History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 96

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 96
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 96


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).


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Walter F. Davidson, son of Andrew and Ellen (Quigley) Davidson, was born in Redford, Clinton Co., N. Y., March 23, 1843. He attended the common school in Redford until the death of his father, which occurred when he was thirteen years of age. Then he commenced working out to assist in the sup- port of the family, but attended school during the two follow- ing winters. In the spring of 1860 he commenced learning the wheelwright trade, at which he worked until September, 1861, when he enlisted in Company C, 91st New York Vol- unteer Infantry, in which he served as private and non-com- missioned officer for three years, being much of the time on detached duty. He was clerk at Gen. Emory's headquarters, at New Orleans, and issuing clerk at the commissary depot, at Brashear City, La. He also served as company and regimental clerk in his regiment. He served under Gen. Banks in the Teche, and Red River campaigns, and with the land forces in the forty-five days' siege of Port Hudson until its surrender. He honorably served out his three years' term with the regi- ment, but poor health prevented his re-enlistment, and he was mustered out Sept. 18, 1864. A slight wound received in a


came sole proprietor, and Mr. Davidson became general super- intendent of the Clayburgh Iron Works, and is now in the ninth year of his service in that capacity.


Mr. Davidson was married, April 13, 1870, to Alice A. Mor- rison. Of this union there have been born two children, viz. : Alice L., born Aug. 2, 1871 ; and Victor A. B., born Jan. 11, 1877. Mrs. Alice A. Davidson, daughter of Briggs R. and Philura A. Morrison, was born at Schuyler Falls, N. Y., Jan. 9, 1849. She received her education in the Redford common school and at the Plattsburgh Academy. She also received musical instruction from Prof. Flory, of Plattsburgh, and was for several years organist in the Methodist Episcopal Church of Redford, of which she has been a member since she was twelve years of age. She has been a teacher in the common school at Redford, and also teacher of a select school. She has always taken great interest in the Sabbath-school at Redford, of which she was a member until her removal to Clayburgh. She has been a life member of the Troy Conference Missionary Society since May, 1867. By those who know her best, Mrs. Davidson is regarded as a lady of the highest worth and intel- ligence. Her father, Briggs R. Morrison, born in Plattsburgh in 1824, was for many years a merchant and manufacturer of lumber at Redford, and died April 10, 1879, leaving a widow and two children,-Mrs. Davidson, and Mrs. E. A. Bromley. Mrs. Philura A. Morrison was born in Brattleboro', Vt., Oct. 20, 1823, and has been a resident of Redford for more than forty years. Her parents, Peter B. and Betsey Smith, removed from Vermont to Redford in 1833.


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TOWN OF SARANAC.


plates 33 by 4 inches. The small tram includes four sets of rolls, and is capable of manufacturing a great variety of rolled iron. The mill is driven by three journal turbine- wheels. The erection of this mill was the consummation of plans long entertained by Mr. Bowen that the products of this section should be worked up on the spot. This is the only rolling-mill in Clinton County, and reflects great credit upon its enterprising proprietors. In addition to the works mentioned above Bowen & Signor have recently erected a neat and substantial brick flouring-mill, containing five run of stone, furnished with all the modern improve- ments.


RUSSIA.


The first forge at Russia was established by Spalding & Parsons in 1844-45. It was operated about two years by this firm, when George H. Parsons disposed of his interest and built a forge on forge-lot No. 2.


