Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 132

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 132

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OFFICERS OF THE TOWN OF LERAY.

F. E. Croissant, Supervisor ; Fred H. Rice, Town Clerk ; Louis Symonet, Henry G. Price, Louis E. Kepler, Assessors ; Albert W. Had- sall, Frank Fortunc, Wm. D. Christian, Edwin G. Lawrence, Justices of the Peace ; Henry L. Lawton, Commissioner of High- ways ; Joel Timmerman, Collector.

EVANS MILLS.

EVANS MILLS is a pleasant village, situated at the junction of West and Pleasant creeks, the latter affording a very limited water- power. It owes its name to Ethni Evans, a millwright, from Hinsdale, New Hamp- shire, who came into the country in the em- ployment of Jacob Brown, about 1802, and July 9, 1804, purchased of LeRay a tract of 192 acres, for $577. He died in 1832, aged 62 years. About 1805 or 1806, mills were commenced, and in 1809 the place contained but a saw and grist-mill and a small tavern. The first merchant and inn-keeper at the village was Jenison Clark.

In June, 1812, the inhabitants of Evans Mills commenced the erection of a block- house, for protection against Indian massa- cre, but the alarm subsided before the body of the house was finished, and it was never used. Several families from the Mohawk had settled here, and the traditions they possessed of savage warfare, of which some had been witnesses, doubtless originated the alarm.

A postoffice was established here about 1823-24, which, in 1846, was changed to Evansville, and in 1851, to the original name of Evans Mills. William Palmer was the first postmaster. There are here churches of the Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist and Catholic orders. The village is three miles from LeRaysville, seven from Sterlingville and Philadelphia, 10 from Theresa, 12 from Stone Mills, 13 from LaFargeville, three from Pamelia Corners, 11 from Brownville, 10 from Watertown, six from Black River village and 12 from Carthage. The R., W. &. O. R. R. system passes through the village.

One of the first physicians in the village was Dr. Ira Smith, who continued in practice many years. There have been located here a full- ing-mill, tannery, a spinning-wheel manufac- tory, and several other enterprises, which have been discontinued.

Evans Mills became an incorporated village in 1874, the incorporation being ratified by a vote of 54 to 49, at a legal meeting held Sep- tember 7, in that year. The territory em- braced in the corporation was 720.44 acres. A. M. Cook was elected president of the cor- poration, and George Ivers, B. M. Strong and Bowen Root, trustees. The last named declined to serve, and William M. Reese was appointed in his place. But notwithstanding that the incorporation was legally accomplish- ed, and the officers properly elected and quali- fied, the organization never went into effect. An adverse feeling sprang up, a new meeting

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

was called, at which the vote of ratification was rescinded, and the village was shorn of the dignity of incorporation, in which con- dition it has since remained. The advent of the railroad in 1854 increased the commer- cial importance of the village by furnishing means of transportation for the products of the agricultural district surrounding.

From the earliest completion of the rail- road, Evans Mills has been an important shipping point. But, of course, after the road was completed to Theresa, the travel and freight from that direction did not longer seek the Mills as a point for shipment. But the fine agricultural section surrounding Evans Mills has always made it a place where a large amount of freight has been handled. LeRaysville, the Slocum Settle- ment, and the country north to Chaufty's Corners, as well as the farms upon the Indian river and a large part of Pamelia naturally seek Evans Mills as its railroad center. The R., W. & O. R. R. system affords every facility to travel, as well as freight. And that much may be said in relation to all the stations of that excellent system.

BUSINESS OF EVANS MILLS.

Whitney House, W. M. Whitney, proprietor. Daniel Walrath, cheese factory.

C. D. Moore, general blacksmithing and repairing.

Alex. Gouneau, blacksmith.

M. M. Bishop, grocer.

Frank M. Peck, grocer.

The Central Hotel, C. H. Reamer.

Croissant & Lawton, coal and lumber.

Tozer & Davenport, grist-mill.

A. E. Helmer, groceries, paints, etc. Mr. Helmer is also the postmaster.

Peter Farmer, the old Hoover Hotel.

