Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 113

Author: Haddock, John A. 1823-
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Sherman
Number of Pages: 1094

USA > New York > Jefferson County > Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894 > Part 113

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Prof. Charles S. Shaver has been principal of the school for the past eight years. The other teachers are Catherine B. Griffith, Pre- ceptress ; Mrs. B. A. Fitzgerald, Preparatory Regent; Mrs. S. A. Clark, Charlotte Mac- donald, Anna Locklin, Jessie Macandie, Mayme Kelly, Matilda Thibault.

THE CHURCHES.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. - Methodism in Clayton dates from December 20, 1833. The first society was then organ- ized, with Silas F. Spicer, Amos Reynolds, Willis Howard, James E. Fuller and Amos Gillett as trustees. In November of the next year another society was organized at Depau- ville, and a church built in each of the vil- lages. The third society of the church was formed in 1840, with E. G. Merick, John N. Fowler, Perry Caswell, John Wilson, Fair- field Hartford, Woodbridge C. George and Adonijah Brush as trustees. A fine parson- age was erected adjoining the church in the year 1873, at a cost of $3,000. In the year 1881, during the pastorate of Rev. J. B.

Hammond, the sum of $4,000 was expended in rebuilding the church, which was re-dedi- cated in December of the same year. The auditorium was enlarged and a new chapel added at a cost of $4,000, during the pastor- ate of Rev. S. B. Barnes, in the year 1888. The church and parsonage now form one of the finest church properties in the county, and the prosperous condition of the society is attested by the fact that, notwitstanding an outlay of $12,000 during the past few years, the church is entirely free from debt. The present pastor is Rev. Charles Sheard, and the trustees are D. C. Porter, D. T. Corp, W. G. Vincent, R. P. Grant, Peter Dorr, James Hayes, J. W. Thompson, James Ratchford and W. H. Lingenfelter.

ST. MARY'S (CATHOLIC) CHURCH, the finest and most costly church building in Clayton, and one that ranks among the finest in the county, is St. Mary's. It is constructed of stone, and in its proportions, its massive and substantial appearance presents an architec- tural design rarely excelled. Its cost was $30,000. Among the first Catholic families to find their way to Clayton in the year 1830, were Moses LeFaive, Thomas Brennan, Thomas Delaney, John Hayes and John Tierny. The first priest to say mass in the town was Father Francis Guth. In 1843 the society built a church under the title "St. Mary's," upon land donated them for the purpose by J. LeRay de Chaumont. For many years, however, the parish had no resident pastor, various priests serving the parish. The first resident priest was the Rev. James J. Sherry, who came in 1863. The priests who have served the church since that time to date are: Rev. De Saund- hac, 1867-73; Rev. John Arants, 1873-75; Rev. John Craven, 1875-76; Rev. Michael Brown, 1876-77; Rev. James J. Sherry, 1877-83; and Rev. Edward G. Brice, 1883. The Catholic population of Clayton has had a steady growth, the number of Catholic families at present numbering about 250. Consequently the old church built in 1844 was found inadequate to meet the needs of the increased membership, and the result has been, under the leadership and tireless efforts of the present pastor, Rev. Edward G. Brice, the magnificent church edifice already described. The new church was commenced in the spring of 1885, and the corner stone was laid August 17, of the same year, and was dedicated December 7, 1889.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH .- The first Baptist society of Clayton was organized in 1842, with 17 members, among whom were Henry Walt, A. Buskirk, Lucinda Buskirk, James D. Gloyd, Lucinda Gloyd, Norman Hurd, George Gould, Mary Gould, Edward Bur- chell, Frances Burchell, Dr. Pierce and wife and N. A. Brooks. A church was built by Hiram Ballard for the society in 1845. The church building was rebuilt in 1888, and is now well adapted to the needs of the congre- gation. The seating capacity is 300, and the value of the church and furniture exceeds

