History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 117

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) 1n; Lewis, J.W., & Co., Philadelphia
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 922

USA > New York > Clinton County > History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 117
USA > New York > Franklin County > History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 117

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How he contrived to live on his small salary, with a large family, with years of sickness among its members, and with the constant drafts upon his purse, is a mystery. But the Great Shepherd above took care of him and his.

Much of his success as a pastor was attributable to his regard for the poor. He was rigidly impartial towards all his flock ; condition of life made no difference.

14. He had strong attachment for out-door sports ; he loved to hunt and fish ; he was at home in the woods. The lonely dell, the towering eliffs, the forest-enclosed lake, as its evening monotones broke upon the beach, were his admiration. In these scenes, where " the groves were God's first temples," he loved to contemplate nature and its Crea- tor. When the clerical garb was thrown off, and the conven- tionalities of life could be relaxed around the camp-fire of the hunter, he was one of the most agreeable of companions.

15. His natural flow of spirits was great. Fond of fun, within prescribed limits, enjoying a good jokc, inclined to look at the bright side of things, buoyant and hopeful, he kept up under trials that would have erushed men of dif- ferent mood. When the occasion ealled for it there was sobriety, but never gloom.

16. He had great fondness for children, and wonderful taet in winning them to his embraec. Boys that feared him, when once within his reaeh lost apprehension and re- straint. It was singular with what distrust they awaited his chidings, and yet with what confidence they rushed into his arms. He addressed them so kindly, and was so frolic- some with them that they could not help it.

432

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY, NEW YORK.

17. Professionally a clergyman, he never forgot that he was also a citizen, with corresponding duties. In the schools and the academies, in the public measures that came up for action at town meeting, in the industrial and other pursuits of his village and town, he felt and exercised a lively interest.

18. He was very sensitive, sometimes too much so, about his personal reputation. A man of his make-up, bold and . fearless, and swinging his clerical sword right and left for years, naturally made some enemies. But if a false report was started in the community to his prejudice, the avenger was quickly on its track. It was followed up with a per- severance that never flagged until retraction was made, or the falsity of the charge exposcd. When the originator admitted the error, the condonement was easy ; when other- wise, the exposure was certain and overwhelming. He believed in punishing slander in this world.

19. Above and beyond all, he loved his own peculiar work. It may be said that he was proud of being a Chris- tian minister. He gloried in it and in its duties. Its very hardships and trials were attractions.

In memoranda that he has left, he speaks of his desire to preach on his conversion, in 1802 : " To commend the cxcellencies of the gospel, and urge the claims of its won- derful Author ; to be permitted to go forth into the world and invite sinners, in His glorious name, to rule His king- dom ; and to encourage all his people in their high and holy calling, were objects of my most ardent desire."

His eye never lost sight of the picture that opened to his view at that time. Religion in the morning, at noon, and at night. And he went down to his grave with its mantle wrapped around him.

CHAPTER LXXXI.

BANGOR.

Geographical-Topographical-The First Settlements-Early Pro- prietors-Early Merchants-Pioneer Physicians -- Villages-Civil History-The First Town Meeting-Officers Elected-Supervisors and Town Clerks from Organization of Town to Present Time- Present Officers-Documentary History-Ecclesiastical History- Military History.

GEOGRAPHICAL AND TOPOGRAPHICAL.

BANGOR is an interior town, lying northwest of the cen- tre of the county, and is bounded as follows : on the north by Fort Covington and Westville; on the east by Malone; on the south by Brandon ; and on the west by Moira.

The surface of Bangor is generally level or undulating. The soil is a sand and clay loam in the south, while in the northern part sand predominates. The underlying rock is Potsdam sandstone. It, however, appears only in the val- leys of the streams.

THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS.

To Benjamin Seeley is ascribed the honor of having been the first settler within the boundaries of this town. He was originally from Vermont, but moved into Bangor from Moira, and settled in the east part.

