USA > New York > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 131
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528
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Arnold Burr, Abel Bingham, Tennis Allen, Stephen Nut- ting, Charles R. Knight, and others. Mills were erected in 1819 and 1820. Abel Bingham opened the first store, in 1820, and C. R. Knight the first inn, in 1821 and 1822.
BONAPARTE.
About 1828, the Count de Survilliers (Josephi Bona- parte), having acquired the title to a large traet in this vieinity, first came to explore his lands and spend a few weeks in rural pastimes. He directed a road to be cut, and went in a stage-coach through from the old turnpike to the lake, which has since been known as Bonaparte lake. He caused a boat to be taken through the woods and launched upon this water, and a log house to be built on an elevation commanding a fine view of the lake and its shores. He also built, during the same year, a large house at Natural Bridge, which is still standing. The count visited his lands four times, upon each occasion spending a few weeks, and always accompanied by a number of chosen companions, some of whom had witnessed and shared the sunny fortunes of the ex-king of Naples and of Spain, the favorite brother of the great Napoleon. Upon one occasion, in returning from Natural Bridge to Evans' Mills, the cortege halted upon the pine plains and partook of a sumptuous feast, which had been prepared with great care and embraced every delicacy that the country afforded, displayed upon golden dishes and served with regal ceremonies. Liberal in the use of money, and sociable with all who were brought into business relations with him, he was, of course, popular, and his annual return was awaited with interest and remem- bered with satisfaction.
The village derives its name from the fact that, in dry seasons, the water of the river finds its way, by a subterra- nean passage, under a mass of white limestone that here constitutes the rock at the surface. In floods, the excess flows in an open channel on the surface, over which a bridge passes. Numerous and extensive caves have been discovered in the vicinity (some of which are several hundred feet in extent), which, from the soluble character of the rock, have been worn by the action of water. Here, as else- where, along the junetion of the white or primary lime- stone and the gneiss rock, there oceurs a great variety of minerals, which afford an inviting field of rescareh, and will be more fully deseribed in our account of the mineralogy of the county. Somewhat extensive operations for eopper- mining were undertaken in the fall of 1847, by a Boston company, under the direction of Mr. Bigelow, in the town of Wilna, about two miles from Natural Bridge.
The village of Natural Bridge consists of a hotel, known as the Central House, Erastus Penny, proprietor; three stores, kept by Charles V. Starkey, Jocl Hulbert, and Dr. P. E. Johnston ; a sash- and blind-factory, two wagon- shops, two blacksmith-shops, three saw-mills, a grist-mill, and an extensive tannery, owned by Thomas E. Proctor.
CHURCHES. ST. JAMES' CHURCH.
The first Catholic church in northern New York was built in Carthage in the year 1818, at a cost of $2000, upon a lot of three aeres given to the society by Mr. Le
Ray, who also contributed largely to its erection. This was the first church built in the village of Carthage, and is claimed to be the oldest in northern New York, and the timbers for the frame were cut close by the site. A society was formed July 20, 1821, with Claudius S. Quilliard, Edward Galvin, John Finley, James and Vincent Le Ray, John Deley, and James Walsh as the first trustees. In 1864, under the supervision of Rev. M. Barry, the build- ing of the present church edifice was begun, and the next year services were held in it. This church occupies the site of the old one. The first priest was the Rev. Father John Farnham. When he was here, and for some years after, the Catholics of Watertown attended services at this place. Sinec Father Farnham, the succession of priests has been as follows: Rev. Fathers James Salman, Fitz- simmons, Cahell, M. Kelly, Delay M. Gilbride, Gillick, McFarlane, M. Powers, John Gillagan, Morris Roach, M. Clark, O'Reilly, M. Barry, Wm. Connoloy, J. M. Griffith, and J. J. Fedigan.
M. E. CHURCH.
As early as the year 1820, the Methodist church itiner- its visited this locality and laid the foundation of the present prosperous church. Prominent among the first members were Jesse Penfield, Benj. G. Paddock, Isaac Puffer, Elisha Wheeler, and Nathaniel Salisbury. Car- thage, Champion, Copenhagen, Pinckney, Tylerville, and Denmark formed one circuit, and belonged to the Gouver- neur district.
The first church building was erected in 1840. The corner-stone was laid on the 27th of April. The church was dedicated to the worship of God November 12 of that year. The Rev. Jesse T. Peck, A.M., who at the time was principal of the Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary, officiated.