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$5,000. The present membership of the society is about 100. This church has many prominent and wealthy friends among the summer residents at the Thousand Islands who are interested in its welfare, and render it substantial aid. Among the number are Jacob Hayes, Dr. Edward Bright and J. G. Baldwin. Following is a complete list of the pastors who have served the church since it was founded : D. G. Blount, G. W. Divoll, H. C. Beals, Dewitt C. Taylor, J. C. Ken- nard, D. F. Leach, E. M. Buyrn, D. R. Wat- son, J. W. Henry, J. B. Mann, G. H. Freder- ick, A. W. Cady, L. G. Brown, H. W. Reed, E. F. Main, G. H. Brigham, O. P. Meeks, T. Howland, C. M. Thompson and H. J. Baldwin. Rev. H. J. Baldwin is the present pastor, and W. H. Consaul, Lyman C. Ben- nett, George W. Potter, Aldridge Kendall, H. M. Keyes and Allan Patch constitute the present board of trustees.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH .- The last church established in Clayton is the Congre- gational, which was organized March 17, 1890, with 35 charter members, and was legally incorporated the following Septem- ber. A site for the church was selected on James street, and the corner stone was laid in the spring of the same year. The build- ing is of beautiful design, and well calculated to insure comfort and to meet the needs of the congregation. The cost was $11,000. The first pastor was Rev. Thomas Hall, who served the church one year. Rev. H. E. Gurney was then secured as pastor, but recently resigned to engage in temperance evangelistic work. He was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. G. A. Shaw. The society has a large Sunday school, and a membership of more than 100. The present trustees are: Dr. G. M. McCombs, H. B. Dewey, J. L. Atwood, B. W. Dewey, E. A. Burlingame, William Stephens, M. W. At- wood, Capt. J. A. Taylor and A. J. Spals- bury.

CLAYTON CEMETERY.

THE CLAYTON CEMETERY contains about 25 acres of land, and is situated a mile south- east of the village. It is an attractive spot. Perhaps the most ancient of the burials there was that of a former wealthy land-owner. We copy the incription upon his tombstone:

"John McDougall Lawrence, Esq., of the city of New York, while on a visit to this place, May 22. 1835, suddenly departed this life, in the 60th year of his age. He was the only son of John Lawrence, of the First Congress of the United States. and grand- son of Major General Alexander McDougall of the army of the Revolution. His sister, Elizabeth Law- rence, places this tomb-stone over his grave."

An interesting grave is that of Capt. W. Niles Smith, of Company L, 9th Regiment New York Cavalry. He died in 1891.

Perhaps the most historical grave is that of Gurdon Caswell, the first man to make paper in Watertown, who is buried in the Clayton cemetery. He died March 29, 1862, in the 79th year of his age.

There are many other historic graves there. When Mrs. McCormick visited the

village of Clayton in 1894, where she had resided in the family of Mr. Merick for many years, she had caused the bodies of some of her kindred to be removed from a rural burying-ground to the Clayton ceme- tery, an act which manifested a sympathy with the scenes of her early life, and a natural and honorable regard for those of her kindred who have passed over the river.

LIST OF SOLDIERS.

The following is a list of the present mem- bers of Albert Dennis Post No. 410, Clayton, New York, for which we return thanks to Comrade S. V. Frame, Adjutant of the Post: John A. Cook, Jackson Jenkins, Solomon V. Frame, A. J. Woolidge, Charles P. Bass, Horace Ingerson, Daniel Harwood, Joseph Longsway, Lewis W. Eddy, A. J. Spauls- bury, Wm. N. Knight, Alsam Abbey, W. D. Parish, L. Marcellus, Charles Cassen, A. P. Ladd, Lewis Cuppernall, Emory Steele, J. W. Thompson, John Grandea, James Ratch- ford, John Surcott, Joseph Surcott, J. A. Bartlett, O. R. Meeks, Chas. F. Blanchard, Greenleaf Farr, D. D. Butts, C. T. Nunn, Jas. A. Taylor, Edgar Collins, Orren Rice, Wm. Joles, D. F. Pierce, Joshua Calhoon, John Beznah, Judson Carter, Fred W. Baltz, Alexander Minor, H. W. Moore, Charles Hutchinson, A. J. Gibbons, Peter Mayer, Robert Delay, Roswell Houghton, Horace Parkhurst, Roswell Hildreth, Eli S. Carter, Joseph A. Lewis, Wm. Mackey; Thomas Rushlow, Phylander A. Spencer, John Gray, James Finn, S. W. Sargeant, S. D. Carpen- ter, Henry Bray, Nelson Green, David Z. Dana, Willard L. Cook, A. D. Webster, Jas. Daniels, James R. Kilbourn.