The next settler who located on the fertile soil of Ban- gor was Joseph Plumb, of honored memory, who settled near North Orange, in June, 1806. He was originally from it, but latterly from Moira. He was supervisor of the town of Dickinson in 1810-11 and 1812, before Ban- gor was set off. Upon the erection of Bangor he became its first supervisor, and officiated in that capacity ten years. He died in 1838, aged seventy-seven. Numerous descend- ants of this pioneer are residents of the town.

In the fall of 1806 several other settlers came into the town, prominent among whom were Jehial and James Barnum, from Vermont. These pioneers secured their locations, and, in the following winter, moved in with their families. Eleazer and Elijah Barnum were also pioneers. The former was the first town clerk.

In the following year several families came into the town, and settled ou the Central road. Among these were Chester Fuller, Robt. Wilson, and Joel Griffin.

Ezra French was an early settler at North Bangor, and is still living, at the advanced age of ninety years.

Isaac Bigelow was among the pioneers, and was town clerk in 1814-16. Noah Moody was an early scttler, and officiated as supervisor from 1818 to 1821. Geo. Adams was town clerk from 1818 to 1826. A Mr. Gibson early located at North Bangor, where a son now lives. Richard King came from Great Barrington, Mass., and settled in this vicinity in 1820, where numerous descendants still reside.

Near the north line of the town a family of Southards were pioneers. Riley Harwood also settled in the vicinity. Jesse Smith came from Brandon, Vt., and was here prior to 1812. He lived and died in the town. Noah Lee lo- cated near the geographical centre of the town. A family named Doty were also early settlers. David, son of the elder Doty, was here prior to 1812. Gabriel Cornish set- tled near North Bangor.

In the east part of the town, near the Malone line, early settlers were Elisha Keeler, Alanson Cornish, Jamison Dyke, and Frank Merrick.

In the southeast part the following were among the pio- necrs : Thomas A. Keeler, Harvey Doty, John Knapp, John W. Thomas, Warren and Jacob Tower, brothers, and Luther Dickinson.

A large family of Lawrences settled in various parts of the town, prominent among whom were James, Benj. M., Jonathan, and Hiram. Fayette W. Lawrence, son of Ben- jamin, was supervisor of the town in 1872-73.

George Adams early located in the village of Bangor, and was supervisor of the town eleven years. He was first elected in 1826. His brother, James Adams, settled in the southeast part of the town.

Among the early settlers at the village of Bangor, on what is sometimes called South Bangor, were Abel Wilcox, John W. Crooks, Danforth and L. B. Patterson, Simeon Davis, Dr. Hinman, Mr. Strickland, James Jones, Harvey Mosely, and Andrew Spaulding.

An honored pioneer in this vicinity was Joshua Dickin- son, who came from Amherst, Mass., and located here in about the year 1812. He was supervisor of the town in 1839; was United States loan commissioner, etc. A son, . Hon. Wells Dickinson, is a resident of the town and one

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Every age and every nation has its distinguished men. It has its heroes, poets, orators, philosophers, and statesmen. Whether we go to the abodes of civilization or to the haunts of savages, we shall find men who are properly the master- spirits of their age, and who are destined to give direction to the opinions and actions of their fellow-men.

Such a man is the Hon. Wells S. Dickinson, of Franklin Co., N. Y. Descended from early settlers of New England, he was born in Bangor, Franklin Co., Aug. 16, 1828, where he still resides. His grandfather was a resident of Amherst, Mass. His father, Joshua Dickinson, was born in Weybridge, Vt., going, while yet a young man, to Brattleboro', Vt., and learning there the trade of blacksmithing.

At the age of twenty-five he was married, June 19, 1825, to Miss Louisa Green, of Sheldon, Vt., who died July 21, 1826, soon after giving birth to a son,-William G.

Joshua Dickinson married for his second wife, June 18, 1827, Miss Adeline Sargeant, of Brattleboro', Vt. To this union three children were born,-Wells S., Dwight, and Clark J. Mrs. Dickinson died Sept. 10, 1877.

Mr. Dickinson followed blacksmithing thirty years; in ad- dition, however, he conducted the mercantile and manufac- turing business, keeping a general country store, and making linseed oil and potato starch. He died in 1862, at the age of sixty-four.

