History of Cayuga County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 14

Author: Storke, Elliot G., 1811-1879. cn
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 762

USA > New York > Cayuga County > History of Cayuga County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 14

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phosphates to enrich it, yet mowers and reapers tedders and hay-rakes, had they then been known, could not have been used among the knolls and stumps of the early farms. The old " bull plow" with its wooden moldboard, and wrought iron and steel-pointed share; the home-made drag, supplied with wooden teeth, and formed of the forked branch of a tree ; the native cattle, pastured in the woods in the summer and often " broused " in winter upon buds and branches of forest trees ; the swine, fed upon the native roots and nuts and running free and wild in the woods, all as nimble as the other wild animals ; all these rude accompaniments were not suggestive of public exhibitions.

The "art and science of agriculture" was not then known to, or thought of, by the early farm- ers. "What they knew about farming," was to clear the land and cast and cover the seed ; pro- tect its growth from the ravages of beasts and vermin ; harvest and secure the products, and then to find some means to grind enough grain for the family supply, and to find a market for the remainder, which for a few years was sup- plied by the needs of the new comers.

In 1818, however, a successful effort was made to form the Cayuga County Agricultural Society. On the fourth day of February in that year a a meeting was held at the house of Amos Adams in Scipio, and an organization completed. David Thomas, was made President; Silas Holbrook, Vice-President ; John Tifft, Treasurer ; and Joshua Baldwin, Recording Secretary. On Sep- tember 7th following, David Thomas delivered an address before the society, which is believed to have been the first address upon agriculture delivered in the County.

In that address Mr. Thomas said : " Cayuga County, which we have to cultivate, contains 697 square miles with less than one square mile of waste land ; nearly every other part is suitable for a garden."

David Wright, Esq., of Auburn, also addressed the same meeting and said: " If the farmers of Cayuga County do not march in the van of the agricultural host, the fault must be theirs. Nature has been no step-mother to them. With a soil of great fertility and well adapted to the growth of the principal agricultural productions of this latitude we have, in addition, inexhaust- ible beds of gypsum, quarries of lime-stone,

CAYUGA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

swamps of marl and a fair promise of an abun- dance of salt."

On the 20th of October ensuing, the first Fair and Cattle Show in Cayuga County, was held at Auburn. The animals were exhibited in a field on the farm of William Bostwick, south of the Court House, and the other articles in one of the stores of the village. The fair was held for two days and was an occasion of great interest, being largely attended. The church bells were rung for a half hour in the morning of each day, an expression of the jubilant satisfaction of the people of the village at the presence of their rural friends. The exhibition was closed by a long and formal procession from the Court House to the Presbyterian church. Here prayers were offered, hymns sung and an address delivered by David Thomas, full of sound practical thoughts. Twenty-five prizes were awarded, consisting of silver cups and teaspoons, of the aggregate value of two hundred and thirty-one dollars. One of these cups then awarded is still in the possession of H. H. Bostwick, Esq., of Auburn.

These Fairs were annually held for many years, and were a decided benefit to the farmers of the County. But the burden of maintaining them fell upon a few who became weary of bearing it and, after about fifteen years, the enterprise was abandoned.

Another society was organized on the 22d day of July, 1841, of which Humphrey Howland was the first president, and the following gentlemen were the Vice-Presidents : John M. Sherwood, of Auburn ; Loring Willard, of Aurelius ; Isaac Bell, of Brutus ; Luke Hollister, Cato; Levi Colvin, Conquest ; David O. Durkee, Ira ; Wil- liam F. Tompkins, Fleming; Mathias Hutchin- son, Genoa ; Wing Tabor, Moravia ; Samuel Bell, Mentz ; Isaac Sisson, Locke; John I. Brinkerhoff, Owasco ; Jonathan Richmond, . Ledyard ; Mr. Fuller, Sempronius ; John W. Mc- Fadden, Sterling ; E. A. Howland, Venice ; Mathias Vanderheyden, Victory ; John Sittser,. Sennett ; U. F. Doubleday, Scipio ; Luther Ful- ler, Niles ; Henry Crane, Springport; and Martin Barber, Summer Hill.

