Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 68

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

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HON. MARCUS BICKFORD.

IT is a pleasant duty for the local historian to rescue from forgetfulness, by his printed page, the names of men who would otherwise share the common fate which in every century swallows up so many who possessed noble traits and performed, upon perhaps a narrow theatre, actions which were essentially great,

MARCUS BICKFORD.

and who filled a niche in the world's progress that would otherwise have been vacant. Every observing person can recall the names of a few, such as we describe, who have deserved the immortality they missed, for their acts were noble, their lives were pure, their teachings as elevated as truth itself.

Such an one was Marcus Bickford, the village editor, the honest and able lawyer, the tender- hearted, magnaminous friend, who honored Carthage by making it his early home, and to whose welfare and highest elevation in morals, in patriotism, and in every public benefi- cience he gave his long life. Dying as other editors die, before he could witness the full fruition of his teachings, he left a name that is rich with many sacred memories-for, as he was always near to the common people and in ardent sympathy with their ambitions and their welfare, they give his memory a place in their hearts, the highest tribute posterity can afford. True it is that it was not his to join that great army whose resistless pur- pose beat down secession, nor his to feel the glorious experiences of those heroes who yet thrill with joy when they hear a bugle call or the beat of a drum-nor was it his to share the imminent peril and yet supreme exalta- tion of actual conflict. But it was his to fill even a higher position, to advise and arouse his countrymen to a proper conception of their duty, and to urge the thoughtless to that reflection which properly preceded action. In this way he performed a higher service than if he had raised a regiment and led it through the four and a half years of actual strife.

Marcus Bickford was the son of Reuben and Mary Spafford Bickford, of Northfield, N. H., who came into the Black River country among the early settlers, taking up a farm upon what is known as the West Road, in Lewis county, and there Marcus was born, July 13, 1815. He was his father's helper on the farm, receiving the education obtainable from the common schools of that period, com- pleting his scholastic education at Clinton, N. Y. He early began the study of law with Hon. Charles Dayan, at Lowville, N. Y., and he was moderately successful at the bar. The religious character of his mind was, how- ever, an impediment in his chosen profession,

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THE PRESS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.

where "sharpness" is regarded as more valuable than erudition or unbending integ- rity. He had begun a promising professional career when the California gold fever swept over the country, and he became a veritable '49er, having crossed the plains with that grand cavalcade of eastern men who went,

"With hearts elate, To found another Empire, To rear another State."

His success in California was moderate, and on his return, in 1851, he married Miss Jane Van Horn Hammond, to whom he had been engaged before his departure for the land of gold. Two daughters were born to them, Cora Helena, who died in her 12th year, November 1, 1873, and Florence Ida, who is now the only surviving member of the family. He was a member of the Constitutional Con- vention of 1867, and declined many invita- tions to fill public offices. But it was as the editor of a staunch Republican newspaper that he earned his unfading laurels and estab- lished a reputation that has happily survived him. It should be born in mind that in the patriotic North there were not a few who op- posed enlistments and deprecated what they called " coercion." Mr. Greeley himself, as grand a character as he was, and much as he had done to popularize that Republicanism which was founded upon a hatred of slavery, had said in the Tribune that he could find no constitutional right for coercion, and advised that the Southern States should be permitted to "go in peace." And the Democrats had accepted the imbecile plea of President Buch- anan that constitutional coercion was an im- possibility. These opposing, yet concurrent political ideas seemed inevitably to point to the same end-a dissolution of the Union, and the establishment of two confederacies. To oppose this insane purpose, now meeting with no approval in any sound mind in America, became the solemn duty of every patriotic editor and citizen, and into this work Mr. Bickford threw himself with all his powers of logic and persuasion. As the purpose of the Southern leaders became more apparent and more desperate, and as their copperhead adherents in the North became more abusive in their opposition to enlistments, Mr. Bick- ford's Republican grew more and more severe in its denunciation of secession, and more arduous in the support of President Lincoln and his contemporaries in their patriotic efforts to preserve the government,

It must be remembered that the times were eminently exciting. Men's minds were wrought up to that point where their "true inwardness" developed itself under great ex- citement, and it is too true that with many of them party spirit rose above patriotism. To denounce these " copper-heads" and uphold the patriotic efforts of his contemporaries was Mr. Bickford's duty, as an editor, and he dis- charged that duty without fear or favor.

