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 74
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The present officers are Henry W. King, president, and Daniel S. Doty, secretary.
At Rayville is a well-kept burying-ground, near the Friends' meeting-house, and at the old Methodist meeting- house, at White Mills, is one of the oldest grave-yards in the town.
THIE MANUFACTURING INTERESTS OF CHATHAM
have attained great prominence, especially in the production of paper. For many years the town headed the list in this industry, and yet has a greater number of mills than any other town in the county. The power afforded by Steeny and other creeks has been well utilized, and the cheerful hum of machinery is heard all along these streams.
From the census of 1810 it appears that the town at that time possessed twelve grain-mills, eight saw-mills, four fulling-mills, and three carding-machines. There were also one hundred and thirty-eight looms in families, producing seventy-three thousand yards of fulled cloth and brown liven per year.
Among the first improvements for manufacturing were on the small creek, which is the outlet of the lake in the southern part of the town, and were widely known as the " White Mills." They were operated by Rufus Clark and others, and furnished flour for the settlers many miles around. The locality became a business point, and hither came Joseph W. Watson to begin the manufacture of cotton-wadding. This, in time, became the absorbing in-
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
terest, and about 1830 the grist-mill was also converted into a wadding-factory by George Humphrey. Further improvements in this direction were made by Francis H. Rathbone and the present proprietor, J. W. Smith. The works are constructed on a large scale, comprising several extensive buildings, operated by steam and water-power.
At Chatham Centre grist-mills were operated at an early day by Colonel Van Alstyne, on the west side of Kinder- hook creek, and by James Brebner on the opposite side. The natural fall at this point is not good nor favorable for improvement, and both mills have long ago been removed. Farther up the stream a grist-mill was erected by two Quakers in the early settlement of the town. This spot has since been occupied by mills owned by Van Alstyne, Kessler, Bullis, Sweet, and others. The power at Malden Bridge was improved for saw and grist-mills, the latter being demolished in 1845; the former was swept away by a freshet in 1869. The same year Rider's mills were also swept away. This place was improved for milling purposes soon after the Revolution. The mills were long known as Mosher's, but had been in the Rider family many years previous to their destruction.
At North Chatham a grist-mill was erected by a mau named Vail, which was subsequently operated by Walker, Root, and others, and was destroyed by fire in 1868. A woolen-factory at this place has also been abandoned.
At Chatham a pioneer mill was erected by Stephen Wilbor, which was afterwards owned and operated by Jedediah Brockway and others, and was destroyed by fire in 1875. The saw-mill at this point was built in 1827, and the foundry in 1837, by Joel Page. For many years it has been operated by Philip Hurlbut & Son, making plows and farm machinery.
The mills at East Chatham were first owned by Hosea Bebee, and then by Anson Pratt. They have been rebuilt, and are still operated by the latter's sons, and enjoy an excellent reputation.
The manufacture of paper, in Chatham, was first begun in a small building, on the site of Morris & Boice's present mill, about 1828, by Dickey & Wilder. A grist-mill was converted into what was known as a hand paper-mill. About 1834, Wright & Hamilton introduced the first ma- chinery to facilitate the manufacture of paper. The present mill has been supplied with modern machinery, and enjoys a good reputation.
At what was known as the Clark mills there was formerly a grist-mill, afterwards a carding-machine, then a satinet- factory, and later a cotton-wadding factory, by H. & E. Backus. A paper-mill took the place of the latter, where, about 1840, was used the first steam-dryer in these parts. By its use the capacity of the mill was increased tenfold. These mills have been discontinued.
Above this point Plato B. Moore established a mill about 1840, which in time became the property of the Gilberts, and as such was widely known. The mill is sup- plied with one fifty-inch machine and one thirty-six-inch engine, giving it a capacity of several hundred tons per year. J. T. Shufelt proprietor.
On the site of the old Stewart grist-mill-a pioneer in this section-was erected the " Payne Paper-Mill," having
a good sixty-eight-inch machine and two engines. It is operated by L. A. Tyler.
The "J. H. Garner mill," on the Steeny, above the last named, is supplied with a large machine and two engines, enabling it to produce an excellent quality of paper, and giving it a large capacity.
Just above the village is the old " Davis mill," having a fair capacity ; and at Chatham village is the extensive mill belonging to the " Mesick Paper Company." The buildings are substantial, and supplied with machinery which gives the mill a capacity of four tops of heavy paper a day. An extra quality of light paper with a waterproof finish is also manufactured. Employment is given to eightcen men. Just above this power was formerly a large grist-mill, by Joseph R. Coleman, which was subsequently used as a dis- tillery, but is now idle.
