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 75
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On the 1st of March, 1875, the present State Bank of Chatham village was established as a bank of deposit and discount, with a cash capital of $50,000, and the following directors : C. M. Tracy, Daniel Clark, Joseph C. Ford, T. R. Burrows, W. H. Parsons, Isaac Son, George A. Birch, Edmund L. Judson, George L. Morris, John D. Shufelt, A. H. Stark, John M. Bailey, Walter F. Hureomb, Charles R. Knowles, and Samuel Moffatt. President, George L. Morris; Vice-President, Talcott R. Burrows; Cashier, Samuel Moffatt. A neat building on Kinderhook street is occupied by the bank.
The learned professions have from the first been ably represented in Chatham village. As a physician, Edward Dorr came to the place among the first settlers, continuing in practice many years. Doctors Lofus, Ilyatt, and Green came about 1835, and Doctors Bourn and Foster followed soon after. Dr. James T. Shufelt has been in the place in practice since 1839, and has a contemporary in Dr. William C. Bailey. Other resident physicians are Doctors W. H. Barnes, Frank Maxon, and John T. Wheeler.
One of the early lawyers was Martin Van Deusen, who had an office on the site now occupied by Judge Cadman's. P. W. Bishop, now of Troy, and Elijah Payn, of Hudson, practiced law next in the order of time. Hugh W. Me- Clellan has been here more than twenty-five years. He has served as surrogate, and is at present county judge. John Cadman has been in practice since 1853, excepting his ser- vice as county judge in 1871. Alvah D. Roe, Horatio H. Wright, and Charles Baurhyte have been in practice ; and W. C. Daley, sinee 1865; Nathan Post, since 1867 ; Lewis J. Brown, since 1869; and George K. Daley, are now practicing attorneys.
The press of Chatham will be found mentioned in the chapter devoted to that subject in the general history of the county.
292
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
The village was incorporated under the general aet of 1847, on a petition presented to the court of sessions of Columbia county, reciting that the place contained 1355 residents, living in about equal numbers in the towns of Chatham and Ghent. The area comprised within the stated bounds was reported as eight hundred and fifty-two aeres. The petition was granted Feb. 15, 1869, and an election ordered to be held March 18 following, to vote on the question of incorporation. Two hundred and eighty-four votes were polled, of which number eighty-six were opposed to incorporation. The petition proposed the name of Chat- ham for the new corporation ; but, as another place in the town had a prior claim to this name, the title became, and now is, Chatham Village.
The first municipal election was held April 24, 1869, with the following result : Trustees, William A. Wood- bridge, Abram B. Pugsley, John Wing, Mark Mealy, and George L. Morris; Clerk, Abram Ashley, Jr. ; Assessors, Richard H. Bump, Joseph P. Hogeboom, Samuel Jerkow- skie : Collector, Enos C. Peak ; Treasurer, James T. Shu- felt ; Poundmaster, Hiram Allen.
The trustees selected William A. Woodbridge as their presiding officer for the year. Dr. James T. Shufelt was appointed health offieer.
After the second meeting, in 1870, the trustees deter- mined their tenure of office by lot, the terms varying from one to five years. William C. Daley was chosen police justice, and George C. Burrows and George E. Kenworthy poliee eonstables.
The present village hall was purchased this year, at a cost of $5500. It is located near the centre of the village, and is well adapted for its purposes. The hall is triangular in shape, of brick, three stories high, with a front tower containing a good elock and bell. In it are the engine- house, rooms for the police court, firemen's hall, and a hall for the village meetings.
The corporation has been active in locating and improving streets, and maintains an efficient fire department. The appearance of the place has also been greatly beautified, and Chatham village promises soon to become, through the measures of the board, one of the finest villages of this part of the State.
The presidents and clerks since its incorporation have been as follows :
Date.
Presidents. William A. Woodbridge.
Clerks. Abram Ashley, Jr.
1869
1870.
=
"
1871.
=
1872
1873
1874.
D. S. Lovejoy.
1875
"
1876 ..
Elijah M. Thomas.
=
1877 ..
Jobn D. Shufelt.
