USA > New York > Herkimer County > History of Herkimer county, New York > Part 41
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90
Russia contains a part of the third allotment of the Royal Grant, por- tions of Jerseyfield, Remsenburgh and Matchin's patents, and the whole of Lush's, Marvin's and Jacob's patents, nearly 37,000 acres. The town was not settled previous to the Revolution. In 1792 Stoddard Squire came from Connecticut and settled in the town, bringing with him John G. Squire, his son, then a boy seven years old. Dr. Truman Squire, a grandson of Stoddard Squire, was born in Russia and became prominent in his profession. He practiced for many years at Elmira, N. Y., where he died. He made important contributions to medical science, for which he received honors both in this country and Europe. The Millington family from Vermont, and the Smith family, came in and took up land within a few years after Squire's settlement. Farley Fuller, George Taylor, and Roscum Slocum moved into the town probably in 1794, and between that year and 1 800 quite a number of other
435
TOWN OF RUSSIA
families made settlements here. Among these were a man named Austin, with his son ; William Buck, Jeremiah Smith, Jonathan Carpenter, father of Jotham Carpenter, and a family named Coon who settled on the State road. Farley Smith and Minerva Smith were the first persons married in the town (1794), and a son of a Mr. Allen and soon afterward Waite Robinson, were those who first died in the town. The first school was taught at Graves' Hollow (now Gravesville), the teacher's name being Morehouse. The first tavern in the town was kept by Stephen Smith 2d, on the State road opposite the William Buck homestead, and the first store was kept at Gravesville, where Lankton's old store stands. Benja- min Hinman built the first saw-mill in 1797, and in the same year he built a grist-mill on the site of the later mill at Gravesville. Dr. William Frame was the first physician in the town, and was succeeded by Dr. Sears. Other early comers are mentioned in the sketches of the vil- lages of the town.
Outside of lumbering the principal occupation of the inhabitants of Russia is farming, in late years cheese and buttermaking receiving the most attention. The Utica and Black River Railroad approaches very near to the western border of the town. It was opened in 1855-6 and gave convenient access to a good market at Utica, which aided in the development of the agricultural industries of Russia.
Poland Village-Is beautifully situated in the extreme southwest part of the town, and contains very many handsome residences. Consider- able business is carried on, but very little manufacturing. The settle- ment in this vicinity was not made until 1800 or a little later ; but after that date it rapidly filled up. Among the pioneers of the locality were Nathan Burwell, Samuel Wright, Daniel Swezey, Ebenezer Newman, Michael De Groff, Jesse Brayton, George Arnold, Uriah and Cornelius Schermerhorn, Silas Beebe, Samuel Giles, Moses Mather, Amos Beebe, James King, William Truman, Samuel Newberry, Jenks Benchley, Na- hum Daniels, Daniel Jones, James Trask, John Gorton, James M. Dex- ter, and the Terry family. Many of these located in the vicinity of Cold Brook, whither they were attracted by the valuable water power, and many of their descendants still live in the town.
The first school-house at Poland was erected in 1798, of logs, and stood on what is now Newport street, a few rods from the site of the
436
HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
present school-house; the second one was about half way between Poland and Swezey Hill, a mile northeast of the other one. A third school- house was built on Cold Brook street near where Arthur Sprague now lives. A frame house was built later nearly on the site of this last mentioned log house. The fifth school-house was also on Cold Brook street The sixth was built in 1868, on the site of the present commodious house. The old building was at first used as a part of the new one and a primary department was kept in a part of it in 1874. In 1877 the whole of the old building was taken for the primary depart- ment, and the new house remodeled and greatly improved.
The first grist-mill in Poland was built by Moses Mather, father of Dr. William and Jairus Mather, of Fairfield, in 1807. A valuable manuscript left by the late Dr. William Mather says that soon after 1803 his father purchased a tract of land of Nathan Burwell, the pioneer, located at what was then called " Russia Flats," now Poland, which em- braced many valuable mill privileges. He removed his family thither in 1806 and immediately began improving the mill privileges on Cold Brook. He built the first grist-mill on that stream, became the owner of two saw-mills, besides building other mills for turning wood and forg- ing iron by water power. About the year 1809-10, when the secret of distilling intoxicating liquor from grain began to be known, he engaged in that business as one of the first in this section. The first year the price of whisky was high and the outlook favorable. He therefore largely extended his business in the second year; "but one thing he did not take into consideration, and that was that everybody else who could, would do the same thing." The consequence was an over- production and decline in prices. In the prime of life and after devoting several years to hard work, mostly in endeavoring to build up a village in liis locality, Mr. Mather became pecuniarily embarrassed, sold out all his property at Poland, and purchased a house and lot at Fairfield, to which place he removed his family in 1816. After he left Poland business at that place declined ; but the building of the narrow gauge railroad con- necting Poland and Herkimer, and the value of the local water power gave it a new impetus and its growth was rapid. The mill and distillery formerly owned by Mr. Mather were afterward converted into a factory for the manufactory of cotton batting, etc., by Col. George Arnold,
437
TOWN OF RUSSIA.
