Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 119

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

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PRESBYTERIAN SOCIETY .- This was formed August 28, 1820; it finally dwindled away, but in 1830 was re-organized by Rev. Jedediah Burchard, uniting with the Water- town Presbytery, February 11. In 1853 the society erected a very fine church building, at a cost of $2,800, but in time the society again became disorganized, and the church building was sold to the Methodists, since which time no meetings have been held.

CATHOLIC .- St John's R. C. Church was organized and held its first meetings in the old Methodist Church, which it had pur- chased, in 1875. Rev. Father Hogan, of Watertown, to whose parish the church be- longed, conducted the services. The society is very small and is attended by Rev. Father Leon, of Watertown.

SOCIETIES.

Rising Light Lodge, No. 637, F. A. M., was organized A. D. February 20, 1867, with the following officers : William Jenkins, W. M .; D. H. Cole, S. W .; Beston Dexter, J W .; Fred Edwards, Sec .; C. Littlefield, Treas,; A. W. Kilby, S. D .; H. Cooper, J. D .; S. Vogel, Tiler. In 1872, July 2, the lodge was burned, with considerable loss to the frater- nity. The lodge, however, soon recovered, and is now in a healthy and flourishing con- dition. Its membership covers Ellisburgh, Woodville, a part of Henderson and Belleville village. Its present officers are : E. A. Chap- man, W. M .; J. B. Basinger, S. W .; B. Dex- ter, J. W .; J. H. Carpenter, Sec'y ; W. Mar- tin, Treas .; F. E. Bonner, S. D .; George Remington, J. D .; George W. Bigelow, C .; J. F. Leonard, Marshal ; J. O. Davis, S. M. C .; Fred Thompson, J. M. C .; S. Vogel, Tiler. The lodge was chartered in 1867, to date back to issue of dispensation.

ODD FELLOWS .- Collins Lodge, 421, I. O. O. F., was the first secret order established here. It was instituted on the 4th day of February, 1852. For some reason not clear the lodge has dwindled down until just work enough is done to retain the char- ter. The lodge has a splendid room, all the regalia and paraphernalia for work, and all paid for. It is much regretted that so useful and beneficial an order sho ild be permit- ted to die out, with everything on hand nec- cessary to its continuance.

BELLEVILLE GRANGE, No. 5, P. of H., was organized in the fall of 1873, one of the earliest formed in the State ; it is in a splendid con- dition, and one of the most important and in- fluential Granges in the county.

Belleville has an excellent common school and a commodious building. There are two departments under the charge of Frank M. Littlefield and his wife, both teachers of ex- ceptionable qualifications. The school num- bers about 70 pupils in both departments.

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

The manufacturing interests of Belleville are limited. Mr. J. H. Carpenter carries on cabinet-making to some extent, turning out some fine work, and Mr. Jason Ray is about to start a saw and planing mill, in connec- tion with which he will carry on carpenter- ing and building. Wm. Mott owns a grist- mill, near the village, and at the old site of " Mather's mills," W. H. Phillips operates another. The principal business houses are : Hardware and agricultural implements, by A. M. Durfee & Son, and a similar store by L. J. Waite. Chapman & Doane and S. H. Keyes conduct general stores, as also do Kelsey Bros. Frank E. Wright carries on a harness and harness hardware and supply store, and W. B. Wright a variety store. E. Brown looks after the boot and shoe trade, and in the way of watches and jewelry, B. Barney caters to the public wants. Meat markets and millinery goods, a barber shop and some minor crafts are represented.