OCEAN ENGINE AND HOSE COMPANY, NO. 1,
was organized at Chatham Four Corners, June 26, 1858, with Chauncey H. Peak, foreman ; Peter Reasoner, seere- tary, and six members. In 1859 it became an incorporated body, and has since that period had a very flourishing ex- istence. There are at present fifty-five members, having M. S. Beach as foreman, and L. E. Callender, secretary.
The apparatus consists of a No. 1 Button & Blake seven- ineh stroke machine, built in 1859, and five hundred feet of rubber hose. The company has participated with eredit in several musters, and was admitted into the State association in August, 1876.
THE MASONIC BUILDING COMPANY OF CHATHAM VIL- LAGE
was organized Oet. 7, 1872, with the following trustees : E. M. Thomas, John W. Boright, John B. Traver, Wright H. Barnes, C. M. Burrows, Abram Ashley, Jr., John Cadman, and H. W. MeClellan. The capital stoek was fixed at fifteen thousand dollars, in shares of twenty-five dollars each. H. W. MeClellan and Isaac Son were ap- pointed a building committee, and the following year, 1873, a very fine brick block, fifty by sixty-eight feet, and three stories high, was ereeted in the central part of the village, at a cost of eighteen thousand dollars. The two lower stories are occupied by stores and offices, and the entire upper floor as a Masonie hall. The present officers of the company are : President, George L. Morris ; Viee-Presi- dent, Jared Best ; Secretary, Charles H. Bell ; and Treas- urer, Charles M. Burrows.
THE MASONIC AND MINISTERIAL RELIEF ASSOCIATION OF COLUMBIA COUNTY
was organized July 23, 1872, and has its home office in the Masonie building at Chatham village. Its objeet is to seeure cheap and reliable insurance, or the relief of mothers, widows, and orphans of deceased members. No large ae- cumulation is contemplated, but the best possible security is offered,-" The pledged honor and integrity of every member of the association." The members are divided into elasses of five hundred each, based on age, and pay a membership fee of ten dollars, and an annual due of one dollar, and on the death of a member belonging to his class, two dollars for every one thousand dollars assured.
The plan has proved very satisfactory, as the following report of its condition, April, 1878, attests :
Policies issued in Class A
321
Deaths
3
Lapsed
119
Present members.
200
Policies issued in Class B
562
Deaths
3
Lapsed
187
Present members
372
Policies issued in Class C
392
Deaths
=
8
Lapsed
46
130
Present members
254
Two hundred and fifty-two policies were issued in 1877. The officers since the association was organized have been : President, Cornelius S. Mead ; Vice-President, Ilugh W. MeClellan ; Secretary, Abram Ashley, Jr .; and Treasurer, Wright H. Barnes.
TIIE NASSAU, SCHODACK, AND CHATHAM MUTUAL AS- SURANCE ASSOCIATION
was organized in 1856. It carries at present about five hundred thousand dollars in risks on detached buildings in Chatham, and has from the first afforded reliable and cheap assurance. The home office of the company is at Nassau,
66
-
LITH BY L.H EVERTS & CO , PHILA PA
RESIDENCE OF NOADIAH M. HILL, NORTH CHATHAM, COLUMBIA CO. N. Y.
293
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
and Abel Merchant has been the secretary since its organ- ization.
The grounds of the Columbia County Agricultural So- ciety are within the corporate limits of Chatham village, but the history of that body is elsewhere given.
THE SECRET ORDERS
of the town have embraced the following societies :
CANAAN LODGE, NO. 44, F. & A. M.,
was instituted at New Concord, March 26, 1796. Among the petitioners for a charter were John Noyes, Alexander Smith, Palmer Cady, Nathan Noyes, Patrick Hamilton, John Stranahan, Gershom Babcock, Eleazer Davis, Silas Pratts, Joseph Kellogg, L. Stone, M. Butler, Amasa Adams, H. Hobart, Jonathan Ball, F. Lusk, Peter Savage, John Camp, Samuel Anable, Hezekiah Hulburt, Zebulon Doug- las, and Benjamin Lord. The lodge ceased to work in 1827.
CHARITY LODGE, NO. 192,
of the same order, was organized at Spencerport in 1808, and had a very flourishing existence until the anti-Masonic times, when it also went down.