The following were the Presidents of the Society from 1841 to 1855 inclusive, namely :

Humphrey Howland, 1841

John M. Sherwood, 1842-1845

Ezra W. Bateman, 1846

Chester Gridley, 1846-1849

Lyman Sherwood,

1850

William Howard, 1851-1852

E. W. Sheldon,

1853

John S. Clark, 1854

Abraham Burlew 1855

The following were the Secretaries of the Society for the same period :

William Richardson, 1841-1845

Benjamin F. Hall, 1845-1848

John B. Dill, 1849

T. M. Pomeroy,

1850

H. H. Bostwick,

1850-1853

Luman W. Capin 1854

John B. Dill, 1855

There was a reorganization of the Society under the act of April 15th, 1855, when new articles of association were formed under the name of the Cayuga County Agricultural and Horticultural Society. The first associates were Thomas S. Bentley, Charles P. Wood, David Wright, Abraham Burlew, Harrison Hopkins, Henry Fellows, Benjamin Ashby, Henry S. Dunning, John B. Dill, Harvey A. Lamphere, Hiram O'Hara, Henry H. Bostwick, I. W. Quick and others.

The first directors were Thomas S. Bentley, of Brutus, President ; Horace T. Cook, of Au- burn, Secretary; H. H. Bostwick, Treasurer ; William D. Osborn, of Mentz ; Abraham Burlew, of Springport ; Henry Conklin, of Owasco ; Charles P. Wood, of Auburn ; and Mathias Hutchinson, of Genoa.

The Presidents of the Society from its reorgani- zation until the present time have been as follows : Thomas S. Bentley, 1856

Grove Bradley, 1857

Henry W. Dwight, 1858-1859

William Webster, 1860

Alanson M. Clark, 1861-'2-'3-'4-'5-'6-'7-'8

Allen D. Morgan,

1 868-1869-1870

Jay Lewis Grant, 1871-'2-'3-'4

John B. Shank, 1875-'6-'7-'8

The Secretaries of the Society since its reor- ganization have been the following :

Horace T. Cook, 1856

Larned C. Mann, 1857-'8-'9

B. B. Snow, 1860

John G. Hosmer 1861-'2-'3-'4-'5-'6-'7

A. S. Hamblin, 1 868-'9

John G. Hosmer,

1870-'71-'72

A. B. Hamblin, 1873-'4-'5-'6-'7-'8

The Vice-Presidents were Henry Willard, of Aurelius ; Harvey A. Lamphere, of Brutus ; Moses Robinson, of Cato ; Hardy Cole, of Con-

MORAVIA AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

quest ; Calvin Leach, of Fleming ; Henry Pardee, of Genoa ; John E. Terpening, of Ira ; J. Hewitt, of Moravia ; John S. Clark, of Mentz ; M. D. Murfey, of Locke; George Thomson, jr., of Owasco ; Elijah Brown, of Niles; Samuel C. Crowley, of Ledyard; Hector C. Tuthill, of Sempronius ; Morell S. Fitch, of Scipio ; Henry Fellows, of Sennett; George W. Truesdell, of Springport ; J. Barber, of Summer Hill ; Joseph Eldridge, of Victory ; Mason White, of Venice ; and George B. Cole, of Sterling ; Horace T. Cook, Secretary.

Larned C. Mann has held one or the other of the responsible offices of secretary or treasurer of this society since its reorganization twenty- three years ago. H. H. Bostwick held the office of treasurer for six years, John G. Hosmer that of secretary for ten years, and A. B. Hamblin the same office for eight years. It is a compliment to the capacity and fidelity of these officers that they continued so long to discharge, for a trifling consideration, so arduous a duty, and that the records and accounts of the society, for so long a period, have been so faithfully kept.

Among those who have delivered addresses before the society are David Thomas, David Wright, Humphrey Howland, B. P. Johnson, Nathan Burchard and A. S. Divens.

