USA > New York > Jefferson County > Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894 > Part 149
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175
Resolved, That the following minutes be entered upon our session's records and a copy thereof be sent to each of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan M. Flower, and to the other names mentioned in the minutes :
Whereas, The children of Nathan M. and Mary A. Flower did, on the 20th day of April, 1880, present and make over in due form to the Presbyterian Church and congregation of Theresa the handsome church edifice they had at their own expense erected on the lot belonging to said church and congregation; therefore
Resolved, That we, the session, in conjunction with the trustees of said Presbyterian church. do hereby pledge ourselves to use our best endeavors to carry out in all fidelity the filial and Christian designs of the generous donors.
Resolved, That we hereby express our grateful sense of their liberality in providing for a feeble church a much needed, but far more elegant house of worship than they could have possibly provided for themselves.
707
THERESA.
THE CHURCHES.
METHODIST CHURCH .- So far as is known the first class organization was formed in 1827, Squire Chase, the resident preacher in charge. In 1831 "Theresa charge" appears for the first time on the Minutes. March 5, 1836, Theresa church became a corporate body. The necessary legal papers were executed by Lyman Stearns and S. Thompson Brooks, father of Byron Brooks, the author and in- ventor. The trustees elected were : S. Thompson Brooks, Alexander H. Morgan and Benjamin Barnes. The first parsonage was built in 1836, on the lot now occupied for the same purpose.
UNION CHURCH .- In 1837 the Methodists and Presbyterians built a Union Church. It was dedicated in September, 1838,-cost $1,800. A. D. Peck preached for the Metho- dists, and Roswell Pettibone for the Presby- terians. In 1849 a new Methodist Episcopal Church was completed and dedicated, Sep- tember 15, 1850, at a cost of $2,000. April 27, 1860, this edifice was burned. February 6, 1862, a new church was built, at a cost of over $6,000.
THE 1ST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of Theresa was organized May 8, 1825, at the house of Abraham Morrow. The minutes of the session show there were present Abraham Morrow, Lucinda Morrow, Sylvester Bodman, Relief Bodman, Abner Cheesman, Elizabeth Chees- man, Nathan M. Flower, Mary Ann Flower, Mary Walton, Hannah Rogers and Rhoda Eggleston. Rev. Wm. B. Stowe acted as moderator, and Abraham Morrow and Sylves- ter Bodman were chosen elders and deacons, and the following were admitted and consti- tuted the charter members : Nathan M. Flower, Sylvester Bodman, Relief Bodman, Abner Cheesman, Elizabeth Cheesman, Abraham Morrow, Lucinda Morrow, Hannah Rogers and Rhoda Eggleston. Rev. W. B. Stowe was the first pastor. They worshiped in various buildings until 1838, when a church was built by the Presbyterians and Metho- dists jointly. The Presbyterians pur- chased the interest of their Methodist bretheren in 1849. That edifice was re- placed in 1879 by the handsome brick struc- ture, known as the Flower Memorial Church, which was presented to the society by the children of Nathan M. and Mary Ann Flower. It cost $15,000, contains a fine pipe organ, a gift of the late Colonel George W. Flower. The pastor's library, which is large and well selected, was the gift of Mr. Anson R. Flower, of New York, who, with his brothers, Gov. R. P. Flower and John D. Flower, manifest a heartfelt interest in the monument thus ap- propriately erected to God in memory of their worthy parents. The present pastor is Rev. Chas. G. Cady, who began his pastorate at Theresa June 1, 1892. It was during the pastorate of the Rev. Joseph A. Canfield that the Memorial Church was erected, in 1879. Mr. A. R. Bodman, H. P. Cheesman, John Hildreth, E. R. Stockwell and J. R. Sturte- vant constitute the present session. Present
trustees : Henry P. Cheesman, E. R. Stock- well and Jacob Snell. The whole number of members from the beginning have been 365, of whom 57 have been added during the pre- sent pastorate. The present membership is 130 (March, 1895). The Sunday School has a membership of about 150. Its large Sunday School library is also the gift of A. R. Flower. The superintendent is Henry P. Cheeseman. The church contains handsome memorial windows in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Silas L. George, the latter a daughter of N. M. and Mrs. Flower, and Mrs. Roxaline Carpenter, also a daughter. Of the original charter members, Mrs. Relief Bodman lived to the ripe old age of 104 years, a worthy survivor of the worthy little band, who in 1825 laid the foundation for the present prosperous society. A half-tone picture of this church and of the mural tablets of the interior will be found upon other pages.
