Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 36

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 36

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).

" It is impossible, even for those whose habits and occupations naturally wean thein from the pleasure derivable from such scenery, to avoid feelings akin to poetry while winding through the Thousand Islands. You feel, indeed, long after they had been passed, as if you had been awakened out of a blissful dream. Your memory brings up again and again the pictures of the clusters of the little islands raising out of the clear cold water. You think of the little bays and winding passages, embowered in trees; and recurring to the din, and dust, and heat, and strife of the city you have left, or the city you are going to, you wish in your heart that you could see more of nature, and less of business.

" These may be but dreams-perhaps they are so-but they are good and they are useful dreams ; for they break in for a moment upon the dull monotony of our all-absorbing selfishness ; they let in a few rays of light upon the poetry and purity of sentiment, which seem likely to die of perpetual confinement in the dark prison-house of modern avarice."

J. A. H.

Thousand Island Park.

T HE Thousand Island Park seems to have been an outgrowth of that wave of religious sentiment which swept over the country about 1874-the result, perhaps, of the reaction in men's minds which usually follows great financial depression. Its contemporary developments are visible at Ashbury Park and Ocean Grove, two grand summer resorts upon the seaboard of New Jersey, and the later manifestation of the same sentiment at Chautauqua, in Western New York. All of these movements towards summer residences bore a distinctly religious character, and were the outgrowth of a sincere desire to glorify God, and yet, in doing so, to make summer homes where families could receive the benefit of change of scene and of air and perhaps in their manner of living.

The manifestation of this impulse at Thousand Island Park is due to the efforts of Rev. J. F. Dayan, a well known Methodist minister, now on the retired list. He conceived the idea that the Methodist denomination would gladly support such a resort, and he selected the southwesterly end of Wells Island as the most eligible spot. The selection was judicious, and his efforts were soon appreciated. The needed lands were mainly purchased (1,000 acres) from Captain Throop, whose title was only the third remove from the State itself. Success crowned the Association's efforts, $22,000 worth of lots having been sold in one day. Men struggled to secure the most desirable sites. It was unfortunate for the young town, however, that the extreme religious element so far prevailed that illy-considered restrictions were imposed as to entrance fee, etc., but in time these peculiar views have given way to more liberal ideas. To this day, however, no steamer is allowed to land at their dock on the Sabbath, the present management adhering to the original plan that the Sabbath should be not only a day of rest but of religious observance. The Thousand Island Park is now, as it was at the beginning, a place where a man can leave his wife and children and feel sure that they will not be exposed to any harmful influences of any nature-a place where "the assassins of society" would have no inducement whatever to come.

The situation of the Park is superior. Back from the river-front plateau rises a rocky mound, nearly 200 feet in height, which afforded a permanent and accessible locality for a water reservoir with pressure enough to flood the highest buildings. The soil is produc- tive, resting upon the moraine of this region, the result of glacial action. The second- growth of timber is mainly oak and elm, remarkably straight and vigorous, and tlie lot- owners are only called upon to decide what trees should be felled, and not what they should plant. It is difficult to conceive of a finer location. With man's intelligent supervision the place may be made the most delightful in America. Other resorts have the ocean, with its drifting sands, its fogs, its storms-this Park has the great St. Lawrence, whose waters come sweeping down from the far Northwest, pure as the melting snows can make them, fresh as

168d

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

the breath of spring, placid as Nature itself. To live in such a spot is a benediction for man ; there he forgets his cares, and grows into a life of content and thankfulness.

At the Thousand Islands there is a perceptible odor of ozone in the atmosphere. By some it is called a "sulphurous," by others a fishy smell. But there is a difference. Ozone is of itself an energetic chemical agent. It is a preservative, not a putrifying influence. In this it differs widely from oxygen, the principle in the air which promotes decay. There seems to be a reason for the belief that the beneficial effects produced upon many invalids from a residence among the Thousand Islands or upon the sea-shore, is due largely to the ozone discernible in those localities.

An indication of the progressive spirit of the Park is the Thousand Island Herald, a weekly newspaper published there, ably conducted, of which E. F. Otis is editor, and Rev. William Searle, manager.

The original capital of the Association was fixed at $15,000, of which $7,100 was paid in cash. On January 11th, 1876, the indebtedness of the Association was $24,647.81, and the assets $57,300.94. The capital was afterwards increased to $50.000.