The remaining interests of these lodges were united, in 1844, in the formation of Eureka Lodge at Chatham Four Corners. This society gave place in 1851 to the present
COLUMBIA LODGE, NO. 98.
Its charter members were Samuel P. Lce, John H. Me- sick, Harry S. Clark, Richard C. Tobias, Samuel Marshall, David H. Cornell, Thomas Everett, Elijah Payn, Charles B. Dutcher, and Albert Brown. Hugh W. Mcclellan was the first initiated, Sept. 25, 1851. The members at present number one hundred and eighty-three, and the lodge is in a very flourishing condition. Since 1873 the meetings have been held in a hall which, for beauty and convenience, has few superiors in the county. Simeon R. Hatfield is the present M. ; and Uriah Harmon, Secretary.
CHARITY CHAPTER, NO. 47, ORDER OF EASTERN STAR, was instituted at Chatham village, March 1, 1876. The original members were Abram Ashley, W. H. Barnes, C. M. Burrows, W. C. Daley, C. H. Bell, J. W. Boright, Henrietta Barnes, Eliza F. Burrows, Phoebe M. Burrows, Eva A. Drumm, Sarah Wentworth, Mattie C. Fellows, and Abbie J. Bell. It now numbers forty-five members, with John W. Boright, W. P .; Eliza F. Burrows, W. M .; and Kittie E. Daley, Secretary. The meetings are held semi- monthly in Masonic Hall.
MORNING STAR LODGE, NO. 128, I. O. OF O. F., was instituted at Chatham village, Sept. 23, 1844, with the following officers: H. Allen, N. G .; S. P. Lee, V. G .; William S. Peak, R. S .; and William T. Groat, Treasurer. The lodge at present numbers forty-four members, having George W. Cady as N. G .; and Charles Smith, R. S.
CHATHAM LODOE, NO. 144, K. OF P.,
was instituted Dec. 14, 1875, with twenty charter members and the following officers : Charles Smith, P. C .; Elijah C. Tripp, C. C .; William R. Mesick, V. C .; J. G. Grif-
fith, P .; George H. Angell, K. of R. S .; and C. J. Sey- mour, M. of F. C. Edwin A. Beckwith is the present P. C., and the meetings are held in Odd Fellows' IIall.
THE EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS
of the town, so far as their history is recorded, date fron Sept. 12, 1795. On that day the school commissioners, composed of James Savage, Martin Krum, Hosea Bebec, Abraham Hogeboom, Samuel Wilbor, Peter Van Alstyne, and James Bartholomew, met at the house of Gaylord Hawkins, and after appointing James Palmer clerk, Re- solved, That the clerk write twelve advertisements reciting part of the act for the encouragement of schools, and notify the time of the next meeting. This was held at the house of William Vosburgh, but no record of its transactions has been preserved.
The office of town superintendent of schools was first held in 1844, by Oliver J. Peck. The position was sub- sequently filled by Amos Boright, Hugh W. Mcclellan, Isaac M. Pitts, Horatio N. Wright, and Nathaniel Mosher.
There are at present nineteen districts in the town, hav- ing ten hundred and eighty-nine children of school age, from which an attendance of four hundred and forty pupils is secured. The schools are supported at an expense of about five thousand dollars per year.
In the Chatham village, a Miss King is credited with having taught the first school in a small building near the railroad bridge. The public school at present occupies a large building, having rooms for four departments, and accommodating two hundred and fifty pupils.
On the hill in the eastern part of the village is
THE CHATHAM ACADEMY
building, erected in 1871, at a cost of three thousand dollars. In 1873 this became the property of John Cad- man, J. D. Shufelt, and D. F. Lovejoy, who now conduct the school as a private enterprise. Abraham Macy was the first principal, a position which was subsequently filled by L. C. Hitchcock, George F. Cole, Edward Weatherby, and Miss E. French, who is the present teacher. An attend- ance of fifty students per term is maintained.
Other private schools are taught in the village, but no data as to their condition can be given.
THE REFORMED CHURCH OF NEW CONCORD.