THE LUMBER AND OTHER INDUSTRIES.

E. G. Merick, in his day, probably carried on the most extensive business of any man who ever lived in Clayton. He and his associates conducted a very large business here in rafting, lumbering, ship-building and merchandizing. Mr. Merick came to Clay- ton soon after the village began to develop, and remained until about 1860, when he went to Detroit, where he died. [See his bio- graphy, p. 168n.]

The lumber trade of Clayton has of late years taken on a new phase. It is now con- fined to supplying the farmers and island- owners with the lumber and mill-work needed in their improvements. To this has been added manufacturing house-building supplies, and a very complete establishment of this character is that of Strough & Brooks, who turn out a large amount of superior work. This business was founded by Eddy & Strough, but Mr. Strough soon purchased Mr. Eddy's interest. In January, 1887, Mr. Strough entered into partnership with Mr. Otis Brooks, a well-known and experienced lumberman and manufacturer, formerly of the firm of Roberts & Brooks, of Philadel- phia, N. Y. January 20, 1887, Strough & Brooks bought out the lumber and manufac-

528

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

turing business of the firm composed of J. B. Flynn and Myres Thompson, who occu- pied the extensive mill and factory at the corner of Mary and Theresa streets, where a rock projects out into the bay, forming a natural dockage, surrounded by water from 6 to 12 feet deep. Messrs. Strough & Brooks proceeded at once to inaugurate a system of improvements, which cost them several thousands of dollars, but which added cor- respondingly to their facilities. Among the improvements have been the erection of a store-house for dressed lumber, etc., a fine office building, in which is also a hardware and weighing room below, and a large room on the second floor for priming and glazing purposes ; also docks, a coal house, an engine house in which the Electric Light and Power Company have an 80-horse-power boiler and a 60-horse-power engine, which propels the machinery for Strough & Brooks. The factory is furnished with the latest improved machinery for manufacturing sash, doors and blinds, wood turning, and for the turning out of all kinds of joiner goods, furnishing employment to from 20 to 30 skilled work- men. Arthur B. Strough is the efficient book- keeper, and John W. Williams is the archi- tect and supervising foreman on all their job work outside. A large part of their con- tract work is in the erection of buildings planned and drafted by him, and he has demonstrated his ability in all that he has undertaken. George W. Potter is foreman of the factory.

Thousand Island Electric Light and Power Company was organized in 1887 and reorgan- ized in 1888. The new company went into effect January 1, 1889. The plant is at Strough & Brooks' mill. Twenty-eight arc lights and 100 incandescent lights are in use. The capital stock of the company is $15,000. C. A. Ellis is president ; C. E. Rees, secre- tary and Seymour B. Barker, treasurer and general manager.

St. Lawrence River Skiff, Canoe and Steam Launch Company, successors to A. Bain & Co., is located in Clayton village, where an extensive business is done in the manufac- ture of all kinds of small water craft. A specialty is made of skiffs, canoes and steam launches. The fame of the St. Lawrence river skiff is known, not only throughout the United States and Canada, but also in England, Australia and other foreign coun- tries. The boat-building industry of Clay- ton was begun in a desultory way about 20 years ago, by Xavier Colon. His means were limited, and his appliances for skill and economical work were crude, yet his genius was in the right direction, and led to splendid results. As the island population increased, the demand for boats grew rapidly, until finally several men were employed in their manufacture. At last Dr. A. Bain conceived the idea of uniting the entire boat-building business under one head. In 1873 the first shop was built for Xavier Colon, and the business was prosecuted with much vigor.