The first board of trustees were as follows : E. Horr, Hiram L. Chambers, Allen Peck, Joel P. Rice, Ebenezer Wheeler, Willard Bartlett, William L. Chambers, Nelson Rulison, and Joel Miller. Since tlie dedication, twenty-two ministers have officiated.
GRACE CHURCH.
At first occasional serviees were held, in connection with the Protestant Episcopal church of the United States, by the reetors of Trinity church, Watertown. In 1857 the Rev. J. Winslow entered upou regular services here, and at Champion and Sterlingville. A parish was organized in the fall of 1860. In 1861, Rev. Mr. Winslow went into the army as chaplain, and services were discontinued. In 1862, Rev. A. H. Rodgers took charge of the church. He remained, however, but a few months. Shortly after this, Rev. Mr. Winslow returned to the charge. In 1865, Rev. D. C. Loop took charge of this church and the one at Champion. In June, 1866, Rev. L. R. Brewer entered upon the duties of rector. During February of the year following a church building was completed, and on Sept. 14, 1867, it was consecrated to the service of Almighty God by Bishop Coxe. In 1873, Mr. Brewer having been ealled to Trinity parish, Watertown, he was succeeded by Rev. J. B. Linn, who in turn was followed by Rev. John
529
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Muir in 1875. Mr. Muir was succeeded, in the fall of 1876, by the Rev. J. Cathell, who is the present rector.
Connected with the parish arc the two missions of Cham- pion and Copenhagen. Grace churel has a Sunday-school numbering about 60 pupils. The present officers of the church are as follows: H. W. Hammond and George L. Norton, wardens ; C. F. Bissell, J. L. Norton, William Carpenter, L. H. Mills, H. J. Welch, William Hutchinson, J. Pringle, N. Wagoner, vestrymen. There are at present cighty-six communicants.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Upon the 3d day of 1835, many Christian people of Puritan faith and profession, feeling that the time had come to organize themselves into a church of their choice, took such measures as were needful to that end. They were residents of East and West Carthage, twelve in number, five men and seven women. The officiating ministers were Rev. Nathaniel Dutton and Rev. James H. Monroe. Philo Weed was elected deacon and Merritt Coughlan clerk. It was voted that the church be called " The First Congre- gational Church of Carthage," and that it be connected with the Black River Congregational Association. The church was organized not far from where their present house of worship now stands, in the old stone school-house, subsequently destroyed by fire. It was irregularly supplied with such ministers as Rev. David Spear, Father Nash, of revival memory, Rev. Mareus Smith, and Rev. Mr. Northup. The school-house becoming an undesirable place of worship, and no more eligible place being available, after three years a store was procured and fitted up in West Carthage to meet the necessities of the congregation.
In the fall of 1839 the Rev. O. Parker commenced a revival, the result of which was that about one hundred individuals were converted, many of whom united with the infant church. In November, 1840, Rev. Charles F. Halsey commenced his labors among them. He remained until November, 1842. From this tinie until the summer of 1850, a period of eight years, the church was destitute of religious services. At this time Rev. Hiram Doane was induced to take the oversight of the church. The Baptist church in Carthage was temporarily secured as a place of worship. By unanimous vote the church became Presby- terian in November, 1851, and four months before (July 3) had dedicated a small building in the village to the worship of God. Mr. John Hewitt and Chester Willes were unanimously elected elders, and was received into membership with the Watertown Presbytery.
In the summer of 1852 the Congregational church in West Carthage was erected, and the body which previously liad been one was separated into two parts. Rev. Mr. Doane resigned his charge December, 1855. In January, 1856, the church adopted the system of rotary eldership, and George Gilbert, Esq., was elected clerk of the session. In May, 1859, the Rev. J. McLeash took the temporary charge of the congregation, and measures were taken to build a larger house of worship; Mr. McLeash remained about two years and a half. The pulpit was vacant until the spring of 1864, when Rev. S. M. Legate, formerly of the Methodist eliurch, assumed its oversight. He remained
until March, 1867. Under his ministry the present cdifiee was completed and dedicated to divine worship. In the summer of the same year the Rev. E. W. Brown became its minister, and remained until November, 1869. During these ministrations the church increased in ability and strength.
