USA > New York > Herkimer County > History of Herkimer county, New York > Part 27
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J. J. Sultest
287
TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS.
October 28, 1886. An additional feed pipe line was subsequently constructed to connect at William street at a cost of $15,000, in order to prevent the possibility of ever being without water for a day or two through the breakage of the original line. For the completion of the great work an act was passed April 18, 1887, authorizing the raising of a further sum of $25,000. This sum was still found inadequate, and on the 8th of May, 1888, an act was passed authorizing the issue of bonds to the further amount of $30,000, making in all $305,000. The cost of the works averaged $11, 115 per mile, which was lower than the average cost of water works in cities and villages throughout the country. The commissioners and the citizens' committee estimated that the sum of $21,500 per annum would have to be realized for the maintenance of the works and meeting the assumed obligations, as follows: Fixed charges of interest, $10,000; cost of maintenance, $5,500 ; for sinking fund, $6,000. A system of rates was established in accordance with this estimate, charging $5 each for ordinary stores and dwellings.
No public improvement can be conceived that would confer a greater benefit upon Little Falls than has this system of water works, and while it has created a considerable debt, the burden is generally cheerfully assumed. The present commissioners are : Chas. J. Palmer, president ; Hadley Jones, secretary ; Rollin H. Smith, Rugene Walrath.
The Fire Department .- The early action of the village toward pro- viding for the extinguishment of fires has been noticed. The first company " No. 1" was organized in 1808 by Captain Solomon Lock- wood, and in 1811 the following persons were members of this company:
Solomon Lockwood, captain; Rufus Sawyer, Amos Parkhurst, Josiah Hazen, Isaac Stevenson, Felix Dutcher, Josiah Perry, Thomas Battle, Benjamin Carr, Thomas Gould, Henry Frey, Benjamin Bowen, John O. McIntyre, Matthias B. Bellows, Thomas Smith, William Girvan, Brayton Buckland, John Protheroe, John Phillips, Washington Brit- ton, George W. Angel, Charles Hinkley, William T. Dodge, Henry Holmes, James Beattie, George Plato. The engine house then stood a little west of the Girvan House site.
The organization of Protection Fire Company No. 2 took place June 19, 1835, and its headquarters were on the north side of German street. The first engine was a " goose-neck " hand machine, and later a Button steamer. Cascade Fire Company No. I was organized October 11,
288
HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
1853, and reorganized November 29, 1873. The original members were as follows :
Henry P. Alexander, Horace M. Burch, James Feeter, William Usher, James R. Fisher, Stephen Farnham, Hiram McChesney, William T. Wheeler, William Beattie, Henry Wiegand, James Strossman, William Elison, William H. Anable, George Ash- ley, John Shaunberg, James Roe, S. J. Galpin, Nelson Rust, John Feeter, A. Rathbun, M. E. Fuller, William H. Cressey, Joseph Boyer, jr, James G. Reals, James Churchill, James Levee, William Ingham, William Genett and S. Sherman.
General Herkimer Company No. 3 was organized July 3, 1857, with the following officers :
J. Satterlee, foreman ; J. B. Eysaman, first assistant ; J. Vosburgh, second assistant ; If. Fralick. secretary ; P. G. Potts, treasurer.
The fire department, as it exists at the present time, was organized under special act of the Legislature May 1, 1886, which authorized a commission to take control of both the fire and the police departments. The property of the fire department consisted of three steam fire engines, one hook and ladder truck and appurtenances, and one chemical engine. These continued in use until 1888, when the construction of the present water works rendered the engines almost wholly unnecessary. The companies which had been connected with the steamers were reorgan- ized into hose companies, while the hook and ladder and chemical com- panies remained as they were.
Previous to the construction of the water works each company con- sisted of a maximum of sixty men. This number is still retained in the hook and ladder and the chemical companies, while the maximum of the hose companies was reduced to thirty men each. There is a chief engineer and first and second assistant engineers, all subject to the con- trol of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. The first board was composed as follows :
S. M. Van Alstine, chairman : S. W. Petrie, M. G. Bronner J. P. Sharer ; W. S. Shepard, clerk. The present board is: M. G. Bronner, chairman; D. F. Herlehey, F. Senior, J. S Barnet.
The cost to the village of the fire department is $4,000 annually. An electric fire alarm is in use, comprising twenty alarm boxes placed at as many proper points. The alarm is sounded by a steam whistle in the electric light works, opposite the New York Central depot.
289
TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS.