In 1887 a company was formed under the firm name of A. Bain & Co., backed by capital in the hands of wealthy citizens of New York City, which was followed by the erection of the present extensive factory, 50 by 100 in size, three stories high, with a base- ment and an extensive garret, or dormer story. One year after the formation of the company the present comprehensive name was given to it, and the manufacture of steam launches, canoes, and other special forms of boats was undertaken.

The St. Lawrence River Skiff and Steam Launch Company is owned by the well- known sporting-goods firm of A. G. Spald- ing & Bro., of New York, Philadelphia and Chicago. J. G. Fraser is president of the company and general manager. For minute description of these vessels see p. 167.

Ship-building began at Clayton in 1832, by Smith & Merick, sometimes giving employ- ment to as many as 100 men. From two to four vessels have been built here annually, making a total of from 75 to 100, including most of the splendid steamers of the old On- tario and St. Lawrence Steamboat Company's lines. This business began here at about the time the burthensome tonnage duties upon the lakes (amounting almost to a prohibition) had been removed in part by Hon. Joseph Hawkins, of Henderson, who represented this district in Congress, From this time there existed no limit to the size of the ves- sels but that of the locks of the Welland Canal.

John Oades commenced building for E. G. Merick & Co. and Fowler & Esselstyn in 1841.

Mr. Johnson is the only one now engaged in ship-building at Clayton, Messrs. John Oades and Fowler & Esselstyn having re- moved to Detroit, Mich. During the last few years Mr. Johnson has built several steam yachts.

The large steamers built at Clayton by Messrs. Merick & Fowler, under the direc- tion of Mr. John Oades, were the finest ever seen upon the inland waters of America. These steamers ran between Lewiston and Ogdensburg, in what was called the express line, and was popular and well patronized. The construction of railroads upon both sides of the river, however, drew away the traffic upon which these boats had depended, and after a while they were discontinued and their routes abandoned. The fate of some of them is to the writer unknown. The New York, one of the largest of these boats, a fine side-wheeler, and the Bay State, he thinks, he saw lying in the Potomac, below Wash- ington, in 1863, they being under charter to the government. Their transportation down the rapids of the St. Lawrence must have been a hazardous business, and when once upon the lower river they had a long sea voyage before them, through the Gut of Cansu, almost in sight of Newfoundland, out upon the open ocean to Boston, and so along the coast, exposed to the winds of the dangerous capes of the Delaware.

CLAYTON.

529

THE firm of Folger Bros. are justly re- garded as an important factor in the growing business of the St. Lawrence river, and especially so among the Thousand Islands. We are glad to say that, although they have long been prominently connected with the business growth of Kingston, they are yet Jefferson county boys, born and reared in Cape Vincent. They took to the great river as naturally as ducks do to water, and are successful, pushing business men, showing their capacity in the character of the boats they own, which are all run by picked crews-men who know how to treat the great mass of summer tourists and island

and every energy is required to make it a success, but the splendid service of the New York Central Railroad and the Thousand Island Steamboat Company is rapidly developing the business, which promises to increase rapidly each year-for the season of 1894, a period of great financial depression, has fully demonstrated, by the large crowds of visitors, that these islands are not neglect- ed or overlooked by the American people. They have only to be seen to be appreciated.

The writer saw at one time last season over 1,000 people standing upon the dock at Clayton one afternoon, waiting patiently for their baggage to be transferred to the boats.

THE PALACE STEAMER ST. LAWRENCE,

residents who yearly congregate among these historic and beautiful islands.

Only a few years ago the route among the Thousand Islands was run by a small boat carrying only 20 passengers, now it is one of the finest services on the inland waters of the country, performed by the steamer St. Lawrence, allowed to carry about 900 passen- gers, the Islander, smaller, but very popular, and the steamer Empire State, allowed to carry 1,000 people, besides several small steamers. These boats have a wide reputa- tion for cleanliness and management, and have carried millions of people and never wet a foot nor harmed a hair. The season really consists of only about 40 days' work,

The Islander took a part, and the St. Law- rence the remainder, and in half an hour not a single passenger could be seen. Fully one- half of these people landed at Thousand Island Park, and a large majority of the balance sought Alexandria Bay, where two mammoth hotels, the Crossmon and the Thousand Island House, quickly swallowed them up.

