USA > New York > Herkimer County > History of Herkimer county, New York > Part 18
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The vicinity of what has been known as Dennison's Corners, on the southern line of the town, was first settled by Benjamin Whitman (now spelled and pronounced Wightman). He came from Connecticut and was a Baptist minister. A tavern was kept very early at this point by Stutely Palmer, and Asahel Wise came from Vermont and built
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an ashery ; Henry Kaster also had one. The settlement was at first known as Whitmantown, until Stanton Dennison settled there and purchased a tract of 640 acres. The hamlet grew to considerable im - portance and a post-office was established with Charles Whitman as postmaster in 1847. The first store was kept by John I. Christman. Among other early settlers at this point were Henry Steele, a black- smith, Joseph Noble, and the Freeman, Tisdale, Thomas, and Hawks families, all from Connecticut. In 1834 Mr. Dennison built a church, which is still standing and used at intervals by the Methodists. In 1847 Charles Whitman donated the lot and school- house to the district.
About the year 1800 Jason Tiff settled at the mouth of Trout Creek, two and a half miles up Fulmer Creek from Mohawk, and there built a saw-mill, carding and cloth-mill, and a grist mill. A little hamlet gathered there, but long since lost its identity.
After the War of 1812 this town, like most others in the county, rapidly filled up. The farmers found good markets for their crops, and general prosperity reigned. The opening of the Erie Canal, while in some respects an advantage to the people, was in other ways a disad- vantage. It brought into competition with the Mohawk farmers those of the Genesee country, as it was called, where grain could be raised cheaper than here, and inaugurated an era of hard times in the agri- cultural districts; a competition which, in connection with that developed later by the far west, led to the introduction of dairying. The building of the Utica and Schenectady Railroad and its conse- quences have already been described. The road was a great financial success, a fact which led to the projection of other lines in various directions. One of these was the Mohawk Valley Railroad Company, which was organized in 1850, with A. C. Flagg as president, and F. E. Spinner, secretary. Books were opened and the following commis- sioners appointed from Herkimer county to receive subscriptions to the stock : Benjamin Carver, F. E. Spinner, and Eliphalet Remington. E. H. Broadhead was appointed chief engineer and his report was made in 1851. Without following the route proposed in detail it may be said that it was to extend along the south side of the river, one line being proposed on the north bank of the canal and one on the south, the latter passing through the villages of Mohawk, Ilion and Frankfort. The road was never built.
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
The New York, Utica and Ogdensburgh Railroad, which also contem- plated further connections in this county and town, was projected in New York, and one link in its line was from Utica to Cooperstown. A sur- vey was made from Utica to Mohawk and up the valley of Fulmer Creek to the town line of Stark. In aid of this undertaking the town of German Flats was bonded in 1872 for $160,000. The road was begun, the town authorities by arrangement paying out of its bonds as fast as grading progressed. The result was that about four miles were graded and the town had invested $32,000 when the work stopped and was never resumed ; the remainder of the bonds was canceled.
A much more satisfactory project in its results was the building of the Mohawk and Ilion Street Railroad, the company for which was organized in April, 1870. John F. Hosch was the first president ; J. E. Casey, vice-president ; Jacob Devendorf, treasurer ; S. F. Wilcox, secretary. The road was finished in September, 1870. The capital stock was $15,000, and the village of Mohawk was bonded for $10,000 towards the work ; these bonds were retired a year later and the town stock sold. The road has always been a paying investment and is admirably managed.
A similar enterprise, which has been of great public benefit, is the Herkimer and Mohawk Street Railroad, the company for which was organized early in 1871, with a capital stock of $20,000. The road was built connecting Herkimer and Mohawk villages, and was in opera- tion in September, 1871. This road has also paid its projectors financially.
The history of this town in recent years is further told in the suc- ceeding accounts of Mohawk and Ilion villages, the latter being the largest manufacturing center in Herkimer county, excepting Little Falls. The prosperity of Ilion is reflected to some extent throughout the town, and especially to the village of Mohawk. The dairying in- dustry in the town is prosperous and extensive, the market being largely at Little Falls.
MOHAWK VILLAGE.
The site of this village was first settled by the Palatincs, who drew the lots upon which it is situated, as seen in the table in Chapter II, and the
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diagram, page 38. The site of the village is picturesque. It is on the north side of the town near the center, on the south side of the Erie canal, and on Fulmer Creek about half a mile above its confluence with the Mohawk River. Among its inhabitants previous to the Revolution- ary War were very few except the Germans and their families ; but with the close of the war, and to a limited extent previous to that time, set- tlers came in rapidly from Connecticut and adjoining Eastern States.
