Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 94

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 94

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There was a previous agreement to employ either a Presbyterian or a Congregational minister, according to convenience, and to allow him to outline the policy of the organization. Mr. Clinton was a Presby- terian, and naturally took and maintained that form of church government, until 1838, when much controversy relating to doctrine arose in the church, and continued for a number of years.

ANTWERP.

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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, ANTWERP.

In June, 1854, a vote was unanimously passed by both males and females to adopt the Congregational form of government, and the long strife was apparently ended. In 1852, 20 years after the erection of its first church edifice, the second house of worship was constructed, necessitated by the progress and growth of the church. It has long been known as the "old Congregational Church," and cost about $6,000. This edifice was also used for about 20 years, when it was sold to John D. Ellis for $1,800. For many years it was known as Ellis Hall, and in the present year was leased by the owner to the Citizens' Band, and is now known as the Citizens' Opera House. The elegant church edifice now occupied cost over $20,000, aside from the lot, parsonage and sheds, which cost about $6,000 more. This is a handsome stone structure, of Gothic style, the stone being sandstone from the Render quarries in this town.

The first religious revival was in the summer of 1824, under Rev. Charles T. Fin-

ney, when 41 converts were added to the church. The pastorate of Rev. Jesse H. Jones, from January 1, 1865, to May 2, 1869, was characterized by great energy, ability and success. He infused new life into the church, and $1,000 was expended in repair- ing the edifice, and $1,300 in a parsonage, and the Congregational organization for the first time adopted a manual of church order and polity, and a new covenant drawn up. This may be designated as the "reconstruc- tion period." Rev. J. A. Canfield was called, and when he resigned, May 31, 1874, the church was never so prosperous, spiritually and financially, 51 members having been added by profession. It was due largely to Mr. Canfield's efforts that the new church was built. He is now living in Antwerp at an advanced age, universally respected for a life fruitful in good works. The church was 75 years old in July last, and during that time has had 26 ministers and a total membership of nearly a thousand.

John Horace Crum was probably the most

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eloquent divine the church ever enjoyed, and his charge was exceedingly productive in converts. His fame was wide-spread, and travelling men made it a point to spend Sun- day in Antwerp in order to hear him. Under his pastorate 81 members joined in one day. One of the most prominent members of the old Congregational Church for a long series of years, was Jeremy Stimson, father of Mrs. J. R. Sweeney, of Watertown, and of Mrs. Benjamin Fuller, of Antwerp. He was a regular attendant, and brought his family with him, and thus perpetuated an influence for good that is gratefully remembered.

For a brief notice of the 75th anniversary of this church see p. 440.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

This denomination is the third in age, but dates back no further than July, 1863. Rev. D. Symonds, then pastor at Sprague's Corners, established an appointment for worship here Sunday evenings, and William Barrett was the leader of a small class. The Wiggins block was used, then the Baptist Church until 1872. It was due mainly to the efforts of the pastor, Rev. E. E. Kel- logg, that their handsome brick residence was reared, at a cost of about $20,000, but it remained only a short time. It was swept away by fire on the morning of January 5, 1877, but the ashes were hardly cold before another was started on the same spot. The subscription was so satisfactory that the debt of $2,000 above the insurance was soon discharged. The new building was larger, 82x45 feet, of brick, handsome and com- modious, standing upon a high elevation adjoining Ives Seminary. Rev. W. H. Kan- off (1894), is the present pastor, The membership is 160, and the Sunday-school numbers 164.

ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

There were no Episcopal services in Ant- werp until 1866, when Rev. J. Winslow held missionary services, and he may be really called the father of the denomination here, although Rev. Robert Harwood held the first Episcopal service in Antwerp in 1855, and administered the first baptism to Annis Elizabeth Sterling Hall, on September 6, 1855. Bishop Coxe was the first bishop to visit Antwerp in 1866, when Mr. Winslow presented a class for confirmation. Services were first held in the Seminary chapel, then in the Foster House, then in an upper room in the Wiggins block, and next in Mrs. Gill's house, until the church was built. The corner-stone was laid on September 7, 1871, by Rev. Dr. Babcock, assisted by the rector, Rev. H. V. Gardiner. It was the result of the latter's efforts, and cost $4,500. The church was consecrated October 8, 1872, by Right Rev. F. D. Huntington. Rev. J. H. Brown is the present rector.