A mile below the village, on Steeny creek, is the " Colum- bia paper-mill," erected by J. W. Smith & Son. Spacious buildings occupy the site, and much money has been ex- pended in experiments to produce paper from wood and other fibrous material, but without success, and the mill stands unused.
Below this mill is the " M. M. Tompkins mill," estab- lished in 1856 by Staats D. Tompkins. It has a forty- eight-inch machine and three engines, capacitating it to produce three thousand four hundred pounds of straw wrapping paper per day. Nine men are employed.
Farther down the stream is the " Eagle Mill," erected many years ago, and operated by S. D. Tompkins and others. The present proprietors are Adans & Haner. The mill has one sixty-eight-inch machine, three three-hundred-pound engines, employs fourteen men, and has a capacity of five thousand pounds of straw wrapping per day.
Below Chatharu Centre, on the Stecny, is the " Bullis Brothers' mill." It was erected in 1853, by Tompkins, Bullis & Wilson, and has two forty-eight-inch machines, and four thirty-six-inch engines. The capacity is five tons of heavy paper per day. It is a first-class establishment.
The Malden Bridge paper-mills were established in 1845, by Hanna & Peasclee, and since 1859 have been solely owned and operated by Horace Peaselee. There is a substantial dam across the Kinderhook, affording a fourteen-foot fall, and a constant power. The mill comprises a main building of brick, three stories high, thirty-eight by sixty-eight feet, with large wings, machine, bleaching and linter rooms. It is a very complete establishment, having two forty-eight-inch machines and six large engines. The product is nine hundred tons of straw wrapping-paper per year, and is noted for its excellence. Cardboard is also manufactured, and the mill has been run on other kinds of paper. Em- ployment is given to forty men.
In this locality a tannery was formerly carried on by John W. Pitts, and a furniture-factory by a man named Holmes, which has also been discontinued. About 1840 the manufacture of wooden pumps was begun at Malden Bridge, by Parsons Thayer, and for the past thirteen years has been carried on by Robert Hoes. The factory occupies a shop twenty by sixty feet, and employs seven men in the yearly production of five hundred pumps of the Thayer pattern.
Photo. by J. R. Allis, Chatham, N. Y.
donner Shefeder 7
JAMES T. SHUFELT, M.D.
Dr. Shufelt is a native of Claverack, Columbia county, New York. He is a son of John P. and Maria (Harder) Shufelt, of Holland descent, and was born on the first day of January, 1818. He was brought up on his father's farm, and spent most of his boyhood in attending school. In 1836 he began the study of medicine with Dr. Richard H.
Mesick, of Mellenville, Columbia county, and gradu- ated in 1839 at the Berkshire Medical College of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. In the winter of 1840 he commenced the practice of his profession in Chat- ham village, at which place he has continued in uninterrupted and successful practice ever since. He is highly esteemed.
Harriet Ab: Irish.
William Frisk
PHOTOS BY J R ALLIS CHATHAM VILLAGE
LITH BY L H.EVERTS & CO PHILA PA
RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM IRISH, MALDEN BRIDGE, COLUMBIACO., N.Y.
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
The " Chatham Village Smelting Furnace" was erected in 1873, by Beckley & Adams. It was operated a year, but has since lain idle. The buildings are substantial, and well arranged; and the furnace was of capacity to produce ten tons of pig-iron per day.
The Chatham village foundry and machine works were established in 1840, and are at present operated by George E. Drumm & Co. Considerable general work is doue in the production of farm machinery, mill castings, etc., and a specialty is made in the manufacture of the Reversible Plow No. 13,-an implement which has attained great popularity. The works employ thirty men.
" The Chatham Village Marble and Granite Works" were established in October, 1867, by Charles Smith. A large amount of very fine work is done, giving employment to six men.
At this place are also several carriage works, and other large and well-conducted mechanic shops.
NEW CONCORD
is a very pleasant hamlet, in the southeastern part of the town, near the Canaan line. It is about five miles north- east from Chatham village, and a mile south from East Chatham, on the railroad, to which place the business of New Concord has been diverted. There are about thirty houses, mostly the homes of retired families. The early settlers in this locality were the Palmers, Bebees, Eatons, Pratts, Savages, Lovejoys, Dotys, and Cadys.