The original trustees were : Chancellor E. D. Haven, D. D., President ; Williard Ives, Vice-President ; Col. Albert D. Shaw, John F. Moffett, J. F. Dayan, E. C. Curtis, E. Rem- ington, Hon. Jas. Johnson, M. D. Kinney.

Mr. Dayan continued a member of the board and as secretary and general manager until 1881. Chancellor Haven resigned in 1881, having been made one of the Bishops of the church at the preceding general conference. He was succeeded by Rev. I. S. Bing- ham, D. D., who in 1883, gave place to Rev. M. D. Kinney, A. M., who had been a member of the board of trustees from the first. Under his energetic management many improve- ments were perfected, and there came a period of decided growth. He continued as Presi- dent for seven years, and the Park owes much to his management, and to the fact that he has been of financial aid at many times.

The present trustees are : George P. Folts, President ; George C. Sawyer, Vice Presi- dent ; Dr. A. W. Goodale, Treasurer ; Walter Brown, Assistant Treasurer ; W. R. Fitch, Secretary. Trustees : George P. Folts, F. G. Weeks, Geo. C. Sawyer, W. R. Fitch, Walter Brown, Dr. A. W. Goodale, James P. Lewis, M. R. LeFevre, A. Gurnee. Rev. Wm. Searles, D. D., is the Director of the Tabernacle services.

From the very first the design of the Association has been to secure the best native talent for religious services, and also bringing from abroad men of established reputation and ability. In this way the noble Tabernacle has had under its roof some of the most cele- brated preachers in the United States and Canada, and the reputation of the Park in this respect has been admirably sustained. Rev. Dr. J. E. C. Sawyer, editor of the Northern Christian Advocate, delivered two sermons there on July 22, 1894, that were the most finished and stirring the writer has ever listened to. The influences that have gone out from that Tabernacle have been peculiarly inspiring and noble, and its services have done much to popularize the Park. The auditorium has a natural slope, the acoustics are admirable, and the sight most unique and interesting when the vast place is filled with the sea of upturned faces confronting the speaker. Situated in a fine growth of oak, with great curtains at the sides, which can be raised or lowered as desired, the people are brought face to face with nature, whence they are inspired to look up to nature's God.

It should not be forgotten that the Park as well as the Islands partake of an interna- tional character to a great extent, and the Union Jack floats in close proximity to our own beloved stars and stripes, and that prayers ascend for the noble Queen from the same desk as the petition for our honored President.

The population of Thousand Island Park is somewhat of a floating one, as regards its permanence, but there can be no doubt as to its pre-eminent respectability. It numbers 800 to 6,000 souls. Indeed the only occasion for fear in these established popular resorts is that they may become exclusively the summer abodes of the rich alone. At this place, however, there are ample accommodations for people of every class in point of material wealth, the hotel charges being $3.00 per day for the best, one dollar per day for a cheaper but really comfortable place, and board in private cottages at even less rates. It is pre-

168e

THE THOUSAND ISLANDS.

eminently a democratic place, and friendliness is cultivated as not an altogether obsolete senti- ment. The trustees and officers are capable men, composed of persons who have made their way from small beginnings and have always been in sympathy with plain and home-like methods. The cottages are numerous, all of them attractive, some beautiful. We give views of the new hotel which replaces the one burned in 1891, and some of the more elegant struc- tures. A traveller upon any of the steamers which tread their way among the islands will observe that more people get on and off at Thousand Island Park than all the other resorts put together. The plotted ground for cottages occupies about 100 acres. The Associa- tion has sold off 200 acres for farming ; and about 700 acres are left, devoted to dairying.

The pumping engines of the Association, their system of sewerage, water supply and electric lights are superior and unexcelled. Their dynamo plant and the beautiful machinery there of the Watertown Steam Engine Company are models of mechanical skill. J. A. H.

Some Biographical Sketches.

DR. ADDISON WIGHT GOODALE, Financial Agent of the Thousand Island Park Association,

Was the son of Ruggles and Betsey Wight Goodale, who settled at an early day in Fowler, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., where the subject of our sketch was born, August 17, 1831.

168f

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

His early education was in the common schools of that primitive period, until 1851. He afterwards attended the Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary for two years. In 1855 he began to study medicine with Dr. Abell, at Antwerp, afterwards graduating at the Albany Medical College as an M. D. This was in 1858, and in that year he married Miss Helen Jane Fowler, daughter of Lester and Dollie Fowler, of Antwerp. In 1858, he began the practice of medicine in the town of Rutland, following those older men, Drs. Munson, Smith and Spencer. He was in practice there when the rebellion showed its horrid front, and when the 10th Heavy Artillery was recruited, he joined it as assistant surgeon. He served with that fine body of troops until their final muster-out in July, 1865, proving himself an able, industrious, and conscientious officer. [For muster-out rolls of the officers of this large and gallant regiment, see p. 75.]