As an illustration of the bitterness of the " copper head " feeling, this incident is re- lated: Manley Loomis, an estimable citizen of Carthage had consented to the enlistment

of his two sons. On the day they left for the front, a woman shouted across the street to him: "Your two boys have gone to the war. I hope they will never live to get home again." That woman, in her excitement, gave expression to her own honest sentiments and the earnest wish of every " copper-head " in Wilna. But their bitterness did not avail. That town always more than filled its quota by volunteers, not by draft, for Mr. Bick- ford's Republican kept up its patriotic work until every hamlet was aroused, and no fire- side was unvisited by the earnest appeals of that newspaper, and that, too, at a time when the Reformer and Journal, at Water- town, supported recruiting officers with bated breath, as if fearful of bringing before the public the real requirements of a great crisis, which demanded men and not talk.

Suffice it to say that his work at last found glorious fruition in the suppression of the re- bellion, which came much nearer success than the masses of the people ever knew.

He edited the Republican for 16 years and its files bear undying testimony to the honest purposes of the man, to his inde- pendence as an editor, and to his ability as a writer.

Ill-health at last deprived the community of one of its best-remembered citizens. But before he succumbed to the disease which finally ended his life, he gave evidence of a patience in battling with its insidious ap- proach, that was really heroic. For many years chronic rheumatism wasted away his once stalwart frame. The devotion of his wife and daughter could only alleviate his sufferings, and at last he passed away in great peace, September 19, 1876, in the 61st year of his age.

In summing up the life of Mr. Bickford, we are impressed by his earnestness in whatever he undertook. If he thought a cause was right, he served it, unquestioning, to its logi- cal sequence. Though resident in a com- munity far removed from the great business centres, his ability was not unknown abroad, and had his health permitted, he could have had high positions under Grant's administra- tion. So his earnestness was appreciated even beyond his home.

His adherence to truth and its teachings, made him a devoted Christian, and he was often constrained to declare the faith that had sustained him through his early experiences and through his long sickness. Enjoying the religion of his ancestry, and happy in its pos- session personally, he wanted to communi- cate it to others. This evinced the depth of his philanthropy-a feeling ingrained, and not superficial.

Possessing, then, the logical mind, the calm judgment which enabled him to recog- nize truth when he saw it, he followed its teachings without fear-and that made him a patriot, and armed him for the fight he took upon himself for his country's sake. Regard- ed as a Christian, as the able and fearless newspaper editor, or as the kind neighbor and

316

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

the high-toned citizen, it is not to be wonder- ed at that he left a name unsullied by any petty scandal' or acrimonious controversy., and " being dead he yet speaketh."

It may possibly interest the older members of the present editorial fraternity in Jefferson

County to know that Mr. Bickford was an honored Elder in the Church of the Disciples, at Carthage, and that he honored the pro- fessions he had made by preaching often the blessed Gospel of our Lord and Saviour. His example we scarcely expect to see followed.

THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY

OF THE

FOUNDING OF ODD FELLOWSHIP IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.

MONDAY, the 24th day of September, 1894, was the occasion for a notable gathering in the city of Watertown, the event being the celebration of the semi-centennial anniversary of the founding of the first lodge of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows in Jefferson county. About two weeks previously the fact of the occurrence of the anniversary was brought to the attention of Jefferson Union Lodge by brother Past Grand Joseph Nutting and brother Past Grand John Nill, (both Odd Fellows of many years' standing, whose influence has always been exerted in every movement that had for its object the advancement of the interests and the diffusion of the principles of Odd Fellowship.) were deputed to confer with Watertown City and Corona Lodges in order to arrange for a fit- ting commemoration of an event of such importance and significance in the annals of the order. Committees were at once ap- pointed from each of the Watertown lodges, authorized to take charge of the matter, and the joint committee so constituted met and measures were promptly instituted. A tele- gram was sent to brother A A. Guthrie. of Albany, Deputy Grand Master of the State of New York, inviting him to be present and deliver an address, which he promptly con- sented to do. All the county lodges of Odd Fellows and of the Daughters of Rebekah were notified, and cordially invited to be present and participate in the celebration. In order that the principles of Odd Fellow- ship, as well as its objects, its growth and development and the record of its deeds of charity and benevolence might become better known to the public in general, it was decided that a public meeting should be held in the City Opera House, and that the families and friends of Odd Fellows should be invited to attend. The mayor of the city, the common council, the board of education and board of public works and the clergy were invited to occupy seats on the stage. The boxes were placed at the disposal of those venerable mem- bers of the order whose days of active mem- bership, now long gone by, had yet been productive of lasting results, and whose labors for the advancement of the great principles of friendship, love and truth, had made it possible that Odd Fellowship should have reached its present splendid proportions in this county. A short torch-light parade