In 1856 a new departure was taken by the in- troduction of riding, driving and trotting matches. In the "ladies' riding match " in 1856, nine prizes were offered and awarded to as many dif- ferent ladies, and in the "ladies' driving match " seven prizes, Mrs. Henry taking the first prize in both, Miss Smith, the second prize in the " riding match," and Miss Cuykendall, the second prize in the "driving match." It was the first and only experiment of the kind.

In 1856 the conclusion was reached to pur- chase permanent exhibition grounds and to erect thereon buildings and show-pens, and grade a half mile track. Nineteen acres were bought for this purpose of Henry S. Dunning, at $150 per acre, and the ground fenced and improved with the track, show-pens and necessary buildings, costing in the aggregate about $6,000 and forming ample and very complete accommodations for the intended purpose. An effort was made to change the location of the grounds to the eastern part of the city, provided a sale of present grounds could be made on satisfactory terms.

They were accordingly advertised ; but satisfac- tory offers for the same not being made the con- templated change was not effected. This offer to sell the property created the false impression among many that the society was about to dis- band, which was not contemplated.

Among the novelties and objects of interest often shown at the annual fairs, was an old and unique clock, shown in 1859 by James Law, which was owned by an English sovereign three hundred years ago, a card upon which bore the following inscription :

" Three hundred years have nearly fled Since my royal owner lost her head ; Amid her country's pomp and power,

I marked the time and told the hour."

MORAVIA AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY .- The con- stitution of this society was adopted September 20th, 1858, and its by-laws on the 26th of the same month. Sidney Mead was the first president of the society ; M. W. Alley, secretary, and E. P. K. Smith, treasurer. Its first purpose was to perfect a town organization for social and agri- cultural improvement. The first fair was held October 12th, 1858, and annual fairs have now been held for twenty years with very gratifying success, both as respects its financial receipts, which indicate the attendance, and the display of the animals and agricultural and mechanical pro- ducts, which have regularly increased.

The entire receipts of this society the second year of its existence, from all sources, was but $114, while the total receipts for 1877 were $1,229.01. It was early found that the residents in the ten southern towns of the County took a lively interest in this organization, to the admin- istration of which they were admitted in 1859, with the following Vice-Presidents : G. L. Mead, Mo- ravia ; E. W. Bateman, Venice ; J. C. Smith, Scipio ; H. C. Tuthill, Sempronius; E. E. Brown and H. W. Lockwood, Niles; Grover Stoyell, Summer Hill ; Jonathan Conklin, Locke; Albert Lester, Genoa ; and Thomas Gould, Led- yard. The Directors appointed at the same time were Sidney Mead, James H. Jewett, P. M. Stod- dard, John Cortright, E. P. K. Smith, and P. D. Livingston. The southern towns of the County were this year cordially invited to participate in all the operations of the society and the invi- tation was generally accepted. This coopera- tion has since been uniformly maintained, so that, though bearing the local name of the town in

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NORTH CAYUGA AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

which the enterprise originated, and to which is due the credit of its institution, it is still in its practical operations the "South Cayuga Agri- cultural Society," which as the antithesis of the " North Cayuga Society," would be now its ap- propriate name.

As the means of the society increased, suitable buildings and show-pens have been provided in- cluding a track for the trial of the speed of horses. The history of this society, as shown by its records, presents a very gratifying exhibition of progress, indicating that the localities which for twenty years have sustained it with increasing interest, will continue to do so, and that it will remain a fixed and permanent organization.

The following gentlemen have been the Presi- dents of the society : Sidney Mead, C. C. Jewett, John Stoyell, James H. Jewett, C. S. Jennings, and E. Greenfield. The latter gentleman has held the office from 1866 to the present time. The following have been the Secretaries of the society : M. K. Alley, William Tallman, John L. Parker, M. L. Everson, Henry Cutler, Jr., A. H. Livingston, B. Alley, M. E. Kenyon, W. H. Day and Edward Thomas, the latter gentleman having held the office for four years. The fol- lowing have been the Treasurers: E. P. K. Smith, B. F. Everson, H. H. Tuthill, B. F. Ev- erson, Thomson Keeler, three years, M. L. Ev- erson, C. S. Jennings, M. R. Allen, S. Edwin Day, L. D. Sayles, William E. Keeler, the latter for the past four years.