His protracted absence in the army had largely depleted his practice, and when he was mustered out he removed his family to Watertown, where he remained until 1867, and then accepted a position in the medical department of the Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Co., at Hartford, Conn. The Doctor became a trusted aud important officer in that department, particularly in settling claims. This relation with that leading company continued until 1885, when he returned to Watertown. He has since been engaged in banking in South Dakota, now being president of a bank there. He is a large land owner in the West and in Jefferson county. Though educated as a physician, he may appropriately be classed as a farmer. But the only thing the writer has ever heard him allude to in any spirit of pride or emulation, was in connection with his service as a school teacher, he having taught eight seasons, and there are hundreds of men and women now in active life who can look back to Dr. Goodale's advice and instruction for the starting point in their endeavors to live reputable and useful lives.

In 1885, Dr. Goodale was elected one of the directors of the Thousand Island Park Association, and is now the treasurer and chief financial officer of that important organization, which is spoken of elsewhere in this History. [See p. 168c.] The exacting duties of this position, together with his own private business, now take up all his time, leaving him no leisure for the practice of his profession.

The Doctor is a large man, nearly six feet tall, of pleasant face and agreeable speech-a companionable man, and a friendly one-inviting confidence by his open countenance and pleasant ways. Springing from "the plain people," he is pre-emineatly democratic, easily approached, an honored citizen, because an honorable one. He is yet in the prime of life, although he is one of those who passed through our great war after he had came fully to man's estate. His excellent wife shares his prosperity, and it is a pleasure to see them together.

I N connection with the pictorial presentation of the Thousand Islands and our remarks upon their general beauty, history, and local importance, it is very proper to name some of the men who have greatly improved their possessions, and who have become benefac- tors by the extent and character of the emblishments they have made in supplementing nature. Mr. George H. Pullman was one of the very first to show what wealth, judiciously expended, could do to make the Islands attractive. We show two pictures of "Castle Rest," the summer villa Mr. Pullman built for his aged mother. Hither he came during the great Chicago strike and riot of 1894. Another individual of this character is

HON. WILLIAM G. ROSE, Ex-Mayor of Cleveland, Ohio.

His delightful villa is on the east shore of the river, a mile and a half above Alex- andria Bay, and about three-fourths of a mile above Castle Rest. His improvements are upon a liberal scale, and, like those at Manhattan, below the Bay, evince care and artistic taste in all that has been done. Mr. Rose has retired from active business, having passed an

---

SUMMER RESIDENCE OF HON. WM. G. ROSE, Ex-MAYOR OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

Jannes 6. Spencer

168g

THE THOUSAND ISLANDS.

eventful life, beginning as a poor boy in Mercer county, Pa., where he was born in 1829, one of eleven children, all of whom have reared families, and shown the quality of the Scotch-Irish blood which they were fortunate in inheriting. At 17 he was teaching school. At 23 he entered the law office of Hon. William Stewart, at Mercer, Pa., and was admitted to practice in 1855. Like many other able young men, he leaned toward journalism, and in the Independent Democrat he gave voice to his hatred of slavery. Although his antece- dents were Democratic, he joined the Republican party at its inception, and has steadfastly adhered to its principles from that day to this. He was elected a member of the Pennsyl- vania Legislature in 1857, and reëlected in 1858-serving for two terms. In 1860 he was chosen a delegate to the National Convention at Chicago which nominated Abraham Lincoln as the candidate for President, but was unable to attend because of illness. He was twice presented by the Republican party of his county as a candidate for Congress, the last time in 1864, the choice being made unanimously. In 1865 he removed to Cleveland, where he gave his attention to the purchase and sale of real estate, in which business he met with financial success. In 1877 he was elected Mayor of Cleveland, and his services to the city during his term of office were so satisfactory that in 1891-fourteen years thereafter-he was reelected Mayor under the new charter, known as the "Federal plan." Under this charter there are but six city departments, each of which has a single head, who is appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the council, after the manner of the President and his cabinet. So successfully was this plan of municipal government organized and administered by Mayor Rose that it has come to stay. In 1883 he was nominated by the Ohio Republi- can State Convention for Lieutentant Governor, and led his ticket all over the State, and in his own county by over three thousand votes.