Hosea Bebee had one of the first stores, in a small house in the lower part of the settlement. Afterwards he had a more central location. Anson Pratt was in trade about the same time. David & Daniel B. Lovejoy, Cady & Van- derburgh, and Charles Lovejoy also sold goods. The latter was appointed postmaster in 1872, and held the posi- tion until his death. The store and office is now kept by his family.
Public-houses have been kept by James Brebuer, Benja- min Lovejoy, and B. Van Valkenburgh.
At New Concord and East Chatham were located as physicians, Drs. Joseph Brewster, Augustine Haven, Elea- zer Root, - Warner, and the present Dr. Silas N. Coffin.
North from this village, on Steeny creek, is
EAST CHATHAM.
It is an important station on the Boston and Albany railroad, and has an active business, which has been created principally by the railway. There are several good business blocks, and about four hundred inhabitants. The early settlers in this locality were Garrett M. Rowe, Obadiah Preston, Joshua Gifford, Noadiah Gillet, and M. Vander- poel.
Peter Crandell had the first store. He was followed in trade by Baldwin Bros., Jesse D. Flint, and others. Oba- diah Palmer was in trade thirty-two years. The different branches of trade are at preseut well represented by good stores. In one of them is kept the post-office, by O. Pal- mer. It was established at this point about 1840, and was first kept by J. C. Chapman, on the West Stockbridge railroad. Previously to that time it was kept at New Con- cord. Samuel Foot was oue of the first to open a public-
house, occupying the site of Palmer's store. Eleazer Davis was also an innkeeper. Besides the half-dozen stores, the village contains two taverns, two churches, a good school- house, and a fair supply of mechanic shops.
RAYVILLE
is a hamlet of a dozen houses, in the northeastern part of the town, a mile from Rayville station, on the Extension railroad. In early times it had an active business, but is now simply a country trading-point. Among the early settlers may be named the Reynolds and Finch families, Obadiah Wilbor, Noah Ashley, the Gardners, and the Browns. In 1800, Francis Ray became one of the prom- inent citizens of the hamlet, and from him the place has taken its name. A son, David Ray, was born at this place, and is now one of the oldest and foremost citizens of the bamlet.
One of the first to engage in merchandising here was Horatio Gates Spafford, who afterwards became a distin- guished author, some time about 1805. After him came Cornell and Wilbor. David Ray has been in trade since 1827. Formerly a good many mechauic shops were here, and a large quantity of velveteen was manufactured by the early settlers. A Friends' meeting-house is at Rayville.
The station was first known as Rider's Mills, but received the name of Rayville, four years ago, as being more appro- priate. The post-office is known as Green Brook, and has Philander Reynolds as postmaster. The place contains but a few houses.
Three miles north west from Rayville, near the northern line of the county, on Kinderhook creek, is the
RIDER'S MILLS SETTLEMENT.
It was known, about 1800, as Mosher's Mills, and is spoken of by Spafford, in 1813, as a very busy place. Sub- sequently Jonathan Rider became the mill owner, and until ten years ago the place had some importance. With the destruction of the mills other interests passed away, and now but very little remains to indicate its former prosperity. There are a small store, a post-office, and a few mechanic shops.
A mile and a half down the creek is the hamlet of
MALDEN BRIDGE.
Here are the extensive Peaslee paper-mills and other manufacturing enterprises. The place is pleasantly located on both sides of the stream, and contains a few hundred inhabitants. Among other early settlers were Jamies Van Valkenburgh, Josephus Johnson, Jeremiah Van Hoesen, Dauiel Haywood, Isaac Van Ness, Amos Irish, John W. and Levi Pitts, Ransom Page, Samuel Crandell, Jason Lister, and J. Pratt.
On the Waterman Lippitt place, Roswell Holdridge had a tavern, in which was opened the first post-office in town, about 1810. This was removed to Chatham. Afterwards a new office was established at Malden Bridge, which has been kept by Loren Van Valkeuburgh and others, and is at present in charge of Nicholas Vedder.
Leniah Walker opened a pioneer tavern in the building at present occupied for this purpose, The early stores were
37
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
kept by George Cornell, L. Van Valkenburgh, and others, and the trade is now carried on by Smith & Vedder.
There have lived in the place, as physicians, Doctors Lester, Herrick, Vosburg, Browning, and Haines.
Nearly due west from Malden Bridge, and about four miles north from Chatham Centre, is the village of
NORTH CHATHAM.
The place is prettily located, in a rich section, on one of the principal highways to Albany. There are about three hundred and fifty inhabitants, most of them occupying comfortable homes. The place contains two churches and a good school-house. The early settlers were Andrew Wiederwax, Richard S. Peck, and later the Nichols and Hill families.
