Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 86

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

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In politics Mr. Cleveland has always been a Democrat, and though not in any sense a politician, has always stood well in the councils of his party. In 1880 he was nominated for Member of Assembly for the First Assembly Dis- trict of Jefferson County ; and though the district was hopelessly Republican, he made a very successful canvass and led his ticket throughout the district, showing in an eminent degree his personal popularity. Though the general public attest to his worth, yet it is in his own village that he is most appreci- ated. Ten times have the citizens of Adams elected him to the presidency of the village, and each time by majorities that have made his election almost unanimous ; showing their appreciation of his judgment and conservative actions in controlling their municipal affairs.

Mr. Cleveland is a man of culture and information, which has been acquired by contact with men and affairs, augmented by wide experience in travel and research. At various times in his life, on business and pleasure, he has visited nearly all the cities of note in his own country, and traveled through the South and on the Pacific coast, visiting all the places of interest, thus acquiring an inexhaustible store of knowledge upon topics connected with his country, which it is a pleasure to hear him recount, enjoyed by his neighbors and friends.

ELMWOOD CEMETERY.

NE of the most attractive spots at Adams is the "new" Cemetery, called Elmwood. It is situated somewhat similar to Brookside, at Watertown, the erosion of a waterway having developed a somewhat tortuous ravine, leaving high and sloping banks, thus affording fine opportunities for obtaining the best effects in landscape display. This Cemetery organization is fortunate in having for its President Mr. J. M. Cleveland, who has displayed untiring industry and fine taste in developing these grounds, which are now beautiful, yet capable of still greater development when the lately-planted elms shall have grown up, as very many already have, into their full beauty. In Mr. Cleve- land's beautiful enclosure are two double graves, containing some of his remote ancestors, whose remains he has transferred to his own lot from Connecticut. These stones bear the oldest date of any in Jefferson County, going back to a birth that took place in 1722. The record of these ancient ones, as given upon his classic monument, reads as follows: Ezra Cleveland (the Ist), died Jan. 7, 1802, aged 80 years. Jerusha, his wife, died Oct. 28, 1804. Ezra (the 2d) died Nov. 17, 1833, aged 85. Abigail, his wife, died Dec. 8, 1826, aged 82 years. These were Mr. J. M. Cleveland's great grand-parents and grand-par- ents. His own parents were : Elihu (the 3d), who died Oct. 17, 1861, aged 80. Lucretia, his wife, who died April 16, 1874, aged 87. This is a remark- able case of family longevity. Mr. J. M. Cleveland is himself now in his 74th year, hale and hearty, excepting a slight dimness in eye-sight-but he promises to last yet many years.

In this beautiful cemetery the writer noticed the grave-stone of Sarah D. Hammond, who was 107 when she died. She was the mother of Mrs. Mills, of Smithville. Until this grave was visited, the writer supposed that Mrs. Bod- man, of Theresa, who died at 105, was the oldest person buried in the county.

MONUMENT AND GROUNDS OF J. M. CLEVELAND, Eso., ELMWOOD, ADAMS.

VIEUX IN ELMWOOD CEMETEDY ADAMS

"CINY

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ADAMS COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.

With this page we present exterior and interior views of Adams Collegiate Institute, an institution of learning in which the citizens of Adams, for nearly four decades, have taken a just pride, and aided and sustained in a substantial manner. On page 382 is a more ex- tensive sketch, from its establishment in 1855 to 1882, when Professor Orlo B. Rhodes was the principal. He ably presided until June, 1894, when he became Editor-in-chief of The Watertown Standard. Pro- fessor Firman Coar was chosen by the Trustees as his successor. The new principal is an able scholar, having studied abroad, and possesses a tact and energy that promise well for the future of the Institute. Aside from the superior educational advantages, the building is sup- plied with the modern conveniences and lighted throughout by electri- city; the nicely-graded grounds present a most pleasing spectacle.

The Institute is governed by a Board of 24 Trustees, prominent business and professional men of the county. We append a list of the Trustees and Faculty.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

D. A. DWIGHT,

JOHN SINCLAIR,

A. K. HALE, M. D., T. T. CARTER,

W. H. H. TAYLOR, EsQ.,

S. T. THOMPSON,

L. E. PRUYNE, EsQ.,

O. B. RHODES,

A. J. LOVELEE,

A. D). RIPLEY,

G. W. HANNAHS,

H. O. KENYON,

W. H. WHEELER,

J. J. STILLMAN,

R. D. GARDNER,

J. M. HUNGERFORD,

A. W. INGRAHAM,

D. E. TAYLOR,

W. A. WAITE,

S. H. PITCHER,

W. I). ARMS,

W. H. NICKELSON, M. D.

W. J. ALLEN,

OFFICERS.