HON. JAMES C. SPENCER, Ex-Judge New York City Superior Court,

Is another of the men who have done much to embelish nature. An extended account of his lovely property, "Manhattan," may be found on page 168a. He is a native of Fort Covington, Franklin county, N. Y. His father, the late Judge James B. Spencer, was one of the early settlers of Franklin county, and was a prominent and respected citizen and recognized political leader in the northern part of the State, having held many important positions, including that of Judge and Representative in the State and National Legisla- tures. He also distinguished himself in the war of 1812, participating actively in the im- portant engagements of that contest, including the battle of Plattsburgh. In politics he was a Democrat of the Jefferson, Madison, and Jackson school. He was the personal friend and colleague of Silas Wright, and was recognized and appreciated by that great man and other prominent Democrats of the State of New York, as an intelligent and reliable political coadjutor, in the struggles of more than a quarter of a century to secure and perpetuate Democratic ascendency in the State. He also enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all his fellow-citizens who knew him, without regard to political differences. He died in the year 1848, at the age of 68.

This branch of the Spencer family and that represented by the late Chief-Justice Am- brose Spencer, and his son, Honorable John C. Spencer, were kindred, and claim a common ancestry. The family emigrated to New York from Connecticut, their original place of settlement in the New World, springing from an English ancestor, William Spencer, who came to Cambridge, Mass., before or early in the year 1631.

It appears that he returned to or visited England afterwards, for he married his wife, Alice, in that country about the year 1633. He was again a resident and a prominent man in Cambridge in 1634-5, and was afterwards one of the first settlers in Hartford, Conn. He was the eldest of three brothers, all of whom were among the early settlers of Hartford.

The family of the present Judge Spencer, on the maternal side, were purely Irish, His

168/

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

grandfather emigrated to this country from Ireland prior to the American Revolution, and served his adopted country as a soldier during the War of Independence.

Judge Spencer, before he had fully attained manhood, was thrown upon his own resources, and acquired his education and profession mainly by his own exertions. He commenced the practice of law in 1850, in his native county, and soon became popular and respected in his profession.

In 1854, he removed to Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence county, and, with Judge William C. Brown, formed the legal firm of Brown & Spencer, which for many years enjoyed a success- ful and profitable practice in the courts of Northern New York. In 1857 he was appointed United States District Attorney for the Northern District of New York.

The performance of the duties of that office extended his professional acquaintance into nearly every county of the State. After the expiration of his term of office, he removed to the city of New York, and entered upon the practice of his profession in that city. His energy and industry, added to his former professional reputation in the State, soon brought him clients and a very successful business.

In 1867, he entered into partnership with Hon. Charles A. Rapallo and other legal gentlemen, under the firm name of Rapallo & Spencer, which became familiar to the public and in the courts as associated with some of the most important causes of the day, including the famous Erie controversy and other equally important litigations connected with rail- road and steamship companies. The existence of that firm terminated with the election of its senior members to the bench-Mr. Rapallo to the Court of Appeals, and Mr. Spencer to the Superior Court of New York. He was a candidate at a later day for reelection as Judge, but was defeated by a small majority,

On his retirement from the bench and return to the active practice of his profession in New York city, the Judge was heartily welcomed, and his old clients renewed their allegi- ance. As years have worn away he has become more attached to his Manhattan Island (see description elsewhere,) and there he spends much of each summer, a practice dating back for twenty years. He has improved and beautified every thing he has touched, and is known as a liberal, progressive gentleman, taking a deep and healthy interest in all that relates to the St. Lawrence and the improvement of its Islands. Such men become, in a sense, public benefactors, and their memory should not die for want of proper recognition.

FRANK H. TAYLOR.

One of the prettiest of the many charming summer homes at Round Island is that of Frank H. Taylor, of Philadelphia, Pa., an early resident here, and whose unremitting work both as a writer for many publications and an artist has done much to increase the fame of this beautiful region through the country at large. Mr. Taylor, with his family, have resided here more than a dozen seasons, and participate actively in the social life of the river. The cosey little studio over the boat house at "Shady Ledge " is lined with studies of island scenes both in color and black and white, as well as many trophies gathered in years of travel. The historic article relating to Count Frontenac, fron the pen of Mr. Taylor, which appears in this book, was originally prepared for reading at one of the annual series of "camp-fires," which, as every islander knows, are a feature of "Shady Ledge " hospitality, and which led to the adoption of the name for the handsome Hotel THE STUDIO OF FRANK H. TAYLOR .. Frontenac upon the same island.