HILLSIDE CEMETERY.

It is, as its name designates, upon a hill- side, and is a most beautiful spot for the last

home of man. The grounds are tastefully laid out and ornamented. The land was purchased of Clewly Copeland in 1859, con- sisting of seven and a half acres at $75 per acre. The Antwerp Rural Cemetery Associ- ation was organized in the same year, with John H. Conklin, President; Elijah Fulton, Vice-President ; J. S. Conkey, Secretary ; G. S. Sawens, Treasurer. The sale of lots has been at an average price of 10 cents per square foot, but this has created a reserve fund in the treasury.

A fine stone vault was erected at the entrance in 1882, at a cost of $800, and many other improvements have been made. In the old cemetery, adjoining, the older pioneers sleep the sleep of the just.

The Foster burial-ground, near the Andrew Kinne farm, was started as early as 1810, and there are in addition the following others : Beaman burying-ground, two miles from Antwerp; a grave-yard at Sprague's Cor- ners ; the Bemis ground, three miles from Ox-Bow; Vrooman Hill, from the farm of Peter Vrooman, the early settler, and the two cemeteries at Ox-Bow.

MINERAL WEALTH.

When Dr. Hough said, in 1854, that Ant- werp stood unrivalled for mineral wealth in the county, he did not approach the realm of prophecy, for he added that its minerals were chiefly interesting to the man of science-without practical value. Since he made that statement the earth has yielded up over a million tons of ore of the richest quality, and a beginning only has been made in its vast capacity. Although specular iron ore had been mined in Rossie since 1812, the first successful attempt in Antwerp was not made until 1836, on an island in the midst of a swamp, on the farm of Hopestill Foster, which is now the Sterling mine, the mineral reserve having been sold by Mr. Parish for $200, to James Sterling.

In 1837 ore was found upon the farm of Col. Hiram B. Keene, near the county line, at Keene's station, which led to the extensive mines in that locality.

Antwerp possesses stone of many kinds, whose commercial value is yet practically to become known, although David Coffeen and James Parker, in 1805, quarried over 100 pairs of mill-stones at $100 per pair, from a ledge of gneiss on the old State road, between Mr. Cook's place and Ox-Bow. The present Congregational Church is built of sandstone from the Render quarry, and it has been quarried in several other places.

Forty years ago, when Dr. Hough said Ant- werp contained vast quantities of marble of a coarse texture, but suited for many purposes of architecture, not a foot of marble had then been taken out of the now many Gouverneur quarries. It extends in the same range into Antwerp in large quantities, and is believed to be of equal value with the Gouverneur stone. The only effort to test it ever made was by Myron H. Bent, in 1892, upon the

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old Hinsdale farm, between Antwerp and Ox-Bow, which upon the surface shows even a second grade stone. Potsdam sandstone has been quarried upon the Keene farm, in- dications of copper have been found, and lead exists upon the Wilbur farm on the Ox- Bow road, while talc and asbestos are said to be found in many places.

At this writing (1894), iron is thought to exist in an unexpected form-in clay. About two months ago a barrel of two kinds of clay was shipped to Chicago by David H. Rogers and O. G. Devendorf, to be tested for brick. The samples of brick received are of very dark red, which, made by a dry pressure process, are practically impervious to water. Their weight, density and color, suggest the presence of iron in the clay, and the matter will be thoroughly investigated, and a large brick and tile industry is possible. The average life of the best brick is about 60 years, and the Catholic Church in Antwerp, built of brick made near by, has been stand- ing 78 years, and is now in good condition, which indicates the clay is of superior value for brick.

THE CHAIR COMPANY.

The movement which culminated in the organization of this company, originated in the early part of the present year. The stock, $20,000, was all subscribed in this town, and the Antwerp Chair Manufacturing Company organized. This result is largely due to the efforts of Mr. Ira C. Hinsdale, who was one of three to take $1,000 each of the stock. The others were A. L. Hilton and the Bank of Antwerp. The directors of the company are: A. L. Hilton, President ; D. C. Hinsdale, Vice-President ; H. O, Gardner, Secretary and General Manager; John D. Ellis, Treasurer; G. W. Hall, E. B. Perley and George Alton.

It is proposed to manufacture chairs especially, but everything in the line of wood-working goods is permitted.

THE F. X. BAUMERT & CO. CHEESE FACTORY.

