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 71
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364
TOWN OF SPRINGPORT.
fayette Hoff,) the Cayuga Plaster Company, four millinery shops, (kept by Helen Richardson, Mrs. D. W. Myers, Lucy Rickon and Miss Kate Henry,) two furniture and undertaking establish- ments, (J. B. Pierson and Peter T. Howell,) two blacksmith shops, (McDermott Bros. and Hoag- land & Rosecrants,) two barber shops, (Adam Alt and Frank Hornbeck,) one photographer, (R. R. Abbott,) one bakery, (A. Terry,) a cigar and tobacco store, (George E. Carr,) marble works, (John Irving,) two coal and lumber deal- ers, (H. H. Morse and E. C. Bowen,) a grain ware-house, (George P. Schenck,) a nursery, (Horace Anthony,) and a patent buckwheat hul- ler manufactory, (Isaac H. Thomas.) Population about 1,400.
The village was incorporated November 8th, 1848, and originally included 1,086.85 acres. In 1877, the west bounds were extended to the cen- ter of the lake. The following named officers were elected January 16th, 1849: Eseck M. Winegar, President ; Eseck M. Winegar, William B. Schobey, Silas Ludlow, James S. Everett and Leonard Simons, Trustees ; Philip Winegar, Almeron Durkee and Daniel Mersereau, Asses- sors ; Samuel Smith, Collector ; John C. Yawger, Treasurer ; John Griffing, Clerk. The present offi- cers (1878) are Henry H. Morse, President; Henry H. Morse, Gaylord Anthony, Michael McDer- mott and John Close, Trustees ; Wm. Cozzens, Treasurer ; James Fay, Collector ; Noyes S. Col- lins, Clerk ; George Day, Strect Commissioner.
FRONTENAC ISLAND, containing somewhat less than an acre of land, was used by the aborigines as a place of sepulcher, at least the numerous relics of Indian warfare, and the large quantity of bones found there make this probable. It was deeded to the trustees of Union Springs by the Legislature, in April, 1856, to be kept as a park and pleasure ground. Soon after it was greatly improved by clearing away the brushwood and making gravel walks, and seats ; but latterly, from neglect, it is lapsing into its primitive wildness. Great interest attaches to it, as no other island is found in this tier of lakes.
MERCHANTS .- The first merchants at Union Springs were Laban Hoskins, from Genoa, and Judge Walter Wood, from Aurora, who opened a store in 1810, where the bank now stands, in the building now used as a dwelling by John Irving. About 1815, Hoskins, (who died here Aug. 29th,
. 1863, aged 73,) bought Wood's interest, and did business till 1837, when Luman H. Capen, his brother-in-law from Seneca Falls, became his part- ner, and the two did business till 1855, when they sold to Lebeus Barton, who came in from Scipio- ville in 1836, and commenced business here in 1849, selling in 1852, to William Cozzens. He had previously, in 1854, purchased William H, Chase's stock. In 1857, Byron Brown became his partner, and in 1858, Samuel Barton, his brother, was admitted. In 1861, the Bartons bought Brown's interest and divided the stock, Samuel continuing the business here three years, and Lebeus going to North Huron, Wayne Co .; but, returning in 1871, he bought out Weed, Day & Co., grocers and bakers, and in 1873, he built the store now occupied by M. A. Barton, into which he put a general stock. In the spring of 1875, he was succeeded by M. A. Barton, who is still doing business.
Dr. John Mosher, Capt. William Cozzens and Asa Burnham, started a store in the fall of 1815, which they continued for several years. Burnham and Mosher afterwards did business alone, the former but a few years, the latter continuing till about 1842. The same fall (1815) another store was started by Samuel, John and James Williams, and a brother-in-law of theirs named Robinson. They failed in about four years. Philip Winegar and his son Eseck M. opened a store about 1821 or'22. Isaac Valentine, from Flushing, L. I., succeeded the Williamses and continued several years.