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, ROUND ISLAND.

SUMMER RESIDENCE OF CHARLES A. JOHNSON, EsQ., of 125 Montagu St., Brooklyn, N. Y., and 80 Broadway, New York.

BOAT HOUSE OF JOHN COOPER, ESQ., of 315 E. 28th St., New York.

SUMMER RESIDENCE OF JOHN COOPER, EsQ., of 315 E. 28th St., New York.

OPPOSITE FISHER'S LANDING,

New York, 8 1

"THE LOVELIEST IRIVER RESORTAIN THE WORLD."

the Aqir To all I

THE ROME, WATERTOWN & OGDENSBURG R. R. IS THE GREAT TOURIST ROUTE 1/11 CELL - JT#04 ---- N

.KUN

LAYCOM ...

51.OM

madendol

Moty nilyud

A31J29THOM

vtslol

A.WAM

RAV

CELA

A. . M

av bneltur

alig'ı

divomatog

... 1 2752

YOUT

YMASJA

MOTZOE ?

Abfallpning2

STRAH

bnsevorIT ant montl

:omit jan i visV ghiwollot ofli gniane

connecting

043

SUNOM

dol

núine

R.R.

slutade

Call RAILWAY .Nosbonsy best book given away. Thorncliff North Bay thergle E GD Orillia N Barrie Scar Vipissing TOR to er THE ONLY ALL-RAIL ROUTE TO THE THOUSAND ISLANDS. and Sea Coast Resorts. Send ten cents postage for illustrated_book, "Routes and Rates for Summer Tours " N

.. Solid Vestibule Trains to and from the Thousand Islands . . .

Stopping Only at Principal Cities and making the following Very Fast Time :

New York, 8 hours ; Albany, 5 hours ; Utica, 3 hours ; Niagara Falls, 8} hours ; Buffalo, 8 hours; Rochester, 6} hours; Syracuse, 35 hours, connecting with fast Express aud Limited trains to and from Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Detroit, Toledo, Pittsburg, Cleveland and the west ; also with Boston and New England points.

QUEBEC

North Bay

Thornelitt

.Nosbonsing

Calland

Ft. Mattawan

Black Riv

Ottawa

Axton

Becancour

Bissett

RockDiffe

Mack ey's'

MoorVaked

West on

YGrubum Snala

Mont

TRUNK Richmond

RAND.

Sherbrooke.

Cook-hire Je.

FAULE

Shisidore

Lennoxville

Hughes

West

Waterloo

Clyde

Carleton Place

Osgoode" of

Murting

Farnbull

Ortustuwa

Smith's

Perth

GRAND

MASSEN

IngdoMoore's-enTH

"AB

ST. J.

obuson

St. SI.

Orilla

Sturgeon

Cen. Out. Cr

GANAN Mousani

Round

O Do. Kalb Jc, Gouverneur

Burlington

Jefferson

Caliton LO

Antwerp

LETRO

VER.

M. & W. R.

-Mt

.Harris V.

Northfield

Fanyim House"

hitby

TORONTO

stico

BANDY CR.

O Richland JC. Mblon

White-

Cafe

Claremont

Pt. Dalhousie

ROME

Wredspere

R R.

Falls

CON.

Keene

Portsmouth

. C. Batavia, O

& ROV

Richfield

North Adame O

. Lav once:

Earlville

Ofyo Junc.k

Livonia

CEN.

CORT.

Norwich.

@ Sharon

Liberty

Free V

Bath

Watkins

Dryden

SUSQ.

Cobleskill

QBOSTON

Sidney

Colliers

CAUSE

Hudson

$ ames T.

LAKE

Eimir

Kinzua

Bradford

N. Y.

Lawrence

Montrose

Warren

Fall

.Troy

Wellsboroughe

Brook

Towanda

...

HARTFORD

.Titusyllle

R. A.

Arnold

LEHIGH

Emporium

Bernleeb

Middle T.

Sulybrooks

Sing Sing

No New Haven

Turry f. .

White Haven

Bridgeport

MAP OF THE

Penn Hayend

Pater'

NEW YORK

WATERTOWN & OGDENSBURG

bqklyn

RAILROAD & CONNECTIONS

fort Chutou

Dethle- hem

PENN.

Greens- burg

YSa wFook

Lebanon

Lonsdale

Long Branch

Rochester & Windsor Beach . .

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.

Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 36

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