Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 122

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

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as a student. During his stay here he was converted, and began his Christian labors. He afterwards made himself famous as a re- vivalist in the United States and England, and for a long time was pastor of the First church at Oberlin, Ohio, and lecturer in the seminary at that place. He was born at Warren, Litchfield county, Conn., August 29, 1802, and died at Oberlin, Ohio, August 16, 1885, having nearly completed his 83d year. The old Sylvester Finney farm is a mile south of Henderson village. One of Sylvester Finney's sons, Zenas, owned a farm near the upper point of Henderson harbor. Another son, George W. Finney, became widely noted for his lectures on the subject of temperance. He died in California.

THE VILLAGE OF HENDERSON HARBOR

Occupies the site of the village of Naples, previously mentioned, and was surveyed by Benjamin Wright in 1805, and laid out in lots. The road running through Henderson Harbor was laid out April 15, 1806; Anthony Sprague and Merriel Danby, commissioners. In 1812 this road was called the State road, being the road leading from Fort Ontario, Oswego, to Sackets Harbor. At this time Henderson Harbor became a point of con- siderable commercial importance, a postoffice being established here in 1812. Ship-build- ing was, until lately, carried on to a con- siderable extent; the first ship having been built by William W. Warner, in 1813, and named Henderson, afterward pressed into service of the United States as a vessel of war, and finally burned to prevent the British from capturing her. In 1814 another was built named the Lily, and many others since. A tannery and shoe shop were located here in 1812 by Samuel Cole. He sold his business to Mr. Dye and retired to a farm near the village in 1817.

When Naples was laid out, a lot of four acres was reserved for a public square, and donated to the village by Mr. Henderson. On this lot a frame school-house was built by Jesse Hopkins in 1812. The first school was probably taught here in 1813. The first school in the town of Henderson was kept in a log school house, south of Henderson vil- lage, in the winter of 1808-09. The teacher was Alfred Forbes.

Before the school-house was built at Henderson Harbor, Dr. Elias Skinner, the first physician who settled in town, conduct- ed school in one end of his dwelling. He is remembered by those who attended as a " brisk wielder of the birch and rule," and had his switches graded in length to reach either a long or short distance, and no pupil was safe from their tender touches. John Blanchard taught in the school-house in the winter of 1817-18, and a man named Ban- croft, either just before or after Mr. Blanch- ard.

Capt. William Warner commanded the Henderson, and died at Henderson Harbor in 1817. His son, Capt. John S. Warner,

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began sailing in 1817, and led the life of a sailor until 1861-a period of 40 years. In 1850 he purchased the Frontier House, then a private dwelling, and in 1861 repaired it thoroughly and opened it as a hotel, with the present name. He carried it on until 1876, when he rented it to Capt. Ed- ward White. When the Warners first located here (1813), a hotel was kept by Hinckley Stevens, who probably built it. It stood on the site of the present Frontier House, and was kept by Stevens and others until about 1830. While the old hotel was running, a second one was built by a man named Chandler. It was opened in the fall of 1826, and stood on the west side of the road, on the corner south of the present Frontier House. These hotels were all frame buildings. Chandler's was burned about 1863.

The village of Henderson has a picturesque location on the eastern shore of the bay, and in the summer presents quite a lively ap- pearance on account of the large number of pleasure-seekers at that season, and nowhere could they find better facilities for enjoy- ment. Here are all the requirements for fishing and boating, together with the many natural beauties to entrance the eye.

Henderson Bay is a beautiful sheet of water extending from Henderson Harbor in a north- easterly direction to Horse Island, and bounded on the north and west by Snake and Gull Islands and Six-Town point. It is about eight miles long and three miles wide, and is nearly land-locked, having two outlets that are deep enough to float any boat that sails the lakes-one entrance being between the end of the point and Gull Island; the other between Snake Island and Horse Island. The water between Gull Island and Snake Island was a shoal not longer than 100 years ago, and covered with heavy timber. This bay is subdivided into other bays known as Shep- hard's Bay, White's Bay and Snow-shoe Bay, and is the safest harbor on the whole chain of lakes. When Mr. Henderson pur- chased the town he named the bay after him- self, calling it Henderson Bay. Around this beautiful bay are dotted here and there parks, cottages, summer boarding houses, hotels, etc. As a summer resort it is increas- ing in popularity, many people from nearly every State in the Union spend a portion of the summer there, where they find fine fishing, good accommodations, fine boat liveries and pleasant society and a hospitable class of people. Improvements in the line of parks have been made by outside parties in a great measure. Highland Park is located on the shore of the bay, on a rise of land, and was established in 1880 by W. D. Arms, R. M. Jones and M. D. Manville, of Adams. It is pleasantly located, overlooking the water, and with its pleasant drives and shady avenues is an attractive summer resort. Many fine cottages have been built, with a system of water works, a fine steamboat dock, boat houses and a large dining hall.