D. A. DWIGHT, PRESIDENT, A. K. HALE, M. D., SECRETARY.

W. D. ARMS, VICE-PRESIDENT. T. T. CARTER, TREASURER.

FACULTY.

J. FIRMAN COAR (University of Bonn, Germany,) PRINCIPAL, Languages and Literature.

MRS. EMILY MILLER COAR, PRECEPTRESS, English. MRS. LYDIA L. TRIPP, Ass'T PRECEPTRESS, Assistant in English.

MILTON J. TRIPP, Mathematics and Sciences. DAVID C. DAVIES, Commercial and Banking. MRS. L. B. WOODWARD, Pedagogy. MISS ELLA M. WALRADT, Languages. MISS ALICE H. CAREY, Assistant in Languages.

DR. F. W. COAR, Chemistry and Astronomy. PERLEY DUNN ALDRICH, Rochester, N. Y., Director Musical Department. MISS MAY E. IRWIN, Voice and Piano. MRS. W. D ARMS, Painting and Drawing. MRS. V. H. LEGG, Elocution.

GOVERNMENT.

The objects of discipline are two-fold; 1st, The welfare of the pupil; 2d, The highest good of the Institute. To accomplish these objects, the Faculty aim to be mild but firm, relying largely upon the moral sense of the students to dictate correct deportment, and mutually to assist in attaining the highest moral and intellectual culture. No student whose influence is known to be pernicious will be allowed to retain a connection with the school. A permanent record of scholarship and deportment is kept, and monthly reports of those board- ing in the building will be sent to their parents upon their request.

Our aim can be expressed in a few words: To make Men and Women of our students.

Manhood and Womanhood mean not only intellectual development, but moral growth, and we trust all will leave these halls with the feeling that they have met with friends desirous of their best.

The studies have been arranged-so far as possible and whenever in accordance with the best judgment of the faculty,-to meet the suggestions of the now famous "Committee of Ten." It is the general opinion of all educators that very few students are capable of choos- ing intelligently a course of study suited to their tastes and best interests until they have spent at least one year in college preparatory work. For this reason, the course of studies for the first year has been so arranged in all departments as to postpone to the latest possible date the final decision between the different courses, and to give to the student an opportunity to exhibit his quality and discover his tastes by making excursions into all the principal fields of knowledge.

RELIGIOUS INFLUENCES.

While the Institution is in no sense sectarian, a strong religious influence is exerted by the different members of the Faculty, who are members of the several churches. Daily religious exercises are held in the chapel, and students are required to attend the regular morning and evening services on Sunday, at the Methodist, Baptist, Episcopal, or Presbyterian church, as their parents may direct.

TEACHERS' CLASS.

Every Fall Term a separate class is formed for the benefit of those intending to teach in the public schools of this State. Free tuition is given to a limited number in this class. Those who hold Regents' Certificates are preferred as members of the class.

This class will be in charge of the Principal, who will be assisted by the other teachers, and especial pains will be taken to give the class such instruction and drill as will best pre- pare its members to become successful teachers in the common schools. An examination of the class will be held at or near the close of the term.

The name "ADAMS COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE " was restored by the Regents in a provisional charter granted May 29th, 1883, and declared absolute November 16th, of that year. The Academic building has since been re-purchased by D. A. Dwight and wife, of Adams, and conveyed by perpetual lease, subject to certain conditions, to the present Board of Trustees.

ADMISSION.

Students are admitted at any time, but should, if possible, enter at the beginning of the term. No deduction in the bill is made for absences during the first week of the term, nor for leaving before the close of the term, unless on account of sickness, or in case of persons going out to teach. No bills for tuition are made out for less than one-fourth of a term. Rooms in the building will not be reserved after the first day of the term, unless a special arrangement has been made.

SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1895.

Monday, March 11, 1895, to Friday, March 15, 1895, Term Examinations and Examina- tions by Regents.

Friday, March 15, 1895, Winter Term ends.

Monday, March 25, 1895, Spring Term begins.

Monday, June 10, 1895, to Friday, June 14, 1895, Final and Regents' Examinations.

Monday, June 17, 1895, to Friday, June 21, 1895, Commencement Exercises.

Friday, June 21, 1895, School Year closes.