Police Department .- Prior to the organization of the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners, as above described, the police department was controlled by the village trustees, and changed with almost every change of administration. The creation of the Board of Commissioners corrected this evil and gave to the department much greater efficiency. The police force now consists of six officers including the chief and as- sistant chief. The present chief of police is Earl W. Harris, with Daniel O'Brien assistant chief. The cost of the department is $4,000 annually.
Streets and Sewers .- The control of the streets and sewers of the village is vested in the Board of Trustees, through a street commis- sioner. Marked improvements have been inuagurated in this de- partment in recent years. In 1882 a steam stone crusher was purchased and broken stone was thenceforth used to a considerable extent in im- proving the roadways. In June, 1892, a Springfield steam roller was secured, and a beginning has been made upon a system of macadamiz- ing which it is intended shall cover all the streets of the village.
The natural drainage of Little Falls is exceptionally good and sewer construction was not begun until 1882. Since that date about fifteen miles of sewerage have been constructed in the principal streets.
Street Lighting .- The first gas for illumination made in Little Falls was by the Little Falls Woolen Company and the Saxony Woolen Company, who built a plant and made gas from rosin with which to light their own factories. This gas plant was purchased by John W. and S. B. Stitt and A. G. Story, and in 1853 pipes were laid by them in the principal streets of the village and the gas supplied to consumers. In 1863 the works were enlarged and the manufacture of coal gas was begun. In 1869 the Little Falls Gaslight Company was formed under the general State law with a capital of $25,000.
The directors were G. A. Hardin, S. M. Richmond, W. G. Milligan, W. M. Dorr, Lorenzo Carryl, J. J. Gilbert, James Feeter, W. T. Wheeler, and J. R. Stebbins.
In 1886 a new Board of Directors consisting of William Henry White, V. S. Watrous and M. J. Leyden, was elected ; William Henry White, president. The capital stock was increased to $50,000. A modern system of retorts with a capacity of 20,000,000 cubic feet annually, a large telescopic holder, and some five miles of new street
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
mains were added to the plant ; public lamps were placed on all the thoroughfares of the village. In the same year electricity was also sup- plied for lighting purposes. The present price of gas is based upon a sliding scale regulated by the volume used, so that the net rates range from $1.75 to $2.25 per thousand cubic feet.
Little Falls Electric Light and Power Co .- This company was or- ganized February 29, 1892, with the following officers :
Watts T. Loomis, president; Elijah Reed. vice-president; William F. Lansing, sec- retary, treasurer, and manager; directors, Watts T. Loomis, William F. Lansing, Nel- son R. Gilbert, Elijah Reed, James H. Ives.
The capital stock is $30,000, which is paid up. The Thompson- Houston direct current system and the alternating incandescent system are in use. The steam power employed is. 350 horse power, and more than 100 two-thousand-candle power arcs and about 500 sixteen-candle power incandescent lights are in use, and the number is rapidly increasing.
Herkimer County Bank (now National Herkimer County Bank) .- This is the first regularly organized banking institution in Little Falls, though the oldest citizens remember what was called the Aqueduct Association which was in existence in 1806, and issued scrip for the accommodation of the business operations of that period. The Herki- mer County Bank as a safety fund bank was incorporated on the 14th of March, 1833, with a capital stock of $200,000 and began business in August of the same year, with the following named directors :
N. S. Benton, Standish Barry, S. W. Brown, Dudley Burwell, A. Loomis, F. Lansing, P. F. Bellinger, F. E. Spinner, Benjamin Carver, David Petrie, H. P. Alexander, John Stillwell, and Abijah Mann, jr., with Standish Barry as president and Watts Sherman as cashier.
At the expiration of its charter in 1863, the institution was reorgan- ized as an associate bank under the law of 1838, with the same amount of capital.
The directors were H. P. Alexander, V. S. Kenyon, A. Loomis, Hiram Nolton, Wm. Ingham, G. N. Willard, Z. C. Priest, James Feeter, and A. G. Story, with H. P. Alex- ander as president, and A. G. Story, cashier.
In 1865 the bank was converted into the Herkimer County National Bank of Little Falls, with the same amount of capital as before.
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TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS.
Its directors were H. P. Alexander, V. S. Kenyon, Wm. Ingham, G. N. Willard, James Feeter, Z. C. Priest, W. Starr, George A. Hardin, and A. G. Story, with the same president and cashier as above mentioned.
