and wife, James Brown and wife, and Mrs. Thomas Field, the first named of whom is still living. The first Sunday-school was organized in 1847, with John P. Billings as superintendent. The first regular pastor of the church in this town, of which we have record, was Rev. Alexander Erwin, who was located here in 1821. The first house of worship was erected in 1829, of wood, without steeple or paint. The present church building in Whitesville was erected in 1858, at a cost of $2,500. It will comfortably seat 180 per- sons, and is now valued, including grounds, etc., at about $3,000. The Sun- day-school in Whitesville was organized in 1857, and O. D. Hill was the first superintendent. The present house of worship in Rodman will comfortably

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TOWN OF RODMAN.

seat 270 persons, cost about $3,500, and is valued, including grounds, etc., at about $4,000. In 1876-77 this church received extensive repairs, and was rededicated by Bishop Peck. The present membership of the two churches is 160, under the pastoral charge of Rev. C. E. Miller. The Sunday-school has 157 members and 28 officers and teachers, with J. P. Billings, of Rod- man, and John B. Edwards, of Whitesville, superintendents.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

Simeon Hunt was one of the first settlers in the town of Rodman, having moved here from Vermont, with an ox-team, in 1801. He built a log cabin on the site now occupied by G. F. Isham's house, and here kept a tavern for a number of years. It is related of his wife that for six months after coming here she saw no other female. At this time, and for some years after, the nearest grist-mill was at Brownville, a distance of 12 miles, to which the early settlers carried their grain on their backs, their only guide through the unbroken forest being " blazed " trees. Mr. Hunt was a very religious man, and was a member of the first church in town, organized in 1805.

Ariel Edwards was born September 7, 1781, in the town of Haddam, Conn., where his life was spent until the spring of 1802, when he migrated to what is now Rodman and took up a farm on the north side of Sandy Creek, on great lot No. 14, where he spent the summer clear_ ing land. In the fall he sold his betterments and returned to Connecticut. Returning the following spring, he located on great lot No. 18, where he resided a number of years. In the summer of 1805 he was united in marriage with Lydia, daughter of William Dodge, a promi- nent citizen of the town, by whom he had four sons, Daniel, Rufus, Nelson, and William A. His wife died in 1813. In 1814 he was married to Mrs. Jemima Hurlbut, by whom he had four children, Lydia, Ariel, Paul S., and Charles L. He continued to reside in this town until 1835, when he removed to Pinckney, Lewis County, where he died in May, 1853. Daniel Edwards was born in Rodman, May 10, 1806, and is believed to have been the first child born in the town who attained maturity. He was educated in the common schools of the town, and spent the most of his time on his father's farm until he was 21 years of age, when he engaged in business on his own account. In 1833 he married Elizabeth, daughter of the late Michael Heustis, of this town, by whom he had eight children, Lydia A., Martha J., Maryette, Elizabeth, Innocent, Orrin F., John S., and Alice M. He removed to Pinckney, Lewis County, near East Rodman, in 1868, where he died February 6, 1874, at the residence of his sons, who are promi- nent citizens of that town, having held various offices of trust and responsibility in the town and county.

Reuben Smith, from Nelson, N. H., came to Rodman in 1802, locating upon the farm now occupied by George C. Bibbins, where he cleared land and engaged in farming. He married Pamelia, daughter of Jesse Wright, by whom he had 10 children, namely: Eunice, Ezra, James, Esther, George W., Ruth, Mary, Jennette, Oren, and Andrew J. He was well known in the community and served the town as supervisor one term. James Smith, son of Reuben, was born in Rodman in 1808, and in 1831 married Harriet E., daughter of Miles and Mary Ralph, who died in 1884. He has been a farmer, and now resides at Unionville. He has a daughter, Adelia W., who married Laban F. Spink, who is a farmer and resides on road 13. Mr. and Mrs. Spink have five children, viz .: Rozaltha E. (Mrs. W. D. Hickox), Albert L., Jan- nette M., Mary H., and Harriet B. The latter married C. P. Dodge, of Adams, and died in 1881, leaving two daughters, Bessie L. and Ina P., who reside with their grandparents.

George W. Smith, son of Reuben, was born in this town in 1812, on the farm now owned by George C. Bibbins. In 1840 he married Fanny, daughter of Jesse Merwin, of Rodman, and resided on the homestead until 1850, when he removed to Unionville, where he died in 1871. He had four children, namely: Zelia (Mrs. Giles W. Gardner), Reuben Z., Em- ma R. (Mrs. La Mort S. Holley), of Iowa, and Ora T., who died in 1879. Reuben Z. Smith married Mary G., daughter of Almanson Tibbitts, of Rodman, in 1866, and has three children, Fannie E., G. Raymond, and Milton E. Mrs. Smith died in 1876.

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TOWN OF RODMAN.

