USA > New York > Columbia County > History of Columbia County, New York. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 47
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After the hill was donated to the city (but we have been unable to ascertain how long after that time) there was built upon it a house of octagonal shape, two stories high, the upper one being used as a lookout or observatory, and the lower one as a refreshment-room, which latter was never a desirable addition to the "attractions" of the place. Upon the erection of this structure the " Mall" received the name of " Round-House Hill," and continued to be so known until about 1835, when the ground was improved by the erection of a fence, the laying out and grading of walks, and the removal of the " round-house ;" after which the name, being inappropriate as well as inele- gant, was dropped, and, after some discussion and the sug- gestion of several high-sounding names (among which was " Paradise Hill"), that of " Parade Hill" was adopted, and continued in use for many years, but has now been gener- ally discarded for the more appropriate one by which the hill is known at the present time.
During the past summer (1878) the ground has been improved and placed in the best condition. The walks have been re-graded and graveled, the grass-plats newly sodded, and a large number of comfortable seats placed in the proper positions. Along the entire river-front and
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
southern end there has been completed a solid wall, com- mencing low enough to secure a firm foundation, and rising to a level with the grade, above which it is surmounted by a strong and handsome iron fence. When we approach the city by the river from the south, this fence is not at first seen, but the hill, standing boldly out to the river, with its towering flag-staff, and its steep escarpment crowned by the rampart-like wall, looks much like a fortification, and forms one of the most salient features in the city's outline.
The finished landscapes of Mount Merino on the one hand, and of Stockport upon the other, with the shining river between and beyond them, the village of Athens in front, and the fields and woods and slopes of Greene county stretching away to the base of the Catskills, whose summits stand in dark grandeur against the sky,-all these, which are visible from a single point on Promenade hill, form a picture which is rarely equaled, even among the famed scenery of the Hudson river.
POST-OFFICE.
The Hudson post-office was established March 20, 1793, at which time the first postmaster of the city, Cotton Gelston, received his appointment. He kept the office in his store on Warren street, where now is the paint-shop of John T. Burdwin. Although in political sentiment he was an extreme Federalist, lie continued to hold the position of postmaster for more than a year after the inauguration of Mr. Jefferson.
Capt. Alexander Coffin, the second postmaster of Hud- son, and as strong a Democrat as his predecessor had been a Federalist, was appointed April 1, 1802, and remained in undisturbed possession of the place for seven years under Jefferson and through the eight years of Madison's admin- istration, was re-appointed by Monroe, June 16, 1818, and held until within two months of the inauguration of John Quincy Adams; the total period of his incumbency having been nearly twenty-three years. When first appointed, Capt. Coffin located the office in his frame house, which stood on the present site of the residence of Mrs. Boies, on the north side of Warren street. Afterwards (prior to his re-appointment) he removed it to the south side of the street, the present premises of Mr. C. Carpenter, where it was continued during the remainder of his term.
William H. Coffin was appointed postmaster January 1, 1825, and held the office until May, 1833, through the entire administration of Adams and the first term of General Jackson. Under him the post-office was located in Stevens & Coffin's crockery-store, on the north side of Warren street, nearly opposite the Hudson River Bank.
Solomon Wescott, the fourth incumbent of the office, received his first appointment May 9, 1833, under President Jackson. He was re-appointed under the same adminis- tration, February 20, 1837, and again re-appointed under Van Buren, February 27, 1841, but held the place only about one year after his last re-appointment. During his postmastership the office was located on Warren street, south side, the present residence of Mrs. R. W. Evans.
Justus Mckinstry succeeded Mr. Wescott, the date of his appointment being March 14, 1842, under President
Tyler. He first located the office in the building now owned by Mr. Robert Hirst, but afterwards removed it to the premises of Mrs. Paul; both these locations being on the south side of Warren street.
Paul D. Carrique, the successor of Mr. Mckinstry, was appointed under President Polk, May 1, 1845. During his four years' term the location of the office was the same as under Mr. Solomon Wescott.
Robert A. Barnard, the seventh postmaster of Hudson, was appointed under General Taylor, April 12, 1849. The office was kept by Mr. Barnard in the place which it last occupied under Postmaster Mckinstry.
John S. Anable received his appointment under Presi- dent Pierce, May 4, 1853, and located the office in the lower floor of the building now occupied by the Hudson Register.
Henry C. Miller was made postmaster by appointment dated May 3, 1855. Office in the Hirst building, where first kept by Mckinstry.
John S. Anable was re-appointed July 13, 1855, and returned the office to the Register building.