ST. JAMES CHURCH of Theresa (Episcopal) was organized July 16, 1848, the Rev. W. A. Fisk officiating as its first missionary. In I850, owing to the interest manifested on the part of the members, together with others who showed a growing regard for the service, it was agreed that a Gothic church be erected, the architectural work to be given to Mr. Upjohn, of New York, who drew the plans for its construction, and which was completed at a cost of $2,600, and consecrated August 7, 1851. The incorporation of the church was obtained July 16, 1846, in which Horace Parker and Daniel Parker were appointed first wardens; Willet R. Jarvis, P. B. Salis- bury, Franklin Parker, Thomas Robinson, A. M. Ferris, E. W. Lewis, S. L. George and Joseph Fayel, vestrymen. The Episcopalians, in erecting their edifice, received $250 from Trinity Church, New York ; $125 from Hon. Wm. C. Pierrepont, and several sums of $25 each from others in the county. Rev. John Smiley is the present missionary. In 1850 the number of the communicants was 15; at the present they number 51, while the Sunday school is in a prosperous condition, having an attendance of between 40 and 50 scholars. Franklin Parker and Peter Schwarz are the present wardens ; and Wm. Fisher, John Ross, Richard Rodenhurst, Geo. Schwarz, D. D. Augsbury, Calvin Still, Jacob Will and Peter Kissel, vestrymen.
SCHOOLS.
Theresa contains 15 school districts. The village contains two prosperous schools and employs seven teachers. District No. 1 was organized as a Union Free School district in 1866. In 1893 it was admitted under the Regents of the University as a Regents School, under the title of "Theresa Union School," and immediately became known as one of the foremost schools of its kind in Northern New York. Here pupils receive a good academic training, and prepare for the study of the learned professions. The first graduating class received their diplomas in June, 1893, and were six in number. The
708
THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.
present faculty are: D. D. T. Marshall, Principal and Professor of Higher Mathe- matics, the Sciences and Languages; W. D. Morrow, assistant; Miss Ella Valley, inter- mediate ; Miss M. H. Ellis, 1st primary ; Miss May Hildreth, 2d primary. The pres- ent Board of Education (1895) are: Henry P. Cheesman, President; Dr. George A. Coe, Dorman Walradt, A. T. Smith; J. R. Stur- tevant, Secretary ; Jason C. Morrow, Treasu- rer. A fine public library is owned by the district, and the school is finely equipped with scientific apparatus. The building is a substantial stone structure, erected in 1870.
Perhaps the most noteworthy teacher was William T. Goodnough, who taught during the "fifties and sixties," a very successful select school.
OAKLAND CEMETERY.
OAKLAND CEMETERY ASSOCIATION Was organized at Theresa in October, 1884; 75 subscribers took 268 shares at $10 per share. The first trustees chosen were: Franklin Parker, J. C. Morrow, Edward D. Sheley, Frank P. Penfield, Loren Stone, William M. Lambie, R. C. Collis, James E. Kelsey, Richard Rodenhurst. The Association pur- chased about 18 acres of land, and erected a brick vault costing about $1,100, put in water works at a cost of $450, and made many improvements. There have been 164 deeds given and about the same number of interments made. The following are the present board: William M. Lambie, Presi- dent; J. C. Morrow, Treasurer; W. C. Porter, Secretary ; A. Cole, F. Parker, H. P. Cheesman, R. Rodenhurst, James Casey, Dorman Walradt.
SOCIETIES.
THERESA LODGE, No. 174, F. & A. M., was organized in August, 1849, with the following charter members: Dr. John D. Davison, Master; John Moak, Senior War- den; John Dillenbeck, Junior Warden; Alanson Doolittle, Gen. Archibald Fisher, Abraham Morrow, Artemus Baker. The present officers are; W. A. Fisher, W. M .: A. T. Smith, S. W .; E. J. Stratton, J. W .; Edson Getman, Treasurer; P. B. Salisbury, Secretary ; J. R. Sturtevant, S. D .; P. J. Kissel, J. D .; A. J. Jarvis, Tyler, The membership is 95.