William Dodge, who served in the Revolutionary war, came to the town of Rodman with his family in 1803, and settled on a tract of wild land on road 11. He brought with him a horse, a yoke of oxen, and two cows. At the time of his settlement here fish and game pre- vailed in abundance, and tront and salmon were caught in large numbers from the brook run- ning close by his house. Mr. Dodge assisted in organizing the first Congregational society in Rodman, of which church he was an active member. He and wife both died in Richland, Oswego County. They had eight children, namely: Abigail, John, Lydia, Chester, Sylvester, Clarissa, Fanny, and Polly, all of whom are dead. Sylvester Dodge, son of William, was born in 1788. He married, in 1810, Margaret, daughter of John and Abigail McChesney, of Rupert, , Vt., and settled on the old homestead. He always resided in this town, and was a deacon in the Congregational Church and a much respected citizen. He was accidentally killed in 1851 by being thrown from his carriage. His wife died in 1865. Their children were Abigail, Lydia P., John D., William S., James S., Gilbert S., and Franklin L. William S. Dodge, who was born June 25, 1820, married Cynthia, daughter of Samuel Ballard, of Watertown, in 1854, and settled on the farm where he now resides. His children are Charles P., of Adams, Ward S., Minnie G., and Melvin Gilbert, the latter a student in Hamilton College. Mr. Dodge has been a justice of the peace for eight years.

John Fassett, Jr., was born in Fitzwilliam, N. H., in 1767. He married Sally Nichols, who was born January 1, 1775, and they located in Whitestown, Oneida County, whence they removed to Rodman in 1803, bringing with them four children, Sally, Polly, Austin, and John, Jr. Mr. Fassett came in in the winter, with an ox-team, and took up a lot of wild land now owned by his grandson, Milan A. Fassett. After locating here five more children were born to them, namely: Benjamin, Martha, Harriet, Laura, and Benjamin. Dr. John Fassett, Jr., was born in 1801. He married Electa M. Toby, of Brownville, and took up his residence on the old homestead. He studied medicine with Dr. Hale, of Adams, and practiced his profession in this town for 25 years. He was a kind and charitable man, and was always ready to assist the unfortunate. He had three children, Oren, Laurette, and Milan A. The latter was born December 25, 1839. He married Nettie, daughter of Washington Holley, of Adams, in 1868. by whom he has a son, John T. Mr. Fassett occupies the old homestead, and is also proprietor of a creamery.

Caleb Woodward, son of Caleb, a Scotchman, one of the early settlers of Dutchess County, N. Y., settled in Rodman from Warren, Herkimer County, in 1803, purchasing 300 acres of land on Dry Hill, where he engaged for a number of years in the manufacture of potash. His family consisted of two sons and nine daughters. The eldest son, Jesse, was born in 1783, in the town of Oblong, Dutchess County, and the youngest son, Milton, in the same place, in 1789. The daughters were all married and settled near Rodman. Caleb Woodward was a captain in the Rev- olution. He and his sons, with others, cnt the first road through from Toad Hollow to Na- thaniel Harrington's, He died in Canada, aged 91 years. Milton Woodward, in 1816, married Hannah Webb, and settled in the town of Adams, one and one-half miles north of Adams Center, the Sand street road being then but a mere path in the woods. He served in the War of 1812, and was one of the 140 men who carried the " big cable " from Sandy Creek to Sackets Harbor. They had children as follows: Marquis, Oliva (Mrs Charles Hall), Constant (Mrs. Mary Stickney), Egiva (Mrs. Eleazer Williams), Minerva (Mrs. Henry Gordinere), Juliett (Mrs. J. Weaber), Ovilla, Benjamin Franklin, Richard Rush, Amelia Maria (Mrs. Louis Sluman), Jenet (Mrs. Isaac Parker), and William Jasper. In 1834 he moved into the town of Rodman, to the farm now owned by B. F. Woodward, where he lived for nearly 30 years, dying in his 85th year. He was twice married, the second time, in 1844, to Mrs. Electa Stickney, who sur- vived him three years. Marquis Woodward, in 1845, emigrated to Van Buren County, Mich., where, in 1847, he married Eliza A., daughter of Daniel Taylor, of Litchfield, Conn. In 1865 he and his family returned to Jefferson County, locating in Henderson, afterwards removing to Rodman. where he now resides. They had two sons and two daughters, Leonora A., Oren M., Fremont M .. and Carrie A. (Mrs. Samuel Parker). Oren M. Woodward married, in 1871, Mellie E .. daughter of C. S. and Mary (Smith) Gage, who settled in Rodman in 1833, from Monkton, Vt. Mr. Woodward has two sons, Charles G., born in 1874, and Rollin O., born in 1879. Ile resides in Rodman, on the farm of C. S. Gage.