The only hotel in the place, the "Belleville House," is managed by its able proprietor, Mr. C. E. Thomas, who for nearly four years has catered to the public needs; and if the people are not fully suited, it is because they are hard to please. If clean, well furnished rooms, first-class beds, an excellent variety of dishes, well cooked and well served, are any recommendation, then Comrade Thomas' hostelry should be highly spoken of, for it has all these, in addition to order and quiet, of themselves no small recommendation, Comrade Thomas, is a veteran of the late war, serving in the 24th N. Y. Infantry, and participating in many of the severest engage- ments of the war. Those who favor him with their patronage will be able to verify the old saying, "I will take mine ease in mine inn,"

OVERTON CO. CHEESE FACTORY

This is one of the oldest cheese factories in the county, having been established nearly 30 years ago. It uses the milk of from 600 to 700 cows, producing only cheese in the summer months, and both cheese and butter during the winter. Its output of cheese is about 225,000 lbs., and of butter 25,000 lbs. The company comprises J. W. Overton, C. A. Eastman, John Eastman and Edgar Lewis, the latter being the maker, and having had an experience of 25 years in the business, is sufficient to account for the exceptional good quality of the products of this factory, which is fitted with all the modern improvements. The milk is taken in on the Burbank test, and is paid for on same. The salesmen are Ed- gar Lewis, W. H. Greene and C. B. Ken- nedy.

SAW AND PLANING MILL.

Mr. Ray was born in Belleville in 1840. He was the son of William Ray, who came into Belleville from Connecticut at a very early day. Mr. Ray learned the carpenter and joiner trade with his father, and has al- ways followed it. He is the builder of a great number of the houses and barns of

Belleville. He married Miss Elizabeth Ram- sey, of Henderson ; they have one son, Eph- raim, who is in partnership with his father. They have a good saw-mill, and at this writing are getting in the machinery for planing, matching, scroll and re-sawing, and also the manufacture of doors, sash and blinds ; in short everything pertaining to the building trade. Having an excellent water- power, they cannot fail in doing a much needed business in Belleville.

BELLEVILLE UNION ACADEMY.

BY the efforts of Rev. Joshua Bradley, a Baptist clergyman, in 1824, the Union Liter- ary Society at Belleville was formed. His labors to interest the public in the cause of education were untiring, and finally met with success by the subscription of stock, and an act of incorporation on April 13, 1826. A lot was given by Giles Hall, and Jotham Bige- low, Orrin Howard, James W. Kennedy, John Hagadorn, Amos Heald, Peter N. Cush- man, W. Thomas, Pardon Earl, S. S. Hawes, E. Boomer, Sidney Houghton, Benjamin Barney, S. Boyden, E. Webster, Israel Kel- logg, Jr., Jesse Hubbard, Hiram Taylor, Henry Green, Rufus Hatch, C. B. Pond, Calvin Clark, John Barney, Samuel Pierce and Godfrey W. Barney were constituted a "body corporate" to have perpetual suc- cession, and limited in their powers to the support of an academic school. It was at first planned upon the manual-labor system. The act of incorporation decreed that trustees to the number of 24 to 30 might be chosen annually, elections to be held on the first Wednesday of November in each year; the payment of $5 entitled to membership and one vote. Preparations for building went rapidly forward, and the school was removed to the Baptist Church, then standing on the corner where the hotel now stands. The stone building was erected in 1828, and dedi- cated January 2, 1829, and received under the visitation of the Regents on the fifth of the same month in 1830.

Charles Avery was principal in 1829, and during the summer term of 1830, assisted the first year by Isaac Slater. Mr. Avery was then called to a professorship in Hamilton College. The school at first gave abundant promise of being all that had been antici- pated, and a building was erected for a shop, and tools provided; a few students availed themselves of it as a means of lessening their expenses, but it was soon given up ; the building sold and converted into a dwelling, and the plan of a manual-labor school aban- doned. In the light and experience of the present day, Rev. Joshua Bradley, with his plans for a manual labor school, though they may have been crude and imperfect com- pared to those of to-day, was far in advance of his contemporaries. The second principal of the school was George W. Eaton, who re- signed to accept a professorship in Miami University. He was succeeded by M. La- Rhu Reine Thompson, who in 1832 resigned

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to become pastor of a church in Buffalo, and later in Cincinnati. Joseph Mullin, of Union College, then became principal for one year, and was succeeded by Hiram H. Bar- ney, a graduate of the same college.