In 1846, Wells S. Dickinson, at the age of nineteen, entered business with his father and brother William, as merchants and manufacturers, under the firm-name of Joshua Dickinson & Sons. His father and William retiring in 1852, he con- tinued the business, associating with him C. A. Patterson, and two years later, in 1854, admitting Charles Whitney, the firm became Dickinson, Patterson & Whitney. At the end of 1854 the business was sold to Mr. Whitney, and Mr. Dickin- son turned his attention to lumbering and starch-making. Ilc sold his lumber business, two years after, to Mr. E. J. Wilson, of Nickleville. In the spring of 1857. Mr. Dickinson engaged with Pascal Smith and Edwin L. Meigs in the banking busi- ness, under the firm-name of Smith, Meigs & Co., at Red Wing, Minn., Pascal Smith being the resident partner at Red Wing. In 1861 he bought Meigs' interest, and the firm be-

came Smith & Dickinson. In 1865 he sold his interest to Mr. Meigs. In 1863, Mr. Dickinson entered into partnership with Mr. Fayette W. Lawrence, of Bangor, Franklin Co., N. Y., in the mercantile and starch-making business at that place, which partnership still continues. At the present time (1879) he owns, or has an interest in, eight starch-mills in Franklin and St. Lawrence Cos., N. Y.

He entered upon his political career in 1857, in which year and the two years following he represented his town in the board of supervisors. In 1859 the Legislature appointed him one of three commissioners to adjust differences between the State and J. D. Kingland & Co., growing out of contract for convict labor, and the same year he was the successful Republican candidate for the Legislature, in the severest polit- ical eontest ever known in Franklin County, beating his opponent two hundred and thirty-two votes. The following year the unanimous nomination for the same office was ten- dered him, which from press of business he was compelled to decline.

He was delegate to the National Republican Convention at Baltimore, in 1864, which nominated Mr. Lincoln for a second terin. For a number of years he was chairman of the county committee, is, and for the past four years has been, a member of the State central committee. Mr. Dickinson was elected to the State Senate in 1871, and re-elected in 1873. In 1876 he was a delegate to the National Republican Convention, and to his efforts in his behalf was largely due the nomination of William A. Wheeler for Vice-President.

Wells S. Dickinson was married July 29, 1851, to Miss Thusa Fish, of Bangor, Franklin Co., N. Y. But one child has been born to them,-Edwin E.,-born Aug. 29, 1852.

Edwin E. Dickinson graduated at Vermont University at the age of twenty. Sinee 1876 he has been private secretary for Vice-President Wheeler.

At a meeting of the directors of the Northern Pacific Rail- road, held in New York December, 1879, Mr. Dickinson was given general charge of the company's land, transportation, and legislative interests, which he assumed Jan. 1, 1880.

The firm of Dickinson & Lawrence have large landed interests in Mandan, Dakota Territory.

HIRAM TAYLOR.

Hiram Taylor was a native of Clarendon, Vt., and was born Oct. 2, 1809. His father was a farmer in ordinary circumstances. Hiram came to Bangor, Franklin Co., N. Y., at about the age of twenty-one, and taught the district school. The following spring he bought of Patterson & Weeks the carding-mill at South Bangor, and engaged in wool-carding, dressing, and coloring. To this busi- ness he added milling, soon after having built or purchased a grist-mill. He was married Jan. 20, 1835, to Clementia Doty, daughter of David and Martha Doty, of Bangor, Franklin Co., N. Y.

Hiram Taylor was an active business man, so far as his health would permit, and interested himself in all matters of a progressive character. His attention was given to educational matters, and his sympathies were with the young of his town and county, who, in poor circumstances, were strug- gling to obtain an education ; his sympathies often taking the form of substantial pecuniary aid. This, together with the recollection of his own early

struggles, prompted him to make the provision in his will which has helped many a worthy young man and woman to an education. He provided that three thousand dollars from his personal estate should be paid to the trustees of the Franklin Academy, to be kept at interest as a perpetual fund, the interest to be applied towards the educa- tion and maintenance of worthy, indigent pupils of said academy, residing in the county of Frank- lin, in the manner following: "Two pupils of the male and one of the female sex shall be annually selected from among the most worthy and prom- ising students of said academy, to whom the trus- tees at the expiration of the year, on their faithful prosecution of their studies during the same year and the whole thereof at such academy, pay the sum of seventy dollars each. . . .