father of Thomas Arnold. Noble Gunn and Joshua Bennett were early millers at Poland, and Horace Kellogg and Russell Vincent were dis- tillers. The Putnam grist and saw-mills were built by Isaac, brother of Almond Brayton. While he owned the property the grist mill was burned, and he rebuilt it and sold the property to Edward Cheever, by whom it was transferred to John G. Webster, father of Robert and Frederick Webster. The property finally passed from the possession of Frederick Webster, who had greatly improved it, to Jolin M. Putnam in 1874. The mill is now operated by Fitch & Howe.
Michael De Groff built a saw mill at Poland about 1802, which passed to the possession of Moses Mather. Mr. Mather also bought of Stephen Smith a piece of land and another saw mill which stood near the site of the saw-handle factory at Cold Brook. The saw-handle factory is now operated by Thomas T. Rhodes. The De Groff saw-mill was on the site of the planing-mill at Cold Brook. Mr. Mather sold it to Philip A. Fenner, who changed it to a factory for the manufacture of cotton yarn, candle wicking, etc. Later the proprietor began the manufacture of rubber boots and shoes in the building, Mr. Fenner having taken as a partner Col. George Arnold. They carried on the business a few years and sold out to Jenks Benchley and Abraham Coffin, who sold to Sey- mour Bullock and Rev. Abram Fish, who began the manufacture of cheese boxes. The next owners were Samuel Arnold (brother of Thomas) and George Potter, who again took up the manufacture of . cotton products. The business was not profitable and they began mak- ing wagons, and still later Rider & Brown manufactured fanning mills here. George Potter and Richard Sprague then began the manufac- ture of sash, doors and blinds in a small way. George Potter eventu- ally became owner of the works, which had been considerably enlarged, and upon his death in 1875, the property passed to his sons, Henry and Herbert, who have since continued a flourishing business.
The first tannery in Poland was established by Jenks Benchley in 1817; it stood on the south side of Cold Brook a little east of the stone bridge. Some years later he removed it to the opposite side of the brook and west of the bridge. The site of the vats was where the Union store is situated. In after years when Colonel Arnold's cotton factory sus- pended operations, Jenks Benchley and Ambrose Nicholson bought the
438
HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
buildings and the water right of Arnold and converted the building into a tannery, which they continued to operate together many years. They finally sold out to Nicholas Rider, who was succeeded by Peter Coun- tryman, who continued it until 1878, when the business was suspended. The property is now owned by Levi Schermerhorn.
Nathan Burwell, before mentioned, was the first blacksmith in Poland, and a man of high character. He had six children, three of whom were sons named Bryant, Dudley and Charles. Nathan Burwell's blacksmith shop was of logs and in later years he lived in the stone house owned by Robert Webster. He also carried on farming and became owner of considerable land in the neighborhood. Dudley Burwell became a prominent citizen of Herkimer county, and a brief sketch of his career will be found in another chapter devoted to the legal profession.
Daniel Jones was a skillful mechanic who was attracted to Poland by the water power in Cold Brook. He built a dam and a ditch for the diverted water, and erected a large shop, in which he placed a trip- hammer, the first one in the northern part of the county. Mr. Mather wrote: "I well remember the interest manifested by the inhabitants when, for the first time, they witnessed iron and steel hammered and moulded by water power." Jones was succeeded by James Trask, father of Isaac Trask, and two partners, John Gorton and James M. Dexter. For many years they manufactured scythes. James Trask and his son Isaac subsequently built the brick shop still standing a half mile above on the same stream, where a trip-hammer was put in and the manufacture of axes carried on. The building is now unused.
William and George Harrison established an iron foundry on the south side of Cold Brook and southeast of the Countryman tannery. They cast mill- gearings, small box stoves, hollow-ware, etc.