The society has had in its Board of Directors and as vice-presidents and patrons, many of the best practical farmers of the towns which patron- ized it. The present Directors, 1879, are : C. S. Jennings, Moravia; J. Grant, Locke; J. H. Holden and M. Rooks, Moravia; V. S. Richard- son, Sempronius ; O. Snider, Moravia ; John Tifft, Genoa. The Vice-Presidents are : D. B. Satterlee, Locke; Emmett Leghorn, Locke ; Walker Wood and Chauncey Hamblin, Genoa ; Delos Kimball and Harmon Mosher, Venice ; Calvin Tracey, Scipio ; G. B. Wyckoff, Owasco Lake ; Henry A. Morgan, Aurora ; John R. Austin, Owasco ; A. W. Ellis and E. Brown, Niles ; Julius Fitts and Gardner Mason, Dress- erville; F. Mix and B. Robbins, Summer Hill ; Lorin Smith, Fleming.

NORTH CAYUGA AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY .- This society was organized in 1878 with the fol-

lowing officers : President, Harvey A. Putnam ; Vice-President, Millard Colburn ; Secretary, E. C. Bryant ; Treasurer, D. Seward Sheldon. Directors : Brutus, W. G. Pierce, William Hen- derson, Phillip Martin and C. A. Wilson ; Cato, W. E. Robinson and John W. Smith ; Con- quest, T. E. Montayne and Grover Lane ; Ira, Harvey Ferris and W. H. Carr ; Mentz, Orrin Paddock and O. V. Lewis; Montezuma, John Mills and James D. Ney ; Sennett, John R. Page and Fred. Fellows; Sterling, H. C. Curtis and Isaac Turner ; Throop, Chauncey Wethey and Egbert Hadden ; Victory, John D. Lane and N. Jones ; General Superintendent, Charles Dixon.

The first annual fair of this society was held at Weedsport in October, 1878, and was well patron- ized and attended notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. The ten towns embraced in this 'society are among the richest in the County and their varied and fine productions of grain, fruits, animals and vegetables and the handicraft of their households and mechanic shops, furnish ample material for exceedingly interesting public exhibitions, which, it is believed, now that they have been inaugurated, will be permanently maintained.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS .- Agricultural so- cieties were early fostered and patronized by the State. Its contributions to this purpose were not large and were conditioned upon the raising of an equal amount by the societies to which the State patronage was extended. * The small pit- tance bestowed by the State stimulated the activities of the farmers so generally as to lead to the formation of such associations in nearly all the counties and a large number of towns and districts of the State.

Their great utility, when properly managed, cannot be questioned. The best skill and the greatest success of the practical farmers of the section represented at the fairs, are brought to the notice of all who attend them. Proper emu- lation is excited by seeing what others have done and an ambition is aroused in many observers to imitate their example, whether it be in the production of grains or fruits, the rearing of ani- mals, or in the utilizing of the improved tools and implements which are thus brought to their notice.

Agricultural fairs have not only an economic,

PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.

and a money value in the direction intimated ; but when instituted in and conducted by a rural popu- lation, and confined to the exhibition of farm and household products, and the tools and imple- ments appropriate to their production, they are occasions of pure and pleasant social inter- course.

Counting the several annual County Fairs, from their first institution to the present time, they cover a period of over fifty years, and the interest in them is greater to-day than at any former period of our history. Under the pres- ent County Society, they embrace a period of thirty-eight years, in which the organization has been maintained intact, and exhibitions continu- ous. The district associations which had been formed, independently of the central society, have withdrawn some of the patronage which the latter would otherwise have enjoyed ; yet these local societies have done, and are doing great good. They have brought nearer home the ex- hibitions of agricultural progress and success ; and a larger number can therefore conveniently patronize and attend them, than could be induced to gather at a County center. Large and deeply interested throngs attend them, the, premiums offered are satisfactory, and the receipts equal or exceed the expenses.