In the month of August a call was presented to the present minister, who commenecd his regular administra- tion in September, 1869, and was installed as pastor No- vember 30, 1870. During his pastorate the membership of the church has doubled its number of members.
DISCIPLES CHURCH.
The religious services which resulted in the organization of the Disciples Church commenced in Carthage in March, 1855,-Elder J. D. Benedict, a missionary employed by the State board, being the first laborer. During the fol- lowing summer, Elder J. J. Lovell commenced his labors. The church was organized formually in the September fol- lowing. Until 1863 the preaching was by persons casually here, and by the resident Elders B. F. Bush and Marcus Bickford. In 1863, Elder Thomas Hillock commenced his labors, and continued for about three years. From the time of his departure until 1870, serviees were coudueted by Mr. Bickford and several elders from abroad. In 1870, Elder J. S. Hughes came here and remained about two years. He was followed by Elder Rouzee, who remained one year. Following him were Elder J. H. Hambleton and Elder O. C. Atwater. Prominent among the mission- aries were J. D. Garrity, of Maine, Elder J. M. Bartlett, Dr. W. A. Balding, Elder J. E. Goodrich, Elder Dorcy, and Elder Van Buskirk. The first services were held in Dodge's Hall, which was burned in 1861; afterwards in Gallagher's Hall, and then in Disciples Hall. After the latter place burned, a room was fitted up in the Academy building, in which the congregation held their services until the present church edifiee was built in 1862.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church was set apart from the Baptist church of Champion, January 29, 1833. It was at that time known as " The Baptist Church of Wilna." This was done by council,-the moderator of the council being Rev. Sanders Little ; A. P. Lewis was clerk of the council ; John Chase was elected clerk at that time. The first deacon was Jere- mialı Bayton ; Rev. J. N. Webb was the pastor from March 21, 1840, until June, 1845. The church edifice was dedi- cated April 18, 1840. Previous to the erection of the church, services had been held in school-houses and other buildings. Rev. Mr. Webb was suceceded by Rev. D. D. Rced in March, 1847, and was succeeded by Rev. Jacob A. Wood as supply until April, 1849. At that time the Rev. S. Davis took charge, followed by Rev. Elisha Sawyer, who succeeded him in June, 1852, and remained until July, 1856.
In the year 1853 there were 118 members of the society, this being the largest number of members at any one time until the past year. In 1856 the Rev. G. A. Ames became the pastor, and remained for five years.
On the night of July 15, 1861, the church was de-
34
530
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.
stroycd by fire, and no services were held until 1864, when Rev. Jacob Gardner was secured upon half time. Services were held in a block of buildings which had been fitted up in the village for the purpose. Mr. Gardner remained until January, 1867. In March, 1867, Rev. E. P. Weed came on, and remained until August, 1874. During the years 1869-70 the present church edifice, costing $16,000, was erected. In January, 1875, Mr. Weed was succeeded by Rev. C. H. Merrill, who is the present pastor.
The present officers of the church are Joel A. Hopkins, clerk ; Joel A. Hopkins and William Manney, deacons. There are at present 187 members of the church. The Sunday-school has an attendance of 140, and is under the supervision of A. E. Sawyer as superintendent.
METHODIST CHURCH AT NATURAL BRIDGE.
The church building was ereeted in 1830, having been about one year in building. Since that time services have been held, most of the time, by pastors of Carthage and other neighboring ehurelies. Services are held regularly at present ; the pastor is the Rev. Mr. Hitchcock.
UNIVERSALIST CIIURCII AT NATURAL BRIDGE.
This society is of recent origin. The present church edifice was erected in 1870. The first pastor was the Rev. Mr. Sturdevant, of Watertown, who remained until 1874, when he was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Rice, who in turn was succeeded in 1876 by his son, who is the present pastor. The Sunday-school has an attendance of about 40 scholars. They have a small library.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI AT NATURAL BRIDGE.
This church was organized in 1830, and they eom- menced the erection of their church building at that time. They were, however, obliged to discontinue work upon the building shortly afterwards through lack of means, and the building was not finished until 1838 or 1840, when Mr. C. I. Becker advanced the money. The first pastor was Rev. James Rodgers, who remained for two years. Since that time, and previous to 1871, the pulpit has been occupied occasionally by pastors of neighboring churches. Since 1871 they have had no services, and the church has been unoccupied.
TIIE UNION CHURCH AT WOODS' SETTLEMENT.