was arranged to take place before the exercises in the evening.

A reception committee was provided, and with a band of music this committee marched to the depot previous to the arrival of the afternoon trains, and extended a cordial wel- come to incoming brothers and to Brother Guthrie, who was conducted to a carriage and escorted to the Woodruff House, where he held a short reception; after which, accom- panied by a brother from each of the city lodges, a drive was taken through the prin- cipal streets of the city, which was highly enjoyed by Brother Guthrie, who was very favorably impressed by the appearance of Watertown and the character of its citizens. and said that the city presented as good a field for the progress of Odd Fellowship as any with which he was acquainted. Promptly at 7 p m. the lodges assembled at their respec- tive lodge rooms and marched up Washington street to Academy, taking their places in the line of march in the following order: First came Snell's band; then Canton Ridgely P. M., in full uniform, followed by Jefferson Union, Watertown City, visiting and Corona Lodges. At 7:30 p. m. the command "forward" went down the line, and marching to the inspiring strains of martial music and amid the glare of a thousand torches, one of the most imposing parades ever seen in Watertown moved down Washington street, around Public Square and up Arsenal street to the Opera House, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity by an intelligent and enthusiastic audience. After a pleasing overture of music, all heads were reverently bowed as Rev. D. L. R. Libby, chaplain of Corona Lodge, offered an earnest and appropriate prayer, after which the Odd Fellows' hymn was sung, led by Grace church choir, and then the chairman of the evening, V. K. Kellogg, Noble Grand of Corona Lodge and district attorney of Jefferson county, arose and after briefly setting forth the occa- sion of the demonstration and the principles of Odd Fellowship, gave an interesting account of the founding of the first Odd Fellows lodge in Jefferson county, 50 years ago, when the abduction of a supposed apostate from Free Masonry had aroused in the public mind a prejudice and an almost fanatical hatred against secret societies, so bitter and intense as to threaten the business and social standing, the property and even the lives of those who

317

CITY OF WATERTOWN.

had the temerity to identify themselves with such societies. The orator then paid an eloquent tribute to those devoted men, who, by incessant labor, at great personal sacrifice, and amid many dangers, laid the corner stone of what has since been built by the labor of many hands, into one of the greatest and grandest of Jefferson county's organizations. In striking contrast to the secret labors of that puny band, strong only in the greatness of their undertaking and the firmness of their resolves, are the facts that Jefferson county has now 11 lodges of Odd Fellows with a membership of about twelve hundred, and that Odd Fellows could now assemble in open meeting and proclaim their principles to the public and to the world.

The chairman then introduced Brother Guthrie, who delivered the address of the evening on the subject of Odd Fellowship, holding the attention of his audience for nearly three-quarters of an hour, and deliver- ing what was characterized by one of the reverend gentlemen who followed him as "one of the finest orations he had ever heard from a religious, society or political plat- form." He told how Odd Fellowship had been instituted in the United States in 1819 by five men in the city of Baltimore (see page 188 of this history) and now has a membership of over 913,000 and a record of over $64,000,000 distributed in charity and benevolence among the afflicted brothers of the order, their widows and orphaned children. Brother Guthrie call- ed the attention of the Watertown brothers par- ticularly to the fact that now, in the strength and prosperity of the order, is the time to provide itself a home, a temple, a monu- ment worthy of the grand principles its mem- bers love; and made the pleasing prediction that, as Grand Master of the State of New York, he would soon preside at a session of the Grand Lodge, held in Watertown.