Daniel Todd, son of Daniel, a native of Connecticut, removed with his wife, Betsey Peck, to Rodman, in 1804, locating at Whitesville, where he built a tannery in 1806, and engaged in

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TOWN OF RODMAN.

shoemaking, continuing in the latter business nearly up to the time of his death. He was also a farmer during the last years of his life. He had 13 children, 12 of whom attained maturity. They were Mary, Lyman, William, Jolm, Eliza, Betsey, Enoch L., Daniel, Jr., David M., Ma- rietta, Julia E., Joseph, and Melissa. Mr. Todd was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for 70 years, and was an influential citizen of the town. His son, David M. Todd, was born December 18, 1820. In 1848 he married Phebe S. Babbitt and continued his resi- dence on the homestead, where he now resides. He has been a farmer and a school teacher, and served the town as justice of the peace 12 years. He has had five children, namely: Emma L., who died at the age of 23 years; Edward M., of Burr's Mills; Arthur C .; Eunice A. (Mrs. Frank J. Clements), of Tylerville; and Herman S.

Ziba Buell, Sr., was a native of Vermont, whence he removed to Jefferson County in 1803, and in 1804 or '05 located in Rodman on the farm now owned by Simeon H. Gates. In 1832 he removed to Zoar, where he resided until his death. He reared eight children, namely: Ver- ona (Mrs. Kellogg Greenly), Horace, Oren, Ordelia (Mrs. Elias Burton), Silas, Mary (Mrs. O. C. Wyman), and Hiram. The latter resides in Ellisburgh.

Jesse Wright came from Nelson, N. H., to this town, in 1804 or 1805, and settled on the farm now occupied by his grandson Nathan A. He cleared land and engaged in farming. which occupation he followed until his death. Nathan, son of Jesse, married, first, Sophia Beals, of Nelson, N. H., and second, Almira Hunt, of Vermont. By his first wife he had four children, Lucy A., Nathan A., Elford F., and George B., and by his second wife a son, Charles E. Mr. Wright continued on the old homestead until his death, and always retained the respect and confidence of his neighbors.

Jonathan Wyman, son of Samuel, was born in old Concord, Mass., and in 1805 came to Rodman, from Nelson, N. H. He married Abigail, daughter of John Adams, of Nelson, and they had three children, Abigail, Mary, and Henry, who came to Rodman with their parents. Mr. Wyman brought his family with a one-horse sleigh, in the month of February, locating upon what is now a part of C. S. Gage's farm. He subsequently removed to the farm now occupied by J. M. Brown, where he died in 1823. After locating here he had born to him four children, Elsie M., Nancy J., Oliver C., and Caroline E. Mrs. Wyman died in 1864. Oliver C. Wyman, son of Jonathan, was born in this town April 1, 1812. He attended the common schools until he attained the age of 15 years, after which he went to the Ruger High School at Watertown. He taught school several terms, and served the town as school superintendent. He was supervisor in 1858-59 and in 1866-67, and in 1871-72 was a member of Assembly from the first district. In 1838 he married Mary R., daughter of Ziba Buell, by whom he had five children, viz .: Heury S., a physician in Morenci, Mich .; Manfred C., Willy J., and George W., who reside in this town; and Mary E., who died young. Mrs. Wyman died in 1878, and for his second wife he married Mrs. Marcia S. Sanford. W. J. Wyman was born in this town in 1849, and has been engaged in mercantile business here since he attained maturity. He has been justice of the peace since 1880, and has been supervisor for the past three years.

Darius Wood, son of Dr. Isaac S. Wood, was born in Wilbraham, Mass., in 1804, and was one year old when his parents located in Rodman. May 1, 1826, he married Sally, daughter of Richard Boynton, by whom he had seven children-Marcia S., Alonzo D., Isaac S., Mary J., Ellen E., Eliza J., and Morris. Mr. Wood died in 1849, and his wife in 1872. Their son Isaac S. resides in Rodman village

Miles Ralph came from Delhi, Delaware County, to Rodman, about 1805, and settled on the farm now owned by Ward Bibbins, where he purchased and cleared 225 acres of wild land. He served as justice of the peace several years, was a director in the Jefferson County National Bank, and at the time of his death was one of the wealthiest men in the town. He married Mary Cornwell and they had 14 children, 11 of whom attained maturity, and two are now liv- ing, viz .: Leonard D., of Neshkoro, Wis., and Marcus D., of Rodman. The latter married Fanny Edwards, of Philadelphia, by whom he has two children, Fred and Elena.