Many families spend the heated term at this fine resort. Paradise Park is located just north of Highland Park, and elevated about 40 feet above the water level It affords a fine view of Sackets Harbor. This park was established in 1880 by H. W. Millard, and is now owned by the Watertown Land and Improvement Co. It has a hotel, some handsome cottages, steam-boat dock, good barns and luxuriant shade.

Snow Shoe Park was also established in 1880, by Wm. McConnell, then of Sandy Creek, now of Pierrepont Manor. This park is beautifully located on Snow Shoe Bay, and has a commanding view of the foot of the lake and Henderson Bay. It is laid out in drives, and comprises many artistic cottages, a dock, boat houses, and has a large patron- age during the summer months.

There are many summer boarding houses, and among the first to open was George H. Warner, proprietor of the Warner House. E. Tyler opened the Tyler House about 1874, and also built the first boat livery, after which the Gill House, H. H. Gill proprietor ; Bassett House, A. D. Bassett, proprietor ; the Frontier, J. H. Lovelee, proprietor ; Almont House, A. J. Sprague, proprietor ; Wagoner House, A. F. Wagoner, proprietor ; Stevens House, Prince Stevens, proprietor ; Brooklyn House, Dr. Rounds, of New York city, pro- prietor ; the Ilion House, Adelaide Johnson, proprietor ; the Johnson House and others, smaller, but more private boarding places.

The permanent business places of the vil- lage of Henderson Harbor are as follows: The Frontier House, established in 1850 by Capt. John S. Warner; The Wagoner House, built by A. F. Wagoner ; three large steam- boat docks, with large ware houses thereon; one large planing mill, built in 1893 by Geo. W. Walton; one school house, located in 1812, being the third built for a school house, one of the three having been burned ; two general merchandise stores, one post-office which was established January 1, 1890; two coal yards and one store, carrying a stock of flour, feed, water lime, salt etc., owned by W. C. Davis. It has also several summer boarding houses. It is pleasantly located on the easterly side of Henderson Bay, and is visited during the heated term by many visitors from abroad ;. Prominent amongst the cottages at the parks stands one built on the east side of the bay in 1894, by ex-Secretary of State Judge Foster, which is a very commodious and beautiful structure. Also on the west side of the bay stands a beautiful cottage, built (and occupied in the summer) by Professor Henri Appi, of Rochester. The bay, with its good anchor- age and depth of water, becomes a point of commercial interest, while its wooded head- lands and fine shores and good fishing render it a fine summer resort.

HENDERSON VILLAGE.

About 1807-08 a deacon of the Presby- terian denomination, named Fellows, built a

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saw mill and a grist-mill on Big Stony creek, and originated the settlement which has grown into the present prosperous village. These mills soon afterwards became the property of John Putnam, who finally dis- posed of them to Lodowick Salisbury. The latter, in 1812, made general repairs upon them. He had, in 1811, opened the first store in the village, in which, in 1812, Low- rey Barney, a physician of long practice, was clerk. The second store in the town of Henderson was opened in 1809, about three miles south-east of Henderson village, by Williams & McCumber, and Dr. Barney also clerked for them. These men afterwards engaged in the lumber business, and at last succumbed to bad management or the short- comings of irresponsible creditors.

A short time previous to 1812 a post-office was established at Henderson Harbor, and Mark Hopkins appointed postmaster. The office after a short time was removed to Henderson village, on the resignation of the postmaster at the Harbor, and the first post- master at the village was Rev. Holland Weeks, a Swedenborgian preacher. Hen- derson Harbor has also a post-office at the present time.

Dr. Daniel Barney, the second physician in the town of Henderson, was originally from Rhode Island. In 1794 he removed to Little Falls, Herkimer county, N. Y., and finally to Henderson in 1807. He died May 19, 1828. His son was the distinguished Dr. Lowrey Barney, noticed elsewhere.

Henderson village was long know as Salis- bury Mills, and this name is used frequently at present. It is located in the valley of Stony creek, principally on the north side of the stream.

The village of Henderson was incorporated in 1886, and has about 300 inhabitants. L. B. Simmons was the first president, who served continuously until 1894. The present officers are : O. B. Joiner, president ; E. C. Sawyer, Michael Barthel, Arthur Kilby, trustees ; A. M. Leffingwell, clerk: L. O. Hungerford, treasurer ; Dr. Olin Buell, justice of the peace.