In 1845 a third forge at this place was built by Jackson & Stearns, on the upper end of forge-lot No. 2. William H. Morgan, of Plattsburgh, subsequently became associated with the firm, and the forge was operated by this company until about 1856, when the property went into the hands of Lee, Sherman & Witherby, of Port Henry. It subse- quently passed into the possession of George & George H. Parsons, and the forges consolidated. The business was continued by them until the death of George H. Parsons, which occurred in August, 1858. The firm then became George & D. H. Parsons, and was carried on by this firm until April, 1864, when it changed to George Parsons & Co., consisting of George and D. H. Parsons and Benj. F. Davis. Mr. Davis died in 1865, and the firm again became G. & D. H. Parsons, who continued it until the latter part of the same year, when Richard Morgan became associated with them. William C. Price was admitted as a partner about April, 1866. In 1867, Mr. George Parsons, the senior member of the firm, father of George H. and D. H., retired from the firm. In the following year Mr. Price retired, and Charles H., son of D. H. Parsons, became a member of the firm, and the business was continued by them until March, 1872, when they were succeeded by Andrew Williams and C. F. Norton. Mr. Norton soon after disposed of his interest to Mr. Williams, and John H. Moffitt became a partner under the firm-name of Williams & Moffitt. In 1878, Mr. Moffitt retired from the firm, and the business has since been conducted by Mr. Williams. This is a forge of five fires, with a capacity of 7} gross tons per day.


Two other large forge-fires were built about 1844, one by Hull & Justin and the other by Parsons & Spalding, and, after passing through several hands, came into the possession of S. P. Bowen, Esq., in 1862. From 1863 to 1871 they were run by the firm of Bowen & Wil- liams, when the property again came under Mr. Bowen's exclusive control, and was included in the copartnership business of Bowen & Signor.


In 1872, Messrs. Bowen & Signor demolished their old forge at Russia, and crected a six-fire forge, similar to the one subsequently built at the Hollow, with the same pattern of cast-iron liammer, a powerful pair of bellows, and capa- ble of running 8 fires. This forge turns out 50 tons of


iron per week, mostly in billets, used principally for cast steel. The Tremblay ore is used. These two model forges- one at the Hollow and the other at Russia-were built under the supervision of Orson P. Buek, of Saranac, a superior mechanic and builder.


The facilities of this firm for manufacturing are very complete. Their supply of ore is abundant and easy of access. Mr. Bowen owns about 8000 acres of timber-land within an average distance of not more than five miles from the forges, lying in the direction of Lyon Mountain, on which 22 coal-kilns have been erected at a cost of $30,000. They are doing a very brisk business, consuming about 1,200,000 bushels of coal per year (about one-quarter of which is pit coal, bought of citizens), manufacturing about 4000 tons of iron per year, and furnishing employment, directly and indirectly, for from 600 to 800 men. It is a model establishment, everything being orderly, systematic, neat, and convenient.


IRONDALE-THE IRONDALE MINE, ETC.


Irondale, formerly known as Petersburgh, is situated on the north branch of the Saranac, about one mile above the forks and about six above Russia. A forge and separator were built here in 1864 by Peter Tremblay, using the ore from the old Tremblay mine. In 1867 he discovered and opened a rich vein of ore about one and three-fourths of a mile northwest of the forge, from which this forge has since drawn its supply. The ore is rich, appears to be abundant, and is of excellent quality. For the manufac- ture of cast steel it has no superior in the world. In the fall of 1872, Mr. Tremblay sold out the entire interest to A. Williams, Esq., and the copartnership of A. Williams & Co. was formed soon thereafter, consisting of Mr. Wil- liams, H. A. Wood, and A. T. Barkley. It subsequently passed into the hands of Mr. Tremblay, who now operates it. It is a four-fire forge.


CLAYBURGH-THE CALDWELL MINE.


Here is the location of the first mine opened in tlie Sar- anac Valley. Clayburgh is but one-half a mile above the forks, on the south branch. The Caldwell mine was opened in 1841 by Royal Cashman, and was then owned by Cald- well & Barnard. A separator was erected, and the ore was sold at first mostly at the " Hollow." The ore is excellent, and makes very tough iron. It is used particularly for making wire.


In 1844 the premises were in the possession of Caldwell & Myers, and they built a forge of 4 fires. In 1855 it became the exclusive property of Mr. Myers (Deacon Law- rence Myers, of Plattsburgh), and it was run by him till 1863, under the superintendence of liis son, John Henry Myers. It was then sold to Bowen & Williams. In the dissolution of partnership in 1871, Mr. Williams became the exclusive owner. The forge was rebuilt in 1871. It has 5 fires.