On the 3Ist of October, 1878, a circular was issued by the bank an- nouncing its going into liquidation, and its immediate organization on the following day as the National Herkimer County Bank, with the same officers and management, and $250,000 capital. The bank con- ducted its business in the old Beattie building until the completion of its own structure, corner of Albany and Ann streets in 1833, when it removed thereto.
The present directors are Wm. G. Milligan, A. G. Story, Lorenzo Carry], Schuyler R. Ingham, Geo. A. Hardin, David H. Burrell, Titus Sheard, Alex W. Shepard, Jacob Zoller.
Following are the names of the successive presidents and cashiers of the bank :
Presidents, Standish Barry, N. S. Benton, Il. P. Alexander, A. G. Story, Z. C. Priest, Wm. G. Milligan. Cashiers, Watts Sherman, A. G. Story, William G. Milligan, Albert Story.
The present vice-president is David H. Burrell ; S. J. Waters, jr., tel- ler ; George D. Smith, Gilbert Lyon, E. B. Waite, jr., bookkeepers. This is now the largest banking institution in Herkimer county, and has adopted a liberal policy toward the business interests of the community. Its deposits amount to more than $1,000,000, and it has not failed to make regular dividends in the sixty years of its existence.
Little Falls National Bank .- This bank was organized in December, 1878, and business was begun early in the year 1879 in the block on the corner of Main and Ann streets, with the following officers :
President, Seth M. Richmond ; vice-president, E. C. Riee ; cashier, Amos A. Bradley ; teller and assistant cashier, W. S. Feeter ; directors, S. M. Rielimond, James Feeter, Isaac Small, E. C. Rice, J. H. Ives, R. H. Smith, A. L. Eaton, William Beattie, George Nelson.
The capital of the bank is $100,000 and it now has surplus and prof- its of $42,000. This has been a prosperous institution since its organ- ization. The chief officers of the bank remain as at first, with the exception of cashier, in which J. D. Feeter succeeded W. S. Feeter, who had succeeded Amos A. Bradley. L. O. Bucklin is the present assistant cashier, and the following are the directors:
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
S. M. Richmond, Isaac Small, James H. Ives, E. C. Rice, J. D. Feeter, J. H. Bucklin, A. L. Eaton, George Nelson, R. H. Smith.
MANUFACTURES.
The Stone Mill .- It is known that a grist mill and saw-mill were in operation at Little Falls during the Revolutionary War and were de- stroyed by the tories and Indians. The old stone mill was erected early in the present century, the exact date being now unknown. It passed through the hands of many proprietors, and was often repaired and improved. It stands on the north bank of the Mohawk River, about fifty rods below the head of the falls. Among the more recent proprietors was George A. Feeter. It was for a while in use as a manufactory of wooden packing-boxes for knit goods. In November, 1892, W. Staf- ford & Co. leased the building and equipped it with machinery for building the Snyder & Fisher rib knitting machine, which they are now manufacturing.
Another ancient manufactory was the paper-mill, the site of which was sold by General Bellinger in 1828 to Sprague & Dann. It stood just below the grist-mill on the south side of the river, was built of wood and the power was supplied by water from the same dam used for the grist and saw-mills adjoining it. Among those who at various peri- ods occupied the mill were Ezra Sprague, David Paige, M. W. Priest, John Satterly, and Philo and Elijah Reed; the latter continued the manufacture of paper until about 1862, when the building was pur- chased by the owners of the cotton factory and converted into dwellings.
The Henry Cheney Hammer Company .- Occupies the site of the Will- iam Ingham Fulling and Carding Mill, the first mill site sold in Little Falls. In the spring of 1856 Henry Cheney came to Little Falls from Otsego county and began the manufacture of hammers, the factory be- ing situated on Mill street. About the year 1874 he began the manu- facture of axes also, and carried on an extensive business. After Mr. Cheney's death in 1879 hammers only were made. In July, 1881, a stock company was organized under the above name, which bought the property and business from the Cheney estate, largely increased the facilities, and added late and improved machinery. The capacity of the factory is about sixty dozen hammers per day. The officers of
293
TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS.
the company are : S. R. Ingham, president; George D. Waterman, secretary and treasurer.