The school-house in district No. 8 of the village of Henderson, was erected about 1860, on a site occupied for the past 50 years. The present teachers are Virgil C. Warriner and Mrs. Adele C. Richards, with about 75 scholars.

HENDERSON GRANGE, No. 145, was organ- ized with 70 members, March 16, 1874. It was reorganized March 6, 1891. They meet in Grange Hall, in the building owned by Frank Hadcock. Willis Barrett is the pres- ent W. M.

THE I. O. G. T. was established November 26, 1890. The present officers are : Mrs. M. E. Wilkinson, C. T .; Mrs. Florence Terry, V. T .; Mrs. C. C. White, secretary. There are about 50 members. Two previous or- ganizations were formed, one in 1866 and the other about 1888, but were discontinued, after operating a short time.

PIPER POST, No. 273, was organized in 1884, with 28 members. Frank Hadcock has been the commander during the past nine years; C. H. Sprague, past commander. The Post was named after Col. Alexander Piper, of the 10th N. Y. Heavy Artillery.

The Ontario Cornet Band was organized in 1892, William Van Winckel, leader.

The W. C. T. U., was organized in 1888. It has about 35 members. Mrs. Hattie Lef- fingwell has been the only president.

CHURCHES OF HENDERSON.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH of Hender- son was formed June 26, 1806, at the house of Merril Danby, by Emory Wood, who officiated as pastor until September 11, 1823. The members being much scattered, the mother church was divided, December 30, 1819, the east branch at Smithville retaining the name of the first Baptist Church of Henderson. The west branch at Henderson was called

THE SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH of Hender- son, and was formed January 1, 1820. Noah Tubbs was appointed clerk, and Samuel Cole and Shubal Athiston, deacons; Emory Osgood, pastor. This society in 1824, in company with the Masonic fraternity, erect- ed a church, the latter using the upper room for a lodge-room. This church, which stood a little south from the village, was taken down in 1853. The membership having in- creased to 62, a society was formed from the Second Baptist Church, called

THE FIRST BAPTIST SOCIETY of Hender- son, June 5, 1822; Samuel Cole, Amasa Brown and Shubal Athiston, trustees ; Stock- well Osgood, clerk. The present church edifice, near the centre of the village, was built in 1853. The same clergymen gener- ally officiate as at Smithville. I. S. Cooper joined February 20, 1848, and was appointed church clerk, and has served in that capacity until the present time. He has been trustee since 1860, and is the only member who be- longed to the society when he joined. The present membership is about 50.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH of Smith- ville, to which we previously referred, was organized September 9, 1823, with Henry Heath, Austin Robbins and Ebenezer Sum- mers, trustees. This society, in connection with the Congregational society, erected a stone church in 1832, at Smithville, at a cost of $3,000. The present pastor is Rev. M. S. Scriber.

THE PRESBYTERIANS, about 1820, erected a small church in Henderson village, that has been for many years taken down, and they have no place of worship at present. A society was formed on the 28th of October, 1819, with Adonijah Wheaton, Ralph French and Jesse Hopkins, trustees.

THE METHODISTS first organized a society in this town, July 29, 1830, with Beebee Smith, Cyrus Hall, Amos White, Joseph J. Hatch and Calvin Bishop, trustees. The first society at the village of Henderson was

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formed April 9, 1844, with Harvey Critten- den, Amos White and Sylvanus Ward, trustees. The Methodists have two churches in town, one on Bishop street and one in the village, erected by the above societies re- spectively. The society is in a flourishing condition, with a fair membership. The pastor is Rev. Harvey Casler, who conducts services every Sunday at Bishop Street.

SMITHVILLE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH was formed January 3, 1824, by Rev. Abel L. Crandall, with 32 members. The church was dissolved March 13, 1834, to unite with the St. Lawrence Presbytery on the accom- modation plan. Rev. Messrs. J. Ingersoll, D. Spear, L. A. Sawyer, J. Covert, A. Put- nam, H. Doane, George J. King, Charles Halsey, L. M. Shepard, George Turner and Henry Budge have since been employed mostly one-half of the time, the remainder being at North Adams. In 1829 the church joined the Black River Association, and has since so remained. Meetings were held at a school-house, built with a view of holding meetings, until the present church was built.

THE CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY of Smith- ville, was formed September 16, 1823, having William Gilbert, Joseph T. French and Daniel McNeil, trustees, who united with the Baptists in erecting a church, as above stated.