A poem on Odd Fellowship was then read by Mrs. E. R. Hatch, of Garland Rebekah Lodge, which was followed by an address by brother Past Grand John Nill, who impressed on the brothers and sisters that the perman- ency of the order could be insured only by strict adherence to its principles and to the promises made under solemn covenant. The principles and the object of Odd Fellowship are not new, but an application under a new method, easily acceptable to the masses, of the same principles that have been advocated by the oldest nations of the world. The earliest secret order recorded in history was Brahminism, which afterwards developed into a priesthood, and was the source from which sprung the secret order and priesthood of Medianites, extending over the desert of Arabia and other parts of Africa, including Egypt, whence it was taken by Moses and formed into the secret ruling of Judaism. The symbols of these great institutions of an- tiquity differed very little, and the aim and object of all of them, as well as later Free Masonry and Christianity, was the universal Brotherhood of Man. History tells us how these great institutions of the past, founded

for the uplifting and the fraternization of mankind, failed in their grand and beneficient aim, and sunk into decay when they lost sight of the original purpose, and degenerated into exclusive casts and creeds. Thus we learn that the universal law of justice laid down by the Supreme Ruler of all for a uni- versal brotherhood of man, permits of no de- parture from the original plan, and only through the faithful observance, in thought and deed, of our principles, can we perpetu- ate our noble order and accomplish the desir- ed end-living in an earthly Paradise, worthy subjects of Him in whose image we were formed.

Past District Deputy Grand Master W. E. A. Faichney made a short address, replete with pleasant reminiscences, and Brother Robert J. Buck, of Corona lodge, was intro- duced. He delivered a short but interesting address in which he said: "We are met to- night to celebrate an important event in Odd Fellowship, and I want to say to you, brothers, that the 500th anniversary of this order will be celebrated; yes, it will have celebrations until eternity, because it is founded upon principles that are eternal."

Rev. D. L. R. Libby made an interesting address, which was greatly enjoyed by the audience. He said that the first note of Odd Fellowship was sung by Jesus Christ, the sweet singer of Galilee, who, in perfect, glorious manhood uttered and exemplified the first principles of Odd Fellowship, himself the minister of Friendship, Love and Truth. The speaker paid a glowing tribute to the aims and noble purposes of Odd Fellowship,

Sister Mrs. E. S. Allen, District Deputy Grand Master of the Daughters of Rebekah, then reviewed the history of her order, which was founded in 1851, largely through the in- strumentality of Hon. Schuyler Colfax, of Indiana. At first merely an honorary degree was conferred on the wives of brothers who had attained the scarlet degree. The order has progressed and developed until it has now its regular lodge and annual State conven- tions, and all positions in the order are filled by women. Sister Mrs. J. Nutting, of Gar- land Rebekah Lodge, then recited a poem dedicated to the principles of Odd Fellowship.

The closing address was then delivered by brother Rev. W. H. Bown, pastor of Grace Church, and was one of the most pleasing efforts of the evening. The reverend gentle- man stated that some one had said to him to "cut it short," and that he had heard so much of that about sermons that he was sick of it. Continuing, he said, " Why should we cut it short? We are Odd Fellows, and we can stay out all night if we want to; we have been waiting 50 years for this occasion, and why should we be in such a hurry to get out of this building to-night."

The choir then sung the closing ode, and after the benediction by Rev. Mr. Libby, the audience dispersed, and a memorable day. marking the termination of 50 years of the dif- fusion of the principles of Odd Fellowship in Jefferson county, was brought to a close.

318

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

IN 1791, even before the Chassnais pur- chase, the State made its first attempt to im- prove the facilities for travel into the Black River country. In that year, Arthur Noble and Baron Steuben, who had land north of Utica, in Oneida county, petitioned the Legis- lature for a road "from Little Falls, on the Mohawk river, to the falls on the Black river, which runs into Lake Ontario " The com- mittee in the Legislature to whom the petition was referred, reported in favor of the pro- ject, but we have not been able to ascertain that anything further was accomplished. Many of the first settlers found their way into the country by using the navigable chan- nel of Black river from the High Falls to the present village of Carthage, and by the tedious journey through an almost trackless wilder- ness, on sleds, drawn by oxen.