It is probable that the religious body called the " Church in Christ of New Concord," Congregational in doctrine, was organized soon after the country was settled. But the old records have been destroyed, and nothing more than a list of the original members has been preserved. This embraces the names of Deacon Seth Jenney, Deacon Joseph Smith, Deacon Stephen Palmer, John Davis, Jeremiah Burgess, Thomas Hulburt, Justus Betts, Abel Eaton, Simeon Doty, Joseph Brewster, Stephen Davis, Samuel Doty, William Benjamin, Stephen Churchill, Edward Palmer, Judson Parks, David Barnes, and Alfred Par- sons. Rev. John Waters was their pastor. Prior to his connection the Revs. Stevens and Leonard ministered to the people in a log mecting-house, which, before 1800, gave place to a frame structure.
In 1815 the church became Presbyterian in government,
294
HISTORY OF COLUMBIA COUNTY, NEW YORK.
and called Rev. Joel T. Benedict as pastor, who remained until 1827. After a short vacancy, Rev. M. Raymond succeeded to the pastoral office.
In 1835 the church again became Congregational, the pastors, in the order of their connection, being the Revs. John T. Avery, Nathaniel Pine, Abel Crandell, Theodore S. Brown, and others for short periods.
On the 5th of November, 1856, the name of the church was changed to the " Reformed Dutch," and the following consistory ordained : Elders, Hezekiah H. Lovejoy, Joseph D. Clark, Charles W. Lovejoy ; Deacons, Orlando B. Allen, Andrew M. Clark, and William Doty. There were at this time about fifty members. The church edifice was moved to its present site soon after and placed in good repair. It is at present (1878) a very comfortable place of worship. The Rev. Henry E. Decker became the first pastor, contin- uing until 1860; Rev. Josiah Jansen, from 1861 to 1864; Rev. David A. Jones, 1864-67 ; J. H. Bevier, 1867-73. This was the last settled pastorate. Since that period the church has been supplied by the Revs. H. R. Harris, C. S. Mead, and A. W. Ashley. The latter is the present spiritual tutor of the forty-two members composing the church. The consistory is composed of Elders H. H. Love- joy, O. B. Allen, H. A. Ashley, and Deacons J. T. Vos- burgh, A. Staats, and J. O. Niles.
THE CHATHAM METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Methodists held meetings in the town soon after 1800. It is related that the first services were held in barns, and that Mrs. James Van Valkenburgh, Cynthia Lester, and a third sister composed the first class. A few years later Fathers Chadwick, Jewett, Nathaniel Brockway, Philip Frisbie, Lawrence Van Valkenburgh, and Mrs. Samuel Wilbor were among the active members ; and still later Philip Hulburt, H. N. Wheeler, Horace Root, Loren M. Davis, Jedediah Brockway, Wm. Mickle, and Mrs. Hosea Hudson were added to the number.
In 1812 a meeting-house was built at Chatham by a so- ciety whose first trustees were Timothy Oakley, Ezra Chad- wick, Abijah Stever, and John Stearns, Jr. The new church was one of a number in this part of the country forming a circuit which extended from Hillsdale to Sand Lake. It embraced for many years all Methodist work in the town, but now includes only the church at Malden Bridge, hav- ing a joint membership of one hundred and sixty-five per- sons. There are flourishing Sunday-schools in both churches, the one at Chatham having been organized in 1825.
The church edifice at Chatham was rebuilt in 1866. It is a commodious structure, estimated worth $6000, and the parsonage at $2000. The property is controlled by trustees,-S. Wilbor, J. N. Wait, A. H. Van Alstyne, R. H. Morey, W. A. Mickle, L. M. Davis, and G. W. Van Valkenburgh.
Since 1820 the clergy connected with the church at Chatham have been Revs. William Anson, Gershom Picree, II. Weston, T. Clark, Coles Carpenter, Moses Amadon, Cy- rus Culver, Samuel Howe, Samuel Eicheney, Jacob Hall, Arnold Schofield, Elbert Osborn, C. F. Pelton, H. Burton, Seymour Coleman, A. S. Cooper, John Pegg, T. Newman, HI. Wetherwax, Joshua Poor, Amos Hazleton, Wm. F.