Antwerp is the seat of a large agricultural area. Farmers within a radius of five to six miles draw their milk both winter and sum- mer to the Baumert & Co. factory. In the height of the season, 60,000 pounds of milk are manufactured daily-the product of

about 3,000 cows. The factory is equipped with the latest improved machinery. Seven brands of cheese are made, and both whey and cream butter. Nothing is wasted; the refuse of the finished product of all kinds furnishes the raw material for another, until the greasy matter is all thrashed out of it, when the remainder, called whey, is piped over to the sugar of milk factory. There the sweetening properties are extracted, and the refuse is drawn away.

OLD HOTELS.

On the Carthage road, between the village and Fargo's present hotel, were three taverns of the early days. Although they cannot be

claimed by the town of Antwerp, yet they are familiar to old inhabitants. Sanford and Sylvius Lewis each kept one. The "Old Checkered House" has left an enduring memory, though now demolished. It was painted in squares, like a checker-board, and was situated near the present Fargo's.

At Barber's Corners, on the Philadelphia road, may still be seen an old wood-colored frame building, which served as a tavern 50 years ago.

Steele's Corners, near Spragueville, also had its tavern, which was a great place for dancing. It was finally burned down. On the Russell turnpike is yet standing an old building, once a tavern, kept by one Hazle- ton.

REMINISCENCES OF EARLY DAYS BY MRS. NANCY MC ALLASTER.

The historian of Antwerp is fortunate in being able to avail himself of the wonderful memory of Mrs. Nancy McAllaster, wife of the late William McAllaster, who is now living in Antwerp with her only son, George, at the age of nearly 90 years. There is probably no one in this town whose memory extends over so wide a range of years, for, with the exception of a little over a year, her entire life has been spent in Antwerp. She is able to draw a realistic picture of those days when the village was called Indian River, and can readily recall nearly every event of any importance from the War of 1812 to the present time.

Mrs. McAllaster was born in Windsor township, Vermont, in 1805, and came with her father, Oliver Stowell, to Antwerp in March, 1806. They first went into a bark shanty opposite the fair grounds, to remain until a cabin could be erected upon a per- manent location. It had a bark roof and a floor made of logs split in two. There were no windows, and no chimney, only a hole cut in one side for the smoke to escape. The wolves would be attracted and would sur- round it in droves. This chimney-hole serv- ed another purpose. The inmates would crawl upinto it carefully and fire at the hungry animals, who would generally get away un- harmed, being as keen in scenting danger as in scenting meat. Mr. Stowell and his family remained here several weeks, until he built a log house upon the Martin farm, a short distance above. Mrs. McAllaster spent her childhood days there, and she re- members well the manner in which they travelled to town-by marked trees, a dis- tance of only a mile. She also remembers getting lost when three years old, with her mother, in going after the cows one after- noon. The cows wanted to follow the right path, but her mother thought it was the wrong one, and they were not found until long into the night, when the neighbors all came out and blew their tin horns.

Mrs. McAllaster walked, when only six or seven years old, to a district school near the present site of S. G. Wiggins' house, and had

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for playmates James Sterling and his big brothers. The boys were generally a hilari- ous set, and she was so afraid of them that she would go out and sit in the snow to eat her dinner, rather than be near them.

Mrs. McAllaster was only seven years old when the War of 1812 commenced, but she can recall its stirring times and the thrilling scenes, which existed largely in fear and imagination. She remembers how every one was frightened at first, and the block-house erected as a fort, and particularly one amus- ing incident in connection with the war-the Indian scare-when every one expected to get scalped. The Indians were very trouble- some during the war. She says one grand scare originated in this way : One Sunday morning an old Methodist minister came along and stopped at Elliott Lynde's house and at Lemuel Hubbard's, and told a most harrowing story-that the Indians were coming, that Ogdensburg was already in ashes, and that all would soon be scalped or massacred, and that all must prepare to die. Lynde and Hubbard at once started out to warn every one, and stopped at Mr. Stowell's. Mrs. McAllaster remembers how pale her father turned at the news. Every one left home at once and flew into town, resolved to die together. She says that Lewis Bishop, a lad of 14 or 15, came along and went ahead of the children with a long pole with which to fight the Indians and protect his charge. The women were all gathered in the little tavern, and the men formed all around it to fight as long as they could, and to carry out the protection plank in their marriage " plat- form." During the night no one pretended to go to bed, and when they heard a gun fired the women screamed and fainted. The alarm was caused by a white dog, owned by Jennison, the landlord, which happened to run behind a stump near by, and thinking that it was an Indian seeking to hide, some one had fired at it. The dog was unharmed as well as the frantic inhabitants. Thus the night passed, the men taking turns at the watch, in breathless expectation that their scalps would soon adorn some wigwam of the noble red man, as trophies of a great white massacre. The next day they learned to their great relief that the scare was a canard. The ludicrous features were many, and afforded amusement for a long time. John C. Foster's father and family joined in the flight, leaving the breakfast table and a short-cake standing upon the stove, and taking only a bed and a few provisions. When they returned, they found their cow all tangled up in the cord in the bed, and their short-cake burned up. Another family took their cow along to have plenty of milk, and tied a feather bed on its back, and the first mud-hole the cow came to she lay down in it and rolled to her heart's content. Daniel Sterling' wife was about the only one who remained at her post, not in the least dis- turbed by the alarm. A number of neigh- bors, on their way to town, drove their cows