Daniel Mersereau, from Staten Island, com- menced business here about 1830, and continued till his death, March 7th, 1853, when the busi- ness went into the hands of his children, and was continued under the name of T. J. Mersereau & Co., till 1867, when T. f. & D. P. Mersercan bought the entire interest of the remaining heirs and have since continued it.
Archibald Stewart, who came in from New Jersey with his father, Robert L., in 1811, and settled at Sherwood, commenced the boot and shoe business here in 1831, and still conducts it.
Geo. H. Ham commenced business here in the fall of 1836, and failed after a few years. He was previously engaged in mercantile business several years at Hamburg, about three-fourths of a mile south of Union Springs, which derived its name from him, and to which a considerable num-
W B. WINSLOW. ILLIAM
WILLIAM B. WINSLOW was a descendant of Governor Wins- low, of Massachusetts. He was born in Ledyard, which then formed a part of Scipio, Cayuga County, N. Y., February 5th, 1807. His father, John Winslow, was born September 24th, 1764, in Dartmouth, Mass., aud died July 28th, 1848; and his grandfather, Edward Winslow, was born January 21st, 1722, and died August 16th, 1804. Abigail, wife of the lat- ter, was horn January 26th, 1725.
John Winslow was a farmer and his son, William B., was early initiated into the useful arts of that vocation, his time, during his early years, when not spent in school, being taken up, with the varied duties on his father's farm, an occupation which, when rationally pursued, is promotive of both mental and physical vigor.
He was thus employed until he attained his majority, when he purchased a farm in Genoa, and, in company with Mr. David White, labored on it for three years. He then sold his farm and during the next two years devoted his atten- tion to other pursuits. At the expiration of that time he and his brother Edward took their father's farm, then known as the James Wood place, two and one-half miles east of Aurora, and worked it on shares. in connection with the adjoining farms on either side, which they purchased, making in all nearly 450 acres. Their father had previously sold the old homestead on the State road and hought the one above men- tioned. The brothers, William B. and Edward, occupied this together until 1845, their father having placed the en- tire business management of the homestead farm in their hands. They pursued their vocation as agriculturists with great energy and success.
After the separation in 1845, William B. managed his own and father's farm, (the latter of which he bought in 1849, ) the two comprising 317 acres, till 1855, when failing health compelled him to relinquish his arduous duties, and he let the farm to his nephew, though he remained on it until 1869. He then removed to Union Springs, and settled on the cor- ner of Center and Ridgeway streets, where his widow now resides, and died there May 7th, 1872.
In 1844, Mr. Winslow married Miss Hannah Kellet, daughter
and sixth child of John and Hannah Kellet, who was born in the town of Venice, Cayuga County, May 10th, 1818. As a school girl Mrs. Winslow was a diligent student, and she then laid the foundation for that ripened culture which now graces her widowhood. The amiability and loveliness of character which she early developed have been intensified by maturity and advancing years, and show their fruitage in promptings to kindly and charitable impulses, which her ample means enable her to practically exemplify in a quiet, unobtrusive way, in helping the poor and needy, and furth- ering such objects as appeal to her judgment. As a wife she was true, loving and faithful, and devoted her energies to making home-woman's sacred realm-pleasant and attrac- tive, all that a home should be. Mrs. Winslow is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Union Springs, and contributes liberally to its support. The Home Mission finds in her an earnest advocate and firm friend. Possessing a fine literary taste, she devotes much time to its gratification.
Mr. Winslow descended from Puritan stock and possessed in a marked degree the sterling qualities which characterized that band. His ancestors came to this country in the May- flower. There were four brothers named Winslow, one of whom remained iu Massachusetts, and became the first Gov- ernor of that State. The other three emigrated to the south and west. Dr. Winslow, of Baltimore, was a descendant of one, and Gen. Winslow of the late Rebellion descended from another.