H. C. Miller received a second appointment June 12, 1856, and a third on the 28th of May, 1860. During these terms the business of the office was done, first in the Hirst block, and afterwards in the Odd-Fellows' building, adjoin- ing the premises now occupied by George L. Little.
Joseph G. Palen became postmaster of Hudson under President Lincoln, April 5, 1861, and was re-appointed under Johnson, June 9, 1865. He continued the office at the place where it was last kept by Mr. Miller.
It was during Mr. Palen's first term that the Hudson money-order office was instituted, Oct. 1, 1864.
Hiram W. Dixon was appointed postmaster Oct. 5, 1866, and the location of the office was not removed by him.
Joseph G. Palen received his third appointment March 14, 1867. During this term he removed the post-office to the City Hall building,-corner of Warren street and City Hall place,-where it has continued to be kept until the present time.
Jacob W. Hoysradt received his first appointment as postmaster under President Grant, April 19, 1869, and was re-appointed in the second term of the same President, March 12, 1873.
William Bryan, the present postmaster of Hudson, was appointed to the office March 1, 1877.
BANKS.
THE BANK OF COLUMBIA
was, as has already been mentioned, the first bank of Hud- son, and the third that was chartered in the State. The preamble and agreement placed before the capitalists of Hudson, for their subscriptions to the stock, was as fol- lows :
" Whereas, it appears from the experience of all Commercial Com- munities, that well-regulated Banks are highly useful to Society, by promoting Industry, increasing the Medium of Trade, preventing the exportation of Specie, furnishing for it a safe deposit, and advancing the interest of the Community by introducing punetuality in the performance of Contraets; We, the Subseribers, desirous of pro- moting such an Institution, do engago to take the number of Shares
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
set against our names respectively in a Bank to be established in the city of Hudson."
The act incorporating the bank was passed March 6, 1793. The " whole amount of stock, estate, and property" to be held by the institution was limited, not to exceed $160,000, and was divided into " four hundred shares, at four hundred Spanish milled dollars per share." Its affairs were to be managed by thirteen directors, of whom eight must be residents of Hudson ; and its charter was limited to expire in May, 1811.
The first board of directors was composed of Thomas Jenkins, Seth Jenkins, Duncan Ingraham, Stephen Pad- dock, John Thurston, Justus H. Van Hoesen, David Law- rence, Cotton Gelston, William H. Ludlow, William Can- tine, Walter V. Wemple, Peter Van Ness, and John Living- ston. Thomas Jenkins, president ; James Nixon, cashier.
The bank was duly organized, and commenced business in a house in Main street near Front .* About ten years afterwards, it was removed to the second story of the build- ing standing on the southeast corner of Second and Warren streets. Its third and last location was in a brick building which had been erected for its accommodation, on the southerly side of Warren street, where the fine structure of the Hudson River Bank now stands. That old building has been but recently demolished, and its appearance is still fresh in the minds of many people in Hudson.
The bank was very prosperous during the earlier years of its existence, but afterwards became less so. The manage- ment of its affairs was bitterly criticised. Among the alle- gations made was that, after the death of Mr. Jenkins, sound business principles were dropped, and that the bank was used as a political engine. Whether the charge was true or false, it grew out of the fact that Elisha Williams (who was its president after Mr. Jenkins), Jacob R. Van Rensselaer, and others who were most influential in its management, were leaders in the Federalist party ; and an occurrence which had some connection with its concerns was used with cruel effect by the Anti-Federalists against one of their chief opponents, Judge Wm. W. Van Ness. The circumstances were as follows: In the issue of the New York American, dated Jan. 26, 1820, it was charged that about the time (the winter of 1812) when application was made to the Legislature for the charter of the Bank of America, the applicants had bargained for the support of three prominent public men of Columbia, viz., Elisha Wil- liams, Jacob Rutsen Van Rensselaer, and Wm. W. Van Ness, and had promised that the bank, when chartered, should loan to the Bank of Columbia the sum of $150,000 for fifteen years, at six per cent. interest, one-half of which interest was to be retained by the three gentlemen named, for their own private use, in consideration of their services in securing the charter ; that after the charter was obtained the directors refused to live up to their bargain, but con- sented to pay instead, and did actually pay to Mr. Williams, the sum of $20,000 for himself and associates ; and that be
(Mr. Williams), after receiving it, refused to divide any part of it unless a fourth person was admitted to an equal share.
Upon the appearance of this publication a committee of the Assembly was appointed to inquire into the facts, with a view to the impeachment of Judge Van Ness, whose posi- tion upon the Supreme bench rendered him peculiarly vul- nerable to their attacks.