THERESA CHAPTER No. 149, R. A. M., was organized in 1854, with the following charter members: Dr. John D. Davison, John Moak, W. E. Bennett, Allen Drew, Davis Ballard, John Dillenbeck and Noah Hutchins. The present officers are: J. R. Sturtevant, H. P .; Ceylon Wakefield, K .; D. D. T. Marshall. S .; E. R. Stockwell, Treasurer; George Cornwall, Secretary ; W. C. Porter, C. H .; P. C. Salisbury, P. S .; E. R. Stockwell, R. A. C .; Arthur E. Hume, M. 3d V .; Almon H. Houghton, M. 2d V .; A. T. Smith, M. 1st V .; A. J. Jarvis, Tyler. The membership is 65.
The two Masonic bodies owned a beautiful
suite of rooms, which the disastrous fire of 1890 destroyed. The records, charters and jewels only were saved. Immediately Wm. M. Lambie, one of our foremost citizens, commenced the erection of a fine block, the third story of which he furnished for Masonic purposes, and tendered to the Lodge and Chapter at a nominal rental, finely equipped. Both bodies, of which Mr. Lambie is an honored member, enjoy a good degree of prosperity.
THE FORESTERS .- March 1, 1890, Court Theresa, No. 501, of the Independent Order of Foresters, was organized. The present officers are : D. G. Wilson, C. D. H. C. R .; A. T. Smith, C. R .; F. S. Rodenhurst, V. C. R .; George Heller, P. C. R .; Rev. J. Smiley, Chap .; J. H. Mahoney, R. S .; E. S. Cook, F. S .; G. D. Walradt, Treas .; F. D. O. Yost, S. W .; P. J. Kissel, J. W .; F. D. Deleware, S. B .; J. G. Kissel, J. B .; J. E. Kelsey, physi- cian. The present membership is 50.
THERESA GRANGE, No. 660, was organized March 22, 1890, by Luke Fuller, of Water- town. The charter members were 28 gentle- men and 11 ladies, The present officers are : C. J. Rappole, W. M .; Charles Wilson, O .; Mrs. N. Schell, L .; Herbert Kelsey, S .; Irvin Van Allen, Ass. S .; M. Cheesman, Chap .; Nelson Schell, Treas .; Mrs. F. Place, Sec .; P. McCue, Gate Keeper; Mrs. L. Poole, P .; Mrs. Thomas Sluman, F .; Mrs. H. Webster, C. The present membership is 170.
GEO. W. FLOWER, POST, No. 306, G. A. R., Department of N. Y., was mustered Novem- ber 8, 1882, with the following named charter members: * John Lambie, Oscar Cornwall, *Willard C. Porter, Ransom Green, Norman George, Jerome Cooper, *Henry A. Kissel, Nelson Sheley, *Agor J. Jarvis, Dempster Graves, John Seymour, Barnet Hox, Alex Rivers, Nelson Waltz, Richard A. Irvin, Charles Peck, *Edward Nugent, Robert Mc- Crary, *Nathan F. Huntington, Simeon Sar- geant, George B. Huntington, Jerome Put- nam, Warren F, Swan, George Saunderson, John Zellar, Frank Duffany and John Lambie, commander; W. C. Porter, adjutant. In April, 1890, the Post lost all their furniture, records and charter by fire, but soon rented another hall, located on the same site of the old one, and refurnished their room and met regularly since its first muster. The Post was named after our beloved comrade, Col. George W. Flower, a native of Theresa. The charter members' names marked with a star (*) have been honored with the office of com- mander. The Post was presented with $100 by Hon. R. P. Flower, and through his re- commendation furnished with the Records of the Union and Confederate armies, which publications when finished will be a complete history of the orders, correspondence, and all records in the possession of the government of both the Union and Confederate forces, and their War Department papers. Governor Flower and the whole Flower family have ever held this Post in affectionate remem- brance, and have often contributed materially
709
THERESA.
to its prosperity and permanent growth. Col. Flower is gratefully remembered as a noble soldier. [See page 171.] Union soldiers now living in the town of Theresa, N. Y .: G. D. Hoover, John H. Wood, John Zellar, John H. Simons, W. C. Porter, Samuel Harris, Joseph Howland, Wm. Radigan, August Kissel, C. McIntyre, D. D. Augsbury, Dempster Graves, John Bates, M. Sprague, Frank Duffany, George W. Lawton, Ervin Tibbles, Bronson Felt, Nelson Sheley, George Place, D. W. Corbin, A. B. Wilson, Alexander Rivers, Chas. D. Merrill, Charles Perkins, Charles Pierce, W. L. Devendorf, Jerome Putnam, John Seymour, Levi Seymour, J. F. Butter- field, Lewis Duffany, George Parkhurst, Rev. W. F. Ball, Joseph Gassan, Captain Jerome Cooper, R. H. Green. John Good- nough, Hiram W. Tyler, Charles C. Eddy, Norman George, W. F. Swan, William D. Phillips, Freeman Phillips, George Kelsey, Wm. Welch, N. F. Huntington, A. J. Jarvis, Patrick Farrell, E. G. Corbin, George Chau- mont, M. G. Pool and Jefferson Closs. There are 52 pensioners residing in the town, in- cluding widows and mothers of the late war and of the War of 1812, all receiving about $1,500 each quarter.