Mr. Winslow was a mau of noble, generous impulses, ever ready to assist the young who possessed good habits and gave promise of future usefulness and prominence. The orphan and friendless ever found a welcome in his heart and home ; and a generous hospitality was always extended to his friends, to which many now live to testify. He possessed a strong, vigorous mind and a love for literature. His end came sud- denly ; but he was fully prepared, having, as he said a short time before. "a full assurance that he was a member of the Church of Christ triumphaut." He never sought nor desired worldly honors. His ambition found ample scope for the exercise of his powers in doing good to his fellows.
MR. AND MRS, JOHN KELLET.
JOHN KELLET was born at Emmet Bridge, Westmoreland County, England, September 21st, 1777, and was christened at the Moreland Church in England. Being left an orphan at an early age he went to live with his uncle Thomas, with whom he remained till he was nineteen years of age, attend- ing school and assisting on his uncle's farm. He then com- menced to work on his own account, being variously em- ployed, and in 1803, at the age of twenty-six, he converted the fruits of his labors into cash and emigrated to the United States. He brought with him a letter of introduction from Mr. Thomas Clarkson to Mr. John Barrow of New York, and met with a kindly reception at the hands of the latter gentle- man, who gave him a letter to Judge Walter Wood, then re- siding at Aurora, who welcomed him in his happy manner to Cayuga County.
In March, 1806, he purchased a large farm in Scipio, now Venice, and settled upon it.
In the summerof 1812, he commenced business as a drover and live-stock dealer, by contracting to supply that portion of the American army on the lines between this State and Canada with meat, which he did satisfactorily until the close of the war. After the war he commenced herding and driv- ing fat cattle to New York, a business he continued till 1833, when, having acquired a competency, and his health being somewhat impaired, he retired to the superintendency of his farm. He frequently had from 100 to 200 cattle in a drove and was occupied at least eighteen days in getting them to market, the entire trip occupying six weeks.
In 1838 he visited his native country and spent the winter, returning the following spring.
In 1848 he gave up the care of his farm to his youngest son, William, and devoted the rest of his life to mental culture and social intercourse. He died September 4th, 1858.
Mr. Kellet was a fine example of a frank, noble, warm- hearted Englishman. His home was the seat of a generous hospitality, and the families of many of his countrymen who found homes in this locality, sometimes for weeks together, were hospitably entertained there. His home may truly be said to have been the Englishman's home, for most of those who came in prior to 1840, were the recipients of his bounty. He was ever ready to assist in furthering any meritorious pub- lic enterprise.
He was a man of sterling integrity, temperate habits, hon- est, truthful and sagacious. He was a firm adherent of the Episcopal faith, which he espoused in early life and main- tained till death. The unfortunate found in him a sincere friend and helper.
March 15th, 1808, Mr. Kellet was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Van Nornum, who was born in Easton, Wash- ington county, N. Y., November 8th, 1781, and died May 5th, 1869, aged 87 years, 5 months and 27 days. Her father, Abram Van Nornum, was of Holland extraction, and one of the third generation born in this country. His parents owned a large farm on the site of the city of Hudson. At the age of fourteen he was captured by the Indians during the French and Indian war and led a prisoner to Canada, where he was kept until peace was declared two years after. He returned and remained on his father's farm until he arrived at ma- turity. At the age of twenty-five he married Margaret Cole, an estimable woman, a mixture of Hollander and French, by whom he had seven children, of whom Hannah, mother of Mrs. Wm. B. Winslow, was the fifth. In 1789, when Han- nah was only eight years old, her mother died, leaving a family of seven young children, the youngest being only four years old. Her father served during the seven years of the Revo- lutionary war under Captain, afterwards Judge Sherwood. At the death of her mother the family had not recovered from the effectsof the war, and those who were old enough were con- sequently thrown upon their own resources for a liveli- hood.