In the course of the investigation the committee examined Mr. Williams, who testified that before the Bank of America was chartered he had made an agreement with its agents to the effect that, if the charter was obtained, the Bank of Co- lumbia should keep its accounts with the Bank of America ; that the latter should allow the former to overdraw its ac- count to the amount of $150,000, paying interest at the rate of three per cent. only ; that this arrangement should continue for fifteen years. He said that this contract was made with him individually, and for his own individual benefit; that he had acted solely for himself, and had a right to make such terms with the Bank of Columbia as he and the directors might mutually agree on ; and that Judge Van Ness had known nothing of the contract until after the bank received its charter in 1813, but that he (Van Ness) had voted for the charter simply as a Federalist measure, as it was understood that the stock was to be taken by Federalists, and that its influence was to be used to counteract the Anti-Federalist influence wielded by the Manhattan Banking Company.
It also came out during the examination that before the Bank of America went into operation, the president, Mr. Wolcott, proposed to Mr. Williams that the previous agree- ment should be set aside and a new one substituted, to this effect, that the Bank of Columbia should be allowed to overdraw its account to the extent of $150,000 for fifteen years at six per cent., Mr. Williams and two other responsi- ble parties to become surety for the amount, and that he (Mr. Williams) should receive from the Bank of America $20,000 cash in lieu of the advantage which would have accrued to him by the terms of the former agreement. Mr. Williams consented to the change, and Mr. Van Rensselaer and Judge Van Ness became sureties with him, each re- ceiving $5000 out of the $20,000 paid by the Bank of America ; Mr. Van Ness, however, receiving it unwillingly, and only when Mr. Williams insisted on his doing so.
Thus the investigation resulted in the complete vindica- tion of Judge Van Ness, but his sensitive nature received a wound which is said to have hastened his death.
The bank continued in existence for thirty-six years, and failed in 1829, not only inflicting severe losses on indi- viduals, but creating panic and financial depression through- out the county.
THE BANK OF HUDSON
was organized in 1808, with John C. Hogeboom as presi- dent ; G. A. Worth as cashier. It first occupied the premises vacated by the Bank of Columbia in the second story at the corner of Second and Warren streets, and there remained until a house was built for its use on the north side of Warren street, between First and Second streets. This was afterwards the residence of Hon. Henry Hogeboom, and occupied by his daughter, Mrs. Boies.
This bank failed in 1819. It seems to have never been
* Afterwards the residence and tailor-shop of Prosper Hosmer. It bas been stated that this was built especially for the use of the bank, but we are assured by high authority that this was not so; and it seems improbable that it was, ns, in that case, the bank would hardly have moved ns it did inte temporary quarters on a second floor.
Photo. by F. Forshew, Hudson.
ROBERT W. EVANS.
Mr. Evans was born in Livingston, Columbia Co., N. Y., in 1817. He was educated in the common schools of his native town, and after attending a country store a few months as clerk came to Hudson, when nineteen years of age, and engaged as a clerk in a dry-goods store. He soon became a merchant of considerable note, and previous to the construction of the Hudson River and other railroads did quite an extensive wholesale business.
In 1836 he purchased the brewery and malt-house of George Robinson, at Hudson, and also the New York house connected with it, which he conducted in an enterprising and profitable manner till the time of his death, increasing it to four times its former capacity, and rendering it, as a business enterprise, very successful.
In his domestic relations he was very happy, having married Harriet E., daughter of Solomon Wescott, of Hudson, N. Y., by whom he had three children-one son, Cornelius H. Evans, present mayor of Hudson, and two daughters.
In politics he was a Democrat, and an earnest supporter of the men and measures of his party, though he chose to be an humble worker for the success of others rather than a seeker of office for himself. If he accepted any office, it was one in which business and the general welfare of his city was involved, and only then when clearly called out by the suffrages of his fellow-citizens. In 1855 he was made city
treasurer under the then new charter, and in 1862 he was elected alderman from the first ward. In 1865 he was elected president of the Hudson Aqueduct Company, which position he held at the time of his decease. He was also a director of the Hudson River Bank from the time that institution was chartered, in 1855. Such was his honesty and integrity in all his business and official relations that the public had full confidence in him, and he was often proposed or nominated for offices which he declined. In business he was very successful, and used liberally his means and accumulations for the public welfare, and for objects of charity.
