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 63
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THE WEEDSPORT BENDING WORKS, Austin Bros. & Co., proprietors, (Dewitt and Morton B. Austin and Leonard F. Hardy,) were erected in 1871, for a planing-mill, by R. H. Stilwell, and bought by the present proprietors, together with the lumber-yard attached, of his creditors, Finch & Cowan, June 20th, 1877, at which time they built an addition for their bending works. The works give employment to nine persons besides the proprietors, and turn out all kinds of bent work for wagons and carriages, make spokes and turn ax and hatchet handles. The planing-mill is still kept in operation. The motive power is furnished by a thirty-five horse-power engine.
THE RUBBER BUCKET PUMP FACTORY is own- ed by Court & Welch, (Daniel J. Court and Wm. Welch,) who commenced business in the spring of 1874. The building was erected about 1870, by George C. Chapin, and used as a sash and blind factory till 1874, when it was converted in- to a pump factory by the present proprietors, who are now (1878) building an addition. It gives employment to five men when in operation, and makes some 400 pumps per annum, besides job work.
THE PHOENIX MANUFACTURING COMPANY, (M. N. DeLong, George A. DeLong and J. I. Van- Doren,) founders and machinists, give employ- ment to seven persons in the manufacture of agricultural implements and jobbing. The busi- ness was started by Jacob Beach, about 1833, and the fixtures were bought of H. S. Tryon, by B. DeLong & Sons in October, 1874. January Ist, 1878, J. I. VanDoren was admitted to part- nership. December 14th, 1871, the buildings were partially destroyed, and were rebuilt the same month. An addition for a store-room was built 56-2
in 1875. The present proprietors purpose mov- ing their fixtures to Phoenix, where a building is being erected for them.
There are four carriage manufactories, of which C. D. Hugunin, R. A. Wood, A. H. Smith and J. Rosecrants are proprietors. They are largely engaged in jobbing, but make some seventy-five - wagons and carriages and fifty sleighs and cutters per annum.
James Scanlon commenced the manufacture of cigars May Ist, 1878, in company with Michael Ryan, whose interest he bought June Ist. He employs three persons, and makes 4,500 cigars per month.
H. L. Burrill is engaged in manufacturing Burrill's Compound Cherry Balsam, which he commenced about 1870, and of which he is making 100 gross per annum. In the spring of 1878 he commenced the manufacture of Burrill's Arabian Ointment.
WEEDSPORT MARBLE AND GRANITE WORKS .- Sylvanus S. Paul, proprietor. Mr. Paul bought a half interest in the property in 1872, of Michael Mccarthy, who commenced June Ist, 1869. At McCarthy's death, July 18th, 1876, Paul bought that interest. He gives employ- ment to five or six men.
There are three malting establishments, one a fine, large brick structure, owned by Miller & Kennedy, (Adam Miller and Norman H. Ken- nedy, both of Auburn, ) erected in 1873, with a capacity of 100,000 bushels per annum ; a second, owned by William Van Marter, of Lyons, who bought the property of S. W. Treat & Co., in 1870, which was built about twenty years ago by Edwin Hine, for a block of stores, for which pur- pose it was used for a few years, and which was converted into a malt-house about twelve years ago by S. W. Treat & Co. It was rented by Scott & Whitlock, of Lyons, in the fall of 1877, and has a capacity of 75,000 bushels per annum ; and a third, known as the upper one, owned by Adamı Miller, who bought it in 1870, of Thomas Smith, of Clyde, by whom it was built about twelve years ago. The malting business is con- ducted by Miller, Kirby & Co., ( Adam Miller, William M. Kirby and F. P. Miller, all of Au- burn,) the latter two of whom were admitted to partnership in 1874. Its capacity is 45,000 bushels per annum.
The saw-mill, located three-fourths of a mile
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TOWN OF BRUTUS.
above the Brutus Mills, at the head of the race, was built about five or six years ago, by M. C. & A. O. Remington. It contains one circular saw. George Wilson is the proprietor.
O. W. Burritt & Bros., are manufacturing an improved patent double seamer for tin roofing, of which they are making about 200 per annum, and for which there is an increasing trade.