Hiram Taylor was at the time of his death, and for some years previous, a member of the Congregational Church of Bangor, Franklin Co., N. Y.

433

TOWN OF BANGOR.

of the prominent men of Northern New York. He has been supervisor of his town a number of times, was elected to the Assembly in 1859, and to the Senate in 1871, and re-elected in 1873.

At West Bangor early settlers were Joseph Conger, Leo- nard Fisher, Lyman Wicks, Oliver Conger, Levi Potter, James Bigelow, Joseph Ross, and Hiram Frank. Other carly settlers were H. Conger, Gardner Dickinson, Jonathan Bowen, Levi Sylvester, Andrew Potter, George W. Tay- lor, John Bowen, Owen Quinn, Joseph Stimpson, Charles Bacon, Willan Jefferson, A. Baker, and Peter Storms.

EARLY PROPRIETORS.

When the pioneers of this town began to thread their way into the wilderness, the territory embraced within the present limits of the town was owned by a Mr. McCormick, William Cooper, and Asahel Bacon. McCormick owned the north half, Cooper the southeast quarter, and Bacon the southwest quarter. Mr. Bacon was a resident of New Haven, Conn., and Joseph Plumb was his first agent.

A survey of the Cooper tract was made in 1815, and the land divided among the Cooper heirs. The north half of the town was surveyed in 1806 by N. Baker, and the south half was surveyed by Peter Goff, of De Kalb, N. Y., in 1815.

EARLY MERCHANTS.

The first merchants at South Bangor were William White and Gardner Green, near the Corners, in a building now occupied as a dwelling. Others were a Mr. Moulton, Barnes & Brown, Danforth Patterson, Simeon Davis, and James Drake.

Joshua Dickinson commenced the mercantile business here in 1846, and continued it two years, when his sons, Wells and William G., became associated with him. This firm continued some years, when the sons succeeded to the business under the firm-name of Diekinson & Brother. They were succeeded by Patterson & Whitney in 1863, and they in turn by the present firm of Dickinson & Lawrence, con- sisting of Hon. Wells S. Dickinson and F. W. Lawrence.

William Leonard began business here as early as 1842, and after continuing a few years he withdrew, and, finally, after a long scries of years, he resumed business, and subsc- quently his son became associated with him in business under the firm-name of William Leonard & Son. The son, M. A. Leonard, is now conducting the business.

PIONEER PHYSICIANS.

Among the first successful medical practitioners were Dr. Christopher Carpenter, succeeded by Drs. Worth, Skidmore, ctc. Dr. Hinman, an old practitioner, has retired from active practicc.

VILLAGES.

The village of North Bangor is pleasantly located cast of the centre of the town, and a short distance from the Og- densburgh and Lake Champlain Railroad. It has a popu- lation of about 300, one church (union), and the following business interests : merchants, Solon Reynolds, Hayes & Plumb, and George D. Lytle; harness-shop, Newell Knapp ; shoc-shop, S. M. Cornish ; blacksmiths, cte., Washburn &

Somers, Francis Lacomb, John Garvin ; wheelwright, M. Briggs.

The postmasters at this village have been as follows : George H. Stevens, Baker Stevens, E. A. Hyde, Solon Reynolds, George Stickles, and W. H. Plumb, present in- cumbent.

Starch-Factory .- This business was commenced in 1846 by the late Joshua Dickinson and Isaac Wilson. In a few years it eame into the hands of Joshua Dickinson, as sole proprietor, by whom it was continued until his death, which occurred in 1862. It then passed into the possession of Dickinson & Adams, the present proprietors. Capacity, 300 bushels of potatoes per day.

CIVIL HISTORY.