FIRE DEPARTMENT .- The Theresa Fire Department was incorporated September 12, 1892, pursuant to Chapter 244 of the Laws of 1887, of the State of New York. The company was organized with 17 charter members. There are now 30 active members in the department, equipped with one Howe hand-pump and one hose cart, and occupy a splendid two-story engine house and hall, erected by the citizens of the village in 1894, at a cost of $1,400. The present officers are : George P. Schwarz, Chief; Peter J. Kissel, 1st Assistant; Walter Jenkins, 2d Assistant ; James Casey, Jr., Secretary ; F. D. O. Yost, Treasurer.
SUPERVISORS.
Alexander Salisbury, 1841 ; J. D. Davison, 1842-3; Gen. A. Fisher, 1844-5; Jesse Kel- sey, 1846; Zalmon Pool, 1847-8; Anson Ranney, 1849-50; P. D. Bullard, 1851; A. Ranney, 1852-3. [For balance of list, from 1854 to 1894, see pages 337-344].
TOWN OFFICERS.
The officers of the town of Theresa are: George E. Yost, supervisor; W. C. Porter, C. A. Kelsey, P. B. Salisbury, William Wal- radt, Celon Wakefield, justices of the peace ; G. D. Hoover, town clerk; Willard A. Pierce, commissioner of highways; Hiram P. Salisbury, collector ; Loren Shurtleff, Ben- jamin Calvin, A. R. Bodman, assessors ; Jerome B. Cooper, Ichabod C. Chrysler, John Bates, Linal Pierce, Jason C. Dowen, constables ; Marl Pierce, game constable; Calvin B. Still, John Parker, Joseph How- land, excise commissioners.
VILLAGE OFFICERS.
The present officers of the village of Theresa are: R. Rodenhurst, president; M.
E. Cornwall, G. D. Hoover, Alonzo Cheney, trustees ; George Casey, treasurer; H. P. Salisbury, clerk ; E. F. Parkhurst, collector ; Adam Hild, commissioner; J. C. Dowen, police.
BUSINESS PEOPLE OF THERESA.
Bank of Theresa : Geo. E. Yost.
Bakery and Confectionery : A. M. Holkins. Dry Goods Stores : Wm. M. Lambie and Geo. Kelsey.
Dry Goods, Groceries, Boots and Shoes : D. Walradt & Sons, William L. Root, James Casey & Sons, Cheesman & Avery and Lehr & Loucks.
Foundry : Celon Wakefield & Son.
Drugs and Groceries: A. I. Smith and D. G. Wilson.
Groceries and Provisions : John G. Kissel, Stratton & Cheney, C. A. Young and W. L. Devendorf.
Hotels : Getman Bros. and American House, M. Barret, proprietor.
Hardware: R. Rodenhurst & Son, Wescott & Hoover and G. W. Henry.
Contractor and Builder : E. D Sheley.
Grist and Flouring Mills : Snell & Make- peace and Poole & Cheesman.
Newspaper : The Weekly Gleaner, Strough Brothers, editors and proprietors.
Harness Shops: Patrick D. Kelley and Jerome D. Salisbury.
Undertaker and Furniture Dealer : Fisher & Co.
Merchant Tailor : George W. Bidleman.
Blacksmith Shops : Thomas Pedder, Jones & Pool, James Casey, Fred Lambert and Wescott & Kissel.
Carriages and Sleighs : Stotler & Kissel.
Watchmaker and Jeweler : W. D Chapman. In business past 50 years.
Saw-Mill and Cheese Box Factory : Stock- well & Parker and Poole & Cheesman.
Dentists : Geo. A. Coe and David L. Coe.
Physicians : J. R. Sturtevant, J. E. Kelsey, F. L. Santway and Miss Dell Dresser, homæp- athist.
Lawyers (in active practice): C. A. Van- Allen, C. A. Kelsey and Geo. P. Breen.