along and left them at Sterling's, and Mrs. Sterling afterwards boasted of the "big cheese " she made that day. She said she piled her children against the door, "Jim " at the head, so as to let the Indians get him first.

Mrs. McAllaster was 17 years old when the "brick church " was dedicated, which she readily recalls, and especially the many. times afterward when she shivered there in the cold, no fire being allowed in the build- ing by Parish, and a can of coals to take along was a luxury only within the reach of a few. The old church must have been the scene of many stirring events.

Times have indeed changed since Mrs. Mc- Allaster was young, and nothing more so than in the use of liquor. In those days when good pure whisky cost only 18 cents a gallon, it was kept in the house and regarded as essential as tea, and it was not good breed- ing unless you first offered your guest, whether minister or layman, a glass. Every- one drank then, but rarely became intoxi- cated. At "becs" whisky flowed like water, and buildings went up as if by magic. Occasionally its use was abused, notably at a "bee" getting out ice on the river one winter, where " blackstrap " was on tap, and a citizen's only son was induced to drink enough of it to kill him. At dances it was also the prevailing beverage. Mr. Scott, father of J. R. Welch's mother, gave a dance one night in his log house near Holden's, and getting out of whisky towards morning, lots were cast to see who should go to town for a new supply. It was a bitter cold night and the liquor froze in the jug on the way, which suggests that "watering" was not unknown in those days, when whisky was only 18 cents a gallon.

It may not be generally known that the mother of the assassin of President Garfield, Guiteau, was born in this town, from one of its best and most prominent families, his mother a beautiful and good woman. She was Jane Howe, daughter of Major John Howe, and is well remembered by Mrs. McAllaster to have been a charming girl. The elder Guiteau was considered a crazy kind of a fellow, and her parents and friends were greatly shocked at their marriage. The assassin certainly inherited his diabolical traits from the paternal side. The assassin, Guiteau, was here when a child visiting with his mother, who died many years ago.

THE VILLAGE INCORPORATION.

Antwerp became an incorporated village on July 30, 1853. The charter covers a rec- tangular tract of 660 acres. The first meet- ing for election of officers under the incor- poration was held on August 27, following, and the village commenced business with Publius D. Foster, clerk ; Jonas S. Conkey, Solomon J. Childs and Edward L. Proctor, trustees ; the board electing Mr. Conkey president. On October 4th following, two

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additional trustees were elected, who were William D. Carpenter and George N. Brown. The village was re-incorporated in 1871, with enlarged powers under the general act of 1870. The officers for the present year are: trustees, C. L. Burhans (president), A. P. Rogers, Daniel J. Alton and Cyrus Mason; clerk, John C. Trolan. The village records were destroyed in the fire of 1889, and therefore the names of former presidents cannot be given. Among them have been E. L. Proctor, Elijah Fulton and Eugene Copley.

STERLINGBURGH.

This is the local name given to a small collection of houses, now mostly old, about one mile east of Antwerp village, on the south bank of Indian river, and the name was given in honor of James Sterling, who conducted for several years extensive manu- facturing operations there.

The first settlement was made in Decem- ber, 1816, when preparations were begun, under direction of William Parish, for the erection of a forge on Indian river. A road, dam and house were also built soon after, but the forge was not profitable, and after two or three years was discontinued. A distillery at this place was erected and superintended by William McAllaster, as Parish's agent. Hough says that it "afford- ed a home market for grain and cattle, which enabled farmers to pay for their land much sooner than would otherwise have been possible."