Upon the organization of the county, on March 11, 1808, the territory embraced within the present boundaries of Bangor formed a part of the town of Malone, then ealled Harrison. Diekinson was set off from Malone, or Harrison, April 4, 1808, and Bangor was organized from Dickinson June 15, 1812. It retained its original dimensions until 1828, when Brandon was set off.

The First Town-Meeting .- The first town-inceting was held at the house of Chester Fuller, April 6, 1813, when the following officers were chosen : Supervisor, Joseph Plumb ; Town Clerk, Eleazur Barnum; Assessors, C. Ful- ler, John Marvin, Isaac Bigelow ; Collector, C. Fuller; Poormasters, Samuel Silsbee, Elijah Drury; Commissioners of Highways, James Lawrence, Barnabus Barnum, Elijah Drury ; Constables, E. Barnum, David Sayle; Fence-View- ers, John A. Buekland, E. R. Daggett ; Poundmaster, David Doty ; Commissioner of Common Schools, Joseph Plumb, J. H. Griffen, Samuel Silsbee; Inspectors of Com- mon Sehools, E. Drury, Asa Worth, John Marvin, Chester Fuller.

The following is a list of the supervisors and town clerks from the organization of the town to 1880 :*

SUPERVISORS.

1813-17, Joseph Plumb; 1818-20, Noah Moody; 1821-25, Joseph Plumb; 1826-27, George Adams; 1828, Joseph Plumb ; 1829-32, George Adams; 1833, William Plumb; 1834, George Adams ; 1835, William Plumb; 1836-37, James Adams; 1838, George Adams; 1839, Josbua Dickinson ; 1840-42, George Adams ; 1843- 45, Talmadge Barnum ; 1846-48, Abel Wilcox; 1849-50, Allen Hinman, Jr. ; 1851, George H. Stevens; 1852-53, Joseph Eldred ; 1854, I. P. Wilson; 1855-56, Joseph Wilson; 1857 (record de- stroyed) ; 1858-59, Wells S. Dickinson ; 1869, Allen Hinman ; 1870-71, George W. Woodard; 1872-73, F. W. Lawrenceo; 1874- 75, Solon Reynolds; 1876-77, Isaae J. Moxley ; 1878-79, Edwin A. Taylor.

TOWN CLERKS.

1813, Eleazer Barnum; 1814-16, Isaac Bigelow; 1817-25, George Adams ; 1826-30, William Plumb; 1831-40, Carlos Skidmoro ; 1841-42, L. B. Patterson ; 1843, Simeon Davis ; 1844, Allen Hin- man ; 1846-47, James C. Drako ; 1848, George H. Stovons; 1819, Nathan Crary : 1850, S. D. Stevons : 1851-52, Josiah S. Hilton ; 1853-54, William II. Ilydo; 1855-56, Clinton Stevens : 1857 (re- cord destroyod) ; 1858-59, Mathias Stanley ; 1869-70, P. J. Stickle; 1871-72, John B. Ilayes; 1873-75, M. A. Leonard : 1876-78, George W. Stickle: 1879, Horace W. Hyde.

The present town officers (1879) are as follows : Super- visor, Edwin A. Taylor; Town Clerk, Horace W. Hyde ;

# The town records from 1859 to 1869 were destroyed by fire.

434

HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Justice of the Peace, Nathan O. Adams ; Collector, Charles J. Adams ; Assessor, Lyman B. Sperry ; Commissioner of Highways, Warren H. Smith; Overseers of the Poor, Henry R. Webb, Laurens Moody ; Constables, O. L. Wil- son, W. B. Sternberger, O. J. Lawrence, B. Hinman, E. Spencer ; Auditors, Silenas Washburn, H. H. Wilcox, and John Phillips ; Inspectors of Election, H. P. Sperry, C. H. Bartlett, G. L. Donaldson ; Game Constable, W. W. Plumb ; Sealer, C. T. Eldred ; Excise Commissioner, Reuben Jones.

DOCUMENTARY HISTORY.