The town, district and County associations, are auxiliary to the State Agricultural Society, to which they report. The State society was formed in 1832, revived and extended in its scope in 1841, when the first State fair and cattle show was held. Since the latter date, annual fairs have been held, and a large and exceedingly valuable volume of the "transactions" of the society annually published. That work has now reached its thirty-eighth volume. These trans- actions have been published in large numbers and widely circulated in this County and through- out this State. They comprise papers of great value to our farmers, and have tended greatly to improve the agriculture of the State.

Cayuga County has supplied but one president of the State society, Col. John M. Sherwood, of Auburn. Col. Sherwood began his agricultural career at 50 years of age. He had spent his life till then in management of the great stage lines running from Albany to Buffalo, of which a full account is given under the head of transportation and travel. He carried to his farm the same

energy and force of character which had marked his management of the great stage lines of John M. Sherwood & Co., but not with equal success. His large farm was finely improved and thor- oughly cultivated and stocked with the choicest of flocks and herds. He reared none but the finest animals which he spared no care nor cost to procure. In that respect he benefited his County and State more than himself. The flocks and herds which have descended from those of his introduction still remain and some have been exported as very superior animals. Col. Sher- wood was president of the first reorganized agricultural society of the County in 1842.

PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.

GENERAL HISTORY OF THE ORDER .- This association of the tillers of the soil originated with O. H. Kelly, a farmer of Minnesota, his purpose being to unite and secure the cooperation of the various agricultural societies of the coun- try, for their mutual aid and benefit. He sub- mitted his plans to various gentlemen in Wash- ington, D. C., and elsewhere, in cooperation with whom the draft of the first degree of the Order was completed on August 6th, 1867.

In September following, a circular was pre- pared by the leader of the movement, and sent to individuals, prominent in agriculture, by whom the plan was very cordially and generally ap- proved. Some fifty different names were sug- gested ; yet " Patrons of Husbandry " was chosen as the most appropriate name and the word " Grange" selected to designate the place of meeting. These facts then should be borne in mind,-the individual is a " Patron of Husband- ry," the place of meeting is a " Grange."

The National Grange was organized, Decem- ber 4th, 1867, at the office of Master Wm. B. Saunders, at Washington, D. C., there being less than twenty members present.

The following were the first officers : Master, William B. Saunders, Washington, D. C .; Over- seer, Anson Bartlett, of Ohio ; Lecturer, J. R. Thompson, of Vermont ; Steward, Wm. Muir, of Pennsylvania; Assistant Steward, A. L. Moses, of New York ; Chaplain, Rev. A. B. Grosh, of Pennsylvania; Treasurer, Wm. M. Ireland, of Pennsylvania ; Secretary, O. H. Kelly, of Minnesota ; Gate-Keeper, Edward P. Farris, of Illinois.

PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.

The Patrons of Husbandry embrace the fol- lowing subordinate organizations : First degree, Laborer, (man), Maid, (woman) ; second degree, Cultivator, (man), Shepherdess, (woman) ; third degree, Harvester, (man), Gleaner, (woman) ; fourth degree, Husbandman, (man), Matron, (wo- man). State Grange-fifth degree, Pomona, (hope). National Grange - sixth degree, Flora, (charity) ; seventh degree, Ceres, (faith).

New York State Grange was organized in November, 1873, first Master, George D. Hink- ley.