As a man, Mr. Evans was well and favorably known, although he never sought to render himself conspicuous ; he was of a modest and retiring disposition ; while he was charitable and benevolent, he always delighted that his many acts of charity should be secrets to all, even to those to whom they were extended. In his family he was a loving, kind, and indulgent husband and father; in his intercourse with all, true and friendly.
As he had lived peaceably and quietly, so peaceably and quietly he passed away, departing this life on the 3d of May, 1868, leaving a reputation for honest and upright dealing, liberality in the use of his means, and a fortune which was a worthy monument to his integrity and ability.
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IIISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
very prosperous, perhaps on account of the fact that the period of its existence was the time of Hudson's severe business prostration ; commencing immediately after the enforcement of the embargo, and extending through the War of 1812-15. During, and immediately after, the war the bank emitted considerable amounts of notes of denomi- Dations less than one dollar. These were not generally received with favor, and became depreciated, though in 1816 and 1817 we find several mechanics and tradesmen, and the lottery-offices, * advertising that they would receive " Facility Bills" of the Bank of Hudson at par in the way of their trade. At the same time the postmaster, Captain Alexander Coffin, advertised that he would receive nothing in payment of postage except specie, United States Bank notes, and bills of the New York banks.
Some of the facility bills are still in existence, being preserved with " Old Tenor" and " Continental" paper money as curious relics of the olden time.
THE HUDSON RIVER BANK
was chartered in the winter of 1830, and organized June 30 of the same year. Its capital was $150,000. The first board of directors was composed as follows : Oliver Wiswall, president ; Rufus Reed, Solomon Wescott, Samuel Anable, Israel Platt, William H. Coleman, Abner Ilammond, Robert A. Barnard, Laban Paddock, James Vanderpoel, J. P. Beekman, Herman Livingston, Abraham Van Buren.
William Currie was first appointed cashier, but resigned the office immediately after, upon which Francis W. Ed- monds was appointed in his stead. Mr. Wiswall retained the presidency of the bank until the expiration of its char- ter, in 1855.
The bank was reorganized with the same name June 12, 1855, under the banking law of April 18, 1838. The capital was $200,000, and the following-named gentlemen were chosen directors, viz. : Robert A. Barnard, president ; Jonathan Stott, Alexander C. Mitchell, Conklin Terry, George Barker, Charles Paul, L. R. Mellen, Peter Hoffman, Charles McArthur, Henry Hubbell, Richard F. Clarke, George H. Power, Stephen A. Du Bois; A. B. Scott, cashier.
In 1865 the institution was reorganized under the (then) recently-enacted national banking law, and became
THE NATIONAL HUDSON RIVER BANK.
The capital had previously been increased to $250,000, and has continued at that amount until the present time. The first president under the national organization was Stephen A. Du Bois, and the cashier A. B. Scott.
The present officers of the bank are Henry A. Du Bois, president ; Edwin C. Terry, Henry J. Baringer, William Bryan, Abijah P. Cook, Cornelius H. Evans, George B. Fairfield, Benoni S. Johnson, Henry Hubbel, William J. Miller, Augustus Mckinstry, Ezra Waterbury, Caspar P. Collier, directors ; William Bostwick, cashier.
* Norman's, and Mellen's lottery-offices were on the south side of Warren street, a few doors east of Front. One styled itself the " truly Lucky Office," and announced that in a drawing of the " Medical Sci- enco Lottery," in 1816, it had sold two of the capital prizes,-$3000 and $10,000,-and had paid them both, in cash, on the same day.
THE FARMERS' NATIONAL BANK
is the same institution which was organized in 1839 as the " Farmers' Bank of Hudson," with a paid-in capital of $100,000. The first directors were twenty-one in number, among whom were Elihu Gifford, president; Frederick Mesick, Jacob Mesick, John Mesick, Dr. E. B. Pugsley, Ewell Lawrence, Dr. Ebenezer Reed, Jacob Ten Broeck, Captain Coffin, Hiram Gage, Robert MeKinstry, William Nash, Allen Rossman, and Jacob N. Harder. The first cashier was Ezra Dean.
The capital was subsequently inereased to $300,000, and April 7, 1865, the bank received anthority from the United States Treasury Department to transact business as a national bank, under its present name and title. At that time Samuel Bachman was president and Isaac HI. Vrooman cashier.
The bank first did business in a building on the north side of Warren street, between Fifth and Sixth streets. Its present elegant banking-house was erected (on the same side, a little above the first building) in 1873, at a cost of $71,000. The cirenlation of the bank is now $236,700, and its present officers are Jacob W. Hoysradt, president ; Allen Rossman, vice-president ; Jacob Ten Broeck, Henry House, Abram Bedell, Lorenzo G. Guernsey, Peter Mesick, Hiram Macy, Harper W. Rogers, William H. Crapser, Charles W. Hinsdale, William H. Gifford, Frederick F. Folger, directors; Charles C. Macy, cashier.