THE FIRST UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY of Henderson, was formed January 13, 1823, with John S. Porter, Roswell Davis and Amasa Hungerford, trustees. The Hender- son Universalist Charitable Society was formed February 5, 1819, of 13 members. In 1839 a church 40 by 60 feet was erected in the village, at a cost of $3,000, and dedicated December 25, 1839. On March 9, 1822, a church organization was effected by Rev. Pitt Morse, of 19 members. The present pastor is Rev. Arthur Roberts, who was or- dained in October, 1894.

SWEDENBORGIAN .- December 25, 1825, a society of the New Jerusalem was formed in Ellisburgh, at Brewster's school-house, of 13 members, in that town and Henderson, but mostly in the latter. Rev. Holland Weekes, formerly a Congregational minister, of Abington, Mass, was the promulgator of these doctrines in town, and preached gratui- tously for many years. The meetings of the new church were kept up regularly by him at the school-house in Henderson village till near his death, July 24, 1843, at the age of 75 years. The greatest number of members was between 30 and 40.

ST. MICHAEL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, at Henderson Harbor, was dedicated September 5, 1889. The parish has a nice little church, but no services at present.

ROBERTS CORNERS.

This is a small settlement at the junction of the roads leading to Belleville and Hender- son, which there cross at right angles. It was named after one Robert Roberts, who

kept the hotel at the Corners about 1840, and owned and speculated in land in that section. It was formerly named Spencer's, from a family of that name, who were also extensive land owners. It has a well-conducted school, and a comfortable school building, surrounded by a grove of evergreen trees. A former school building stood on the corner of the lot owned by Abel Bickford, and now forms a part of his present residence.

The cheese factory at Roberts Corners is called the Cold Spring Factory, and is owned by the Mather Bros., Orrin Graves, maker. They make butter and cheese.

The cemetery at Roberts Corners is called Evergreen cemetery. The officers of the as- sociation are : Harvey Smith, president ; George Mather, secretary, and nine trustees.

There are other cemeteries in the town, one at the village of Henderson, which contains some very old head-stones, and not used at the present time ; one on Bishop street, and one near Six-Town point.

The business of the village of Henderson is as follows :

Mrs. H. D. Geeson, postmistress.

Payson F. Thompson, dry goods, boots and shoes ; also telephone office.

The Hough Sisters, millinery.

Hungerford & Barthel, general store.

Charles D. Irwin, harness maker.

F. M. Kilby, drugs, general merchandise.

F. A. Kilby, shoe maker.

Frank Hadcock, proprietor of Eureka grist-mill.

David Hunter, blacksmith.

Dr. W. G. Terry, physician and surgeon.

Edward Everson, meat market.

M. C. McKee, blacksmith.

E. C. Sawyer, general merchandise.

Ira Ives, boot and shoe store.

W. H. Cross, blacksmith.

A. N. Leffiingwell, attorney and counsellor. The Windsor House, S. E. & J. D. Wheeler, proprietors.

Dr. O. F. Buell, physician and surgeon.

W. E. Boyce, druggist and jeweller.

The Phelps House, H. H. Gill, proprietor. The Henderson cheese factory, established in 1864, Emory Fales, proprietor; Benjamin Worthingham, maker.

Daniel B. Nugent, physician and surgeon.

ELLE HART JOINER was born in Massachu- setts, October 15, 1798, and came to Hender- son when but two years of age. He was a shoemaker by trade. He married Mahala Cheever. Their son, Oscar B., is one of the five children now living, and was born in 1832. He has been a sailor on the lakes for 35 seasons, and has commanded a dozen different vessels. He is now the president of Henderson village, and a trustee in the Universalist Church. Mrs. Joiner is promi- nent in the church work. Elle Hart Joiner died January 2, 1881, another of those hardy men who bore a full part in making history by preparing the way for those who follow.

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DR. OLIN F. BUELL

WAS born in Fairfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y., May 5, 1847, and moved to Sandy Creek, with his parents, in March, 1849. He re- ceived a common school education in Sandy Creek, and an academic education at Falley Seminary, Fulton, New York. He studied medicine with Dr. J. L. Buckley and S. J. Crockett, at Sandy Creek, and completed his collegiate course at the Medical Department of the University of the City of New York. He was married to Olive C. Harris, at Sandy Creek, December 17, 1867. They have one daughter, Helen, who married Merton M. Stevens, who has one son, Olin W. Stevens. Dr. Buell moved to Belleville in March, 1875, and taught anatomy, hygiene, chemistry and physiology in Union Academy. He came to Henderson, August 17, 1875, and commenced

the practice of his profession. His ancestors came into this country from England in 1630. He has served two terms as village police justice and is now civil justice. In August, 1894, he was elected president of the Cres- cent Club of Good Templars for southern Jefferson county.