The usual holidays will be observed throughout the year.

ADAMS COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.

TE QUAEGIO

TRA

ADAMS COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.

THE CHAPEL.

ADAMS COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.

THE LIBRARY.

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ADAMS.

JOSEPH LANGFORD GREENE.

MR. GREENE was born in Berlin, Rensse- laer county, New York, February 8, 1808. He was a grandson of Joseph and Phoebe (Langford) Greene, who removed to Warwick, R. I., in 1769, and settled in the town of Ber- lin, being the third family to settle in that town. Mr. Greene's parents, Thomas and Hannah (Rix) Greene, both died in 1812, leav- ing a family of four young children-three boys and a girl-of whom Joseph was the youngest. This little family of orphans was divided among their uncles and raised, under the guardianship of Mr. Thomas Rix, a brother of Joseph's mother, of whose pru- dence and good management it is sufficient to say, that when Joseph attained his majority. Mr. Rix paid to each of the three brothers $3,000, as his share of his father's modest es-

tate. With this little patrimony, reinforced by a fair education and industrious habits, each of the brothers became prominent and successful farmers. Joseph and Russell Sage were fellow clerks in a grocery and provision store in Troy, between 1825 and 1830. This service, however, did not quite suit Mr. Greene; the sanding of sugar and the water- ing of whiskey, which were practiced in those days by the direction of their employer, did not exactly accord with the old-fashioned ideas of honesty which had been impressed upon his mind by his faithful guardian, and he gave up his position. His chum, Russell, however, continued "in trade " and pros- pered. It was but a step from watering whisky to watering stocks, which Mr. Sage seems to have followed with such phenomenal

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navy he was not only a theoretical, but also a practical engineer. During his course at the Polytechnic Institute, visits were frequently made to the larger shops and manufactories about the city, and extensive notes and draw- ings were made; in fact this formed a part of the course in which Mr. Greene was intensely interested.

In his first examination for promotion in the navy, from third to second assistant, he was placed at the head of his class (all pro- motions at that time depending on a competi- tive examination); but some time later, owing to much dissatisfaction in the class, a commission was ordered to re-arrange the positions of the officers, and he was placed No. 6 in the class; on his next promotion, he passed through the same experience, being placed at the head of his class on his examina- tion, and later put down to No. 7 by a com- mission. At the next examination, however, he was again placed at the head of his class, which position he held until his retirement. In the course of his duty in. the navy, he visited all parts of the world where ships of war go, excepting only the East India station.

On his admission to the service, he was de- tailed for, and later ordered to, the first ship fitting out for the Mediterranean squadron, which was the U. S. S. Susquehanna; but an emergency occurring which required the presence of a man-of-war in the Gulf of Mex- ico, the ship was ordered there for about four months previous to going to the Mediterran- ean.

Leaving Vera Cruz, the ship went by way of Key West and the Madeira Islands, direct to Gibraltar, arriving there early in Decem- ber, 1860. It was here that Mr. Greene first heard of the election of Abraham Lincoln as President. From Gibraltar the ship proceed- ed directly to the Italian coast, to Spezzia, which is now the great Italian dock-yard, but at that time it was the American naval station. Here the ship was quarantined for about three weeks, owing to the illness of one of her officers. After being released from quarantine, the ship sailed along the Italian coast, visiting Genoa, Leghorn, Naples, then Messina, Sicily, where a quantity of supplies for the Christians in Palestine were taken on board, and the ship sailed for Beirut, Syria, where the supplies were delivered to agents. While the ship was in this port, Chief Engi- neer Greene was one of a party of 12 officers and 50 men, to make a journey to Jerusalem. but owing to severe floods and bad weather, was unsuccessful in reaching their destina- tion, but did make a landing at the Bay of Acre, at a place called Haifa, at the foot of Mount Carmel, and visited Nazareth, Mount Tabor, the Sea of Galilee, Canal of Galilee, and all the adjacent points of interest. From this point he proceeded to Alexandria, Egypt, where he visited Cairo, the Pyramids and Suez on the Red Sea. From Alexandria they proceeded along the Barbara coast and to Valletta, Malta, and after a short stay, sailed for Messina, Sicily, reaching there early in March, 1861. During the stay in this port,

he witnessed the closing battle of the Neapolitan war, in which Garibaldi took such a prominent part-the last battle of that struggle for a united Italy independent of the Pope-the bombardment of the citadel by the Sardinian fleet, and by the Sardinian batteries, south and west of the city, and he has now in his possession a fragment of a ten inch shell which exploded at his feet while he was wit- nessing the battle.