Hannah was placed in a good family, that of Thomas Smith, where she remained till she was eighteen, and settling near them in this County retained their friendship and affection till her death. She came to Auburn, then Hardenbergh's Corners, in 1806, as a member of the family of Job Kenyon, with whom she remained until 1808, till her marriage with John Kellet.
They commenced house-keeping on the day of their mar- riage in the town of Scipio. The fruit of this union was nine children, three sons and six daughters, Miss Mary Kellet, Mrs. Jane Thompson, Mrs. Elizabeth Sisson, Mrs. Sarah Cul- ver, Mr. Thomas Kellet, Mrs. Hannah Winslow, Mrs. Marga- ret Niblow, Mr. John Kellet, Mr. William Kellet, seven of whom are now living, the youngest being 57 years old.
Mrs. Kellet possessed a lovely Christian character. Early left an orphan, confronted with many disadvantages, she conquered them and became a most estimable woman ; kind and affectionate in her family, generous and considerate to those who claimed her hospitality, and ever ready to extend a helping hand to the needy and unfortunate. She lived to a good old age in the full possession of all her faculties, and when the Master called he found her ready and waiting, with her house set in order and her lamp trimmed and burning.
365
UNION SPRINGS.
ber of settlers were attracted at an early day by the limestone interests here. Geo. Valmore, from Troy, commenced the boot and shoe business in 1841, and has since continued it.
John Richardson and John C. Yawger, the former of whom had previously done business some four years, did business a few years from about 1841, under the name of Richardson & Yawger. They dissolved and divided their stock, Mr. Richardson becoming associated with Wm. Cozzens, and Mr. Yawger, with his brother Henry. Philip O. Yawger succeeded his brother John C., in 1852, and did business with Henry six years, and since then, alone.
N. C. Howland, who was born in the town August 11th, 1826, commenced the jewelry busi- ness in 1861, and is still engaged in it.
S. WV. Rogers, from Avon, commenced the drug business here in 1863, in company with Dr. M. B. Eaton, with whom he was associated two years. He then bought Eaton's interest, and has since carried on business alone, with the excep- tion of a short time, when he was associated with Dr. B. A. Fordyce.
David Everett, from Hackettstown, N. J., commenced business here April 26th, 1864, as a partner with his uncle, J. S. Everett, who com- menced business in August, 1848. July 26th, 1869, he bought his uncle's interest, and has since done business alone.
F. A. Carr, who is a native of this village, commenced the hardware business about 1871.
F. F. Woodworth & Son, (Frank, ) hardware merchants, came in from Baldwinsville in the spring of 1871 or 1872, and bought a half in- terest with Charles N. Howland, with whom they did business two years.
W. S. L. Freer, jeweler, from Newark, Wayne county, commenced business in 1873. In March, 1878, he became associated with J. R. Montague, a former resident of the village, with whom he is now doing business, under the name of Freer & Montague.
F. Wallace Elverson, grocer and crockery ware dealer, commenced business in February, 1873, in company with A. L. Howland, whose interest he bought in February, 1876.
W. H. Cozsens, grandson of Capt. Wm. Coz- zens, dealer in books and stationery, commenced business in August, 1875.
F. R. Schenck, dealer in boots and shoes, com- 62-2
menced business in 1876. He is a native of the town.
E. M. Hart, druggist, came from Romulus, Seneca county, and commenced business in April, 1876.
F. Brougham, dealer in boots and shoes, came in from Root, Montgomery county, and com- menced business April Ist, 1877.
Geo. D. Hibbard recently commenced busi- ness in the north part of the village.