Vincent Evans, restaurant and groceries.

L. E. Jones, physican and surgeon.

Robert A. Smith, physician and surgeon. William D. Christian, justice of the peace. A. M. & C. R. Cook, dry goods and the usual supplies of a country store.

J. H. Steinhelber, dry goods, groceries, etc. Wesley Rulison, groceries, paints, hard- ware.

E. O. Hungerford, hardware and stoves.

W. P. Casse, grocery and fruits.

Paul B. Clark, harness and repairing. Patrick Commins, blacksmith.

J. H. Miller, station and express agent.

BLACK RIVER.

BLACK RIVER is an incorporated village in the towns of LeRay and Rutland, being divided by Black River, which is spanned at this point by a fine iron bridge, built in 1875. The LeRay portion of this village was em- braced in a tract of 150 acres, purchased about 1818 by Christopher Poor from Alex- ander LeRay, as agent for the Chassanis tract ; this purchase covering all the water power of the north side, which was Mr. Poor's chief inducement in making the selec- tion of this spot. He had been an early

settler in Rutland, whence he removed to his new purchase in LeRay on Christmas day, 1829. During the preceding summer he had, with some assistance from other residents of the place, built the first bridge across the river at the point where it is crossed by the present iron bridge. The first grist-mill was built about 1836 by A. Horton. It became the property of Christopher and Peter Poor, and was destroyed by fire about 1842-43. The first saw-mill was built at the time of the construction of the dam, in 1831, and was de- stroyed by fire at the time the grist-mill was burned. A second mill was built a short distance below the first, and was also de- stroyed with the grist-mill. It was re-built, and was carried away by the flood which destroyed the first iron bridge. In 1848 a planing-mill and wood-working shop was erected, which was afterwards converted into a chair factory, and still later into a box factory. A machine shop, located upon the lower side of the iron bridge, was carried on for several years by Isaac and Joseph Howe, who sold to Thomas Mathews, who used the building as a joiner's shop. It was subsequently used as a store-house. The first merchant on the LeRay side of the river was Robert H. Van Shoick, who opened a store about 1832. The building afterwards became the property of P. Thurston, who ' converted it into a hotel about 1848, the first public house in the village. S. L. Mott opened a store here in 1852, which became the property of Matthew Poor, in 1866. The village is a station on the Utica division of the R., W. & O. Railroad, which follows the course of Black River through the town of Rutland.

The village of Black River was incorpor- ated in 1891. The present officers are Geo. C. Hazelton, president; E. M. Dexter, clerk; M. M. McGruer, treasurer; Josiah Burring- ton, J. Austin Hubbard and George Wolcott, trustees; A. W. Hadsall, justice of the peace.

The village is divided by Black river. The greater part of the business section lies in the town of LeRay, and in proportion to its size it is the busiest village in the county. The chairs manufactured there have an extensive reputation, and the pulp and paper industry is of considerable importance. The people are refined and courteous to strangers. The village is lighted by electricity, the power being furnished by the Empire Wood Pulp Company.

On February 20, 1890, the village was visited by a most disastrous fire, in which $50,000 worth of property was destroyed, including the following buildings : Poor's opera-house and block, Parkinson's store, Whipple & Hadsell's store, postoffice, Arthur House, F. H. Dillenbeck's block, two dwellings, D. H. Scott & Son's block, A. W. McDowell's store, John Burke's dwelling and Odd Fellows' hall. The fire was stopped by the use of the pulp mill pump and hose, which saved the Black River Bending company's factory.

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The fraternal societies of the village of Black River are as follows :

RIVERSIDE LODGE No. 334, I. O. O. F., was organized October 11, 1872. The officers are as follows: William Gracey, N. G .; M. M. McGruer, V. G .; Fred E. Whipple, R S .: Charles Chamberlain, P. S .; P. V. Poor, Treasurer; William Reeves, Warden; Titus Fitzgerald, Conductor; V. H. Scott, Chap- lain. The lodge consists of 100 members.