Daniel A. Sprague established the manufacture of wagons many years ago and was succeeded by his sons Arnold and Charles, who oc- cupy the "cobble-stone " building. Uriah Schermerhorn and his brother Cornelius were early boot and shoemakers and became, event- ually, wealthy farmers.
Nearly all the manufactures of Poland have gone down, while various interests have sprung up in Cold Brook, near by. There is a manufact- ory of veneers in Poland, carried on by the Perkins Manufacturing Company. The Poland cheese factory was established in 1863.
439
TOWN OF RUSSIA.
The first store in Poland was built and kept by Samuel Wright. The building was afterwards occupied as a cabinet shop by William Wright, and still later by Samuel Giles as a store. In 1861 it was converted into a dwelling and removed to Cold Brook street. Other merchants who succeeded Mr. Wright were Nahum Daniels, Samuel Giles, N. But- ler, J. Douglass, C. A. Brown, William Benchley, Abel Morse, H. Ba- ker, William Durant, Randall Rice, Samuel Arnold, and others. In order to provide for a well kept permanent store, the Union Store was established in 1853, which was successfully operated till 1857, when the present large building was completed. Its affairs are conducted through a board of officers who are elected annually by ballot. By the pay- ment of $20 any person may become a stockholder, entitled to receive goods at a certain rate of discount below those granted to outsiders. The store has always been remarkably successful, and draws patrons from many surrounding towns.
Robbins Reed started a store in 1872, and soon afterward took his brother George into partnership. They are still in business.
The Bank of Poland was organized October 5, 1872, by S. R. Mill- ington, Peter Countryman, M. A. Blue, William Buck, John Hemstreet, Isaac Beecher, and C. S. Millington. William Buck was elected presi- dent and Charles S. Millington, cashier. The bank was at first located in Dr. Millington's office, which was fitted up for that purpose. In 1876 it was removed to the new Kellogg block, where a vault was built for it. In 1885 the institution was reorganized as a national bank. The present officers are Warren Brayton, president, and Charles Millington, cashier. Dr. S R. Millington is a son of Richard Millington, and was born in Russia in 1826. After studying in Geneva Medical College he practiced in Norway thirteen years and came to Poland in 1860. In 1872 he retired from his profession to engage in banking.
The post- office at Poland was established in 1838, with Joseph Bench- ley as postmaster, and the office was kept in his public house. The present postmaster is Robbins Reed.
Nathan Burwell kept the first public tavern in Poland, occupying for several years the large two-story house erected several years earlier by Samuel Wright. Mr. Burwell kept the house only a few years, and re- turned to blacksmithing and farming. Nahum Daniels soon purchased
440
HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
the house and a large farm with it and occupied it for many years. He was a prominent citizen, and the place was known as " Danielsville" for years. This name caused confusion with Dansville, N. Y., and Joseph Benchley's influence changed the name to Poland, from the fact that Poland in Europe is in the southwest part of Russia. Dr. Milling- ton purchased the Wright House in 1860, and removed it to make room for his present handsome residence. The old house is now the home of Mrs. John I. Countryman, on Cold Brook street.
After Mr. Burwell gave up his tavern, Samuel Giles kept a public house in the stone building now occupied by Thomas Arnold. This was continued only a few years and the building became the residence of George Arnold.
The first really permanent hotel in the place was erected and kept by Joseph Benchley, about 1828. He subsequently left Poland and con- ducted a hotel in Ilion ; he died in Newport. The Benchley tavern af- terwards became the wing of the main building erected by Albert Hen- dricks, now, after numerous changes chiefly made by Van Zant Wil- loughby, called the Ellis House, kept by Frank Ellis. The Webster House, now kept by Eugene Lovett, is also an old building on a site where a hotel has long been located. It passed to the possession of Van Zant Willoughby, by whom it was greatly changed. He sold it to Mrs. Rouse, who leases it to the present proprietor.