Mr. Parish built a grist-mill here in 1834, near the distillery, taking the water from the dam built for the forge, both of which were sold in 1846 to James Sterling, and a furnace erected by him, at first fitted for hot blast, but since 1849 run with the cold blast. The ore from the Sterling mine in this town supplied it, except what was needed for mixing, and was hauled four miles at 50 cents per ton. - Castings were not made at the furnace, but a foundry was operated by other parties near by. A plas- ter mill was also once operated at this place.

Sterlingburgh was purchased in 1859 by Alexander Copley, together with several thousand acres of timber land along the river. The grist-mill, built in 1834 by Parish, was operated by Copley and his sons until it was burned down in 1880. A large mill was thereupon erected at a cost of $16,000. The saw-mill was put up by McKnight & Law, a little farther up the river, before Mr. Copley came, which has grown to be one of the largest industries of the town, sawing annually three million feet cut from private land, and employing from 20 to 30 men. A new mill, with tim- bers of Georgia pine, is being erected the present year.

Another forge, one mile above "the 'Burg," was built in 1870 by A. P. Sterling, son of James Sterling, and another, upon the site of an old saw-mill, formerly owned by

George A. Hoard, at a cost of $20,000, and employing 100 men.

On the site of the old forge an industry of much benefit to Antwerp has been es- tablished by Frank S. Paddock, of Water- town, under the management of J. G. Wal- ton Wiggins. In 1885 he purchased the site from A. & E. Copley, and erected an ex- celsior (wood-fibre) mill. Fire destroyed it in 1890, and again in the present year, but it is now being rebuilt at an expense of about $2,000. This has furnished a market annually for about 2,000 cords of poplar and spruce timber.

The relics of past energy and enterprise are as numerous about the 'Burg as are the objects of present active industry.

THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.

PROBABLY no more artistic work of its kind than the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monu- ment exists north of Watertown. It is one of which any city or town may well be proud. The monument bears this inscrip- tion :

ERECTED 1893,

BY THE CITIZENS OF ANTWERP, N. Y., IN MEMORY OF THE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS OF 1861-1865.

The work is a fitting tribute to the soldiers who went from this town, whose services it chiefly commemorates, although it is erected in memory of all soldiers. The town of Ant- werp was one of the first in the county to respond to President Lincoln's call for troops, and during the war it contributed over 400 brave boys, out of a total popula- tion of only about 3,000, or nearly one soldier to every seven persons. That the town is still patriotic, and that it remembers these services and sacrifices, is evidenced by this beautiful monument, which stands at the corner of Main street and Madison avenue, upon a lofty position, commanding a pleasing view of the surrounding country, while the top figure is visible for a long dis- tance. If the color-bearer were animate he could see the Adirondack peaks and the St. Lawrence. The monument itself is 40 feet high, and stands upon an elevation 20 feet above the street. It is of Barre granite, the main shaft being solid The base is 11 feet 10 inches by 10 feet, and its total weight is about 75 tons. The color-bearer stands in an inclining position, looking towards the rising sun, with left arm clasped around the flag and with the right upon the sword, in an attitude of defense. The soldier at "parade rest," faces the north, while the sailor scans the horizon with his glass, looking towards the south. The figures are of heroic size and are works of real merit. The monument stands in a little park of about an acre and a quarter, which has appropri- ately been named " Monument Park." From an unsightly pile of rocks, the spot has been transformed into a beauty spot, with hand- some terraces, while marble steps and easy

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curving walks of white spar lead up to the monument itself.

The movement which culminated in this beautiful work had its inception with "Oliver McAllaster Post," G. A. R., 10 years before its completion. The first funds were raised by a fair under its auspices, in February, 1883, which realized about $1,400. The old Baptist church was donated by

THE SOLDIER'S MONUMENT.

Luther H. Bailey and William Kellogg, which added $400 to the fund. Subscrip- tions were received from Col. Hiram B. Keene, of Gouverneur, formerly of this town, of $500, and $100 each from Hon. George D. McAllaster, Hon. E. B. Bulkley, Hon. John D. Ellis and DeWitt Copley. The fund reached about $3,000, at which point it

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 94

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