The first tavern within the limits of the village was built by Judge Gates in 1778, and is still standing in the western part of the village. He occupied it a few years and sold it to one of the Petrie family and he to Rudolph Devendorf in 1804, and he to David Diefendorf, 1 who in 1817 opened what was called a " Dutch tavern," which he kept until 1842, when it was converted into a dwelling ; it is now owned and oc- cupied by Jacob Diefendorf, son of David, who has lived in it since 1817. So well was it built that it is to day in excellent condition. It is thought to be the oldest building in the village. In 1817 there was not more than two dwelling-houses on the north side of Main street between this house and the site of the canal bridge east of the village, and the whole tract was covered with a grove of hickory trees. There were two or three barns, one of which stood on the site of the Mohawk Valley Hotel. The next tavern in the place was kept by Josiah Earl. In 1800 Peter Helmer built a tavern on a site just south of the old Mohawk House, which was kept for many years by Jedediah Fox. In 1826 John Ben- nett purchased the old tavern which stands near the present Mohawk House, and built a storehouse on the then recently opened canal. The opening of this great water-way was of supreme importance to this vil- lage and contributed largely to its early growth ; a growth that was lat- er much retarded by the building of the Utica and Schenectady Railroad on the opposite side of the river. The place was early known as "Ben- nett's Corners," but after about a dozen years, was given its present more appropriate title. In 1825 Chester Tisdale built the American Hotel, on the site of the present Mohawk Valley Hotel. The old brick hotel east of the village was built in 1830 by Christopher Bellinger for Daniel Dy- gert and L. Doolittle ; but it long ago fell into disuse as a public house.
1 Although these two Diefendorfs were brothers, they spelled their names as given,
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
The present Mohawk House, corner of Main and Columbia streets, was built by Briggs Thomas in 1835.
The first building for a private residence was erected by Peleg Free- man in 1778; the site is now occupied by the residence of Mrs. B. A. Johnson, south side of Main street, west of Fulmer Creek. Robert Shoe- maker's mother built the house where David Spencer now lives, in the west part of the village. The Wheeler house, just east of the creek on Main street, was built by Peter Warner in 1790; it is now owned by Mrs. Presley. In 1800 Frederick Starling built a house on the site now occupied by the residence of Thomas Cunningham. It was burned not long afterward, and another erected, which finally gave place to the pres- ent brick house. The old gambrel-roofed house that stood on the site of the present residence of H. D). Alexander, was built by Rufus Ran- dall about 1790.
Manufactures and Mercantile .-- The very early mills on Fulmer Creek have already been described. In about the year 1808 Reuben Randall built a grist-mill on this creek at the south end of Columbia street, which was used until recent years ; and about the same time Asa Dennison built a tannery on the creek in the west part of the village on the south side of Main street, which has been remodeled into dwellings. In 1813 Rudolph Devendorf built a grist and saw-mill on the south side of the road on the creek in the west part of the village; and about the same time Solomon Ford erected a saw-mill a little farther up the creek, and a Mr. Warner had a small tannery near Devendorf's mills. All of these have disappeared. There was also a saw-mill near the site of the lower locks.
The first blacksmith in the village was named Crane and he was suc- ceeded by Adam Starling. The shop, which was built probably as early as 1808, stood about where Dr. Van Court's store now is. In 1830 Norton & Myers had a blacksmith shop near the site where Thos. Cun- ningham's store is now. From 1800 to 1820 a plow factory was on the corner of Main and Columbia streets where the Quackenbush block now stands. This was for many years the only manufactory of agricultural implements in this part of the county.
The Mohawk Foundry was established in 1843 by the late Chaun- cey Johnson. The building first erected is still standing on the
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south side of the canal at the corner of Warren and Johnson streets. Another building was afterwards erected of brick, the first one being of stone. Stoves, agricultural implements, iron fence, etc., were produced here. After the death of Mr. Johnson his sons conducted the business for a time, but it is now stopped.
The Mohawk Manufacturing Works were established for the manufac- ture of a new and improved revolver. The company consisted of H. D. Alexander, J. B. Rafter, J. F. Hosch, J. N. Quackenbush, C. Beck- with and J. D. Miller. In August, 1878, the company was dissolved.