THE HUDSON CITY SAVINGS INSTITUTION
was chartered April 4, 1850.
The first board of trustees was composed as follows : Darius Peck, president ; Peter S. Wynkoop, Henry J. Baringer, vice-presidents ; William Bryan, Abijah P. Cook, George H. Power, Samuel T. Du Bois, John E. Gillette, William B. Skinner, Edmond Holley, James Clark, Jacob W. Hoysradt, and Josiah W. Fairfield. There have been no changes made in this board of officers.
The institution pays five per cent. interest on sums of five dollars or more when left on deposit for at least two months.
The deposits amount to about $1,000,000.
The bank is located at No. 98 Warren street, in a build- ing erected and owned by the institution.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF HUDSON
was organized under the national banking law, March 25, 1864, with a capital of $200,000, and a guaranteed circu- lation of $180,000. It was then located at No. 167 War- ren street. The first officers were: President, Josiah W. Fairfield; Vice-President, Robert B. Shepard; Cashier, Peter S. Wynkoop ; Directors, George H. Power, Milton Martin, S. T. Du Bois, David Crapser, Hiram W. Dixon, Isaac N. Collier, and Theodore Miller. In 1869 it was re- moved to its present location in the city-hall building. The present officers are Robert B. Shepard, president ; Milton Martin, vice-president ; William Seymour, cashier ; Milton Martin, William I. Traver, Lucius Moore, James C. Roger- son, R. E. Benedict, Edmund Rockefeller, David Crapser, Robert B. Shepard, Isaac N. Collier, directors.
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
THE COLUMBIA COUNTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY was organized at Hudson in 1836. The first board of di- rectors was composed as follows : Joseph D. Monell, Laban Paddock, Oliver Wiswall, James Mellen, Rufus Reed, Sam- uel White, Samuel Anable, Robert A. Barnard, Josiah W. Fairfield, Frederick Mesiek, Charles McArthur, Elihu Gif- ford, William R. Maey.
The officers of the board were Laban Paddock, presi- dent ; Rufus Reed, vice-president ; J. W. Fairfield, secre- tary and treasurer ; Joseph D. Monell, attorney ; and Oliver Wiswall, R. A. Barnard, Elihu Gifford, executive committee.
This institution was not long-lived, its suspension being compelled by one of the great fires which were so frequent in Hudson during the ten years succeeding the organization of the company.
THE CITY HALL.
Up to the year 1815 the common council of Hudson had been accustomed to hold their meetings at the different hotels of the city. In that year a room was provided for their use in the old court-house, and that continued to be their place of meeting until the sale of the property to the Pres- byterian Society. After that time, the old jail building at the corner of Fourth and Warren streets was purchased by Mr. John J. Davis, who fitted up within it a hall intended for publie uses, known as " Davis Hall ;" and this was used for city purposes until the completion of the new city hall, which was commenced in 1854, and finished ready for oe- eupancy in the following year.
It is a large and commodious briek building, standing on the southwest corner of Warren street and City Hall place, and contains the city offices, the post-office, and the bank- ing-rooms of the First National Bank. In the upper story is an exhibition hall, which is rented for leetures, entertain- ments, and other publie purposes. The cost of the city hall building was $35,000.
ALMSHOUSE AND INSANE ASYLUM.
In the year 1801, Captain John Hathaway was authorized and directed to purchase Daniel Allen's house on State street, to be used for the occupancy of the poor of the city, and it was so occupied until 1818, when a house was com- pleted, also on State street, for the purpose. This was the stone house opposite the head of Fourth street, now oceu- pied as a residence. It was ereeted under the superintend- enee of Dr. John Talman, Judah Paddock, and Barnabas Waterman, as a building committee, and was occupied for the purpose for which it was built until May, 1830, when it was vacated by the city and taken by Dr. Samuel White, for the establishment of an insane asylum under his own private auspices and supervision, assisted, however, by Dr. G. H. White. In the first ten years three hundred patients were admitted, most of whom were eured, and all were bene- fited (this statement is taken from the advertisement of the institution published in 1841). It was continued as an asylum until the opening of the State asylum at Utica, when it was abandoned and the patients removed to Utica. The building was then used as a seminary by the Rev. J. B. Hague, until the removal of that school to the lower part of Warren street. It is now the residence of George H. Power, Esq.
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