Previous to 1840 religious services were held at Poland in school- houses, private houses and elsewhere, and many families attended ser- vices in neighboring towns. On the 10th of April, 1840, a meeting was held at a school house in Newport, to organize a " branch of the Free Baptist Church of Norway." The result was that a number of persons and families were constituted a church in Poland. In March, 1842, a subscription paper was circulated to raise money for a church building for the use of the " Newport and Poland Free Church." The connec- tion with Newport was for the benefit of a few families who lived over the line in that town. The sum of $825 was raised and a plain building erected ; through other subscriptions the land was paid for. The first pastor of the church was Rev. Daniel McKoon. On the 16th of January, 1841, at a quarterly meeting held at Norway, a vote was taken on the proposition to constitute the Newport and Poland branch
441
TOWN OF RUSSIA.
of the Norway Free Baptist Church a distinct church by itself, and the meeting voted in its favor. The word " Newport" was subsequently omitted as inappropriate. The new church edifice of the Poland Free Baptist Society was begun June 6, 1872, and was dedicated December 18 of that year. Its costs was $5,000. The present pastor is Rev. Isaac Hyatt. Deacons, A. W. Brayton, M. Root. Trustees, Henry Burwell, T. J. Waful, S. R. Millington, Milton Howe, Peter Newman, Marshall Root, A. W. Brayton.
The Methodist Society at Poland was organized in 1869, and services were held in the Baptist church, in Countryman's hall and elsewhere. In 1875 the church building was erected and dedicated on the 27th of June, 1876. It is one of the most attractive church buildings in the county, although its cost was only $4,000. The first pastor was Rev. P. Wright.
Cold Brook. - This thriving little village is situated about two miles northeast of Poland where the State road crosses Cold Brook. Settlement began in this vicinity as early as 1810. Seth Fenner was here as early as that, and in 1811 built the first grist-mill for Judge Bowen, about twenty rods north of the site of the present mill. Mr. Fenner also built for himself a saw-mill about the same time. A distillery was built in 1818 where the Fenner blacksmith shop stands. Waterman Fenner and Morgan Fenner are sons of Seth. Stephen Smith settled early nearly opposite where Waterman Fenner now lives. Nich- olas and Caleb Vincent were here before Fenner, and the latter bought land of Nicholas. Jonathan and Nathan Millington settled about three miles west of Cold Brook, where Alva Pullman lives. Peter and Eb- enezer Newman settled a little south of Cold Brook, where their descend- ants still live. In 1825 Lemuel Carpenter built a distillery where is now the sash and door factory of Charles and Roselle Rhodes, and in 1830 Carpenter & Vincent built another where Charles Rhodes now lives. All these have gone to decay.
A saw- set factory was established in 1835, but the business was given up and the building is now used by Stillman & Co. as a wagon factory. The first store in the place was kept by Daniel Terry in 1830, where A. P. Coonradt's house now stands. Allen Baker kept a store on the op- posite corner in 1835, and another was kept a little southeast of the
50
442
HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
village on the State road in a building erected in 1838 by Peter Fake ; it was burned. The first cheese box factory was established by Jeffer- son Moon in the old building where the Rhode shop now stands. Ben- jamin Hull, well known as " Governor," was the early blacksmith of the place, and had his shop on the State road southeast of the creek where Fred Payne now lives. The first tavern was kept by Stephen and Arthur Smith. The present Delevan House was built in 1832 by Ben- jamin Hurd and was called until recently the Mansion House. It is now kept by Michael Spellman. James L. Heffernan and David Walrath were early tailors, and Amos Carpenter was the first shoemaker. Luther Joles had a flax-mill in 1835 where the Davis cheese-box factory now stands. Stephen Smith 2d was the first postmaster here and was also a justice and surveyor ; the present postmaster is Franklin Forrest. A saw-handle factory has been in operation here a number of years and is now conducted by Thomas Rhodes, who also has the saw . mill ; lleman Payne has another mill. The grist-mill was built by Ira Torrey. A button mould factory has been in operation here more than fifteen years.
The village constitutes one school district, and the present commo- dious school building was erected in 1880. There is only one church in Cold Brook, the Methodist, which was organized in 1835, with Rev. L. C. Rogers as pastor, and the following trustees : Amos H. Beebe, Joshua Overton, Jeremiah Smith, Asa Shaw, Aaron F. Bates, Roswell P. Smith. Rev. H. Casler is the present pastor, and following are the trustees : John M. Allen, lloward Newman, H. Payne, Jacob Rum- mel.
Grant is the name of a small village situated on Black Creek, near the center of the town. It was originally known as "Potter's Bush." Isaac Woodin was the first settler here in 1816, and in 1820 John Post came and through his influence a post-office was obtained named " Postville." Alexander Booth settled near Woodin about as early, and in honor of his son the name of the place was subsequently changed to " Booth ;" but after the assassination of President Lincoln, the pres- ent name was given in honor of the great general, U. S. Grant.