Next came Lyman E. Bonner, a graduate of Union College, class of '36, son of Joshua Bonner, a resident of the village. He was · followed by Truman C. Hill, also a graduate of Union. Mr. Bonner became a lawyer, and Mr. Hill a clergyman. Both are long since dead. At this time a reaction had set in. The number of pupils had become small, and the trustees were largely in debt, and finally in the fall of 1837, the Academy was closed by the mortgagee.

Then extraordinary efforts were put forth to raise the money to pay off the mortgage,

O. Cole, a graduate of Union, and a lawyer, who remained one year. For many years Mr. Cole occupied the Supreme bench of the State of Wisconsin, and was twice a Repre- sentative in Congress.

The next principal was Calvin Littlefield, who, after teaching in the western part of the State, returned to Belleville, and has for many years been a trustee of the Academy. After Mr. Littlefield came G. S. Ramsay, of Watertown, and after him Mr. Ellis again became principal until 1850. Mr. Ramsay died in California, a gold-hunter. John P. Houghton then became principal for one year, and was succeeded by J. Dunbar Houghton, who was prepared for college in the Academy, and graduated at Union, and had taught for five years. It was with no

BELLEVILLE UNION ACADEMY.

in which work Rev. Jedediah Burchard stood pre-eminent. In 1840 the Academy was redeemed, repaired and re-opened, with Rev. George J. King, of Union, as principal, and his wife as preceptress, and David Hunter as assistant. In November, 1841, Mr. King associated with himself Richard Ellis, who had during the Academy troubles been carrying on a very successful school at the corner of Water and Searles streets, under the title of "Belleville Mathemical and Classical School." His pupils went with him to the Academy, swelling the number to 110, and now nothing seemed wanting to complete success but a continuance of the same faculty. But in 1843 Mr. King resign- ed to accept a position as pastor of a church, and for one year longer Mr. Ellis remained as principal. He was succeeded by Orsamus

little difficulty that he was induced to accept the post of principal, but under his manage- ment, assisted by an able staff of teachers, the school reached a point of excellence never before attained, and became celebrated throughout the country. Indeed, it has never lost the prestige gained during the years Mr. Houghton was its principal.

In 1856, Professor Houghton sent in his resignation, but he was prevailed upon to continue, on their promise to erect a new building, improve the old one, and fit up the whole in first-class condition. This was im- mediately done. and on the 6th of October, 1856, the academy was again opened for the reception of pupils.

On June 30, 1859, there was a grand gath- ering of the alumni. It was a great occa- 'sion, and stirred the hearts of the people to a

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better appreciation of the school, so that the fall term opened with a largely increased at- tendance. Every thing went grandly on un- til 1861, when a change came. War meet- ings were held in the chapel, and as a result, Barney, Buckley and Fox, the first a trustee, and the others teachers, together with a large number of students, joined the ranks of the defenders of the Union, and went forth to the contest. For a while a pall seemed to rest upon the school, students under the ex- citement of the times grew listless, and many left for home ; and for a time it really seemed that the school must be broken up. Finally, however, it became settled, and matters re- sumed their usual condition, and the school went on. Then came the first shock. Fox, the beloved teacher was shot while on picket duty, and his remains werc brought to Adams for burial. At the second battle of Bull Run, in 1862, Barney, Buckley and others fell. The remains of Major Barney were brought home, and 1,000 people gathered at the funeral. Many a funeral service was afterward held, and sorrow upon sorrow fell upon the school, but after a time the students learned to grow attentive to their studies, and the terms afterward were not materially affected in numbers or interest. At the close of the Academic year ending July, 1864, Mr. Houghton, who had been principal for years, resigned his position, to the great regret of the community. He was succeeded by Benja- min D. Gifford, a graduate of Hamilton. In 1866, Rev. Buel A. Smith, a graduate of Madison University, became principal, and increased the school to 342 pupils. He was succeeded by E. H. Hillier, he by R. L. Thatcher, A. M., and he was succeeded by Willard A. Grant, A. M., and Henry Carver, A. M. During the administration of Profes- sor Houghton, the number of volumes in the library was nearly doubled, and the scientific apparatus largely increascd, and the diploma of Union Academy is an "open sesame " to any avenue in life which the student may choose to follow.

