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 66
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 66
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140
He was born in Chester, Vt., June 29, 1822. At the
age of twelve, he was hopefully converted. He came to live with Deacon Horr, his uncle, at the age of sixteen, and stayed with him until he left the Forks, in 1844. He worked one summer in Boston at the carpenter's trade, and then went home to Vermont to attend school. He sold his tools and worked his way through Middlebury College, Vt., and Andover Seminary. He was ordained Nov. 13, 1854, and went to Wisconsin under commission from the Amer- ican Home Mission Society, and commenced labor in the early part of the following December, at Black River Falls, in Jackson County, a village noted at that time both for the generosity and rudeness of frontier lumbering life. His kind and generous feelings, under the control of strong religious convictions, soon gained for him the respect and confidence of those who came under his ministry. In Sep- tember, 1855, he organized a small Congregational Church, which was peculiarly the object of his warm Christian care during the remaining years of his ministry in that place. For this little church he secured a neat and convenient house of worship, by an industry and perseverance rarely equaled in one of such feeble health, and under similar outward circumstances. Much of the mechanical labor was performed by his own hands. Here he found the trade he learned in early life of benefit. After nearly eight years of patient and affectionate toil in this first field of labor, he was called to take charge of the churches in Mazeppa, Minn., where, after four years of faithful labor, he passed away, calmly and trustfully, to his rest in heaven, being able to sing for himself, "I love Thy Kingdom, Lord," and to rest without fear on the provisions of divine grace. He was much in prayer for his church and people during the last days of his life, often repeating the words, " Oh, my dear people, my dear people !" thus making their welfare the last and chief burden of his soul. He died Oct. 31, 1866, of consumption, after a severe illness of three months, aged forty-four years and four months. He enjoyed, as he merited, the confidence and affection of all his brethren in the ministry, and of all others who had an opportunity to appreciate his worth as a citizen and as a Christian min- ister.
Rev. E. B. Baxter preached a few Sabbaths. July 29th, Joseph Horr and John T. Duncan were chosen elders, and Joseph Horr deacon, thus completing the organization as a Presbyterian Church. In September, Rev. Calvin B. Cady, who had previously preached in Essex, was called to be pastor of the church, and was duly installed. John T. Duncan was chosen clerk of the session. Soon after the settlement of Mr. Cady, Rev. J. Burchard, the celebrated revivalist, was invited to hold a protracted meeting. As Deacon Horr writes, " The building was finished and the little church seemed to be all prepared and waiting for a blessing, and it came, as it always will, when the church is prepared to receive it." The dedication prayer was made by Mr. Burchard. As a result of this revival, 26 were re- ceived into the church, afterwards 15 more. At the close of the first year the membership numbered 61, 37 of whom joined on profession. Deacon Horr gives an inter- esting incident in connection with the revival. He says, " I remember the case of one man in particular, a professed Universalist, who opposed the meetings all the way through,
249
TOWN OF BLACK BROOK.
yet there was one who felt that he could not give him up. That individual resolved one evening that he would go and see him. On arriving at the house, his courage almost failed him. He walked back and forth by the house for some time, but finally made up his mind that he would go in. As he began to converse with him, he saw that he was deeply wrought upon, and under deep conviction. His wife proposed to have prayers. As we knelt he also knelt. As prayer was offered that God would have mercy upon him, he opened his mouth and prayed the publican's prayer, and then and there made a full surrender, and found joy and peace, and afterwards united with the church."
During the second year 8 united, completing the num- ber under Mr. Cady. At the annual meeting of the Pres- bytery of Champlain, in Ausable Forks, Jan. 18, 1842, the pastoral relation was dissolved. Mr. Cady went from here to St. Albans Bay, Vt., in which State, it is supposed, he still resides. Mr. Cady preached occasionally at Black Brook, and also at North Jay. Previous to his coming, both the Brook and the Forks were dependent on irregular preaching in school-houses. Old Father Manly was the pioneer missionary of those days.