WARE-HOUSES .- There are three ware-houses and elevators for the storage and handling of grain and other merchandize, one of which is not in use.
Giles' elevator and ware-house was erected in 1853 by Solomon Giles, and is owned by S. J. Mack and Mary J. Davie. The business is con- ducted by Drake & Co., (C. E. Drake and F. M. Mack,) and was commenced in 1874, by C. E Drake, who sold a half interest to F. M. Mack in 1878. C. C. Adams is doing business in the other warehouse. The building was removed from Jordan about thirty years ago, by a man named Dodge. It was repaired and enlarged about ten years ago by H. C. Beach, the present proprietor. Mr. Adams commenced business in 1868.
HOTELS .- The Willard House, a fine, commo- dious building, is kept in a superior manner by Willard Sturge, who was born in Cato in 1831, and removed to Weedsport Dec. 4th, 1867, at which time he bought the old Farmers' Exchange Hotel of Frederick Childs. He kept that till 1871, when he built the present house. It stands on the site of the first hotel in Weedsport, which was kept by Spafford Fields, about' 1820.
THE MANSION HOUSE was built by Hiram Close, about fifty years ago, and was bought of Henry Vandewater, in April, 1861, by Henry Stickle, the present proprietor, and Henry P. Ketchum, his brother-in-law, the former of whom bought the latter's interest in 1864.
CONGRESS HALL is kept by Messrs. Luce & Gage, (George A. Luce, formerly of Throop, and John A. Gage, formerly of Auburn,) who rented the property and opened a hotel May 11th, 1878. The house was built in 1872, by Joshua W. Ketchum. Mrs. Josephine E. Servis, of Au- burn, is the present proprietor.
THE PRESS .- The Weedsport Sentinel was started in February, 1867, by John Gibbs & Son, who, four years later, sold it to S. D. Lee & Brother. October 12th, 1872, George R. Nash
became the publisher and proprietor ; and Feb- ruary 10th, 1874, he transferred a half interest therein to J. B. Rogers. It is a weekly, and has since been published under the firm name of Geo. R. Nash & Co.
The Cayuga Chief was started June 16th, 1867, by H. D. Brown & Co. It is a weekly, twenty- four column paper, and is edited by Dr. Ira D. Brown, one of the proprietors, who was editor-in- chief of the Oswego Daily Times for eight years. It is issued Saturdays, and has a circulation of 850.
SCHOOLS .- Weedsport has a union school, with an academic department, which has been designated by the Regents for the instruction of common school teachers. The primary depart- ments are under the charge of a Board of Edu- cation, who report to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, under the common school law. The academic department is under the charge of Board of Trustees, who report to the Regents of the University.
The faculty are W. H. Bradford, principal, who is assisted in the academic department by Miss Gertrude Miller, of Penn Yan, and in the primary and intermediate departments by Miss Augusta Barnes, Miss Melissa Brooks, Miss Martha Traphagen, Miss Louisa McCarthy and Miss Harris. The building is a large, plain, substantial, three-story, brick structure, contain- ing six school rooms, besides recitation rooms and library, each school room seating about sixty pupils. It was erected in 1871, and is in excel- lent repair. It is valued at $9,000, and the lot upon which it stands, at $3,000. It has a small, but select collection of philosophical and chemical apparatus, valued at $363.50 ; and a miscellane- ous library, containing upwards of 700 volumes, belonging to the academic department, and val- ued at $807.
THE FIRST M. E. CHURCH OF WEEDSPORT. - The earliest meetings here by members of this de- nomination were held in 1816. The first class was composed of five members, viz., James Young and wife, Edward Wood and wife, and John Sprague. Meetings were held in a log school-house in what was then known as " Ma- cedonia," about half a mile south of the village of Weedsport, where, also, the organization was perfected the same year, by Rev. Samuel Bib- bens, who was their first pastor. Not long after
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the family of William McCrady moved into a log house a little south of the school-house, which they opened to the little band of worshipers. There the meetings were continued until a frame school-house was built on the site of the old log school-house, when that was occupied as a place of worship, both by this and the Presbyterian society.