In the lower part of the village Andrew Wiederwax opened the first taven, which he kept until 1825. Other keepers followed in the same house. Caleb Hill opened another public-house near the centre of the village. The place is now without an inn.
The first store was kept by Jacob A. Ten Eyck, as early as 1800, on the spot now occupied by H. Wiederwax & Son. The Wiederwaxes have been in trade thirty-five years, and Aaron Traver for the past eighteen years. Other merchants were Caleb Hill, Jacob Wilson, Pardee Carshore.
The post-office was first kept in Hill's tavern. Subse- quently John Schermerhorn, Aaron Traver, and Lyman Becker were the postmasters.
Dr. Richard S. Peck practiced medicine until 1827, and was followed by Drs. Joseph Chadwick, O. J. Peck, F. B. Sutliff, and John H. Hoysradt ; several of the latter being now in practice.
CHATHAM CENTRE
is a little west of the centre of the town, on both banks of Kinderhook creek. The location for trade is favorable, and it was in early days an important point. Being a station on the Boston and Albany railroad, there is yet con- siderable traffic. The village has a neat appearance and very attractive surroundings. It contains a few hundred inhabitants. The principal early settlers in this locality were Peter Van Alstyne, John Van Slyck, Derrick Sluyter, Gershom Reed, Gaylord Hawkins, Rowland Gifford, Robt. Van Alen, Amos Sutherland, Israel Phelps, James Breb- ner, Peter Pulver, James Van Valkenburgh, Isaac Mills, and Seth Rose.
Colonel Peter Van Alstyne had the first store in the place, near where the Van Alstyne mansion now stands. It is said that Martin Van Buren frequently made pleas in the old store-room. On the opposite side of the stream James Brebner had a rival store, and, as both men were also mill owners, the competition was often very exciting. Timothy Oakley and J. J. Van Valkenburgh were other early merchants. In 1816 the latter crected the store building now in use, and which was occupied by Van Valkenburgh until 1835. The place has several stores at present.
Gaylord Hawkins had the first tavern in a building oppo- site James Brebuer's store. Many other innkeepers fol- lowed.
The post-office was established about 1830, with John Rogers postmaster. James Sutherland, R. Sleight, W. L. Van Alstyne, R. H. Vedder, Jacob V. Schermerhorn, Abram Wiederwax, and Andrew Van Alstyne have been the subsequent postmasters.
Dr. Russell Dorr was the first physician in the place. Dr. John Sutherland remained until his death. Dr. R. H. Vedder is the present physician. Others in practice were Drs. Miller, Phillips, Cook, and John Newman.
The Methodists have a neat church, whose history is elsewhere given. The usual mechanic shops are carried on, but no other manufactories are at present in the village.
CHIATHAM.
This is one of the oldest villages in the town, and was for many years the most important. It is north and east from the centre of the town, pleasantly located on a brook which here affords limited water-power. The place is neatly kept and presents an attractive appearance. It is a station on the Harlem Extension railroad, and has in con- sequence an active trade. The population is about five hundred. Samuel Wilbor was one of the first prominent settlers, and he and others of that family were the most active in promoting the early prosperity of the place. Descendants of this family yet live in Chatham, and have always been among its leading citizens. The other carly settlers were Harry Van Valkenburgh, Almon Russell, Rhoderick Bebee, Thomas Hoag, Allen Davis, Volney Burgess, Rensselaer Hoag, Simeon S. Mickle, John S. Lay, Benjamin Beckwith, Hosca Hudson, Pliny Hudson, Levi M. Butts, Wigton Lester, and R. Tabor.
One of the first stores in the place was opened in 1787, by a number of persons, on the co-operative principle. From this fact it was called the " federal store," a term which is sometimes incorrectly used as the name of the village. From an account book kept by Elijah Hudson we learn that it did an extensive business. Stephen Wilbor had also a store on the corner, which has always belonged to the Wilbor family. After 1810 Thomas Hoag had a store in the house occupied in part by him as a tavern. Other merchants were A. Campbell, David Carshore, Har- vey Brown, Benjamin Rider, and Seth Daly. For the past twenty years C. B. Hudson has been in trade as a general merchant, and Wait Brothers have conducted the hardware trade for a like period of time.
The post-office was removed to this place from Malden Bridge, and has been kept by Campbell, Daly, R. and T. Hoag, and at present by C. B. Hudson.
A tavern was kept at an early day on the site of the present " Locust Tree House," by Thomas Hoag, which, on account of its favorable location on the turnpike, was largely patronized. The village has at present several public-houses.