The Mohawk Valley Hotel Company was organized December 17, 1874, with a capital of $50,000. The company purchased the old American Hotel property, including Varley Hall and the house and lot next north of it on Otsego street, and there erected a handsome four- story hotel. The total cost of the new property was about $75,000. While this house has been of benefit to the place, it has not paid the stockholders financially.
The Mohawk Valley Knitting Mills is one of the later manufacturing establishments of Mohawk that are aiding in building up the place. It was incorporated March 17, 1887, with a cash paid-up capital of $50,- 000. About 250 hands are employed and 80,000 dozen knit underwear manufactured annually. The officers of the company are H. D. Alex- ander, president and treasurer ; J. B. Rafter, secretary ; B. A. Stone, vice-president ; Smith Ostrander, superintendent.
The Knitting Company of Mohawk, limited, was incorporated Oc- tober 27, 1890, with a cash paid-up capital of $50,000, and manufac- tures similar goods to those made by the Mohawk Valley Company. About 175 hands are employed, and Smith Ostrander is superintendent. The officers are : B. A. Stone, president ; J. B. Rafter, secretary ; H. D. Alexander, treasurer ; H. G. Munger, vice-president.
The Broomhall Milling and Malting Company was organized in March, 1891, with the following officers : A. D. Morgan, president ; L. G. Young, vice- president ; I. W. Steele, treasurer ; C. C. Steele, secre- tary. Charles Young is manager. The capital is $15,000, paid up.
One of the early merchants of Mohawk was Samuel Meeker, who carried on business where Mr. Lovejoy now has a hotel, on Columbia street. Mr. Meeker was noted for his fine garden. In 1809 Rudolph
25
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
Devendorf opened a store on the corner of Main and Warren streets, where for many years business was carried on by various merchants, among them Solomon Clough, Henry S. Diefendorf, Peter I. Miller, D. S. Clark, and James Campbell. The store on the post office corner was built in 1836 by Elias and Humphrey G. Root. The whole block from the Kirley block to the post-office corner and running back nearly to the canal, was purchased in the spring of 1826 by Elias Ran- dall for $175. The Steele block, corner of Main and Otsego streets, was built by John A. Steele in 1852, and the Spinner block, opposite corner of Main and Otsego streets, was erected in 1844 by F. E. Spinner. The opening of the canal witnessed the erection of several warehouses, for storage and forwarding, among them being the building now occupied by J. W. Devendorf; this was the first one, built in 1826, and others were built by H. G. Root & Co., James Campbell, Isaac Woodworth, and Merry & Devendorf.
The first brick house erected in the village was the one in which Mrs. Stillwell lived, and here she died in 1892. It was built by Josiah Os- good and rebuilt by Elias Root.
The first resident physician was Dr. A. W. Bowen, who came here in 1828. The first postmaster was Samuel Miner, and the first mail car- rier was a Mr. Luke, who traveled on horseback between Utica and Schenectady. The mail was delivered once each week, if the weather and roads would permit.
The land on which the village stands was owned by Rufus Randall, who, after disposing of one or two farms, sold the remainder to Frederick Bellinger, who had it surveyed into village lots. The village was incorpo- rated by act of Legislature passed April 16, 1844, and the first election for village officers was held at the house of John Golden May 4, 1844, when the following officers were chosen :
President, Frederick Bellinger; assessors, Gordon Farmer and Ezekiel Spencer ; treasurer, Elias Root ; clerk, Daniel S. Clark ; collector, Marks H. Grants ; constable, Marks H. Grants. The proceedings of the first charter election were signed by Frederick Starling, as chairman, and John Crist as town clerk.
At a meeting of the board of trustees held May 9, 1844, the follow- ing named persons were granted each a tavern license, paying for it $5 :
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Newman Smith, Olendorf & Lawyer, Charles Bronson and George L. Van Slyke; and grocery licenses were granted on the same terms to L. L. Merry and Cornelius Devendorf.