SCHOOL SOCIETIES.

There are two excellent student associa- tions, the ladies' society of the Sybillines, and the Gladstone Debating Club, for gentlemen. A course of lectures is also maintained. There are four scholarships, viz: The Fred- erick Williams, established by Frederick Williams, of Belleville, by a gift of $3,000; the Shepardson, established by the late Eunice Shepardson, of Belleville, by a gift of $2,000; the Gaylord Memorial Scholarship Fund, started in 1893, by graduates who once were pupils of Principal Henry A. Gaylord; and the J. J. Mather Scholarship, established in 1894 by Mr. J. J. Mather, of Belleville, by a gift of $500.

There is also an endowment fund of $34,000 already invested, of which Fredcrick Williams, N. C. Houghton and Wm. Mather are the trustees. Of the Board of Trustees, E. A. Chapman is President ; V. R. Blanden,

Secretary, and N. C. Houghton, Treasurer. The other trustees are : George Bigelow, George Bull, J. H. Carpenter, D. H. Chap- man, A. M. Durfee, C. A. Eastman, M. M. Fillmore, S. W. Frame, J. E. Green, W. H. Green, R. B. Heald, Osgood Ingraham, D. M. Kelsey, C. B. Kennedy, C. L. Lee, C. Littlefield, J. J. Mather, William Mather, Duane Ormsby, C. M. Overton, J. W. Over- ton, Henry Powell, A. A. Scott, H. P. Stacy and M. D. Swan.

Following are the faculty, to which is added the names of the librarian and steward : Charles J. Gilpin, Principal ; A. Hadlock, Assistant; Miss Lena K. Gardner, Precept- ress ; W. J. Pelon, Assistant Teacher; Miss Winifred A. Rians, Instrumental Music ; Miss Jennie E. Mather, Vocal Music ; Mrs. C. J. Gilpin, Librarian and T. M. Miller, Stew- ard.

At the present writing there are about 100 students in attendance, of whom 82 are in the Academic Department.

THE LIFE-SAVING STATION.

In addition to the short notice of the Life Saving Station, on page 552, we insert the following, by Maj. Durham :

This station was established in 1876. It is equipped with a life boat, a surf boat and dingy, and the most improved beach appara- tus, a gun, Coston signals, etc ; apparatus for weather observations are also supplied, and storm signals are shown when necessary. The routine of duty is strictly enforced. Patrols are made along the beach night and day during the season of navigation, usually from the first to the middle of April to the middle of December. The day patrols begin at sunrise and end at sunset, and at night every two hours a man leaves the station and goes to the key-station, onc and a half miles north and back. During the winter the station is visited at least once each week by the keeper, and sometimes oftener, if in his judgment anything needs looking after. Intemperance is strictly prohibited, and every man must be able to read and write.

The men are paid $65 per month, boarding themselves, and providing their own uni- forms. In case of vacancy the keeper may appoint, subject to the approval of his super- iors. Capt. Fish has always a large num- ber to choose from, as he has usually no less than fifty applications on hand at any time.

If a vessel is wrecked, and a single life lost, though all the rest be rescued, a most searching examination is held, to discover whether it was by any fault of the life-saving crew. At the time of the wreck of the schooner Hartford, when not a single soul on board was saved, in watching for bodies to come ashore and in trying to find them at sea, over 300 miles of coast patrol, and 100 miles of boat patrol were made ; so that it will be readily seen that the duties are some- times very onerous. A list of vessels and steam yachts saved, crews rescued and prop-

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erty saved by the crew of this station dur- ing the last 12 years would be very interest- ing, but want of space prevents its insertion.