During the summer of 1843, Rev. Mr. Thorm, of Seot- land, supplied the pulpit. Mr. Horr moved from the place in 1844, and is now living in Ballston Spa, Saratoga Co. He was an humble and pious man, yet energetic in build- ing up the church, constant in the prayer-meeting, and ac- tive in the Sabbath-school. Those wrestlings with God in prayer, when the only one present at the meetings, in be- half of Ausable Forks, were heard of God, and have been often answered. During the same year that Mr. Horr was dismissed, Deacon Duncan removed to Union Falls, so that he was deprived of active participation in the business of the church. Thus the church was left with neither pastor nor session until 1848, when the Rev. James Millar, of Chateaugay, was invited to preach. He found but 30 resi- dent members out of the 71 that had joined the church. The present arrangement was then made of having service at the Forks in the forenoon and at the Brook in the after- noon. As there was no session, business was transacted by the whole church until June, 1849, when three elders were elected and ordained : J. Rogers, S. G. Houghton, and J. C. Finch. The last was made clerk of the session. At this time a society was organized by the election of the follow- ing trustees : J. Rogers, G. M. Burt, and T. Hawkett. Elders S. G. Houghton and J. C. Finch only remained in the church about a year after their election, both having moved away, and are now dead. Dr. W. V. K. McLean, who had joined this church from Clintonville, where he had served as an elder, was elected elder of this church Sept. 16, 1850.
During Mr. Millar's ministry 22 were gathered in, mostly the result of a protracted meeting, held during the winter and spring of 1850, when his son, Rev. A. M. Millar, as- sisted his father. The labors of Mr. Millar were suddenly brought to a elose in the winter of 1851, by a severe shock of palsy. He was born in Scotland, 1790. At the age of ten years he was hopefully converted to God. With his own hands he earned the means to go through Glasgow
University, where he graduated in 1812. He taught for sixteen years, meanwhile studying theology. He was licensed in 1829, and spent one year in Glasgow as city mis- sionary, where he was instrumental in promoting a revival of religion. November, 1830, he sailed for Canada, where he spent five years of wearisome labor in the missionary field, enduring privations and toil joyfully and gladly, that he might carry the bread of life to the needy and destitute, often traveling eighteen miles on the Sabbath and preach- ing three sermons. The next eight years were spent in Chateaugay, where his labors were greatly blessed, the house of worship was finished, and more than 40 united with the church. Then three years were spent in Norfolk, St. Lawrence Co., where a number were added to the church. While here he went on a mission to collect money for the completion of the church in Waddington, and re- ceived an injury in falling from the cars, resulting in epilepsy, and was laid aside for eighteen months. He next spent a year in Russelton, Canada, and came to the Forks in 1848, his last field of labor. After the shock of palsy in 1851, he was carried to the residence of his son in Chateaugay, where he remained until 1854, when he re- tired to a home of his own, only to live there a few months, and died on the 27th of November, 1854, aged sixty-four years. One who knew well his history has said " that he was remarkable for his clear exposition of Scripture, for his family government, and for the control of his temper, three qualities of vast importance to a public teacher of religion, and for the absence of which too many have failed to reflect the unsullied glory of their Master, and to edify the body of Christ."
December, 1851, Rev. P. Q. H. Myers, who had pre- viously preached in Clintonville for a short time, was invited to labor here. He remained less than a year, when he received a call to Middlebury, Vt. He has since retired from the ministry on account of poor health, and is now living in New York City. Rev. John Scott, from Western New York, came here in May. 1853, and remained a year. It was during his ministry that the church build- ing at the Forks was burned,-the work, evidently, of an incendiary. This building, though plainly constructed, had done a good service. For quite a while it was the only house of worship in the place, all denominations making use of it. Though a great loss to the society, they did not give up in despair, but immediately set to work to raise the necessary means for the erection of the present house of worship, whielt was put up during the years 1854-55. The cost of this building was about $3000,- the same as the first. It was dedicated January, 1856, Rev. J. T. Willet, of Essex, preaching the sermon. In 1855 the name of Jesse Potter appears on the list of trustees. He was largely instrumental in raising the money for the completion of the first building. September, 1856, Rev. Amos W. Seeley, of New York, was invited to supply the pulpit. He was here not quite a year. Under him 11 united with the church. He was in rather poor health, and went back to New York, and has since died. Rev. John S. Stone began his labors in December, 1857. June 14, 1860, he was ealled to become pastor, and was duly installed in September. Rev. A. M. Millar, of Chateaugay, preached the sermon. On the second
32
250
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Sabbath of August, 1862, Mr. Stone preached his last ser- mon. He went to the war as captain, and was shot at the battle of Drury's Bluff, May 16, 1864. His remains were brought to Black Brook for burial. He formerly preached in Redford, where his family now reside. He was an in- dustrious and successful pastor. There was special religious interest during the first year of his ministry. Thirty-three were received into the church while he was here.