Hurd, Wm. Meeker, S. Covel, C. Barber, D. Osgood, W. D. Stead, C. R. Morris, H. B. Wright, A. A. Farr, Wm. Henry, Aaron Hall, R. Kelley, D. Poor, W. P. Gray, War- ren Little, T. Seymour, W. W. Pierce, James M. Edgarton, Hiram Dunn, L. Marshall, Nathan G. Axtell, Lester Janes, Daniel Morris, Jr., Oren Gregg, Paul P. Atwell, Hiram Blanchard, Henry I. Johns, C. Mceker, William Clark, J. W. Belknap, G. W. S. Porter, Wm. Bedell, Geo. W. Fitch, Andrew Heath, R. G. Adams, and, in 1878, H. A. Starks.
THE MALDEN BRIDGE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was legally organized Feb. 22, 1834, at a meeting over which Rev. Thomas Newman presided as moderator, and which selected the following trustees : James B. Van Val- kenburgh, Josephus Johnson, Seth Daley, Levi Pitts, and Waterman Lippitt.
A chapel was erected on W. Lippitt's land in 1835, which, in 1870, was reconstructed, and is now worth four thousand dollars. The present trustees are Thomas E. Lee, M. H. Haywood, S. H. Rifenburgh, Isaac M. Pitts, and Robert Hoes. The church has always been connected with the one at Chatham as a eireuit, and the succession of pastors is given in a sketch of that church.
THE NORTH CHATHAM METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
In 1832, while Rev. Arnold Schofield was the presiding elder of the district, measures were taken to establish a Methodist church at North Chatham. The following year George L. Rowe, John I. Budd, and Timothy Nichols were appointed a committee to inaugurate the movement to build a church. In 1834 the house was erected at a cost of $1600, and dedicated Jan. 8, 1835, by the Rev. Buel Goodsel. This was used until the completion of the pres- ent handsome edifice, which is one of the finest churches in the northern part of the county.
Among the early members of the church were Jolin Budd, Jesse Stever, John Q. Huyck, John I. Budd, George L. Rowe, Timothy Nichols, Elijah Budd, Heber Palmer, and their wives.
The church was incorporated April 11, 1836, with trus- tees George L. Rowe, Jesse Stever, Elihn Budd, John I. Budd, and H. Palmer. It was first (until 1851) served as part of the old Chatham circuit, then united to Chatham eentre, and now forms a separate charge. The elergy since 1835 have been Revs. Joshua Poor, Amos Hazleton, William F. Hurd, Hiram Meeker, S. Covel, C. Barber, D. Osgood, W. D. Stead, Christopher R. Morris, Horace B. Knight, Alfred A. Farr, William Henry, John Pegg, Aaron Hall, R. Kelley, D. Poor, W. P. Gray, Warren Little, T. Sey- mour, W. W. Pierce, Samuel Stover, and E. Goss. Since 1851 the Revs. William A. Miller, John W. Belknap, P. P. Harrower, Hiram Blanchard, Richard T. Wade, Berea O. Meeker, Sylvester P. Williams, Merritt B. Mead, David Lytle, Frederick Widmer, George W. Brown, David P. Hulburt, Joseph B. Sylvester, William H. Washburnc, William Bedell; and, in 1878, Junius G. Fallon.
THE CHATHAM CENTRE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH became an incorporated body, June 21, 1849, with Peter B. Van Slyck, Ebenezer Jennison, Daniel Harris, Henry
Photos, by J. R. Allis, Chatham, N. Y.
I gradley Nichols Mer Emaline Nichols
TIMOTHY NICHOLS, the father of the two brothers re- siding in the north part of the town of Chatham, and of whom we give a brief sketch, was a native of Fairfield, Conn .; born but a few miles distant from the old town of Fairfield, his ancestors were among the early settlers of the county, and took part in the defense of the town when it was attacked and burned by the British, under Governor Tryon, in 1779.
Timothy Nichols came to Chatham about the year 1818, and learned the blacksmith trade. Here he formed the acquaintance of Catharine, daughter of Christian C. Law- rence, an old, widely-known, and highly-respected resident of North Chatham, whom he married ; and from this union sprang the two sons, Bradley and Ward Nichols, now residents of North Chatham. Bradley married the very estimable daughter of Henry Becker, Esq., of Chatham Centre, a man highly prized for his judgment in town and county matters, having held the office of justice many years in his native town.