The great efficiency of the crew at this station is due to Capt. Fish. He is a native

of Ellisburgh, and up to the time of entering the Life-Saving service had been a sailor on the lakes from his youth. He has been in the service 17 years; the first five years at Mexico Point and the remainder at this place.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

ASA BROWN, a native of Rhode Island, came from Danbury, Vt., and settled in 1815, one mile west of Mannsville, where he had purchased timbered land a few months after he reached Ellisburgh. He helped fell trees in making the road on what is now Main street, Mannsville, and was a man of remarkable physical strength. Quaker Brown, as he was sometimes called, by reason of his manner of dress, died in 1863, at the age of 92 years.

DANIEL WARDWELL, son of Col. Samuel Wardwell, was born in Bristol, R. I., in 1791; married in 1815, to Hettie, daughter of Newton and Abigail (Maxey) Mann. Re- moved from Rome, N. Y., to Adams in 1817, and in 1822 settled at Mannsville, and took charge of the purchase his father had made. In 1823 he began the erection of a cotton factory 40x50 feet, and three stories high, fitted for 600 spindles, and which stood near the site af the lower grist-mill. Soon after, Major H. Barzilian Mann purchased a half interest. He was a son of Newton Mann, who at a very early day was interested in the manufacture of cotton at Oriskany, N. Y. The factory had been nearly three years in operation when it was burned, February 16, 1827; loss estimated at $10,000, and there was no insurance. The factory was not re- built, and the marked growth the village had reached became seriously checked.

Judge Daniel Wardwell continued to make Mannsville his residence until about 1860, when he removed to Rome. He died in 1878, at the age of 87 years

NEWTON MANN, the first postmaster, was born at Attleboro, Mass., in 1770, located at Whitesboro in 1806, and removed to Manns- ville in 1825, where he made his home until his death in 1860. He carried on the mercan- tile business a number of years at Mannsville, and was one of the firm of Mann & Fiske, dry goods dealers at Ellis Village. He reached venerable years, and was always a man of sterling worth.

PHILIP WHEELER was born near Troy, N. Y., in 1800; was married about 1824 to Rox- anna Shepard, daughter of Thomas Shepard, a native of Vermont. Mr. Shepard and Mr. Wheeler settled at Mannsville in 1825, hav- ing purchased several hundred acres of land of David I. Andrus. Mr. Wheeler, after clearing his portion, sold it and purchased about 200 acres of Daniel Wardwell, and on part of which a large portion of Mannsville stands. He was in the mercantile business 20 years, and accumulated a large property. At the time the Methodist Church was built,

he contributed a large portion of the entire cost, and was always a useful citizen and a man of honor. Mr. Wheeler died in Novem- ber, 1872. To Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler one daughter and five sons were born: Sally A., Philip, John, Thomas B., William L. and Andrew A. Thomas B. practiced medicine at Mannsville for several years. He married a daughter of Andrew Shaw, a prominent merchant of Montreal, Canada, and is now a resident of that city. William L., who died in 1887, was a surgeon in the United States navy for eight years; Andrew A., a prac- ticing attorney at Mannsville, is a graduate of Union College, and also of the Albany Law School.

ROSWELL KINNEY, M. D., was born at Wynart's Kiln, N. Y., in 1802, graduated at Castleton Vt. Medical College in 1823, and in the spring of 1824 settled at Mannsville, where he practiced medicine nearly 50 years. He was married in 1827 to Abagail M., daughter of Newton Mann. In his profes- sion, as well as a citizen, Dr. Kinney stood deservedly high. He died May 2, 1874. A granite monument in Maplewood Cemetery bears the names of Wardwell, Mann and Kinney.