October, 1859, J. C. Fitzgerald was ordained elder. Dr. McLean removed his relationship to the church in Keese- ville, May, 1864. He was a faithful elder, guarding well the interest of the church. He lived to a good old age, hold- ing fast to the doctrines of his church until his death, which occurred a short time ago, at Keeseville. In 1862, R. C. R. Chase, Esq., was elected trustee, Jesse Potter having died.
Feb. 7, 1864, Rev. G. T. Everest, who had grown up within the bounds of the Presbytery, commenced his labors with this church. He remained for three years, and after- wards went to Peru, then to Ellenburgh, and then to Iowa, where he now resides. He received four into the church. During his ministry the church at Black Brook was built. The corner-stone was laid in June, 1864. Rev. Mr. Thatcher, of Peru, preached the sermon. The society was organized June 6th, by the election of J. Rogers, H. W. Stetson, and B. E. Wells, trustees. The board has re- mained unchanged to the present time. The church was dedicated Jan. 11, 1865, during the mecting of Presbytery at the Forks. Rev. A. M. Millar, of Malone, preached the sermon, and Rev. J. T. Willet, of Essex, made the dedica- tory prayer. Rev. C. D. Flagler, of Warren Co., N. Y., came in January, 1867, and remained for three years. He after- wards went to Chateaugay, and from there to Mechanics- ville, Saratoga Co., where he now is pastor. During his ministry 27 united with the church. Rev. B. Merrill says, " Your present pastor was next invited to supply this church. I came from New Hampshire, June 1, 1870. At the meeting of Champlain Presbytery, held in Keeseville, Jan. 16, 1872, I received and accepted a call to become pastor. The installation services were held in the church at the Forks, Feb. 20, 1872. Dr. E. A. Bulkley, of Platts- burgh, preached the sermon ; Rev. C. N. Wilder, of Essex, made the installing prayer ; Rev. H. E. Butler, of Keese- ville, gave the charge to the pastor; Rev. C. Ransom, of Peru, the charge to the people. During my ministry, 82 have been received into the church,-69 on profession. This number only lacks 12 of the present resident mem- bership. Including the non-residents, the entire member- ship is 114. Of 94 resident members, only 25 were members when I came. Total received during thirty-seven years 264, 180 of whom joined on profession ; 90 have been dismissed ; 8 have been excommunicated ; 24 have gone from us with- out letter ; and so far as heard from, 40 have died."
For the last ten or fifteen years the church members at Black Brook have, with others of the community, main- tained a Good Templars' organization, which has done some good in past years, and is now taking a fresh start. Prom- inent in this cause was the late lamented Thomas Rogers, who threw his whole energies into this noble cause, as he did into the Sabbath-school and other departments of re-
ligious work. His death, which occurred Jan. 21, 1873, was a severe blow to the church. Also, at the Forks, the women of the church are active in maintaining a " Woman's Temperance Union," with others of the Episcopal Church. There is a " Band of Hope" in connection with this union, consisting of quite a number of boys and girls.
The church has to record the death of Elder J. T. Dun- can. He was an elder from the organization of the church until his death, Jan. 27, 1871, thirty-one years and a half. He moved to Union Falls in 1844, and after that was un- able to attend session meeting, though sometimes consulted on matters of importance. B. C. Pierce and H. W. Stet- son were elected and ordained elders in September, 1872, thus making a session of four elders. It has remained un- changed unto the present time. Mr. G. M. Burt filled the office of trustee for twenty-five years, having faithfully cared for the interests of the church from its beginning. The present board of trustees at the Forks consists of J. Hargraves, R. H. McIntyre, and W. J. Gillespie.
Sabbath-Schools, Black Brook .- In 1833 or 1834, the children were gathered together in a log school-house, and organized into a Sabbath-school under the charge of J. Rogers. They had neither library nor question-books for a while, but studied the Bible without any of the modern helps. There were not enough scholars to keep it open in the winter. After a few years, Isaac Vandewarker was chosen superintendent. He was succeeded by George Gould, and finally the school came back again into the hands of Mr. Rogers, who continued in office until 1871, when he left to go to Washington, having been elected member of Congress. J. C. Fitzgerald next took the office, and has remained superintendent unto the present tinie. The Sabbath-school changed its location from the old log school-house, which has since been turned into a dwelling- house, to the present modern building, in 1852, where it remained until the church was built, in 1864. Since then it has been held in the church. It grew slowly in num- bers, until it became a good-sized and flourishing school. It has been a power for good, many of its scholars having become members of the church. At one time it had the second library in size in Clinton County. Among those who were active in this school in the past, both as scholars and teachers, are mentioned the names of W. T. Benns and Thomas Rogers, both deceased.