WILLIAMSBURGH AND THE TREMBLAY ORE-BED.


One mile south of Redford, on the opposite or south side of the river Saranac, is the quiet little settlement of Wil- liamsburgh, the location of the celebrated Tremblay ore-


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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, NEW YORK.


bed. From its location and surroundings a casual observer would not suspect it of being a great mining eentre. It is on a common level with the adjacent country, and is sur- rounded with pasturage and cultivated fields. The vein is about 30 feet wide. Six shafts have been sunk to the depth of from 100 to 150 feet, and the supply appears to be inexhaustible. The ore yields about 50 per eent., which, we believe, is considered quite rich, and the quality is probably equal to any in the world. This bed was diseov- ered by Peter Tremblay, and opened by him in 1854 and worked by him till 1867, when it was sold to Bowen & Williams. When the firm was dissolved, in 1871, this property eame into the exclusive possession of Mr. Bowen. It is located five miles from the forge of Bowen & Signor, at Saranac Hollow, and four miles from the forge at Russia.


There are certain remarks which apply to all of the firms to which we have referred. The systematie arrangement, the air of neatness and quiet, the general indications of intelligence, contentment, and prosperity among the la- borers are manifest. In the winter there are flourishing schools. The several establishments are connected with a telegraphie ehain, there being an offiec at the Hollow, Rus- sia, Redford, Clayburgh, and Irondale.


THE REDFORD CROWN-GLASS WORKS.


A little less than half a century ago the crown-glass works located at Redford was the leading enterprise in the town, and for a time bade fair to become prominent among similar institutions in this county.


In 1830, Charles Corning and Gershom Cook, residents of Troy, purchased of Philip Kearney, of New York, a traet of land one mile square, where the present village of Redford is located, and in March, 1831, began the erection of the glass-works. A saw-mill was first built, and subse- quently a grist-mill, work at the glass-works in the mean time being carried forward. During the spring and sum- mer of 1831, this seetion presented a busy seene. Hun- dreds of laborers, and almost a multitude of teams, were at work, and every branch of industry in this section of the county was stimulated by this enterprise. During the entire summer, work on the works was pushed forward with the greatest vigor, and in October the first lot of erown glass was turned out. The works were ereeted at a cost of about $50,000. The material used in the manufacture of the glass was white Potsdam sandstone. The melting- pots were imported, and were made mostly from Stone- bridge elay.


Messrs. Corning & Cook continued the business until 1836, when Mathew Lane became a partner, and it was continued under the firm-name of Cook, Lane & Corning. In 1837, Mr. Suydam also became a member of the firm.


In 1843 the works were stopped, and remained idle until 1846, when they were started by Mr. Lane, with N. H. Lund as superintendent, a position which he had held from the beginning. Mr. Lane continued the business until 1851, when the works were abandoned.


The actors in this onee busy seene have nearly all passed away. Mr. Cook lies buried in the graveyard near by. Mr. Lund died next, and was followed by Mr. Lane. Among the original workmen were the following: John


and William Rowland, James Darby, James Travis, John Bird, Jonathan Richmond, John Richmond, Jr., Luke Rupert, John Kline. In 1836 the glassmakers were as follows, together with some of those mentioned above : James Raybold, Franklin Davidson, Wm. Raybold, Wm. H. and Thos. Grieves, Thos. Hopkins, John Davidson, Sr., John Davidson Jr., Wm. and Andrew Davidson, Jonathan Roberts, John Pappa, and Joseph Hovey.


Saranae Hollow is a pleasant village with a population of 600, and contains a church, an academy, four stores, besides the forges, rolling-mill, and grist-mill mentioned on a pre- vious page. The merchants are Parsons, Morgan & Co., Bowen & Signor, Allen Phillips, and E. J. Piekett. Dr. S. Haynes is the resident physician.


Starch- Factory, Parson & Justin, proprietors .- This in- dustry, located near Saranac, was eommeneed in 1870 by the present proprietors, and has a capacity of using 60,000 bushels of potatoes. Employ six persons. This firm also operates a large saw-mill on True Brook. It is a gang and slabber, and has a capacity of eutting about 100,000 pieces annually.