There was one remarkable feature of the season of 1894. There were immense crowds at different times, but the average duration of the stay was quite limited-showing want of capital.

The steamboat service of the Folgers is as good as that upon the Hudson and upon the

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

Sound, acknowledged to be the best in the world. These steamers are grandly supple- mented by the service upon the New York Central Railroad. Palace cars bring the passenger right to the wharf, and the steamers are "only 20 feet away."

BUSINESS MEN OF CLAYTON VILLAGE.

Clayton has for many years been an im- portant industrial center for the town it be- longs to. Its situation upon the river caused it early to become an important and interest- ing spot, made more so by Jesse Smith, Messrs. Merick & Fowler, John Oades, and by Mr. A. F. Barker, now a retired banker, but with his mind as bright and as active as at 40. The present business firms are nearly as follows :

First National Bank of Clayton, A. F. Barker, Prest .; Wm. Rees, Vice-Prest .; H. W. Morse, cashier ; A. A. Warner, asst. cash- ier. Capital $50,000. A solid, reliable, ac- commodating bank, well officered, well man- aged.

Exchange Bank, organized under State law. John Johnston, prest .; Jacob Putnam, vice-prest .; R. P. Grant, cashier. Entirely reliable.

Wlliam D. Clark, hardware and groceries, 57 James street. He also deals in paints and oils, tools, etc.

S. E. Howard, staple and fancy groceries, fruits and vegetables.

A. E. Wood, wall-paper, books and station- ery, 87 Water street.

Dewey Brothers, funeral directors.

W. H. Thorpe has a fine store, an excellent stock, and comes from good old Philadelphia, Pa. He deals in watches, silverware, jew- elry, etc., 31 James street. Worthy of con- fidence, as he is an honest man.

H. Roof & Son, tinners and jobbers, 39 James street.

A. G. Holstein, ready-made clothing, hats, caps, etc.

G. E. & J. O. Thibault, dry goods, grocer- ies, boots and shoes.

G. H. McKinley, dry goods, silks, boots and shoes.

D. C. Porter, furniture, groceries, etc. The village undertaker, and an excellent one.

E. A. Burlingame, staple and fancy grocer- ies, crockery, fruits and vegetables.

James Johnson, agent, dry goods, grocer- ies and merchandise.

Hall & Co., groceries, drugs, confectionery, fishing tackle. Put up prescriptions.

H. S. Johnson, master steamer Nightin- gale, running to down-river points. A neat boat.

Columbian Boat Livery, E. C. Rogers, proprietor. Keeps boats to let, builds and repairs boats.

G. M. Hungerford, furnaces and stoves. Plumbing and jobbing.

Strough & Brooks, lumber merchants, con- tractors and builders.

M. A. Roof & Son, staple groceries and provisions.

C. A. Ellis, druggist; compounds prescrip- tions, and keeps fishing tackle, groceries and camp supplies.

W. A. Webster, extensively engaged in lumber, and a large manufacturer of house- building material.

H. L. Barker, general merchandise.

Clayton Marble Works, M. L. Everest, proprietor.

J. Swart, meats, groceries, provisions, con- fectionery, fruits.

John Foley, boots and shoes.

Simon Breslow, clothing, hats, caps, fur- nishing goods.

H. E. & G. E. Morse, attorneys and coun- sellors at law.

E. E. Cuppernall, groceries, provisions, canned goods, fruits, confectionery.

Robert H. Hambley, clothier and gents' furnisher.

E. M. Cook machinist, steam-fitter and plumber.

Wm. W. Hawes, watchmaker.

H. Mount, harness, blankets.

Atwood Bros., robes, miscellaneous hard- ware, Atwood's center-board.

R. E. Dingman, baker.

W. H. Consaul, coal, feed and flour.

E. C. Rogers, boat livery.

S. G. Johnson, ship yard for building and repairing.

Pastime Hotel, Bertrand & Boganschietz.

Walton House, T. M. Esseltyn, (first class). New Windsor Hotel.