PHILIP P. MARTIN, son of Philip Martin, who settled in Ellisburgh in 1806, was born in Rehoboth, Mass., in 1804. In early life he was a successful school-teacher, and in gram- mar was proficient. About 1828 he married Chloe Lum, and two sons were born to them: Leonard A. and Eugene L. About 1835 he opened a dry goods store at Mannsville, and carried on a successful business until his death, when he was succeeded by his sons. He was one of the founders and a leading member of the Baptist Church, and was its clerk nearly 50 years. He held the office of magistrate 15 or 20 years, and was a man of marked accuracy. Mr. Martin died Decem- ber 21, 1881.

GEORGE HOPKINSON was born in the State of New Hampshire, about 1795, married about 1818 to Isabel C. Tilton, of Scotch descent ; came to Ellisburgh in 1839, settling at Rural Hill, and in 1847 at Ellis Village. In early life he was a hatter, afterwards a farmer. He died in 1856. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hopkinson, Geo. M., Daniel T., Augustus and Eliza.

RENSSELAER BIRGE HEALD is the son of Amos Heald, who came from New Hamp- shire and settled on the farm where Mr. Heald now lives, and to which he has been devoted all his life, having now reached the age of 73 years. He married Harriet Soules, by whom

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he had three children, Annie Jane, Amos Ward and Dell A., two of whom are living. Dell A., married A. C. Hill, a graduate of Madison University. He was principal of Cook Academy, and is now in the Depart- ment of Public Instruction at Albany. An- other son-in-law, Mr. Wallace H. Morris, re- sides on a farm, near Mr. Heald. Always a consistent member of the Baptist church in Belleville, a man of sterling principles, ever at the front in promoting a good cause. Mr. Heald has reached a good old age, beloved by his family, and respected by all ..

HORACE M. WILDS was educated at Union Academy and at the State Normal School, and subsequently taught school a number of years. He has served as justice of sessions, justice of the peace and town clerk. In 1868 he married Frances L., daughter of George and Tabethy (Martin) Chamberlain. He is now engaged in mercantile business at Ellis- burgh.

JAMES K. POLK BIGELOW was born in 1846, and was reared upon a farm. Hc mar- ried Mary Josephine, daughter of Jotham and Mary (Rogers) Littlefield, in 1872, and now occupies the homestead, where he was born. George W. is also a successful farmer.

MAJOR ANDREW J. BARNEY, eldest son of Col. Walker Barney, was born at the ances- tral homestead, near Belleville, September, 1829, and in his early childhood manifested a martial spirit, in his school life giving evi- dence that he was born to command. Choos- ing the profession of law, he studied at Belle- ville and graduated from the Law School at Ballston Spa. Returning to his old home, an honorable career was opened before him when the sound of war filled the land, and the drums beat to arms. At once he obeyed the call, brave men rallied around him. He led them to the battlefield, and was among the first to fall at the head of his regiment on the fatal field of Bull Run, choosing death rather than inglorious surrender or retrcat. A monument to his memory marks the spot where he slecps, near the home that he loved so well.

"So sleep the brave who sink to rest, By all their country's honors blest."

DEACON EDWARD BARNEY came from Guilford, Vermont, about 1803 and settled in the town of Ellisburgh. He was physician and farmer. He died in 1835, aged 86 years. Three of his sons, substantial business men, settled and raised families in that town, and were foremost in efforts to repel invasion during the War of 1812, especially in defence of Sackcts Harbor. They favored education and were active in founding Union Academy at Belleville, in 1824, and patronizing it lib- erally in later years. John, Benjamin and Eliakim Barney were always stanch friends of Old Union, and gave their sons and daugh- ters opportunity to share its honors. Hiram H., son of John Barney, prepared for college at this institution and graduated at Union College in the class of 1830; studied law, became a distinguished educator in New York

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 119

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