Dr. Horace Root was one of the first settled practicing physicians. He died in Chatham in 1865. Dr. N. M. Ransom and Dr. Robert H. Morey have also been located in the place.
There is a neat school-house in the village, and the Methodists have a fine church, whose history is elsewhere given.
PAPER MILLS of H.W. PEASLEE
MALDEN BRIDGE MILLS, AND PROPERTY OWNED BY H. W.
RESIDENCE OF H. W. PEASLEE .:
LITH. BY L. H EVERTS &CO., PHILA, PA
ASLEE, MALDEN BRIDGE, COLUMBIA CO ., N. Y.
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291
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
CHATHAM VILLAGE.
This flourishing incorporated village is situated on the south bank of the Steeny creek, a little west of the centre of the southern line, and partly in the town of Ghent. It is distant from Hudson sixteen miles, and twenty-seven miles from Albany. The location is very fine, being on dry, elevated ground, securing good natural drainage and the healthfulness of the place to a remarkable degree. The site of the principal part of the village was originally owned by William Thomas, who inaugurated the first business enterprise about 1812. Shortly after, Captain Peter Groat settled in the place, which was long known as " Groat's Corners," then as " Chatham Four Corners," and since 1869 by the present name.' Besides the Groat and Thomas fam- ilies, the early settlers of the place were John L. Sharp, a cabinet-maker ; Hezekiah Hulburt, wagoner ; Joseph R. Coleman, miller; and Jethro Bunker, James Bullis, Ed- ward Hunter, James Tobias, and Samuel Van Alstyne, farmers. Edward Dorr was the physician, and Simeon Van Deusen the lawyer.
The growth of the place was slow and unimportant until it became a railroad centre, since which it has assumed a substantial and village-like aspect. A destructive fire in 1869 swept away a long block of frame buildings, which have been rebuilt with fine and substantial business blocks of brick. The railroads give the village a busy appearance. It is an important station on the Boston and Albany line, the northern terminus of the New York and Harlem, and the Hudson and Boston railroads, and the southern terminus of the Harlem Extension railroad. All have stations in the village, and more than a hundred trains arrive and depart daily. The population is estimated at two thousand.
The first tavern in the place was opened by William Thomas, Jan. 1, 1812, in the present " Stanwix Hall," which was built in the previous year by Thomas. In a few years he was succeeded by George Bain, and he, before 1816, by Peter Groat, who also owned a stage-line and kept the post-office in his house. This place has been in continuous use for tavern purposes, and is now kept by M. S. Beach.
In 1815, William Thomas erected the Park House, in which Ebenezer Crocker and others kept pioneer taverns ; and in 1840 a third house was opened for the accomoda- tion of travelers by William Raymond, on the site now occupied by Hoes' Hotel. The " Francisco House" was opened at a later day.
The first store in the village was opened in the Park House, about 1815, by William Thomas. He was sue- ceeded by Ebenezer Crocker, who sold out the goods and opened a tavern. Joseph R. Coleman and Israel McCord had the second store, in a small house farther up the turn- pike. Solomon Crandell came to the place in 1829 to engage in trade, and two years later moved his store to the Yellow house, at the point formed by the meeting of the two turnpikes. This place he occupied until 1855, and since that period has continued in business farther up the street. John H. Mesiek opened a store about 1840, and William Tator, William I. Peak, Jared Best, George L. Morris, Homer Craudell, and others have been active mer-
chants for many years. Since 1869, S. & J. W. Boright have been the leading dealers in lumber and building mate- rials, and now transact a heavy business in their line. The various branches of trade are represented by more than a hundred firms.
The manufacture of gloves was formerly carried on very extensively by H. D. Simpson, but has been suspended for the present. The other manufacturing interests are else- where noted.
The post-office was established at " Chatham Four Cor- ners" prior to 1818, and Ebenezer Crocker appointed post- master. In 1820 the position was filled by Peter Groat, and subsequently for twelve years by Solomon Crandell, John Cadman, and others. The office is at present admin- istered by W. H. Barnes. There are nine mails in, and an equal number out, daily, and the volume of matter received and sent is very large.
The banking interests of the place were first represented in 1859, by the " Columbia Bank," organized under the gene- ral banking laws of the State, as a bank of issue and de- posit, with a capital of $100,000. William A. Woodbridge was president, and S. M. Jewell cashier. In June, 1867, it closed its business as a State bank, and became a private banking institution, conducted by William A. Trowbridge & Co. It failed in June, 1873.
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