Hayes House, T. K. Hayes.

Dewey House, B. J. Bettinger.

Mahar & Fitzgerald, coal dealers.

S. S. Beck, photographer.

Joel Crouch, boat builder and inventor.

W. A. Webster, planing mill.

S. G. Johnson, runs the Alert ; makes hourly trips down the river as far as Fine View.

D. E. Smith, fancy goods, confectionery, news and stationery.

Mrs. A. Locklin, milliner.

Joseph F. Graves, groceries, provisions, mill feed.

H. F. Dewey, station agent, R., W. & O. R. R.

Jas. Hayes, agent, shelf and heavy hard- ware, stoves, etc.

Miss E. M. Wood, telegraph operator. A very capable, pleasant, thoughtful lady.

Alexander Manson, merchant tailor.

George Fraser, blacksmith and manufac- turer of stone-cutting tools.

E. B. Collins, dealer in meats.

C. E. Rees, ship-chandler.

There is this to be said about the business of Clayton, as we have hitherto remarked : it is very generally in the hands of reliable, active men, most of whom came up by their own industry and enterprise, and know the value of what they have earned. They are a thrifty set, both gentlemanly and obliging, ready at all times to wait upon customers, and the village trade is gradually growing to larger proportions.

CLAYTON.

531

GEN. WILLIAM H. ANGEL.

WHEN the writer prepared the notice of this distinguished citizen (see p. 107) he was unable to procure a likeness of the General, but through the courtesy of Mrs. J. D. Johnston, of Clayton, General Angel's niece, we are able to present the picture shown above. Our own personal recollections of General Angel are peculiarly pleasant. His first wife, a most charitable, amiable and beautiful Christian lady, was a warm friend of my dear mother, and one of my youthful experiences was in driving them in a barouche from Watertown to Syracuse, where a woman's convention of some kind was to be held, and to which these two progressive women were delegates.

Gen. Angel was a man of fine presence,

always approachable, and though a Whig in politics, was pre-eminently a Democrat in deportment. He was a very amiable man, kind to every one. He was a pioneer of Clayton, but after a long residence there and at Sackets Harbor he finally located in Watertown, his residence being the fine stone dwelling now occupied by Mr. Herring, corner of. Washington and Clinton streets. His acquaintance with the farmers was ex- tensive, for he had been in his early life a clerk for that Jesse Smith who founded Smithville, and there purchased whatever the pioneer farmers had to sell. Gen. Angel, Jesse Smith and Joseph Sheldon were the originators of the old Bank of Sackets Har- bor, so long in operation.

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

MR. H. E. MORSE.

THE great-grandfather of H. E. Morse, moved from Massachusetts to New Hamp- shire. His fourth son, Joseph, was H. E. Morse's grandfather, and he was born June 8, 1770. This grandfather married Betsey Elizabeth Finley. She was born February 13, 1776. He was a school teacher by profession, but his children were reared on a farm about seven miles east of South Charlestown, N. H. Of this marriage six children were raised to maturity, three boys and three girls. Hiram Morse, father of H. E., was the oldest child of this family. He was born December 26, 1800. When he arrived at the age of 21 he removed to New York State, worked by the month at farming and other occupations until he and his next younger brother, Samuel D. Morse, bought

a farm on Dry Hill, in the town of Water- town.

About the time of this purchase, he mar- ried, September 23, 1830, Adaline Rogers, the third daughter of Eli and Hannah Rogers, of Watertown. Their family con- sisted of five children, three boys and two girls. H. E. Morse was the first born. His maternal grandfather, Eli Rogers, was born in the town of Watertown, Mass., May 26, 1774. He married Hannah Whitney, July 17, 1798, in Natick, Mass., where she then lived, and where she was born. She was born August 6, 1778. In 1851 her younger brother resided on the homestead farm, the fifth generation of Whitneys who had lived thereon since the settlement of that town.

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 113

Author: Haddock, John A. 1823- Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Sherman Number of Pages: 1094

Author: Haddock, John A. 1823-
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Sherman
Number of Pages: 1094