Millinery and Ladies Furnishings: Mrs. W. C. Porter and Mrs. E. F. Parkhurst.
Livery and Sale Stable : O. M. Ladd.
Insurance Agents : T. H. Donald & Son.
Monuments and Headstones: J. S. Bates & Son.
Meat Markets: O. D. Weeks and Gilts & Cook.
Shoe Makers : Curtis Thwing (in business many years) and Jacob Will.
Produce Dealer : Joseph Fayel.
Cheese Maker and Wholesale Buyer : Irvin Cooper.
THE GREAT FIRE.
The following were the sufferers in the great fire of April 5, 1890 :
Getman Bros., hotel, store, barn and sheds. A. T. Smith, drug store and Getman Bros. store.
10
THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.
J. C. Bidleman, store furniture.
A. T. Richardson, postoffice building.
John G. Kissel, stock in A. I. Richard- son's building.
George Lehr & Son, building and boot and shoe stock.
F. M. Peck, double-store, brick building and stock of household goods on 2d floor.
W. L. Root, store and stock, with house- hold goods on 2d floor.
Caroline Dresser, brick store, occupied by C. Keller; saloon on 1st floor, dwelling on 2d floor.
E. S. Stockwell, shop building, occupied by C. Thwing, shoe maker; J. D. Salisbury, harness-maker, and by W. Johnson, photo- graph gallery.
E. S. Stockwell, dwelling and barn, occu- pied by E. R. Stockwell.
George Kelsey, brick store, dwelling on 2d floor; Kelsey & Schwarts, stock of dry goods.
George E. Yost, brick bank building ; John Parker, dwelling on 2d floor.
D. G. Wilson, brick building and dry goods stock; C. W. Thompson, attorney, on 2d floor ; Dr. J. E. Kelsey, doctor's office on 2d floor.
Sarah C. Hannahs, brick store and store- house, occupied by Cheeseman & Evans, dry goods stock, 1st floor; D. L. Coe, dental office and dwelling, 2d floor; G. W. Flower Post, No. 306, 3d floor.
R. Rodenhurst, store and hardware stock.
William M. Lambie, brick store and dry goods stock, and Hildreth & Hoover, meat market; A. L. Chapman, attorney, 2d floor ; Masonic Lodge and Chapter, 3d floor.
F. L. Santway, brick building and office on 2d floor ; E. J. Stratton, grocery, 1st floor. F. L. Santway, dwelling and barn.
G. W. Henry, stone store and hardware stock.
W. D. Chapman & Son, building, with jewelry store and fishing tackle manufactory. George E. Yost, store building.
Fayel & Casey, merchandise stock. Mrs. H. A. Coe, brick dwelling.
Mrs. William K. Peck, store building.
W. A. Fisher & Co., stock of furniture.
John Courts, store and dwelling.
O. M. Ladd, livery, barn and shed.
M. L. Stotler, building and carriages.
M. L. Cook, blacksmith shop.
Mrs. E. F. Parkhurst, building, millinery store and dwelling.
Franklin Parker, dwelling and barn.
W. C. Porter, brick dwelling, millinery store, dwelling and barn.
L. W. Tyler, brick tenement, occupied by David Tyler and Jerome Westcott.
Victor Cooper, dwelling and barn.
J. C. Morrow, dwelling.
The following were damaged: William Walradt, D. A. Salisbury, W. D. Chapman, George A. Coe, J. R. Sturtevant, G. Snell, Jr.
Total loss over $150,000; insurance paid, about $100,000.
THE NATHAN M. FLOWER FAMILY.
SIXTY-FIVE years ago the "Falls of the In- dian River" was the only designation for what is now known as "Theresa," the name given it later on by Mr. LeRay, who held large possessions thereabouts. That waterfall, as in all new countries, was the principal attraction which led men to settle in a neighborhood which must have been at first actually repulsive. As most of the earliest settlers came originally from New England, however, a few rocks more or less did not appear to discourage them, for they com- prehended that the waterfall meant "in the fullness of time" a mill to grind their proven- der, and a factory to card their wool into rolls for spinning, and perhaps to weave their cloth, for in those days the farmers ex- pected to manufacture all their clothing at home, the ready-made clothing man being yet unborn.
In 1824-25, when the first families began to move into the heighborhood of Theresa, the country was largely covered with forests, the roads in most localities were mere bridle paths, marked by blazed trees, and without bridges, except upon what was called the " Military Road," built by the government to connect its garrison at Sackets Harbor with Ogdensburg. What is now the village proper had but few dwellings.