Dr. Buell is what may be termed a self- made man-one who has come to the front unaided by any special favors or influence from outside parties. He has depended upon himself, and by patient perseverance and a large measure of good nature, and a sincere desire to please, he has secured a good prac- tice, and retains the friendliness and respect of all with whom he is brought in contact. The reader will note the resemblance between Dr. Buell and Rev. Dr. Haddock, (see p. 15).

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FAMILY SKETCHES.

JOHN WALLACE, father of Russell Wal- lace, was born in 1877, in Massachusetts. Anna Nevena, his wife, was born in New Hampshire. They were married in 1796. came to New York State in 1806, and set- tled in the woods, two miles back of Hen- derson village. Like all new settlers, they endured many privations. He was called out in the War of 1812. His wife was energetic and industrious ; she conquered difficulties and encouraged her husband when despon- dent, and was the mother of 14 children, 11 of whom lived to be men and women.

HON. DAVID MONTAGUE, son of Adonijah Montague, was born July 7, 1795, in Powlet, Vermont. He came to Henderson, N. Y., with his parents when quite young, and be- came one of the most noted and successful teachers in Northern New York. He taught school nearly 40 years and held the office of supervisor of the town a number of years ; he was also county superintendent of the poor and superintendent of common schools. In 1861 he was elected a Member of the As- sembly. His declining years were spent at his home in Henderson village. He died in 1880. He was married three times ; first, to Elizabeth Hungerford, January 26, 1821; to Mary Phelps, December 4, 1834, and to Jane Damon, May 20, 1848.

SENATOR CUSHMAN K. DAVIS, of Minne- sota, was the son of Horatio N. and Clarissa Cushman Davis. He was born in Henderson, Jefferson county, N. Y., June 16, 1838, in the farm-house now occupied by his uncle, Wm. Pitt Davis, the farm having been con- tinuously in possession of the family since 1808. Shortly after Senator Davis' birth, in 1838, his parents removed to Waukesha, in the then territory of Wisconsin. His paternal grandfather was Russell Davis, who came into Jefferson county from Vermont in 1807, and his maternal grandfather was Peter N. Cushman, who came to Henderson from Ver- mont about the same time. Mrs. Cushman was a sister of the late Spencer Kellogg, of Utica, N. Y., from whom the Senator takes his middle name. The first three years of Mr. Davis' collegiate education was obtained at Caroll College, and the final year at the University of Michigan, where he was grad- uated in 1857. He studied law with Alex. W. Randall, the now Governor of Wiscon- sin, and was admitted to the bar in 1859. He volunteered in the 28th Wisconsin Infantry, in 1862. After his discharge he went to Minnesota and settled in St. Paul, engaging in the practice of his profession. He was a member of the Legislature of that State in 1867. Was United States District Attorney in 1867-73. Was Governor of the State in 1874-75, and was elected to the United States Senate in 1887, and re-elected in 1893.

ROSWELL DAVIS might be numbered among the early permanent settlers of Henderson, having moved about the year 1811 from Lun-

enburg, Vt., with his wife and two children, and purchased a farm in Bishop street, owned and occupied by his youngest son, W. P. Davis. About the year 1840 he became the owner of the Putnam farm, upon which the first town-meeting was held in 1806. Dur- ing the War of 1812 he was frequently called out to defend our lines, and was at the bat- tles of Sackets Harbor and Sandy Creek, and assisted in carrying the great cable from Sandy Creek to Sackets Harbor.

T. O. WHITNEY was married to Martha Wood, in Ellisburgh, March 12, 1840, and commenced house-keeping in Henderson, April 10, of the same year, where they lived until his death, and where his widow still resides. Mr. Whitney held the office of as- sistant revenue assessor from 1863 to 1867, and was supervisor of the town in 1863.

GEORGE W. COLLINS was the only son of John Collins, one of the earliest pioneers of the town of Watertown, where the object of this sketch was born July 11, 1822. He re- ceived a limited education at the district schools of his native town. At the age of 21 he commenced life for himself, having previously lived with and assisted his father on the homestead farm, which he afterwards worked himself. In 1843, he married Fanny Stewart, daughter of William Stewart, Esq., an old and prominent citizen of Fulton county, N. Y. Five children were born to them. In 1865 Mr. Collins removed to the town of Henderson and purchased the farm known as the A. C. Clark place. It contains 250 acres, and is kept in a fine state of culti- vation.

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 122

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