Rockton Knitting-Mills .- A few rods below the head of the falls, on the south side of the river, General Christopher P. Bellinger erected, about 1810, a small grist-mill, and some years later a saw- mill. These two mills were operated until 1844. In 1837 a distillery was connected with the grist-mill by Moses Drake, and they were in operation until they were demolished to make room for a large stone cotton manufactory, four stories in height. It was erected by a company of citizen stock- holders, incorporated under the State laws, and was named the " As- torogan Cotton Mills." After several years the company failed, and the property passed into possession of non-resident proprietors. Gar- ner & Co., of New York, were the last to operate it as a cotton factory. They manufactured about 1,500,000 yards of print cloths annually. On the death of Mr. Garner the mill was idle for a while. W. W. Whit- man purchased the property in 1885, and since that time has success- fully operated it as a knitting mill for manufacturing knit underwear for men, women and children. Mr. Whitman was formerly of the mer- cantile firm of Burrell & Whitman. January 1, 1891, R. S. Whitman became a member of the firm. From 150 to 175 hands are employed.
The saw-mill now run by Benton I. Cooper, who leased the property of D. W. Ladue in 1892, stands on a small island near the north shore, a few rods above the grist-mill, and has, like the grist-mill, had a succes sion of proprietors and tenants. The business carried on by Mr. Cooper at present consists in the running of a saw- mill, cheese- box factory and a cider-mill. Mr. Ladue had worked in Ingham's cheese-box factory until he had obtained a knowledge of the business, when he bought out Mr. Ingham in 1855, and in 1867 he purchased the saw-mill of William I. Skinner. Thus the business was combined and has been successfully carried on since. In the year 1875 he commenced manufacturing cider. In December, 1868, Harvey Schuyler was admitted to partnership, and the firm was known as Ladue & Schuyler. Mr. Schuyler subsequently retired, and Mr. Ladue continued the business until 1892, when he leased to Mr. Cooper, as above mentioned.
Dettinger & Draper's box factory is the successor of the Little Falls box factory, which was purchased in 1890. Wooden boxes for knit
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
goods are largely made, and planing, matching and general carpenter work done.
Sash and Blind Factory .- In the fall of 1846 A. G. Harris, of Little Falls, and Clark Houghton, of Eatonville, erected a building and put in machinery for the manufacture of sash and blinds. In the ensuing win- ter they failed and in the spring of 1847 the building was rented by W. B. Houghton, who afterwards purchased it. He and his brother, J. G. Houghton, conducted the business until about 1855, when Byron K. Houghton was admitted to the firm, the style becoming Houghton & Son, which it continued until 1863. Between 1863 and 1868, Guilford N. Houghton had an interest in the business. In 1885 Newell & Little rented the property from the estate of B. K. Houghton and conducted the business until 1892, when Mr. Newell retired.
Valley Flouring Mills .- These mills were built in the year 1836, by Rodney Durkee, the machinery being from Utica, where it was manu- factured. They have always been operated as flour and feed mills, have passed through various hands, and have been idle part of the time. In 1886 they were purchased by William A. Ingham, and in recent years have been greatly improved. They are operated by water, contain three runs of stone and all the machinery requisite for a first-class mill. The capacity is 1,000 bushels per day.
The extensive Mohawk Mills, for the manufacture of woolen goods, were once an industry of considerable importance. The buildings are on Mill street. The plant began by the erection of buildings by the Little Falls Woolen Company in 1842; they were succeeded by the Wool Growers' Manufacturing Company, whose business was closed in 1852. J. W. Stitt & Co., of Philadelphia, purchased the factory and operated it twelve or fifteen years and more than doubled the ex- tent of the plant. It finally passed into possession of A. T. Stewart & Co., the celebrated New York merchants, and is now owned by Albert B. Hilton. The buildings have been unoccupied for some time.
Little Falls Box Factory .- In the year 1872 Victor Adams began the manufacture of paper boxes with one assistant, at the corner of Main and Ann streets. The present factory on East Mill street was built in 1879, and comprises a four-story brick building and a two-story build- ing, equipped with all requisite machinery for the manufacture of paper
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Roll - Mackinnon
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TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS.
and wooden boxes. A forty five horse power engine and one hundred horse power water wheel furnish the power. Over 100 operatives are employed.
Saxony Woolen- Mills .- This establishment is situated on East Mill street a little below the bridge. The buildings were erected about 1850 by Trumbull, French & Co, the firm being composed of Earl Trum- bull, Joseph French, Washington Van Driesen, J. N. Lake, Dexter Al- den, and J. S. Aldridge. They first began the manufacture of ingrain carpet, which they continued for some years. The property came into possession of Seth M. Richmond and Amos and Charles King in 1882, and the manufactured product now consists of high grade woolen underwear ; about 225 hands are employed. The immediate manage- ment is in the hands of Charles King, son in law of Mr. Richmond.