Ausable Forks .- Writes Deacon Horr: " When I went to the Forks, February, 1836, there was no Sabbath-school. It was thought there had been. It was not until spring that we organized a school. To start with, I went to Keese- ville and got a small supply of second-hand books ; then got up a subscription, and replenished it with new ones. We did not have a large library, for I remember well carrying it back and forth in a trunk under my arms. There was but one school in the place. I took charge of it the first year or two. There was nothing said about its being a union school, -- though it might be called so, for some of other denominations came in and helped." Mr. James W. Flack, elder in the Clintonville Church, and Mr. Charles Brewster, each superintended this school awhile. It was then cared for by Mrs. Whitley, assisted by Mrs. Burt and other ladies, until 1856. During the ministry of Rev. Mr.
251
TOWN OF BLACK BROOK.
Seeley, 1856, R. C. R. Chase, Esq., was elected super- intendent. He continued in office for seventeen years, when the infirmities of age rendered it necessary for him to retire. Since this time the pastor has served in this offiee by annual re-election. He consented to take the office only on condition that he should have an assistant. G. M. Beck- with has acted in that eapacity, and has made this school his care during the whole time he has been in office. This school has had a varied history. It has struggled on through various obstacles up to the present time. It has generally been well supplied with faithful teachers, who have been found every Sabbath, so far as possible, at the head of their classes.
At this date (1879) the church is in fine condition at Black Brook, but rather weaker than ordinary at Ausable Forks.
The elders of the church are B. C. Pierce, 1872; H. W. Stetson, 1872; W. C. Pierce, 1879; B. E. Wells, 1879; W. H. Watson, 1879.
The trustees at Ausable Forks are John Hargraves, R. H. MeIntyre, and W. J. Gillespie; at Black Brook, H. W. Stetson and B. E. Wells.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL.
Methodist meetings were held in Ausable Forks, on the Jay side of the river, as early as 1840. Meetings were thẹn held in the village school-house, which stood near the present site of the Presbyterian church. The charge was connected with Clintonville. A regular society was organ- ized prior to that date, but no records bearing upon the matter are in existence.
In 1842, lumber, for the purpose of ereeting the present church, was gathered together, and a temporary tent was ereeted that year to allow Mr. Adrian, a Second Advent minister, to preach, in view of the prospective end of all things terrestrial in the year 1844.
The erection of the meeting-house was begun in 1843, but the building was not completed until several years later. Meetings in the mean time were held in the Presbyterian church.
Some of the pastors of the church have been Rev. Messrs. Joseph Amcs, Cutler, McGilton, Hart, Garvin, Eaton, Palmer, Walker, N. B. Wood, Sylvester Marsh, Merrifield, Gilbert, Graves, and Guernsey. The present pastor, Rev. W. B. Osgood, commenced his labors here in 1879.
The society owns a neat house of worship and parsonage at Ausable Forks, valued at $6000. The membership of the church is about 80; size of Sabbath-school, 60; sev- eral hundred volumes in the library ; superintendent, E. A. Richardson.
The present church officers are : Trustees, Jacob Obrist, E. A. Richardson, M. M. Weston ; Stewards, Erastus Jones, M. M. Weston, and M. M. Richardson ; Leader, Jacob Obrist.
The charges at North Jay and Palmer Hill are connected with the charge, and have a distinct set of officers. The charge at North Jay occupy a pleasant house of worship. That at Palmer Hill worship in the school-honse at that point.
ROMAN CATHOLIC.
Catholie worship was held at Ausable Forks as early as 1850. A church of the denomination was carried away by the great freshet of 1856. The present church was erccted in 1857. Among the priests who officiated there in the earlier days of the church were Fathers Keeveny, Carroll, and MeDonald. It was formerly connected with the Keese- ville parish. In 1869 the parish was divided, and the parish of Ausable Forks was established. This was subse- quently divided into the Black Brook parish, but the two were reunited in June, 1879.
The first resident priest at Ausable Forks was Rev. James Smith, who remained seven years, and was followed, in 1876, by Rev. James Shields, the present priest. Rev. John Curlon has charge of the church at Blaek Brook.