Asa Cooley, a native of Connecticut, came from Whitingham, Vt., to Rodman, about 1807, locating upon the farm now occupied by his grandson, Oscar F. Cooley. He married Sarah Pratt, by whom he had three sons and two daughters, viz .: Ora, Lura (Mrs. E. Palmer),. Laura (Mrs. James Ingalls), of Wilna, Loring, and Elam. Mr. Cooley was an extensive farmer and was well known in the town. Three of his brothers, John, Stephen, and David, settled in this town and reared families. Ora Cooley, son of Asa, was born in 1776. In 1821

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TOWN OF RODMAN.

he married Amanda, daughter of Timothy Greenly, of Rodman, and located on the farm now occupied by his son Julian V. He married, second, Chloe Kellogg, by whom he had three children, Julian V., Augustus C., and Rodoski. By his first wife he had four children, Alfred, Deloss, Emily, and Charlotte. Mr. Cooley was prominent in town affairs, was supervisor from 1833 to 1836, and in 1841, '53, and '57; was town clerk several years, and served as school com- missioner. He died in 1858.

Loring Cooley, son of Asa, was born in Whitingham, Vt., and came to this town with his father when about three years of age. He married Charlotte Bullock, of Lorraine, and settled on the farm now owned by Eri Cooley, where he died. His first wife died about two years after their marriage, and for his second wife he married Mary Bullock, a sister of his first wife, and they had four children, Egbert, Esther, Eri, and Elvira (Mrs. H. S. Porter).

Elam Cooley, son of Asa, was born in Rodman, July 24, 1809. About 1831 he married Julia F. Bullock, of Worth, and located upon the old homestead, where he resided a few years, when he removed to Rodman village, where he died. He did an extensive business in buying produce from the farmers. He had four sons, namely: Orson M., a druggist, who resides in Rochester; Leander W., a produce dealer, also of Rochester; Oscar F., who occupies the home- stead; and Nelson G., who resides in Rodman village, and is engaged in the produce business.

Nelson G. Cooley, son of Elam and Julia F. (Bullock) Cooley, was born Jannary 3, 1841. In 1858-59 he served as clerk for Strong & Cooley, and in 1860 formed a partnership with his older brother, L. W. Cooley, in the general merchandise business, under the firm name of Cooley Brothers, successors to Strong & Cooley, in which business he continued four years. He then engaged in farming for four years, when he again formed a partnership with his brother under the firm name of L. W. & N. G. Cooley, which continued until January 1, 1876. December 21, 1874, he was appointed postmaster at Rodman, which office he held four and a half years. He was elected commissioner of highways in 1877-78 and 1881, and town clerk in 1885-86-87.

Jonathan Boynton was born in Milford, Mass,, in 1795, and when a few weeks old his parents removed to Rockingham, Vt., where they resided 13 years, thence removing to Rodman, in 1808, where they made a settlement upon the farm now owned by John Gregg. At the age of 20 years, without means, Mr. Boynton commenced the battle of life for himself, with a hopeful heart and willing hands, and three years thereafter had saved $700, with which, in company with his brother Richard, he purchased the farm near Sandy Creek, and about two miles east of Rodman, where he resided for many years. In 1819 Mr. Boynton wedded with Maria Kinney, a most worthy helpmate, who shared his joys and sorrows until her death, 22 years after her marriage, leaving to his care their family of nine children, whom he lived to see grow up and become useful and honorable members of society. Their names are as fol- lows: Lester S., Harriet A. (Mrs. Israel Adams), of Watertown, Harrison, who resides in the village of Copenhagen, Lewis County, Elonzo D., of Adams, Martha M. (the late Mrs. O. D. Hill), Emma A. (Mrs. O. D. Hill), Jeannette E. (Mrs. R. D. Konfield), and Austin, of Chicago. In 1829 Mr. Boynton was elected trustee of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, in this town, and aided largely in building and sustaining the same. By his industry, integrity, and frugality he acquired a competency, and gave freely for charitable and religious purposes. At his death he left a name of which his descendants may well feel proud, and his life was an example worthy of emulation.

Adam Flint, a British soldier, was the first of that name to locate in this country, but in what year he came is not known. His son, Adam Flint, Jr., served in the French and English war, and in the Revolution, and became a resident of Montgomery County. William A. Flint, son of Adam, Jr., was born in Montgomery County in 1776. He married Malinda Russell, and in 1808 came to Rodman, and located on the farm now occupied by his son Cyrus C. He was a member of the M. E. Church, and one of the first members of the Masonic lodge in Rodman. He had 11 children, namely: Mary E., Martha, Russell, Malinda, Adam R., William R., Mary A., Maria, Alanson R., Cyrus C., and Cyrenus C. Russell Flint was born in the town of Rodman, where he married Elizabeth Belcher, and settled on the farm now occupied by his son George W., where he died in 1846, and his wife in 1889.

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Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y. 1684-1890, Part 96

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- [from old catalog] comp; Horton, William H., [from old catalog] ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers and binders Number of Pages: 1384

Author: Child, Hamilton, 1836- [from old catalog] comp; Horton, William H., [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., The Syracuse journal company, printers and binders
Number of Pages: 1384