The Mohawk Valley Bank was organized February 9, 1839, by the election of the following officers: Directors, David Devendorf, Fred- erick Bellinger, Alanson Maxon, Elias Root, Ira Randall, Jacob F. Cristman, Ebenezer Morgan, Stephen Jones, William Burgess, E. A. Munson, Charles Wightman, Peter H. Warren, H. S. Orendorf, J. I. Cristman, R. G. Starkweather, Rodney Sanford, L. Stienburgh, Ephraim Tisdale, Jacob Marshall, and Jesse C. Dann. Ebenezer Morgan was chosen president, and in May, 1839, J. C. Dann was chosen cashier, and in June, Elias Root was elected vice-president. The successive presi- dents of the bank have been as follows: After Mr. Morgan, Charles Wightman, elected February 9, 1841 ; Benjamin Carver, July 2, 1849; Peter H. Warren, July 2, 1855; John J. Cristman, July, 1857 ; F. E. Spinner, July 5, 1858; Peter H. Warren, July, 1861 ; Dean Burgess, July, 1864 ; Eli Fox, January, 1882 ; Jacob Devendorf, January, 1891. On the 3d of April, 1865, the bank was reorganized and its name changed to the National Mohawk Valley Bank, and the officers re- mained as before until September 3, 1867, when H. D. Alexander was elected cashier and has filled the office until the present time. The present officers of the bank are as follows: President, Jacob Deven- dorf; directors, the president, H. D. Alexander, Allen Bloomfield, B. A. Weatherby, Thomas D. Warren, R. M. Devendorf, B. A. Stone, John Giblin, H. A. Deimel, O. W. Bronson, and De Witt E. Allen. The capital of the bank is $150,000; surplus and undivided profits, $40,000 ; deposits about $220,000. In 1892 the institution erected a handsome and convenient bank building on Main street at a cost of $10,000.
The Mohawk Gaslight Company was organized October 3, 1860, with a capital of $10,000. President, Chauncey Johnson ; secretary, Eli Fox; treasurer, R. H. Pomeroy. At a later date the company was consolidated with the works at Ilion, a new company formed called the Ilion and Mohawk Gaslight Company, and the capital stock in- creased to $30,000. After the consolidation the works were located about half a mile east of Ilion and both villages supplied with gas. Mohawk is now lighted with electricity by the same company.
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
Public School .- Very little is known of the schools of Mohawk in early years. The destruction of the records of German Flats in 1843 renders it impossible to learn details previous to that year, excepting through the memory of old residents. It is known that early in the present century there was a school-house on the east side of what is now Columbia street, near the site of the residence of H. G. Root, and the contract for the erection of the building is still in existence. The building was put up by Russel Brown, "at or near Timothy Campbell's house in German Flats." The building cost $260. The contract was signed on the part of the authorities by Russel Brown, Abram Randal, Rufus Randal, jr., James L. Campbell, and Rudolph Devendorf.
This old school-house was abandoned after the erection of the present school building about 1853, and finally passed to the Methodist society. It is still standing and used for a carpenter shop. When the present building was erected a graded school was established and it so con- tinues. W. E. Stearns is the present principal, and under him six teachers are employed. A new school building is to be erected during 1892-3, at a cost of $17,000.
Fire Department .- The fire department of Mohawk was organized September 9, 1844, by the village trustees who appointed Humphrey G. Root as chief engineer ; Gordon Farmer, assistant, with twenty-four members. The company was named Mohawk Engine Company No. 1. The engine used was made at Waterford, and it was kept in a house on the corner of Main and North Washington streets. In May, 1861, the trustees purchased a more powerful engine at Seneca Falls, and in June of that year a new company named Colonel Ellsworth Engine Company No. 2, was organized. In 1869 this company was disbanded and from that date until 1878 the engine was in charge of citizens, un- der direction of the trustees. In March, 1878, a company was formed for the hand engine, composed of forty-eight men, and this organization is still kept up.
A special election was held June 7, 1875, at which it was voted that the village should purchase a steam fire engine. This was done and the name Mohawk Chief given to the new engine. At the same time Alexander Hose Company No. I was organized with the following officers: President, A. C. Devendorf; vicc-president, A. G. Myers ;
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secretary, W. H. Schall; treasurer, John McChesney ; foreman, E. L. Prince. This organization is still in existence. The fire department as at present organized and equipped, is one of the best in the county.
There is at present only one newspaper in Mohawk, which was started by Rich & Tucker in 1874, as the Mohawk Independent. It was subsequently sold to A. A. Miller, who was succeeded as owner by W. E. Churchill, and by C. A. White, who sold the establishment to Miss Clara E. Morgan in January, 1892. The name of the paper was then changed to The Eagle. The paper is ably edited by Miss Morgan and is liberally supported.