MOFFITSVILLE, or RUSSIA, is a hamlet located about one mile above Saranae Hollow, and, besides the forges of Bowen & Signor, located here, is a saw-mill owned by D. H. Parsons, and a stareh-factory, the property of a Boston firm-Lyon & Vose.


REDFORD .- This village at one time was the largest in the town. Here were located the celebrated crown-glass works and other industrics. It has three churches,- Methodist, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic,-a tannery, saw-mill, and three stores. The tannery is carried on by A. Moore & Co., and is one of the largest establishments of its kind in New York. The merchants are Patriek Han- lon, who owns the saw-mill, S. P. Martin, and Daniel Dustin.


IRONDALE, now known as PETERSBURGH, is a small hamlet located on the north branch of the Saranae, about a mile above the forks. It is the seat of the Tremblay fire, mentioned above.


ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SARANAC.


The Methodist Church located at Saranae Hollow was organized Dee. 19, 1831. At the meeting which was held for the purpose of organization Jared Spaulding was ehair- man and Wm. N. Frazer secretary. The first board of trustees consisted of George Parsons, P. Thorn, and Stewart Frazer.


The first ehureh edifice was commeneed in 1832. It was erected by contributions of money and labor, and was oeeupied a number of years in an unfinished state.


Among the early members were A. B. Vaughn, Jared Spauldding, Lambert Hopper, George Parsons, Platt Thorn, James L. Bean, Thos. Hoyt, Stewart Frazer, Andrew Hull, Zebulon Burke, Joshua and Nathan Arnold, Samuel and Z. S. Haynes, Samuel Weaver, Henry Parsons, John Sat- ford, Alfred Fling, and E. B. Griswold,


The first church edifice is now used as an academy. An effort was made to rebuild the church on the old site, and also to remove it to the " Hollow." The controversy was


PHOTO'S BY HOWARD & CO.


E. J. PICKETT.


RICHARD PICKETT.


Richard Pickett was born in Ireland June 15, 1817, and came to this country in 1837. He went immediately to Ulster Co., N. Y., where he had relatives, remaining five years, engaged in stone quarrying.


He was married, May 8, 1842, to his cousin, Miss Pendergast, of Ulster County, and in the following spring removed to Clinton .Co., N. Y., where he has ever since resided. The children that have been born to them have been six in number: Ann, Edmund J., Mary, Ellen, John, Frederick A., the last a physician, a graduate of the University of New York, now prac- ticing in Redford, Clinton Co., N. Y.


On his arrival in Saranac, Mr. Pickett purchased, in conjunction with his brother-in-law, J. Canning, a small farm, to which, from time to time, they added other tracts, until they found themselves owners of more than two 'hundred acres, which they worked together. This part -. nership lasted fifteen years, with the most perfect under- standing and friendly feeling to the end. In politics Mr. Pickett has always been Democratic, and as such has held various town offices. He was for nine years assessor, and in this capacity gave perfect satisfaction ; for twenty-four years school trustee, fifteen years con- secutively. During a long and active life Mr. Pickett has never figured as principal in a law-suit, having


never sued nor been sued, a fact of which he is justly proud.


In 1841 he joined the Father Mathew Temperance Society, and has continued to this day a consistent mem- ber.


Edmund J. Pickett is the eldest son of Richard Pickett, and was born June 7, 1844, in the town of Saranac, Clinton Co., N. Y. His early life was spent in attending school and assisting his father on the farm, later, in log-driving and lumbering. During the war of the Rebellion he enlisted in the 16th Regiment New York Cavalry, serving until the close of the war. Re- turning to Saranac, he resumed his old business of lum- bering. He was married in October, 1866, to Katie Nash, eldest daughter of Patrick Nash, of Saranac. In the fall of 1867 he engaged in the mercantile business in his native town, and in 1872, in connection with his brother-in-law, Mr. Grogan, bought the Pratt property, and engaged in the wheelwright business, and since that time has probably built fully fifty per cent. of all the wagons bought in the town of Saranac.