POSTMASTERS-The post office was established at Union Springs in 1811, and Dr. Jno. Mosher, who was the first postmaster, held the office till about 1841. He was succeeded by Geo. P'. Mor- gan, who held it in 1842, and for a period of four years. Wm. Smith held the office for one year after Mr. Morgan, in 1846, and was succeeded by Frederick P. Cone, who held it till about 1849. Jno. C. Yawger was postmaster from 1849-'53 ; Edward Eldredge, from 1853-'57 ; Dr. Noyes Palmer, from 1857-'61. N. C. Simons next held it nearly four years, and was succeeded by Joseph Clark, who held it till Mr. Johnson took the presidential chair, when A. B. Capron was appointed, and held the office till 1869. James B. Burlew next held the office till 1873, and was succeeded by James R. Angel, the pres- ent incumbent, who was appointed December 10th, 1873.
PHYSICIANS .-- The first physician in Union Springs was John Mosher, who practiced from 1Sco till his nephew Stephen Mosher came in about 1817. The latter practiced till 1833, when he sold to David L. Dodge, from Dutchess coun- ty, who practiced till about 1851. He was fol- lowed about this time by Noyes Palmer, from Montezuma, who practiced till his death, May 7th, 1863. Charles Farnham, from Scipio, practiced here from 1841-'8. S. A. Tremain, from Tru- mansburgh, came in about 1856, and practiced till the opening of the war. Joseph G. Richard- son came in from Philadelphia in 1867, and prac- ticed three or four years. F. H. Hamlin came from Wayne county in 1869, and practiced till 1874. Dr. Wm. G. Harkness, who joined the County Medical Society, November 3d, 1808, while a resident of Fleming, was one of the ear- liest physicians in Springport. He lived two miles north-east of the village. He was also an early teacher ; he taught school about 1810, about a mile south of the village.
366
TOWN OF SPRINGPORT.
The present physicians are, Benjamin A. For- dyce, an allopath, who joined the County Medi- cal Society, June 4th, 1846, and came in from Venice in the spring of 1866. Peter H. Peterson, a homeopath, who was born in Fleming April 6th, 1803 ; educated in Auburn, and commenced practice here in December, 1841. George Ran- dolph Parry, who was born in Philadelphia, Pa., September 3d, 1839, and educated there ; gradu- ated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1862, and from the University of Pennsylvania, in 1867, in which year he commenced to practice here. O. W. Smith, who was born in Canajo- harie, June 25th, 1840; educated at the Geneva Medical College, from which he graduated in the spring of 1866; commenced practice in the spring of 1867, in the village of Ames, Mont- gomery county, whence he came to Union Springs in 1872, and Channing Holt, who was born in Worthington Conn., April 12th, 1849; educated at Hartford, Connecticut ; graduated from the University of New York in the winter of 1875 ; and came to Union Springs in October, 1878.
LAWYERS .- So far as we have been able to learn, Caleb Winegar was the first lawyer at Union Springs. He practiced from about 1845 till his death, June Ist, 1870. He was a son of Philip Winegar. Oliver Wood practiced here from about 1852-'4. He was succeeded by Wil- liam B. Woodin, who practiced till elected Surro- gate in November, 1859, when he removed to Auburn, where he now resides. He was a mem- ber of Assembly in 1855, and afterwards State Senator for eight years. Nathan Roberts came in from Varick, Seneca county, and A. B. Ca- pron, from Homer, about 1860. Roberts prac- ticed three or four years and removed to Mis- souri ; and Capron, till 1862, when he sold to Daniel A. Robinson, and entered the army. Rob- inson was born in Farmington, Ontario county, October 13th, 1831 and came to Union Springs in 1862, continuing here eight years, after which he spent two years in New York and Washing- ton engaged in soliciting patents and prosecuting claims. He returned to Union Springs in the spring of 1874, since which time he has been in the employ of the Cayuga Plaster Co. Etsel Wood was born in South Amboy, N. J., April 25th, 1835. He began the study of law in 1863, with D. A. Robinson, of Union Springs, and was
admitted in December, 1866, at Rochester, since which time he has practiced here. Reuben F. Hoff was born in Union Springs November 24th, 1840. He was admitted to the bar December 6th, 1866, and commenced practice in 1870, at Union Springs, where he has since continued. He was elected Justice in 1871, and held the of- fice four years ; and in 1874, was elected Special Co. Judge, which office he held till January Ist, 1878. Noyes S. Collins was born in Camden, Oneida Co., November 13th, 1851. He grad- uated at the Albany Law School ; was admitted in 1875, and commenced practice that year in Union Springs.