Other early members of this society were Henry Sparling and wife, Isaac Bell, Rev. Sam- uel Bibbens and wife, Anna, and daughter, Sa- mantha, Joseph Luckey and wife, - Chadder- don and wife, James Luckey, John Sprague and wife, Mark Dempsey and wife, James Raynor and wife, and Mary Barnes, all of whom are dead.
The first class leader of the society was James Young, who was succeeded by Henry Sparling, the latter of whom continued in that relation several years. He was succeeded by John Sprague.
This society erected their first church edifice in 1822, at a cost of about $1,500. It occupied the site of the present commodious brick struc- ture, which was built in 1863, at a cost of $18,- 000, and improved in 1874, by the addition of galleries, and an alcove in the south end, at a cost of $3,000.
The present membership of the Church is 364 ; the attendance at Sabbath-school, exclusive 'of teachers, 202.
Miss Libbie Husk went out from the home of Jonathan and Susan B. Fox as missionary to India, where she married Rev. J. H. Messmore, then and now a missionary to that field.
Jonathan Fox and his wife Susan B., daughter of the late Rev. Samuel Bibbens, have been among the most prominent and useful members of this society. Mr. Fox has been an exhorter, class-leader and generally active in its interests during more than forty years. Mrs. Fox is widely known as a ceaseless worker in its field of spiritual labor and missionary enterprises. Her membership dates back to 1819, when there were but twelve members. Notwithstanding their ad- vanced age they are still active in this spiritual vineyard.
The following named pastors have officiated in this Church from the time it was disconnected with the Scipio circuit and constituted a separate charge : Wm. M. Willett, 1827-'28 ; Roswell Parker, 1828-'29; Joseph Baker, 1829-'30; Seth Young, 1830-'31 ; Schuyler Hoes, 1831-'33;
W. W. Rundell, 1833-'35 ; Royal Houghton, 1835-'36; Charles Giles, 1836-'38; Robert Ev- erdell, 1838-'39; Anson Fuller, 1839 '40 ; Chas. W. Leet, 1840-'42 ; Isaac Stone, 1842 '43 ; Benj. Phillips, 1843-'44 ; Chas. L. Dunning, 1844-'46; A. I. Phelps, 1846-'48 ; Elisha Wheeler, 1848- '49; Geo. Sawyer, 1849-'51 ; Chas. H. Austin, 1851-'52 ; Darius Simons, 1852-'53 ; C. L. Dun- ning, 1853-'55 ; A. I. Phelps, 1855-'57 ; Mor- gan D. Gillett, 1857-'58 ; W. I. Hunt, 1858-'59 ; Wm. A. Nicholls, 1859-'61 ; W. S. Titus, 1861 '63 ; L. Clark, 1863_'65 ; E. Arnold, 1865-'66; F. I. Whitney, 1866-'69 ; S. P. Gray, 1869-'72 ; B. Shove, 1872-'73; J. B. Foote, 1873-'75 ; D. W. Bristol, 1875-'77; and Wm. Reddy, the present pastor, who commenced his labors with them in September, 1877.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF WEEDS- PORT was formed from members mostly from the Congregational Church of Brutus, now Sennett, in 1825, in which year their first church edifice was built and dedicated. The organization was effected immediately after the dedication of the church. Fifty persons united by letter and pro- fession, the most prominent of whom were John Hamilton, James Dixon, Peter Putnam, Alanson Smith, Peter Douglas, (who were chosen elders,) James Hamilton and Robert Hopkins, and their descendants are now some of the prominent mem- bers of the Church.
Their house of worship, which was built in the south part of the village, was consumed by fire in March, 1855, and rebuilt the same year at a cost of $12,000. The building was repaired and newly furnished in 1871, at a cost of $8,000.
The following named persons have been the pastors of this Society for the periods named : Justus Hough, five years ; D. C. Hopkins, two years ; - Harrington, one and one-half years ; - Redington, one year ; Moses In- gals, one year ; Melancton B. Williams, three years ; George W. Warner, fourteen years ; Jo- seph R. Page, one year ; Charles E. Avery, seven years ; Tertius S. Clark, four years ; A. R. Hewett, the present pastor, thirteen years.