The one man who was to make the firmest impression upon the town, and to leave the most cherished memories behind him was Nathan M. Flower, father of New York's popular Governor. Mr. Flower settled there in 1822, coming with his worthy wife from Ot- sego county, where he had followed the trade of a clothier. He established the first ma- chinery driven by the water power of Indian river upon the north side of the lower falls, and lived in a small house near the factory ; in that house Roswell Pettibone was born. This stalwart infant took his name from a Presbyterian preacher, the Rev. Roswell Pettibone, who came to Theresa every other Sabbath and preached in the old school house that stood upon the sand-hill at the lower end of the village. He was a rare man, an active abolitionist, an ardent temperance advocate, an was greatly beloved by Mr. Flower.
As I have previously hinted, all the farmers had their small flock of sheep and their own spinning wheels, and their patronage, as the country became settled, gave Mr. Flower a prosperous business. It was my privilege to know him intimately. His manner was gentle, his deportment dignified, without the least repulsion, with a most intelligent and pleasing face. While he was not a collegiate, nor even an academician, he yet had a first
1
-
PERCIVAL D. BULLARD.
711
THERESA.
class district school education, and could write his ideas fluently and readily. In brief, he was possessed in a large degree of that wholesome blessing-rare common sense. In politics he was a pronounced and leading Whig, and in that strong Democratic town he was elected justice of the peace for twenty consecutive years. Some of the ablest lawyers in Jefferson county, including the brightest and most learned among them all, Hon. Chas. E. Clarke, plead their cases in his court, and I do not think a single one of his decisions was ever successfully appealed. In the church, as in all other matters at Theresa, he was a leader-himself and his wife being two of the nine persons who organized the Pres- byterian Church in 1825.
As time rolled on, seven children blessed this exemplary couple, and every one of them became successful in business, and reached the highest social positions in the communi- ties where their lot was cast. Having filled in every sense the full measure of manhood, this complete gentleman and citizen died sud- denly of apoplexy in 1843. Then was thrown upon his estimable widow the burden of car- ing for that large family, and she responded to the duties imposed upon her in a manner that elicited the warmest praise and admira- tion. When the father died, the two older boys, Nathan and Roswell, had begun to be employed more or less about the factory, but only worked at the suggestion of a kind and affectionate parent. Mrs. Flower resolved to continue the business, which had become the most profitable industry in the place. Her husband had taken a partner a few years before his death, and, of course, he continued on as the surviving partner, taking in the boys as helpers, and dividing the profits with the widow. This partner was quite a differ- ent person from Mr. Flower. He was not popular, and the people thought that the little boys had a pretty hard time under their new boss. But if Mrs. Flower felt in any way aggrieved, she made no complaint, and
kept her children well in hand. They were all faithful and obedient in an unusual de- gree, and were beloved by the Theresa people, for they could not forget the father who had spent among them a useful and ex- emplary life, without an enemy. I haveseen Nathan and Roswell each doing a man's work in that factory when respectively 15 and 12 years of age, yet apparently not the worse for their toil. In this manner these children laid the foundation of their robust con- stitutions, and by diligent attention in the village school from November to July in each year, they prepared their minds for the elevated positions they were to fill, and thus Governor Flower came, by what we may call "natural inheritance," to possess the quali- ties which have made him so popular and so conspicuous.
Nor did Roswell monopolize all the sterling virtues of his parents. Nathan, the eldest, was my comrade in 1850, in the long journey to California, a stalwart reliable man, capable of filling any position or of meeting any emergency. George, Watertown's one-time mayor, was the most popular line officer of the old 35th, an irreproachable soldier, the idol of his men, and for whom the G. A. R. Post at Theresa is named. Orville died young, having just graduated as a physician in some town west, the name of which has escaped me. John was for years a successful business man of Utica, and now, with his youngest brother, Anson, is a member of the widely known and respected firm of Flower & Co., 52 Broadway, New York. Anson we can almost claim as a war comrade as he was the popular clerk for Tower & Co., who supplied the 35th with sutler stores while in the field. There were two daughters, one having married the lead- ing merchant of Theresa, Silas L. George. The other daughter married Dr. Carpenter, a successful physician. Both of these ladies are now dead, but they left behind them irre- proachable reputations, and there are many who now rise up and call them "blessed."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.