THE FRENCH ROAD .- In anticipation of settlements, Rudolph Tillier, agent of the French Chassnais Company, had caused to be opened a route from the High Falls, east of Black River, to near the Great Bend, from which it continued in a line nearly direct to the present village of Clayton. A branch from this diverged from the head of naviga- tion on Black River Bay, but these roads, though cleared, and the stumps removed, had no bridges, and consequently were of imper- fect use to the early settlers. This road fell entirely into disuse, and it is doubtful whether a rod of it is now travelled.

THE OSWEGATCHIE ROAD .- The first travelled road in the county north of Black river, owes its origin to Judge Nathan Ford, of Ogdensburg. The road extended from Ogdensburg to Turin, in Lewis county, and thence to Albany. It entered Jefferson county at the Ox Bow, in the town of Ant- werp, where it met the Black River road, on the opposite side of the river. Judge Ford, in a letter to Samuel Ogden, announced "having finished cutting the road, and all the logs turned, excepting about eight miles, and the party goes out to-morrow morning to finish that; after which, I think, the road may be said to be passable for sleighs, although there is considerable digging yet to be done, as well as crossways."

The road was first opened by a subscrip- tion among the landholders, and its continu- ation through Lewis county was long known as the Oswegatchie road. The sums raised by these means proved inadequate to build the road of the character which the country demanded, and narrow, sectional, and local jealousies were found to embarrass the enter- prise.

It was next attempted, with success, to ob- tain State patronage for this work, and on April 9, 1804, a lottery was created for the purpose of raising the sum of $22,000 to con- struct a road from Troy to Greenwich, and "from or near the head of Long Falls, in the county of Oneida, to the mills of Nathan Ford, at Oswegatchie, in St. Lawrence

county." The latter was to be six rods wide, and Nathan Ford, Alexander J. Turner and Joseph Edsell were appointed commissioners for making it. Of the above sum $12,000 was appropriated for this road. The summer of 1805 was devoted to the location and open- ing of the road, and on October 26, 1805, Judge Ford wrote; "I have just returned from laying out the State road between Ogdensburg and the Long Falls, upon Black river, and I am happy to tell you we have made great alterations (from the old road) for the better also, as well as shortening the dis- tance."

STATE ROAD .-- An act was passed March 26, 1803, for opening and improving certain great roads of the State with the proceeds of a lottery, to be drawn under the supervision of Philip TenEyck, Thomas Storm, William Henderson, Matthias B. Tallmadge and Jacobus Van Scoonhoven. The fund so raised was intended to be chiefly applied to the opening of roads in the Black River country, and was limited to $41,500. Nathan Sage, Henry Huntington and Jacob Brown were appointed commissioners for opening a road from Salina, and thence through Red- field to Champion and St. Lawrence county, and these were, by an act passed April 9, 1804, authorized and empowered to make such deviations on said route as they deemed proper, notwithstanding the provisions of the original act.

Jacob Brown, Walter Martin and Peter Schuyler were appointed under the act of March 26, 1803, to locate the road through the Black River valley, which, for a long time, was known as the "State Road," and $30,000 was expended under that act. Silas Stow acted a short time as one of the com- missioners, both on the Black river and the Johnstown sections, with Brown, Martin and Schuyler. By an act of April 8, 1808, Augustus Sacket, David I. Andrus and John Meacham were empowered to lay out a public road four rods wide, "commencing at such place in Brownville and Houndsfield as shall, in the opinion of the commissioners, best unite with the great road leading from Rome to the river St. Lawrence at Putnam's ferry, and pursuing such route as in their opinion shall best accommodate the public in general, to the village of Salina."

By an act of April 2, 1813, the surveyor- general was " authorized and required to sell and dispose of so much of the unappropriated lands of this State, on a credit of twelve months, lying in the county of Oneida, called the Fish Creek land, as shall raise the sum of $4,000; and the same is hereby appropriated for improving the road from Sackets Harbor, on Lake Ontario, to the village of Rome, in the county of Oneida, being the road hereto- fore laid out by commissioners appointed by the State, and pay the same over to Henry Huntington, Clark Allen and Dan Taft, who are hereby appointed superintendents to take

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 68

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