After the capture of the citadel by the Sar- dinians, the Susquehanna sailed along the Italian coast to Naples and to Genoa, where news was received of the outbreak of the re- bellion and the firing on Sumter. On receipt of this news, it was expected that the ship would be ordered home, although the cruise was scarcely begun, and she sailed at once for Leghorn, where orders were received direct- ing the ship to return to the United States, also preliminary orders to deliver the same to the two other ships of the squadron. To ac- complish this, it was necessary for the ship to visit Naples, Messina, Malta and the City of Cagliara, on the Island of Sardinia, from which point she sailed directly to Cadiz, Spain, where coal was procured for the home voyage. The Susquehanna arrived off Sandy Hook early in June, 1861, and every pilot- boat communicated with brought conflicting orders. Finally, after laying off and on for a day, decisive orders were received to proceed to Boston. On arriving at Boston, the Cap- tain, the late G. R. Hollins, and several other officers put aside their uniforms, and, without awaiting any reply to their resignations, which they had sent in, went over the side, and were next heard of in the Confederate service.

The ship having been refitted by an increase of her armament, etc., was ordered for block- ading duty on the North Atlantic station; but when off the port of Hampton Roads, had the misfortune to break her paddle shaft, which, of course, disabled her; the wheel of the broken shaft was secured in the wheel- house, the engine adjusted, and she proceeded into that port with one wheel and one engine, and remained there two weeks, until ordered to return to Philadelphia for a new shaft.

While these repairs were being made, Mr. Greene was detached and ordered as an assist- ant in the office of the Engineer-in-Chief in the Navy Department at Washington, D. C., the president of the board that examined him having, in the meantime, been appointed En- gineer-in-Chief. Mr. Greene remained in this office, employed on the design of the ma- chinery of war ships, and on the trials of a large variety of such machinery of every class of design, and on experimental duty, until December, 1868, when he was ordered to the South Pacific Station, on board the United States steamer Nyack, and visited all the ports of the west coast from Juan Fer- nandes to Panama and the Gallapagos Islands.

It was during this cruise that the well re- membered earthquake of August, 1868, oc- curred, and his ship was the first to make the port of Arica, Peru, immediately after that

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city was destroyed, when every vessel in the harbor was wrecked or swept on shore. His ship remained in this port for about two months, with steam up and everything ready to put to sea at a moment's warning. Earth- quake shocks were felt at frequent intervals, and three or four of heavy force were felt nearly every day. Just before leaving this port the ship was coaled from the wreck of the U. S. S. Wateree, which was as upright as though afloat, three-quarters of a mile in- land and four miles away from the landing. The coal was brought to the landing on mules' backs and taken on board in the ship's boats. Sufficient coal was taken on board for five days' steaming. In this earthquake, which was felt along the entire west coast of America, both North and South, the greatest force seemed to be concentrated at Arica, a city of 30,000 inhabitants, which was entirely destroyed, not a single building left standing. The custom-house, a massive structure of granite, was swept away like a paper house; the railway embankment, with tracks, cars and locomotives, were all swept out to sea as if they were without weight. This condition extended over a distance along the shore of about five miles, and two locomotives were carried out to sea a distance of a thousand yards and left standing upright on the bottom where they could be plainly seen from the ship's boats when they were being pulled ashore. Many lives were lost by falling walls and by drowning. The wife of an American naval officer, Mrs. M. L. Johnson, was killed by a falling wall. All the officers and crew serving on board the U. S. S. Fre- donia, except three who were on shore at the time, were drowned. Two little American girls, whose father and mother (named Dyer) were both drowned, were brought home by a brother officer, and were left at Watertown, New York.

In 1869 and 1870, while attached to the U. S. S. Nyack, Chief Engineer Greene par- ticipated in the Panama survey for the Isth- mus Canal, and here contracted the Isthmus fever. He returned home by way of Marquisas and the Sandwich Islands, reaching San Francisco in March, 1871.

After this cruise he remained on shore for nearly a year, when he was ordered to the U. S. S. Mahopac. After six weeks he was detached from the Mahopac and remained on waiting orders for two months, when he was ordered to the U. S. S. Nantasket, then serv- ing in the West Indies. He served on this ship for three months, visiting various ports of the West India Islands, when the ship re- turned home and he was detached and placed on "waittng orders " for three months, after which he was ordered to the U. S. S. Nipsic, serving in the West Indies; he visited many ports among the Islands during the ten or eleven months of the cruise, when the ship, being unfit for further service, was ordered home and put out of commission. When he joined the Nipsic she had been lying in port for six months, without once moving her an- chor, because she was unable to do any steam-

ing, owing to her orn-out machinery. Three days after Chief Engineer Greene joined her she got under way, and steamed almost constantly for ten months.