THE INDEPENDENT ORDER OF FORESTERS was organized in November, 1893, with 40 members. The names of the officers are as follows : Fred E. Whipple, C. D. H. C. R .; H. M. Williams, C. R .; William G. Racey, V. C. R .; John McComber, R. S .; Benjamin Reese, F. S .; James Smith, J. W .; William Gray, S. W .; George Risley, S. B .; J. Free- man, J. B.

CRESCENT LODGE, DAUGHTERS OF REBE- KAH, No. 114, Mrs. D. H. Hunt, N. G.

CHARLES R. GLASS POST, G. A. R .; Sam- uel P. Mix, Commander.

BLACK RIVER HOSE CO. No. 1, was organ- ized about three years since, and consists of 20 members. The village is supplied with a system of water mains with 10 hydrants and 1,200 feet of hose. Water is obtained from the river by means of six pumps when used. This improvement and protection from fire was put in after the disastrous fire of Febru- ary 20, 1890, when the greater part of the busi- ness portion was destroyed, with an esti- wated loss of $50,000.

THE BLACK RIVER CEMETERY ASSOCIA- TION consists of George C. Hazelton, presi- dent; H. C. Dexter, F. E. Whipple, C. Poor, George H. Scott, P. V. Poor, Orville Cum- ins and D. H. Scott, trustees.

BLACK RIVER UNION FREE SCHOOL Was organized by uniting of districts No. 8 of LeRay, and No. 14, of Rutland, in the spring of 1893. It is divided into three depart- ments with four teachers. P. S. Slater is the principal; Miss Jennie Pettis, Miss. Kate Carpenter and Miss Mary Dempsey, assist- ants. The school occupies two buildings, one on each side of the river.

The school board is composed as follows : H. U. McAffee, President ; C. J. Sweet, Clerk ; J. A. Hubbard, Julius Poor and Henry C. Dexter, Trustees.

BUSINESS OF BLACK RIVER.

The following are the names of the busi- ness people of Black River :

George T. Davenport, proprietor of the Davenport House.

P. B. Mereness, carriage painter.

Butts & Baldwin, bakery.

Mrs. Nettie B. Hull, millinery.

J. C. Murray, general blacksmith.

Wolcott & Moffett, meat market.

John Gould, proprietor of the Jefferson House.

George A. Pohl, flour and feed store.

B. A. Dexter, undertaker and funeral di- rector.

Matthew Poor, druggist.

C. Walker, proprietor Revere House. F. H. Dillenbeck, dealer in hardware. Mrs. L. H. Cartter, milliner.

Nettie B. Hull, milliner.

Philander Birdsall, restaurant. D. A. Merriam, groceries.

M. A. Parkinson, postmaster and telephone operator, also of the firm of M. Parkinson & Son.

C. J. Mereness, editor and publisher of the Black River Press, established Feb. 8, 1894.

The Wolcott Company, manufacturers of sash and blinds, A. M. Childs, president.

H. Remington & Son, manufacturers of wood pulp.

McAffee & Hubbard, general store.

The Jefferson County Paper Co., manufac- turers of manilla paper.

C. J. Sweet, station agent, also town clerk of Rutland.

M. Poor, lime-stone quarry.

Dr. George E. Sylvester, physician and surgeon.

Dr. L. E. Gardner, physician and surgeon.

M. M. McGruer, dry goods, groceries, clothing, boots, shoes, notions, etc.

W. S. Wilcox & Son, undertakers, manu- facturers of and dealers in furniture of all kinds.

Black River Bending Company, manufac- turers of bent chair-stock, chairs, cradles and lawn settees. P. V. Poor, president ; M. B. Scofield, vice-president ; G. K. Oaks, secre- tary-treasurer and manager. Established in 1860 and incorporated in 1889.

J. S. Graves, dealer in coal and pulp wood. C. A. Carpenter, dealer in all kinds of gro- ceries, fruits, canned goods, etc.

A. D. Clark, machinist and manufacturer of Woodruff force pump, also dealer in mill supplies.

Black River Wood Pulp Co., Henry Ball, president ; W. O. Ball, secretary and treas- urer ; Thomas J. Barker, superintendent.