In politics Mr. Pickett, is Democratic, and has been collector of his town. He was also'originator and or- ganizer of the band of Saranac, now consisting of scv- cntecn picces, and one of the best bands in the county.


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TOWN OF SARANAC.


finally ended by a compromise, and the present site was selected, and lands procured of S. P. Bowen and George Parsons. The building was commenced in 1860, and dedi- cated in March, 1862. The building committee consisted of S. P. Bowen, H. A. McIntyre, and D. H. Parsons. It was erected at a cost of about $3500. The present trustees -


of the church are D. H. Parsons, J. H. Signor, and T. D. Boorn.


The pastors of this church have been as follows: Jere- miah Hall, John M. Weaver, John Thompson, Edwin Lyon, N. B. Wood, B. Cox, D. H. Loveland, William Bedell, - White, Charten Lyon, John Chase, A. Camp- bell, B. S. Bernhanı, Tho. Dadsons, D. Osgood, John Ker- nan, C. C. Gilbert, E. S. Gold, H. N. Munger, E. C. Sim- mons, S. W. Brown, 1863-64; J. B. Sylvester, 1865-66 ; Myron White, 1867-68; H. M. Munsce, 1869-71; Horatio Graves, 1872; John Vrooman, 1873-75 ; L. A. Dibble, 1876-77 ; C. H. Richmond, 1878-79.


REDFORD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.


The early history of this church is not very perfectly preserved. Most that we have is from the pen of one N. H. Lund, who for many years held the office of class- leader, and also that of steward, in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He " died Jan. 10, 1872," after having been a "member of the church about thirty-four years." This indicated that he joined the church near 1838. But his records reach back to an earlier period. He says that he came to Redford in March, 1831 ; that Rev. A. Lyon, of Peru, preached here occasionally in 1831 and 1832 ; Rev. Marshall, of Peru, preached here occasionally in 1833; Rev. John Haslam, of Peru, preached here occasionally in 1833 and 1834: he died in Vermont in 1863; Rev. John W. Belknap, of Peru, preached here occasionally in 1834 and 1835 ; Rev. Burns M. Hall was the first Methodist preacher stationed at Redford, in 1835 and 1836 ; Rev. James Henry, stationed here in 1837: he has since died in Vermont ; Rev. Richard Brown, stationed here in 1838 and 1839 ; Rev. John Thompson, stationed here in 1840 and 1841, changed alternate Sabbaths with Rev. Edwin Lyon, of Sar- anac, the first year, and Rev. U. B. Wood the second year ; Rev. John White was stationed here in 1842; Rev. D. H. Loveland stationed here in 1843, preached here in the forenoon, and in Saranac in the afternoon ; Rev. Chester Lyon was stationed here in 1844: he died at North Hud- son, Essex Co., Oct. 19, 1850 ; Rev. John Chase, stationed here in 1845 and 1846, changed the last year with Rev. A. Campbel, of Saranac ; Rev. A. G. Shears was stationed here in 1847 : he afterwards joined the Episcopalians ; Rev. Thomas Dodgson was stationed here in 1848 : he died a few years after in Vermont; Rev. Reuben Wescott was stationed here in 1849 and 1850 ; Rev. Aaron Hall (brother of B. M. Hall) was stationed here in 1851; Rev. D. Os- good, of Saranac, preached here Sabbath afternoons in 1852; Rev. John Kernan, of Saranac, preached here Sabbath after- noons in 1853 and 18544 ; Rev. C. C. Gilbert continued the same arrangement in 1855 and 1856; Rev. G. S. Gold, of Saranac, held an appointment here Sabbath afternoons in 1857 and 1858; Rev. H. N. Munger, of Saranac, preached here Sabbath afternoons in 1859 and 1860; Rev. John