About the year 1846, Bradley, while yet a young man residing with his father on a farm between North and Centre Chatham, was sauntering one day to the latter place, when he was accosted by two gentlemen in conversation by the roadside. One of them was Mr. Abraham P. Van Alstyne, an old resident of Chatham Centre, and with whom Bradley was well acquainted ; the other was a Mr. Reed, a grain merchant of Boston, who had stepped off from the cars to engage some one to buy grain for the Boston firm. Mr. Van Alstyne at once introduced Bradley to his companion, and then and there, with the hearty ap- proval and indorsement of Mr. Van Alstyne, a bargain was made and entered into which resulted in establishing a business which proved remunerative both to buyer and seller.
From this little circumstance Mr. Nichols dates his suc- cess in business, and ever looks back to it with pleasure; also gratefully remembering the name of Mr. Van Alstyne, who was the instrument of bringing it about. After spend- ing about two years in buying grain at Schodack, Mr. Nichols went to Kinderhook Depot, on the Boston and Albany railroad, and during ten years in the business there won the reputation of a perfectly upright and honest dealer, giving the farmers a good market and an equivalent for their grain. After this Mr. Nichols moved to Albany, and for about ten years more pursued the grain and commission business in that city with marked success, doing a com- mission business of between $500,000 and $600,000. While there he was looked upon by his associates as a thorough business man, and one whose word and check were never questioned.
In 1870, Mr. Nichols retired from business, and returned to his native town of North Chatham, where he has since resided. Much might be said of Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Nichols, wherein an imitation of their worthy example would be a benefit to mankind. They have since their marriage cared for, brought up, and educated three little orphan children, who were left poor and almost friendless, but who now look up to and love them as only fond, loving children can love parents. The poor and needy are never turned away, and Mr. and Mrs. Nichols are known for their liberality in giving to any enterprise for the benefit of society around them.
WARD NICHOLS, brother of Bradley, is quite an ex- tensive farmer, living near North Chatham, and is widely known, having held offices of trust in the town. He mar- ried the daughter of Isaac M. Rccd. Bradley Burr Nichols, son of Ward, married the only daughter of Lewis Rowe, Esq., and is at present engaged in farming.
Atnine.
Photos. by J. R. Allis, Chatham, N. Y.
Henry Hill
Elisabeth Hill
Henry Hill is a son of Caleb Hill, who was identified with many of the principal improvements in North Chatham, being a man of great personal energy and activity. He removed from the town of Dover, Dutchess Co., N. Y., and settled at North Chatham before there was any village at that point known by its present name. He built a tannery and followed tanning, currying, and shoemaking, adding also to this occupation that of a farmer, having purchased seventy acres of land where the village now stands. He procured the establishment of a post-office as early as 1816, and later erected a hotel, which is still one of the old land- marks of the place. After his removal from Dutchess county, Mr. Hill married Eunice Moore, of Chatham, by whom he had four children who arrived at years of maturity and who are still living, of whom Henry Hill, the subject of this notice, is the eldest.
Henry was brought up to work on the farm and in the tannery, and was a handy and industrious boy, improving his time and making the best use of his opportunities for
schooling. At the age of eighteen he became identified with the affairs of the hotel, which he continued to man- age about thirty years after his father's death. After this event, which occurred December 17, 1832, the man- agement of the estate and care of the family devolved upon Henry, who, by his characteristic energy and successful business qualifications, greatly improved and increased the value of the property left to him and the rest of the heirs. His father had been postmaster from the time of the estab- lishment of the office till his death ; after which Henry was his successor for about fifteen years.
Henry Hill married for his first wife, Parmelia Hunt, daughter of Daniel Hunt, of Windham Centre, Greene Co., N. Y., May 22, 1850, and by this marriage had two chil- dren, both deceased. Mrs. Hill died April 16, 1854. On the 31st of August, 1868, he married his second and pres- ent wife in New York city, Mrs. Elizabeth Van Salisbury, whose portrait appears by the side of her husband's in the above engravings.
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