The Empire Wood Pulp Co., manufactur- ers of mechanical wood pulp, Christopher Poor, president ; George C. Hazelton, secre- tary and treasurer ; S. D. Gibbs, manager-

H. C. Dexter Chair Co., manufacturers of fancy chairs and rockers.

CAMP MEETINGS .- The vicinity of Felt's Mills has been for many years a camp-meet- ing ground. At first the location was upon the Rutland side, in a fine forest grove. For some reason, unknown to the writer, that site was abandoned after many years of use, and the present site secured on the LeRay side of the Black river, where extensive im- provements have been made, with many cottages, comprising a commodious, pleasant and popular resort for the Methodist denom- ination. It is extensively utilized at the proper season, and eminent preachers often fill the pulpit there. Just why the Methodist is the only denomination that authorizes these summer camp-meetings has never been definitely understood by the writer, nor is the reason apparent.

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

FRED E. CROISSANT, the supervisor from the town of LeRay, was the son of James and Eleanor (Manigold) Croissant, who came into LeRay in 1828, from the east of France, settling at LeRaysville. Mr. Croissant came to this country under the auspices of Mr. Le- Ray. Fred E. had the benefit of the common schools at that time, receiving some instruc- tion in the higher schools of Watertown. He was his father's assistant on the farm sum- mers, attending school winters, and when 19 began to teach a district school, which he continued for several winters. In 1872 he became an employe of the R., W. & O. R. R., and was long in their employ. He has been station agent and telegraph operator at Evans Mills. He was elected supervisor of LeRay in 1877, and has served continu- ously since, being now in his 18th year of service. Mr. - Croissant is a very popular man, one who has made friends by being himself friendly. He enjoys the entire con- fidence of the people of LeRay, as is evi- denced by his continuance upon the Board for a length of time never before equalled in Jefferson county. He has been justice of the peace nine years.

CYRUS C. PHELPS .- The village of Le- Raysville was once a thriving and pros- perous settlement, and through the enter- prise and industry of one manufacturer, William Phelps, gave promise of being a considerable town. But when it was left to one side by the railroad, its prosperity waned. For more than a generation, how- ever, the perseverance and energy of Mr. Phelps made it a point of considerable im- portance in the lumber and furniture busi- ness. William Phelps married Eliza Brown, the cousin of Lysander H. Brown, so well known in the county, and related to the Browns of Brownville. The result of this union was three sons and one daughter. The eldest son and daughter died in infancy. The second son was Cyrus C. Phelps, the subject of this sketch, born March 5, 1820, at Le- Raysville. After a very thorough education in the village school, he went to Hartford, Conn., to take a college course. His father's business became involved, and young Phelps was called from school to assist in the management of the store ; furniture manufac- turing and lumbering, being then extensively prosecuted.

Cyrus married Jane, daughter of Benja- min McOmber. They had four children, William E., who was one of the old 35th Regiment boys in the war, and afterwards one of the officers of the noted Poughkeepsie Business College ; Eliza, who married Col. D. M. Evans ; Benjamin F. and Mary An- nette.

Mr. Phelps taught the village school and served as town treasurer and justice of the peace. On the breaking out of the rebellion he enlisted and served in the 186th Regiment

N. Y. Vols. At the close of the war he re- moved to Philadelphia, Pa., where he was en- gaged as an accountant and bookkeeper with one of the largest woolen manufacturers in that city. In 1885 he removed to the West, and died in Minneapolis, Minn., July 7, 1894.

Mr. Phelps was a man of singular equa- nimity, genial, social, and quiet in his dispo- sition. He was a man of wide reading and great intelligence, but exceedingly diffident, so that only those who were intimately ac- quainted with him could know of his intel- lectual ability. His solid character, sterling integrity and faithfulness to duty gained for him the respect and esteem of all who knew him.