The present number of members is 225 ; the attendance at Sabbath-school is 150. The Church has been self-sustaining, having never re- ceived aid from the Home Mission Board, and has always contributed liberally to all benevolent objects.
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TOWN OF BRUTUS.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF WEEDSPORT was organized December 14th, 1837, with thirty- one members-seven males and twenty-four fe- males. Their first pastor was Rev. S. Adsit, Jr., who commenced his labors with them as a licen- tiate at their organization, and was ordained De- cember 12th, 1838. Through a revival experi- enced during the first year of their existence forty-two were added to their membership by baptism and letter, and they were encouraged in the hope of their ability to erect a suitable place of worship. The fruition of this hope was real- ized at the expiration of the second year, for in January, 1840, they opened their new and attrac- tive chapel, which was erected at an expense of $2,660. But this arduous and protracted labor was too great a strain on the physical strength of their pastor, who, in consequence thereof, was prostrated by disease and confined to his room for more than a year. The Church were unwill- ing to accept his resignation, and he continued to supply the pulpit till September 3d, 1840, when it was finally accepted, and the services of J. S. Ladd, a licentiate, who was subsequently Ordained, were secured and retained till January, 1847.
During Mr. Ladd's pastorate, 268 were added to the Church by baptism and letter. He was succeeded by A. W. Valentine, who commenced his labors in February, 1847, and continued them till 1851, on the 4th of May of which year Jona- than Baldwin commenced a pastorate, which was closed March 19th, 1853. Ira Bennett assumed the relation of pastor May 14th, 1853, and closed his labors with them in December, 1855. He was immediately succeeded by J. S. Ladd, who closed the labors of his second term of service March 31st, 1857. John E. Reynolds assumed the pastoral care April Ist, 1857, and remained till April 1st, 1858. Johnson Howard succeeded him April 14th, 1858, and closed his pastorate February 2d, 1861. The pulpit was filled by temporary supplies until August 31st, 1861, when William Remington commenced a pastorate of nearly three years, closing his labors with this Church June 20th, 1864. T. T. Filmore entered upon a three years' pastorate August 14th, 1864, severing that relation August 3d, 1867. He was succeeded by J. W. Spoor, who commenced his labors with them October 6th, 1867, and closed them March 29th, 1868. J. P. Bates sustained
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the relation of pastor with them just a year-from June 28th, 1868 to June 27th, 1869. J. W. Harris entered into pastoral relations with the church September 19th, 1869, and maintained them for seven years, closing his labors with them August 27th, 1876. He was succeeded Novem- ber Ist, 1876, by the present pastor, T. R. Peters.
In 1870, the church edifice was practically re- built, at a cost of $10,000, only the walls and foundation of the old building being retained in the new one. It was dedicated February 5th, 1871. The present membership is 230. They have an interesting Sabbath-school, at which the average attendance is 175.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH (Episcopal,) was organ- ized February 27th, 1866, by Rev. John H. Rowling, the first pastor, with sixteen members, viz., John S. Wright and wife, Armenta, Charles S. Comstock and wife, Julia, William E. Billey and wife, Sarah, A. W. Shurtleff, William Irving Latimer and wife, Olivia, John Rice, Mrs. N. D. Caldwell, Margaret and Lansing Traver, Angie Williams, and Mary and Sophia Wright. Mr. Rowling continued his labors with the church till the fall of 1866. Rev. S. K. Miller, of Christ Church, Jordan, assumed its pastoral care February Ist, 1867, and remained three years. During the second year of his ministry, in 1868, their church edifice was built at a cost of $600. It was converted from a blacksmith shop to its present use. It was first used for worship in July, 1868. The lot upon which it stands cost $1,000. Their next pastor was Rev. Robert Paul, who was stationed here. He commenced his labors with them July 14th, 1871, and closed them September Ist, 1872. S. H. Phillips, rec- tor of Christ Church, Jordan, supplied the pulpit till September 5th, 1875, when he was succeeded by Joel Davis, rector of the same church. Mr. Davis writes, while supplying this pulpit, " I find the Parish yet comparatively weak, but earnest and hopeful." Mr. Davis closed his labors with them January Ist, 1878, since which time Rev. W. H. Lord, of Auburn, has supplied the pulpit. The present number of members is thirty-four ; the attendance at Sabbath School, thirty. The first wardens were John S. Wright and Charles S. Comstock ; the first vestrymen were William E. Billey, A. W. Shurtleff, W. I. Latimer, Peter Mills, John N. Wood, John Rice, William Faatz and Noah D. Caldwell.