The Mackinnon Knitting-Mill .- In February, 1881, Robert Mac- Kinnon came from Cohoes, and in company with Robert Ablett and Walter Hume, purchased the knit goods business of Greene & Girvan and began business under the style of Ablett, Mackinnon & Co., in the Loomis building on Mill street. The business grew rapidly, and in 1887 Mr. Mackinnon withdrew from the firm and purchased the site he now occupies, then including wooden buildings, wherein he began the manufacture of knit goods. His success was remarkable, and the de- velopment of his business was such that in September, 1889, he began the erection of his present large brick mill on the same site. The building is four stories and a basement and 129x62 feet in area. This mill was started in the spring of 1891, and the business under Mr. Mackinnon's energetic and sagacious management has continued in ex- ceptional prosperity. The mill is one of the most thoroughly equipped in the State, lighted by electricity, furnished with automatic sprinklers, speaking tubes, etc. About 1,000 dozen garments are manufactured daily, and the product has an annual value of about $800,000. On the payroll are 550 names. (See biography of Mr. Mackinnon in later pages of this work.)
Riverside Knitting-Mills .- In the year 1881 Robert Ablett came to Little Falls and began the manufacture of knit underwear, as a member of the firm of Ablett, Mackinnon & Co. This firm was reorganized in 1884 as Ablett & Mackinnon, and in 1886 Mr. Mackinnon with-
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HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
drew. Mr. Ablett continued alone for a time, after which, until 1891, the mill remained idle. In that year Rugene Walrath fitted the mill with new machinery and began manufacturing men's fine Balbriggan underwear, with success. About 100 hands are employed and 125 dozen garments are made daily.
Pork Packing, Etc .- One of the extensive industries of the village is that of Jacob Zoller, on East Mill street, who is engaged in packing pork and dealing in cheese, butter, eggs, etc. He began in 1860, and has since steadily increased his business. In 1883 he erected his pres- ent extensive building, of stone, three stories high, which is fully equipped with all necessary facilities for cold storage and packing.
J. S. Barnet & Bro .- A tannery has been in existence on the site now occupied by this firm for many years, and was built and carried on by Nelson Rust. He was followed by Van Vechten & Weeks, and later by Gilbert & Weeks, who sold to the present proprietors in 1885. In 1887 the capacity of the tannery was doubled, and the product is now about 1,000 wax calf skins per day. The firm has a salesroom at 27 Spruce street, New York, and another in Boston. They also operate a large tannery at Gloversville and one at Canisteo. (See biography of J. S. Barnet in later pages of this volume.)
The Little Falls Paper Company -In 1857 the firm of S. M. & A. Richmond, associated with E. B. Waite, built a paper mill on the lower falls, which they operated until 1888, when it was sold out to the Little Falls Paper Company. The members of this company are chiefly non- residents.
Titus Sheard Company .- On the site and in the building once occu- pied by D. & J. Petrie's foundry, corner of Furnace and Main streets, is now situated the prosperous knit goods manufactory of the Titus Sheard Company. In 1880 Mr. Sheard, who was then manufacturing woolen yarns on Loomis Island, across the river, converted the old foundry into a knitting mill and began the manufacture of knit goods. The business increased and in 1881 he built a new mill. In 1884 George White and Frank Senior were admitted to partnership, the firm name being Titus Sheard & Co. In 1886 a large store- house was built oppo- site the mill, on John and Main streets. In January, 1888, a stock com- pany was organized, known as the Titus Sheard Company, with the fol-
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Ruque Wahath
297
TOWN OF LITTLE FALLS.
lowing officers : Titus Sheard, president ; George White, superintendent ; Frank Senior, treasurer ; Wallace Hose, secretary. The company man- ufactures knit shirts and drawers, and the mill has a capacity of 60,000 dozen annually, of an approximate value of $500,000. About 300 hands are employed. The annual pay roll is $110,000, and the mill consumes about 750,000 pounds of clean wool per year. The product is sold directly to the wholesale trade. 1
The Little Falls Knitting Company-Was organized in October, 1872, with Titus Sheard as president, D. H. Burrell, vice-president, and J. J. Gilbert, secretary. The original capital stock was $60,000. They purchased their building of Mitchell & Bailey, who erected it in 1872, and began the manufacture of knit underwear in March, 1873. The company now operates twelve sets of cards and employs 250 hands. The factory is situated on the north side of the river, at the head of the old canal of the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company. The officers are Charles Bailey, president ; J. J. Gilbert, vice-president ; Eli- jah Reed, secretary and treasurer ; Squire Bailey, superintendent.
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