SIMEON DEXTER came to Black River from Orange, Mass., soon after his brother David, and engaged with him in the manu- facture of chairs. He later went to Water- town and became one of the firm of Dexter & Herrick. Soon after, on account of his health, he retired to his farm near Black River, since which time he has never been actively engaged in any business, but has an interest in the H. C. Dexter Chair Company. Simeon married Marie Hardy, of Sandford, Conn., and they had three children, who reached maturity : Henry, Charles and Fanny-the last two are deceased, and Henry conducts the business. Edward M. Dexter, bookkeeper, is the only representa- tive of his father's (Samuel's) family, he hav- ing come from the East in 1885.

The Dexter family are of English descent, and have been long known in connection with the industries of Black River.

DAVID DEXTER, the originator of the old- est manufactory in the village of Black River, came to that place from Athol, Mass., in 1839, and commenced the manufacture of chairs and rockers. He made that place his residence until his death, at the age of 82. His children are : Daniel B., who died at the age of 10; Everette, who died at Black River in March, 1893, aged 56; and David E., who is the sole surviving child, and now conducts the business. David E. married Mary D. Pierce, daughter of Mr. E. O. Pierce, of Black River. The chair factory was burned in 1865, but rebuilt, and at the present time gives employment to from 75 to 100 hands. It is now, and has been for many years, the leading industry at Black River.

E. O. HUNGERFORD, a merchant at Evans Mills for many years, was the son of an unique and popular and much respected citizen, Mr. Edwin Hungerford, who was one of the early settlers, though not the earliest. He died in 1891, in his 82d year, a character well appreciated and greatly missed. His first wife was a Miss Farrell. Their children were Mrs. Mary Barney, Mrs. Sarah Briant and Elbert Hungerford. By his second wife, Miss Laurie M. Has- kins, who died in 1863, aged 45 years,

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LE RAY.

they had born to them : E. O. Hungerford, Mrs. Alice A. Morris, Ella G. Hungerford, Mrs. L. I. Clifford and Arthur E. Hunger- ford. It will thus be seen that Edwin left a numerous progeny. One of his sons, E. O. Hungerford, was born in LeRay, and has followed the business of a merchant until he is known to all the people of the town. Naturally, his trade is mostly with the farm- ers. He married Miss Anna M. Cook, in 1872. He is now 53 years of age, vigorous in mind and body, and has been in business since 1864. By trade he is a tinsmith, and that branch has developed into his present business of hardware, stoves, tin-ware and agricultural implements. He has been suc- cessful.

ADOLPHUS M. Cook, one of the oldest merchants in Evans Mills, was born in Al- bany, N. Y. After a long and successful business life as a merchant, he died in Evans Mills August 11, 1889. He was married to Miss Malissa A. Smith, who was born in Evans Mills, March 7, 1825. They reared nine chil- dren. Mr. Cook commenced his mercantile business in Evans Mills in October, 1847. He left a name for business integrity and com- mercial rating scarcely second to any in the county. Two of his sons, Adolphus W. and Charles R., succeeded to their father's busi- ness, commencing in September, 1889. They have proved themselves successful and en- terprising business men.

ALVA SCOFIELD came from Saratoga county, where he was born at an early date. He was a veteran of the War of 1812, having been at the battle of Sackets Harbor and assisted in drawing the timber for the old ship. He married Hannah, daughter of William Burdick, of Dutchess county, and seven children were born to them, six of whom survive. Amos, their son, is a resident of Black River, where he has held minor offices in the town. He is 66 years of age. He married Mary Beards- ley, of Oneida county, and their only son, Myron, is foreman of the Black River Bend- ing works. Myron married Miss Nettie Morrison.

EPHRIHAM J. PIERCE has been a resident of Black River 55 years. He was born in Vermont in 1821. He married Euphemie, daughter of Elias Woodward, of Rutland. Two children were the result of their union, Mary D., wife of David E. Dexter, of Black River; and Carrie, wife of Williard A. Gray. Mr. Pierce has been a carpenter. He enlisted in 1862, and served as a private and artificer in the 10th New York Heavy Artillery, and was discharged in April, 1864. `He is a member of the Baptist Church.