After being detached from the Nipsic, he was ordered to duty on the Examining Board at Washington, of which Commodore W. E. LeRoy was President; he served on this board three months, when he was detached with the highest commendation from Commodore LeRoy, and ordered to superintend govern- ment work being constructed at the Washing- ton Iron Works, Newburg, New York, which duty continued for about a year.

After about a year of this duty he was de- tatched and ordered to the U. S. S. Benicia, then in Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, but as she was under orders to proceed to San Fran- cisco, Cal., he was directed to delay reporting until her arrival. This ship cruised on the Pacific coast from Puget Sound to Mexico, Central America and Panama, for a year, when all her officers and crew were transfer- red to the U. S. S. Lackawanna, and continued the cruise for a year and a half additional, at which time Chief Engineer Greene was de- tached and ordered as a member of the ex- amining board for the examination of engi- neer officers for promotion. He remained on this board for about four years, when he was detached and ordered to the U. S. S. Quinne- baug, then serving in the European squadron. He visited all the principal ports in Europe, the Mediterranean Islands, the Barbara coast, the west coast of Africa, and the Egyptian coast, also the Cape de Verde, the Canary and the Madeira Islands.

During this cruise in 1882, he was at Alex- andria, Egypt, at the time of the English at- tack upon the Egyptians, and witnessed the bombardment of that city, as well as many skirmishes with the Egyptians. in which the English were defeated. The fleet, assembled for the attack on the Egyptian forts, was probably the strongest known to modern times.

After the ending of the Egyptian war, his ship returned to Italy, by way of Smyrna, Constantinople and the Grecian Islands, and finally made an eight months' cruise on the West coast of Africa, returning by the way of England, reaching Leghorn, Italy, where extensive repairs were decided upon. While these were being made, Chief Engineer Greene was invalided home.

After a few months he reported himself ready for duty, and was ordered as a member of the examining board for the promotion of engineer officers, and continued on this duty for 212 years, when he was detached, and re- ceived various orders for a year.

He made several trials of novel machinery, including a trial of Mr. John M. Forbes' steam yacht Shearwater; trials of two Herre- shoff steamers, named Our Mary and The Lily; he also made a trial of a patented sys- tem for the burning of crude petroleum for the production of steam in locomotive boilers, and in 1888 was ordered to the U. S. S. Mohi- can, on the North Pacific station. This ship

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was undergoing repairs when an emergency occurred, requiring the immediate presence of a war-ship at Samoa, when all the officers of the Mohican were transferred to the U. S. S. Vandalia, which sailed at once for Samoa, stopping on the way at the Sandwich Islands for coal, and reached Samoa about the 20th of February, 1889. On the 15th of March, the great Samoan hurricane com- menced, and on the next day Chief Engineer Greene was, with others, swept overboard by the seas, (the ship having struck the rocks), and barely reached the shore alive. He was one of the first officers swept overboard, and had a life-and-death struggle in the water for more than three hours, when he finally reached the shore on a plank, in a completely exhausted condition physically, but with all his mental faculties as clear as ever. It was to this latter fact that he attributes his escape with his life, as he understood every move he made and had a reason for each action. No other person had such a serious experience at the time, or escaped after so long and desperate a struggle in the terrific seas he had to contend with. Several other officers were swept over- board from about the same place and near the same time as himself, including one who was an acknowledged athlete and an expert swim- mer, but he was drowned before he could swim 15 yards. Forty-three persons were drowned from the ship Vandalia, which num- ber included the captain, the paymaster and the marine officer.

After the storm, an officer was dispatched to Aukland, New Zealand, to charter a steamer to bring the wrecked people home. After considerable difficulty they found a comfortable one, the "Rockton," of 1,500 tons, and on June 1, about 600 of those wrecked took passage in her, and in 21 days reached San Francisco. Many of the people, especially the officers, had but a scant supply of clothing, and that only such as could be procured in a tropical island, where the natives are always scantily clad, and they suffered more or less when coming into a cold climate off San Francisco. As soon as the ship arrived it was necessary to procure suit- able clothing, and time was allowed for that purpose. The officers were led to believe, by dispatches received, that it was the intention

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 86

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