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WEEDSPORT -SOCIETIES.
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH (Roman Catholic,) was organized in 1855. Among the first members were Nicholas Bucher, John Fitzsimmons, John O'Connor, Richard O'Connor, l'at O'Neil, Robt. Moriarty, James and Michael McFierny and Michael McCarthy. Their first pastor was Mi- chael Credon, who served them about two years. He was followed by Michael Purcell, who re- mained a year ; John Constant, from one to two years ; Joseph Helvinger, about two years ; Fathers Leddy and Van Scuskie, each one year; Nicholas Burns, two to three years ; Michael Purcell, a second term, James O'Connor and Anthony Cassese, each about two years ; John C. Kinney, two to three years ; and Father Con- nelly, who remained only five or six weeks. Charles H. Horen, the present pastor, com- menced his labors with them in November, 1875. Their church edifice was erected in 1868, at a cost of $1,600. In 1874 it received additions and repairs, involving an expenditure of $2,000. It is a neat, substantial wooden building. The present number of members is about 400.
SOCIETIES .- Weedsport Lodge, No. 385, F. & A. M., was organized June 13th, 1856. The char- ter officers were, Andrew Sittser, Master; Calvin Carpenter, S. W .; and William Watson, J. W. The present officers are, Sylvester Wright, W. M .; A. W. Morehouse, S. W .; J. R. Rheubot- tom, J. W .; Ira D. Brown, S. D .; Delacy Faatz, J. D .; J. L. Crane, Secretary ; Robert Ure, Treasurer ; and George H. Wyant, Tiler. The present number of members is fifty-four. They meet the first and third Tuesdays of each month in Masonic Hall. A lodge of free masons ex- isted forty years prior to the above date, but went down during the anti-masonic troubles.
Southern Central Lodge, No. 249, I. O. O. F., was organized with nine members, September 19th, 1870. The first officers were, Ira D. Brown, N. G .; William I. Cornwell, V. G .; William Watson, Secretary ; and J. R. Rheubot- tom, Treasurer. The present officers are, Menzo A. Kenyon, N. G .; Julius I. Turner, V. G .; Joseph Pfohl, Secretary ; and Joseph L. Stevens, Treasurer. The present membership is fifty- one. They meet every Monday evening at Odd Fellows' Hall,corner of Brutus and Seneca streets.
Brutus Encampment, No. 90, I. O. O. F., was organized January 6th, 1876, with ten members. The first officers were, E. B. Latimer, C. P .; J.
R. Rheubottom, H. P .; W. J. Baker, S. W .; W. I. Cornwell, Scribe; L. B. Storke, Treas- urer ; and W. Slauson, J. W. The present of- ficers are, O. J. Forman, C. P .; L. B. Storke, H. P .; Julius I. Turner, S. W .; Joseph l'fohl, Scribe; Corydon Case, Treasurer ; Clarence E. Mason, J. W. The present membership is nineteen. They meet the first and third Wednesdays of each month, in Odd Fellows' Hall.
The District Grand Committee of the District of Cayuga meets the third Wednesday of January, April, July and October. Its head-quarters are at Weedsport. E. B. Latimer was the first Dis- trict Deputy ; O. J. Forman is the present one.
Weedsport Lodge No. 380, I. O. G. T. was or- ganized August 12th, 1867. The present offi- cers are H. A. Rheubottom, P. W. C. T .; D. V. Christian, W. C. T. ; Geo. Cramer, Secy ; Mrs. C. Whiting, V. T .; Geo. Klumpp, F. S .; Mrs. Clarence Sprague, Treas. ; L. B. Little, Chaplain ; James Rheubottom, Jr., M. The present membership is thirty-five. They meet every Friday evening in Odd Fellows Hall.