JAMES COREY was born on a farm on road 103, where he now resides. He acquir- ed a good common school education, and worked on the farm for his father until he attained his majority. He carried on the farm with his father until the latter's death in 1880. He married, in 1860, Lizzie, daugh-

ter of John Layng, and they have had three sons, viz: Sidney, Charles and Peleg, all of whom reside with their parents in this town.

WILLARD BACON attended the common schools and worked on his father's farm until he was 21 years old. He then leased the farm for a term of years. He has been twice married, first, to Nancy Watts, of Orleans, by whom he had one son, Clinton. For his second wife he married Mrs. Jane Watts, of Herkimer county, who had one son, Wellington, by her first husband. They have a daughter, Ida C., and reside near the old homestead.

PHILIP A, JABAS remained at home until he attained the age of 28 years, when he married Mary A., daughter of John Smith, of Watertown, in 1879, and they have two children, Agnes L. and Edith E. Mrs. Philip A. Jabas's father was born in Halifax, N. S., in 1810, and her mother in Colding- ham, Scotland, in 1811. They were married in New York city in 1836, and had lived to- gether 50 years.

BENJAMIN S. PORTER, at the age of 18 years, married Harriet, daughter of Aaron Poor, of Black River village, and they had one son and two daughters : Francis, Carrie and Jennie. Mrs. Porter died in 1868, and in 1872 Benjamin S. married his second wife, Angeline, daughter of Joseph Ford. They are living on the homestead on road 103, which Mr. Porter purchased when he was 19 years old.

JOHN M. HAAP immigrated from Wurtem- burg, Germany, in 1831, and located in this town on road 31. In 1832 he married Dorothy Haap, who came with him from Germany in 1831. In 1836 they bought the farm on road 34, now owned by their son, Frederick. They had born to them four sons and two daughters.

WILLIAM H. REESE resided at home until he was 14 years of age, attending school winters, which he did for three years, giving all his earnings to his parents. Soon after this occurred the death of his father, when he was obliged to return home and take charge of the farm, assisting his mother in the care of the family. He was much given to traffic, and his mother's chief anxiety was was lest he would trade off everything she had. But he was a successful trader, and succeeded in securing for his mother a good home. In 1864, at the age of 20 years, he married Maria, daughter of Lawrence L. Timmerman, of Pamelia, and they com- menced their wedded life with the extensive capital of 20 cents. With this he started out in his speculative career, and for three years was a farmer and dealer in cattle, sheep and horses. At the end of this time he leased his farms and removed to Evans Mills, where he became a general dealer, and in 1888, at the age of 45 years, owned 540 acres of land, with a beautiful new residence in the village. Mr. and Mrs. Reese have one daughter, Eva M., who was born May 14, 1866, and has

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

been educated in the schools of her native town, and at the Ives Seminary at Ant- werp.

LAWRENCE SCOTT was born at Little Falls, Herkimer county, in 1811, where he married, in 1835, Betsey Frank, who was born in France. They located in this county in 1842. Mr. Scott dicd in 1892. Of their six children, Nelson R. was born in Herkimer county in 1840. In 1862 he enlisted with the Union army and served three years. In 1866 he married Helen Lyon, by whom he has one son, Melvin L., who lives at home with his parents. Mr. Scott is a farmer on road 39.

MILTON W. DOXTATER was the son of Jacob and Catharine Doxtater, and he resides upon the homestead settled by his father.

GEORGE A. FISK was born in Randolph, Vt., in 1841, and was a resident of that State until 1861, when he removed to Albany, and enlisted in Company G, 22d N. Y. Vols., in the first call for 75,000 men, and served two years. He re-enlisted in Company A, 2d N. Y. Veteran Cavalry, at Saratoga Springs. He was in 12 general engagements during his first term of service, and escaped without a wound. During his cavalry service he was wounded twice. At the close of the war he visited his old home in Vermont, and shortly after removed to this county, finally locating in LeRay. In 1870 he married Caroline; daughter of Curtis W. Cory, of this town, and they have two children, George M. and Lottie C.

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 132

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