The Reformed Church .-- This society was organized December 11, 1838, when Christopher Bellinger, and Samuel Meeker were elected elders, and Samuel Barringer and Henry Harter, deacons. Shortly afterwards the lot on which the church stands was donated to the so- ciety by Frederick Bellinger. Through the influence and substantial aid of Elias Root and H. G. Root, the church building was soon erected. The pulpit was first occupied by Rev. James Murphy, of Herkimer, as supply. February 1, 1844, Rev. Jedediah L. Stark was called to the church, and he was installed May 3, 1844 ; he continued for ten years, since which time the following pastors have served the society :
Rev. Elbert Slingerland, 1854; Rev. John M. Hammond, 1856; Rev. Charles D. Nott, 1859; Rev. E. Slingerland, 1865, one year ; Rev. G. D. Consaul, 1867; Rev. F. F. Wilson, 1870; Rev. F. M. Bogardus, 1872 ; Rev. J. G. Lansing, 1876; Rev. John Brandow, and Rev. A. D. Minor, who was succeeded in May, 1892, by Rev. Ira Van Allen. The church membership is about 115, and the following are the officers : Elders, Byron A. Stone, Thomas Cunningham, Robert Myers ; deacons, Jasper Morgan, Truman Snell, Dr. - Rasbach.
The Baptist Church .- The first Baptist society of Mohawk was or- ganized February 9, 1841, and the church was erected in 1845 and ded- icated January 1, 1846. For a number of years the church was fairly prosperous, but later it has greatly declined. Among the pastors have been Revs. J. Benedict, the first, N. Loring, J. W. Crumb, L. Casler, O. Adams, Lamar W. Hayhurst, G. W. Harvey, and Rev. Mr. Broddie, who remained until 1861. There is now no settled pastor over the church and no regular services.
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
The Methodist Church .- The date of the formation of the first Metho- dist class in Mohawk is not known, but it was very early, and it was for some years connected with the class at Herkimer. In 1851 Rev. 1. Hunt was permitted by the Reformed church society to occupy their church Sabbath afternoons, and he was followed by Rev. Mr. Barnard. Later Rev. Joseph Lamb preached in the Baptist church which was leased for the purpose. The old school-house on Columbia street was finally purchased, its use donated to the society, and it was fitted for services. This was afterwards sold and the society again used the Baptist church. After years of alternate periods of success and de- spondency, a revival held here in the winter of 1867-8 by the praying band connected with the Ilion church quickened the feeble society, and in the spring of 1869 Rev. Olin Wightman became the pastor, and the Methodist Episcopal church of Mohawk was organized. After using the Baptist and Universalist churches for a time, the present handsome church was erected, chiefly through the liberality of Philo and Elizabeth Remington. The membership is about 100 and Rev. Mr. Fitch is pastor.
The Universalist Church .- This society was organized in 1850, and the brick church was erected and dedicated in February, 1852. The means to this end were contributed largely by subscription. The first pastor was Rev. B. B. Hallock, who was succeeded in 1857 by Rev. Dolphus Skinner. Others who have served the church are Revs. L. C. Brown, J. R. Sage, L. L. Briggs, A. A. Thayer, F. S. Brown, and D. Ballou. For the past several years there has been no regular preach - ing in the church. Rev. T. C. Fisher, of Herkimer, preaches afternoons at the present time.
Grace Episcopal Church .- This society was organized in 1854, and the church erected at the same time. Previous to that time services had been held for several years in the public hall. The church was erected with funds subscribed and was paid for in full. The first rector was Rev. William Bogart Walker, who was followed by Rev. E. C. Ed- munds. Rev. S. M. Griswold then preached for a time, coming from llion, and was succeeded by Rev. Charles E. Freeman and Rev. M. O. Smith. Rev. Alfred Taylor preached in 1890. The church is now without a rector.
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The present postmaster of Mohawk is Thomas Cunningham, who took the office in November, 1889, succeeding D. D. Morgan. An- other post-office in the town is Edick, in the southwest part, with John Shoemaker as postmaster, he having held the office about four years and since it was established.
The present officers of Mohawk village are: President, Charles Tucker ; trustees, Jeremiah Warner, Charles Young, F. H. Sales, A. H. Day ; clerk, Charles Young ; chief engineer, C. J. Thrall.
VILLAGE OF ILION.
There was nothing meriting the name of a village on the site of Ilion until after the completion of the Erie Canal, yet there was a store there as early as 1816, and perhaps earlier, a fact which is attested by shin- plasters of Thomas Gillespie & Son of that date. In early years the. western part of the present corporation was called "London." After the construction of the canal the locality was known as Morgan's Land- ing, while on the canal list it was called Steele's Creek.
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