The early records show that town bounties were offered as follows for " noxious animals :"

In 1813, '14, '15, and '21, a bounty of $15 was offered for wolves, which was increased in 1816, '17, '18, '19, and '20 to $20. In 1828 and '29 it had been reduced to $10. In 1816 it was voted that $10 be paid for wolf whelps. The bounty on other " noxious animals" was as follows : Squirrels in 1817, 123 eents; panthers, 1817, '18, '19, and '20, $20; in 1821, $25 ; crows in 1817-19, 50 cents ; bears, 1817,'18, and '19, $3; in 1820, $5 ; in 1821, $10; blackbirds in 1817, 12} cents ; foxes, 1818, '19, and '20, $2; in 1816, $3; and in 1821, $5; wild cats in 1817-19, $2; $3 in 1820; and $5 in 1821.

In 1820 the capture of wolves had grown to be a " regu- lar industry ;" and in view of the fact that the taxes of the town had increased largely since the last town-meeting in consequence of the " wolf business," it was " voted that no person shall be entitled to any bounty from the town except actual residents of the town at this date."

THE TOWN-HOUSES.

In 1830 a movement was started for the purpose of building a " town-house ;" and at an election, held Dec. 29, 1830, it was voted to apply the poor funds of the town towards the erection of a town-house, and a location was selected.

At the town-meeting held Mareh 30, 1831, the vote lo- cating the house was reconsidered, and it was voted that a committee of three from three different towns in the county should choose the site.

This committee was composed of Alric Mann, James Duane, and Barnabas Heath. Silvester Langdon was sub- sequently appointed in place of Mr. Duane. The committee thus constituted reported "that in their opinion the interests of the town would be best served by locating the town- house on the high land between the north and south roads." Joseph Plumb, Joshua Dickinson, and Geo. Adams were appointed a committee by the town to receive from the poormasters the funds in their hands and erect the house. The commission above mentioned located the house on lot 16, but this failed to give satisfaction, and on the 5th of May, 1832, the former vote was reconsidered, and it voted the poor fund should be equally divided between the north and south parts of the town, and that the said money should be appropriated for the erection of two houses, to be located in the centre of the town from east to west, on the north and south roads.

The committee for creeting the north house was com- posed of Talmadge Barnum, Alanson Green, Jesse Smith,

and William Plumb. James Lawrence, John L. Briggs, Joseph Conger, and Samuel Brighton were the committee for erecting the south house. It was resolved that each religious society should use the town-houses in proportion to the amount each should pay. The meeting finally closed by reconsidering the above votes.

December 7th another meeting was held, when all pre- vious votes were annulled, and the central location on the two roads again adopted, and committees were appointed for their erection. The committee for the north house consisted of Jesse Plumb, David Doty, and Ezra French ; and for the other, James Adams, James Lawrence, and Sylvester Potter.

Two buildings were accordingly commenced. The one on the north road was completed in 1834. It was a wooden structure. The other, of stone, was not completed until 1851.

At the town-meeting held in December, 1832, it was voted that the use of the houses should be divided between the different religious societies in proportion to the amount subscribed by each towards the ereetion. Both were to be so far completed as to be valued at $1200 each within three years from date.

At the town-meeting in 1850 it was voted that the town-meetings hereafter should be held alternately at North Bangor and at the south village.

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, NORTH BANGOR .*

When and by whom the first Methodist Episcopal Church at North Bangor was organized is shrouded in obscurity, as there is no record. The following are the names of the preachers who have been appointed to travel and preach here from time to time, being given from memory by some of the oldest members of the church : Charles Northrup, Wm. Jones, Hiram May, Brooks Godfrey, W. Boney, Wm. Harris, H. Vanorder, Wm. Mason, John Loveice, Hubert Graves, Allen Castle, Benjamin Brown, John Wallace, Peter D. Gorry, Byron Alder, Philo S. Bond, Moremes Thrasher, Alonzo Blackman, Justin T. Alden, Royal Strat- ton, A. D. Hayford.

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History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 117

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) 1n; Lewis, J.W., & Co., Philadelphia Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 922

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) 1n; Lewis, J.W., & Co., Philadelphia
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 922