A tavern was established here in 1820 by Walter Howard, on the south side of the creek, a little east of the tannery, and in the same
143
TOWN OF RUSSIA.
year Enoch Arnold kept a small store near- by. The tavern is now kept by A. H. Legg, who succeeded George Garlock six years ago. Stephen Smith built the first grist-mill in the place in 1821, on the site of the present mill. The mill has been often damaged and destroycd by floods, but was finally rebuilt by Adelbert Emery in its present form ; it is now owned by John Wood and run by Seth Fenner. The tannery was built in 1821 by Zina and Almond Beecher ; after several changes it came into the possession of Clark Dodge in 1877. In 1885 W. C. Benedict bought it and has since operated it Between 16,000
and 18,000 sides of leather are turned out annually. The building was twice burned, and rebuilt once by Griffith O. Jones and once by Mr. Dodge. Owen Kelly kept an early store where Miss Cramer now lives, and John Post, already mentioned, was a still earlier merchant. The present merchants are David Jones and James Carpenter. The postmaster is George Garlock. The first saw-mill was built by the Booths and Mr. Woodin, and the next by the Beechers, where the dam now is. This was carried off by a flood. On the stream below the village Loren Pardee built a steam mill about 1850, which is now owned by the Abell estate. Mr. Pardee also built a mill at what is called " Pardeeville," about a mile from Grant. Alva Pardee, brother of Loren, built a tannery at that point, which was burned. Philip Young was the first blacksmith at Grant, and Elisha Hall was an early tailor.
The Free Will Baptist church at Grant was organized July 19, 1856, with eleven members. It was called the "Free Will Baptist Society of Russia Center." Isaac Woodin was the first deacon. Rev. R. H. Ketchum was the first pastor. The church was built in 1856 and dedi- cated June 12. The society is very feeble and the last pastor was Elder Whittemore.
The Methodist society at Grant was organized as early as 1860, but the precise date is not known, and there was preaching long before that by itinerants. In the summer of 1860 the present church was built. The society has nearly lost its identity and there is no regular preaching.
The village of Gravesville takes its name from William Graves, who settled there in 1800. Previous to that time and about 1796, a Major Geer located there and began tanning hides in a small way. Mr.
444
HISTORY OF HERKIMER COUNTY.
Graves was from Vermont and was a man of energy and character. Ile traded his horse and equipments with Geer for the tannery and went into business in the wilderness. In 1806 John Burr built a saw mill near the site of the late grist-mill. The first grist mill was built by the father of Col. J. E. Hinman, of Utica, on the site of the late mill. It was burned on the 4th of February, 1826, and on the Ioth of the next February Mr. Graves had the present mill running. In 1813 William and Hobart Graves built the carding-mill, and the same year saw the building of a trip hammer shop by Reuben Sacket. The post-office was established in 1848, with Elijah Scavey as postmaster. The cloth- dressing mill, grist-mill, cheese-box factory and a machine shop have all been abandoned. A store is kept here by Frank Lankton, who is postmaster, and another by Sherman Holliday, who began business in 1890 in the old store building, which had been occupied by Abner Moon as a dwelling. The carding-mill and a scale-board factory are owned and occupied by George Jinks.
There has been a Methodist Episcopal society here for many years, but it is difficult to secure any connected history of the church. The present pastor is Rev. Ilarvey Casler. A Universalist society formerly existed here, having been organized in 1845, and erected a church in the same year, but the members are at present without a pastor.
What is known as Russia village is a small hamlet in the southern part of the town, on the old State road, and was first settled by Samuel Wright, who owned the site of the village and sold it to Nathaniel Nor- ton. He built a store and tavern in 1803, and kept both, where Charles White now lives. Moses Prindle was the first blacksmith in 1804. Dr. William Frame was the first resident physician. William Smith kept the first store, after Norton, in 1804, on the site of the present store kept by L. F. Carpenter, who is also postmaster. Nathaniel Waters settled here in 1805, and was a carpenter. The brick house now occu- pied by Giles Reed was the first one of brick in the place, and was built by a Mr. Bishop. Isaac Norton, Elijah Ayers, and Stephen Smith lived here in 1804, and all of them were surveyors. Jeremiah Smith, an early settler, was the first mail carrier, going along the State road from Johnstown, in Fulton county, through Norway and Russia to Trenton, Oneida county. A cheese factory was carried on here several years,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.