Brutus Grange No. 48, P. of H. was organized at the house of M. C. Remington, January 13th, 1874. The first officers were Milton Rude, Mas- ter ; Harvey A. Putnam, Overseer ; Levi T. Hamilton, Lecturer ; Seth A. Van Wagoner, Steward ; Dwight W. Cady, Assistant Stew- ard; Levi H. Streeter, Chaplain ; D. Seward Sheldon, Sec'y ; Sylvester W. Young, Treas .; Clarence Wilson, Gate Keeper ; Mrs. M. C. Remington, Ceres ; Mrs. L. H. Streeter, Pomo- na; Mrs. Clarence Wilson, Flora ; Mrs. H. A. Putnam, Lady Ass't Stewardess. The present officers are Harvey A. Putnam, Master ; W. Bib- bens, Overseer ; S. M. Rose, Lecturer ; Geo. H. Wynant, Steward ; M. St. John, Ass't Steward ; Wm. Van Wagoner, Chaplain ; S. A. Van Wag- oner, Sec'y ; Sylvester W. Young, Treas. ; Aus- tin Pierce, Gate-Keeper ; Mrs. HI. A. Putnam, Ceres ; Mrs. S. A. Van Wagoner, Pomona ; Mrs. C. H. Wilson, Flora ; Mrs. Henry Passage, Lady Ass't Steward. The number of members at the date of organization was twenty-four ; the present number of members is eighty. They meet in Grange Hall, in the Stevens Block, every Saturday evening in the fall and winter and every alternate Saturday evening in the summer.
MANUFACTURES .- Putnam Bros. (A. L., W. M., and H. A.,) are proprietors of the cider-mill
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and peppermint still on Bread Creek, just east of Weedsport. Their father Asa Putnam erected the building in 1860 for a cider-mill, and he and his son, H. A. Putnam, carried on that business till the death of the former in 1872. In 1875 the present firm became interested in it ; and in 1877, they commenced the manufacture of the oil of peppermint. They have one still in opera- tion, and eight acres of mint under cultivation. This business is yet in its infancy in this County.
The grist-mill on Bread Creek about three miles south-east of Weedsport, at the place local- ly known as Fericho, is owned by Oliver Stevens, by whom it was built in the fall of 1877. It con- tains two run of stones. Howard Stevens, son of Oliver, is the miller.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
TOWN OF THROOP.
T HROOP, named in honor of Ex-Governor Enos T. Throop, is an interior town, lying near the center of the County. It is bounded on the north by Mentz and Brutus, on the east by Sennett, on the south by Auburn and Aurelius, and on the west by Aurelius and Montezuma. It was formed from portions of Anrelins, Mentz and Sennett, April 8th, 1859.
The surface is greatly undulating, though broken in places by sand and gravel ridges, which have an elevation of 100 to 150 feet. The steepest declivities are in the west part. It is well watered by Owasco Outlet, Cayuga, Spring and Cold Spring brooks and numerous springs. The Outlet is abundantly stocked with pickerel, catfish, perch and large nice whitefish.
The soil on the west side-hills is clayey, re- quiring much fertilizing to make it productive, and is then soon exhausted ; while the east side- hills consist of sand and gravel, and are of almost inexhaustible fertility. The soil in the valleys is a sandy loam, and is rich and productive.
The town contains some of the finest gravel- beds to be found in the State. The gravel is much used upon the roads, which, as a rule, are unusually good in this section of the country.
On the Outlet, about one and one-half miles
below Throopsville, is an extensive bed of gyp- sum, which covers several acres, and exposes on the east bank of the stream a thickness of thirty feet. It is a good quality of the sulphate of lime, which is an excellent fertilizer, and has been used to a considerable extent. Opposite, and about a mile west, in a marsh on the farm of Philo Sweet, is a deposit of marl covering several acres, and known to be six feet deep. Lime was obtained at an early day from the hill on the farm of Mrs. Clara Thompson. Near Wyatt A. Benham's mill is a sulphur spring of superior quality, but no steps have been taken to develop it. On the farm of Perry Manrow, about two and one-half miles north-east , of Throopsville, is a large and copious spring, which is strongly impregnated with sulphate of magnesia. There is another of like character on the place of Mrs. Betsy At- water, about one and one-half miles west of Throopsville.
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