NEW YORK CENTRAL INSURANCE COMPANY. This Company was organized January 9th, 1863, with a capital of $50,000, which was increased December 31st, 1864, to $100,000. The first officers were Albert Beardsley, President ; Wil- liam Clarke, Vice-President ; Joseph B. Clarke, Secretary. Mr. Beardsley held the office of presi- dent till his death, February 4th, 1874, when he was succeeded by W. E. Hughitt, who still holds the office. William Clarke held the office of vice-president till his death in August, 1865, when he was succeeded by Smith Anthony, who held it till January, 1867, when David Anthony was elected. He was succeeded in January, 1873, by Sanford Gifford, who still holds it. Joseph B. Clarke was succeeded in the secretaryship by Amos M. Clark, the present secretary, in Janu- ary, 1871.
The greatest volume of business done, as shown by the premiums received, was in 1875, when it reached a little over $200,000, by a continual in- crease from $25,000, the amount for the first year. At present the business aggregates about $150,000, which is about an average for the last five years. The company is in a prosperous con- dition, and has paid since its organization an average dividend of eight per cent. The assets are $225,310.63 ; the net surplus, $10,012.62. The total amount of premiums received is $1,171,113.50; total amount of losses paid, $ 1, 172,- 302.63 ; the greatest loss in any one fire was $5,000. The present directors are, Wm. E. Hughitt, Henry Yawger, Geo. Bailey, Wm. B. Schobey, Hicks Anthony, Sanford Gifford, Geo. P. Schenck, Alvin Coburn, Richard Montague, and Amos M. Clark. The company occupy rooms over the bank.
367
UNION SPRINGS.
PRESS .- The papers published in Union Springs are
"The Cayuga Tocsin-By Royall T. Chamber- lain. Five column folio. Weekly. Established December 25th, 1811. Removed to Auburn about a year thereafter.
"Cayuga Democrat-By William Clarke. Five column folio. Weekly. Cass campaign sheet. Established in the spring of 1848. Published a short time.
"Cayuga Telegraph-By William Clarke. Six column folio. Weekly. Established June 5th, 1848. Published about two years. Succeeded by the
"Union Springs Ledger-By William Clarke and C. C. Williams. Weekly. Established 185 -. Continued only a few months.
"Christian Union-By J. B. Clarke. Four column quarto. Semi-monthly. Religious. Es- tablished January 22d, 1859. Removed to New York in October, 1859.
"Union Springs Herald-By J. B. Clarke. Six column folio. Weekly. Established October 15th, 1859. Burned out November 30th, 1861. "Casket of Gems-Anonymous. Small literary paper. Published a short time. Succeeded by the "Cayuga Lake Recorder-By I. O. Crissy and T. E. Hitchcock. Seven column folio. Weekly. Established November 11th, 1859. Mr. Hitch- cock withdrew in the summer of '59. Paper con- tinued by I. O. Crissy until December 13th, 1861, at which time the editor raised a company of cavalry for Scott's 900, which he accompanied to the field.
"Cayuga Lake Herald-By B. G. Gibbs. Six column folio. Weekly. Consolidation of the Union Springs Herald and Cayuga Lake Recorder. Established December 13th, 1861. In 1862 Mr. Gibbs enlisted in the army and the paper was continued by J. B. Clarke, the proprietor.
"Cayuga Lake Herald-Continued by Emerson B. Williams in the spring of 1863. Discontinued in October following.
"Cayuga Lake Record-By John W. Stanton. Six column folio. Weekly. Established Jan- uary 7th, 1864. Continued nine months.
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