CAYUGA COUNTY PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY .-- The first introduction of the Order into this County, was made January 12th, 1874, by the organization of Cayuga Grange, No. 47, at Meridian, in the town of Cato. This was fol- lowed, at different times, by the organization of the following in the different towns : Brutus, No. 48 ; Mentz, No. 49; Throop, No. 70; Union, of Owasco, No. -; Scipio, No. 74; Union, of Springport, No. 86; Logan, No. 107; Kings Ferry, No. 125 ; Springport, No. 182 ; Levanna, No. 187; Moravia, No. 201 ; Sherwood, No. 208; Home, No. 232; Fleming, No. 258 ; Owasco, No. 271 ; Aurelius, No. 371 ; Sennett, No. 383 ; Genoa, No. -; making a total of 19 Granges with a total membership of about 1,500.

Embraced in the number are very many of the best agriculturists of the County, and by frank intercourse with each other in the Grange, very interesting social and business acquaintances have been made.

Among the many worthy gentlemen who have served in the several offices of the Order, may be mentioned, Milton Rude, M. C. Remington, Milton Munroe, H. H. Treat, J. E. Hadden, H. A. Put- nam, E. B. Marvin, Abraham Brinkerhoff, from the north, and J. W. Shank, J. and A. Baker, John Shank, J. C. Peckham, Wm. Peckham, J. L. Searing, Wm. P. Sisson, D. C. Gould, L C. Goodyear, J. Corwin, from the south part of the County, together with a large number of other gentlemen, equally active and efficient, whose names we have not the space to record.

In the spring of 1876, the National and State Granges recommended the counties to organize the Pomona, or fifth degree. This was not sat- isfactory to the delegates in Cayuga County ; but the latter determined to reorganize the local

council, and appointed a committee to draft a constitution and by-laws. This constitution was adopted by the council on June Ist, and the following officers elected : Master, Wm. Sisson ; Overseer, Abraham Brinkerhoff: Lecturer, J. C. Peckham; Chaplain, Milton Rude; Steward, William Peckham ; Assistant Steward, Edgar Howell ; Secretary, C. W. Brown : Treasurer, A. House ; Gate-Keeper, Millard Coburn : Ceres, Sarah Van Sickle ; Flora, Mrs. E. Culver ; Pomona, Catherine Eaker; Lady Assistant Steward, Minerva Hadden. Executive Commit- tee, E. B. Marvin, H. H. Treat and J. W. Shank. Purchasing Agent, M. C. Remington.

The annual meeting of this council is held in the city of Auburn, on the first Tuesday in June, and quarterly meetings, are held in June, Sep- tember, December and March, at the different Granges, as may be determined, and special meet- ings are called at the pleasure of the council.

Though this council was not strictly regular, or in full compliance with the rules of the Order, it was nevertheless of much practical benefit in the purchase of agricultural implements, grocer- ies and fertilizers. The executive committee ar- ranged with dealers in Auburn and elsewhere, to procure goods for awhile at highly satisfactory discounts ; yet from neglect, or other cause, the members of the Order did not generally avail themselves of the full benefits thus offered them. The purchasers were too generally anxious to avail themselves of the advantage of wholesale dis- counts on the purchase of single articles, or goods in small quantities'; and dealers soon saw that in a trade so conducted, the advantages were all on one side, and the measure, for the time, was, to a large extent, a failure. At present there is no organized system of trade existing in the Order in this County, though purchases are made by some of the Granges, through systems successfully maintained in other counties, and an indirect and decided benefit has resulted, particu- larly in the purchase of fertilizers.

In this item alone there has been saved by the farmers of the County many thousands of dollars, and intelligence has been gained, which will inure to their future benefit. In the sale of their products, in the purchase of implements and tools, in the benefits of the Patrons' Fire Relief Association, in the social and educational influence of the Or- der, by which each of its members become pos-

PATRONS' FIRE RELIEF ASSOCIATION.

sessed of the information of all, consists a part of the advantages which the Patrons of Husbandry confer upon its members. It is more comprehensive than the Farmers' Club, in that it embraces both sexes and is rendered more attractive by a pleasing ritual, and the subtle charm of secrecy.

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History of Cayuga County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 14

Author: Storke, Elliot G., 1811-1879. cn Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason Number of Pages: 762

Author: Storke, Elliot G., 1811-1879. cn
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason
Number of Pages: 762