The parish ineludes stations at Ausable Forks, Black Brook, and Union Falls. It is very large, and comprises upwards of 2000 souls. The church property at Ausable Forks is valued at over $10,000, and that at Black Brook at about $4500.
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The first services of the Episcopal Church were held by a lay reader about 1840. At different times on his way to the Saranac Lakes he held services here. At one of these one child, the daughter of Jas. Rogers, was baptized. In 1845 the Rev. Mr. Dyer had charge of a large tract of country, which ineluded this village. He held a few ser- vices here, at one of which he baptized four children, -- Joseph, Eliza, William, and Mary Ann Hodgson. The summer of this same year Rev. Mr. Dyer was drowned at the chasm. From this time until 1855 no clergyman had charge of this field, and only occasional services were per- formed by different elergymen, among which was the fune- ral service of Mrs. Eliza Rogers, wife of James Rogers, by the Rev. Jas. Davis, of Plattsburgh.
Sunday, May 13, 1855, the saerament of holy baptism was administered by Rev. F. C. Putnam, rector of St. Paul's Church, Keeseville, to two infants. Other services were held by him at long intervals in the Presbyterian house of worship. He was rector eight years.
Sunday, April 17, 1864, the Rev. William H. Cook as- sumed the rectorship of St. Paul's Church, Keeseville, and on Sunday, May 29, 1864, began regular fortnightly ser- viees at Ausable Forks in the Methodist house of worship, making one visit for a morning and the next for an evening service. This was continued with little variation until Feb. 27, 1876. Sinee that time until January, 1877, his visits were on every Lord's day, alternately morning and evening. During this period of about twelve years, he has adminis- tered holy baptism at this place to 105 persons,-19 adults and 86 infants,-on seventy-one different occasions. He presented for confirmation 39 persons ; he solemnized the marriage of 10 eouples ; he officiated at the burial of 22 persons.
Early in the year of grace 1876, the Right Rev. the bishop of the diocese, William Croswell Doane, S. T. D., on the canonical application to him of residents here for the same, organized a mission under the title of the Mission of St. James, Ausable Forks, with the Rev. W. HI. Cook
252
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, NEW YORK.
as Missionary ; James Rogers, Warden ; H. D. Graves, Treasurer ; Cassius Pierce, Clerk.
About the beginning of May, 1876, ground was broken for the erection of the first Episcopal church in this village, in charge of James Rogers, H. D. Graves, and James Rogers, Jr., as building committee. Plans for the edifiee were furnished by Mr. E. C. Ryer, of Burlington, Vt. On June 15, 1876, the corner-store was laid by the Very Rev. Archdeacon George C. Pennell, S. T. D., acting for the bishop, five of the clergy of the convocation of Og- densburgh, viz., Rev. William R. Woodbridge, Secretary, Rev. J. B. Pitman (who delivered the address), Rev. A. L. Royee, Rev. Z. T. Savage, and the missionary being present and assisting hin.
This building-a beautiful stone edifice, 80 by 30 feet, outside measurement, with sittings for 225 persons, large chancel, alcove for pipe-organ, vestry-room, and tower, con- taining a fine bell-was completed the same year, and the first service held in it on Christmas-eve, 1876, by the mis- sionary, Rev. William H. Cook. The cost of the building was $11,000, of which amount Mr. James Rogers gave $10,000, the remaining $1000 being given by other persons.
The above service was about the last held by the Rev. William H. Cook, as soon after the mission was separated from Keeseville and placed in charge of a clergyman living here. To Mr. Cook is all honor due, who by hard work, done in advanced years, made possible this result.
January, 1877, the Rev. Fred. M. Bird assumed charge of this mission, and resigned the same in August, 1877. In the next month, September, 1877, Rev. Charles S. Knapp took charge of this mission. On Sept. 12, 1877, the church was consecrated by the bishop, Right Rev. Willian Cros- well Doane, the Revs. William H. Cook, William R. Wood- bridge, H. M. Smyth, and Charles S. Knapp assisting. Mr. Knapp continued in charge until May, 1878. October 1st the present incumbent, the Rev. Charles A. Bragdon, assumed charge of this mission. Sinee the separation from Keeseville there have been 50 baptismns, 10 confirmations, 1 marriage, and 6 funerals. At the last Easter election Mr. James Rogers, Jr., was elected Warden; Mr. H. D. Graves, Treasurer ; and Mr. A. Bosley, Clerk. At present there are 60 members, though some live twenty miles away from the church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.