W. Quinlan was stationed at Redford, but changed half the time with G. C. Simmons, of Saranac, in 1861 : said Sim- mons also preached here half the time in 1862; and Rev. Rev. S. W. Brow, of Saranac, preached here half the time in 1863; Rev. Joel Hall was stationed here in 1864 and 1865. From that time afternoon appointments have been maintained by the resident pastor at the Forks, three miles up the Saranac River. Other pastors served here, as fol- lows : Rev. John Vrooman, 1866-67 ; Rev. John G. Good- ing, 1868-70 ; Rev. William H. Tiffany, 1871; Rev. D. C. Hall, 1872-73; Rev. Oscar Mott, 1874-75 ; Rev. Henry C. Baskervill, 1876-77 ; Rev. A. V. Marshall, M.D., 1878-79.


Rev. Mr. Marshall says, "I find no records of the organization of this church, nor list of its first members. I find mention made of one Christian Myers, who was both convicted and converted under the preaching of Rev. James Coughey, but when this minister was here records do not show. Old citizens say it was near 1833. He died Dec. 28, 1862, aged seventy. Three of his sons and a daughter are still members of the church.


" Leander Cadwell died Sept. 4, 1864, aged sixty-three. He still lives in the memory of the poor. He had much to do in erecting the church edifice here. His noble wife con tinued to help the church much every way until her death last winter.


" Honorable mention is made of James W. Danforth, Mary Dyre, Rufus Quarters and his wife Mary Ann, and many others.' =


The church has had its times of rejoicing and times of discipline. During the pastorate of Rev. C. C. Gilbert, in 1856, the church edifice was built ; was dedicated in Feb- ruary, 1857, by Rev. William Griffin, then presiding elder of Plattsburgh district. The church cost $2000, and is 34 by 40 feet ; is in good repair at the present time, as is also the parsonage, which was built under the direction of Rev. John Vrooman in 1866-67.


In former years this society held its meetings in the village school-house until 1840, or when the Presbyterians built a house of worship, which was used part of the time by the Methodists.


The present officers are as follows : Charles E. Beach, Recording Steward and Trustec; William C. Wilson, District Steward and Trustee and Class-Leader; James Fortune, Franklin Davidson, John J. MeCasland, Thomas Tedford, H. Ganes, George M. Myers, Trustees.


The present membership is 47.


ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF REDFORD.


Previously to 1834 there were only about 10 Catholics within the present limits of the town of Redford, and their spiritual needs were attended to by Rev. Father Cahill, a missionary priest, who made occasional visits at long in- tervals for this purpose. About the year 1835, Rev. Father Drummond came here, holding services in the private houses of Thomas Leonard and Patrick Meaghan, and about. 1837 the little Catholic society which had been established, being refused by the trustees of the school district the privi- lege of holding divine service in the school-house, resolved to build a small chapel for themselves.


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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, NEW YORK.


The following are the names of the subscribers to the fund which was raised for this purpose : Felix O'Ncil, James Madden, Peter Struck (German), Thomas Leonard, Patrick Moore, John Quickly (Irish), Charles Graves, Louis Pepin, John Pepin, John Vient (French). The amounts subscribed by these persons varied from $5 to $50. A lot three rods square was then bought from Peter Struck, and a frame building 32 by 24 feet erected thereon, the work being done by A. Fortier. This original building has since been moved three times, and is now used as the sacristy of the present church.


Some time in 1838, Father Rooney came to Redford, where he remained until 1853, holding services, until the completion of the chapel,-probably early in 1838,-in the private dwelling-houses of Thomas Leonard, Patrick Mea- ghan, Peter Smith, and Patrick Moon.


In 1853, the Rev. Oblate Fathers, from Plattsburgh, took charge of the Redford mission, and immediately set about the work of erecting a larger church edifice, the mem- bership having outgrown the capacity of the original little chapel. A lot containing a quarter of an acre, adjoining the chapel lot, was accordingly purchased of Norman Foster, through the agency of Peter Tremblay, and on tlic 1st of May, 1859, Rev. Fathers Sallaz and Cauvin broke ground for the new church, and the foundations were laid the same season. The building was of stone, and 70 by 46 feet.




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