The church building is at present used by the Methodists. Regular services are held. The present pastor is Rev. Frank W. West, who has been in charge since 1876. The society is small.
METHODIST CHURCH AT NORTH WILNA.
The congregation is small. No regular services are held, the pulpit being occupied occasionally by the pastor of the Methodist church in Antwerp.
NEWSPAPERS AND PHYSICIANS.
The Carthugenion, a weekly Whig paper, devoted to the advocacy of the Black River canal, was begun Dee. 19, 1839, by David Johnson, who on the 18th of June, 1840, was succeeded as editor by William H. Hough. It had
six columns to the page, and was issued at $2.50. The press was principally owned by Hiram McCollom. In April, 1843, the name was changed to the Black River Times, W. H. Hough, editor. Jan. 1, 1847, Myron F. Willson commenced a semi-monthly neutral paper, styled The People's Press. In the third number W. H. Colston became associate editor, and in September, L. Jones. It was of brief continuanee. In 1849 the press was removed to Gouverneur, and used in printing the Northern New Yorker, and it was afterwards taken to Potsdam, where it now is. The People's Press was succeeded by the Black River Budget, published by Barnes & Burr. The Budget was published for one year. After this there was no paper published until 1858. At this time Adolphus Allen succeeded the publishers of the Budget, and changed the name of the paper to the Curthuge Standard. Within three months Adolphus Allen was succeeded by W. R. Merrill and E. R. Cole as publishers, who enlarged the paper about one-fourth. They continued the publication for nine months. In 1861, Mr. Bickford commenced the publication of the Carthuge Republican. He continued as publisher until September, 1864, when he sold out to James H. Wilbur. In September, 1865, Mr. M. M. Wil- liams purchased a half-interest in the paper. It was pub- lished by this firm until January, 1873, when Mr. S. R. Pratt became the publisher. In August, 1876, Mr. G. L. Chase purchased the paper, and is the present publisher, with Jerry Coughlin as associate editor. In 1874 a paper known as the Farmers' Journal was published by Mr. S. R. Pratt. The publication of this paper was continued until May, 1876, when it was purchased by Hon. John O'Donnell, and removed to Lowville. In May, 1875, a paper ealled the Northern New Yorker was started by Durham & Gillette. In 1876 this paper was purchased by Mr. Chase, and was consolidated with the Carthage Republican.
Dr. James T. Peden, of Carthage, studied with Dr. Sturdevant, of Martinsburgh, Lewis Co., N. Y. Attended a course of lectures at the Albany Medical College in the winter of 1842. Praeticed in the village of Martinsburgh, Lewis county, until 1860, when he removed to the village of Carthage, Jefferson County, where he has since con- tinued in practice. He is an honorary member of the County Medical Society.
Dr. N. D. Ferguson, of Carthage, graduated at the Geneva Medical College. Practiced in the village of Car- thage until 1861, when he entered the army as surgeen in the 97th Regiment. Was transferred to the 8th N. Y. Cav. Returned to Carthage March 6, 1865. Was elected to the legislature in 1865. Was elected county clerk the year following, and at the close of his term of office he re- turned to Carthage, where he has since continued in practice.
Dr. J. H. Miller, of Carthage, studied with Dr. John Davison, of Theresa, in 1856. He afterwards attended leetures, and graduated, at the medieal college of Castleton, Vermont. Has been in practice in Jefferson and St. Law- rence counties for eighteen years. He located in the village of Carthage in 1870, and has continued in practice at that place since. During the past six years he has been en- gaged in the drug business.
531
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Dr. G. N. Hubbard, of Carthage, studied with Dr. G. S. Conkey, of Antwerp, in 1850. Graduated at the Al- bany Medical College in 1854. Practiced for eight years in the town of Wilna. Removed to the village of Car- thage in 1862, where he has since eontinned in practice. Was elected eoroner in 1873 and re-elected to that office in 1876.
Dr. J. W. Brown, of Carthage, gradnated at the New York Homoeopathic Medieal College in 1868. Practiced for a short time in Ilion, Herkimer county, when he re- moved to Morrisville, Madison county, where he continued in practice until October, 1869, when he removed to the village of Carthage.
E. A. Monroe, dentist, of Carthage, studied with Bou- man Bros at Canton, St. Lawrence county. Removed to Watertown in 1863, and to Carthage in 1864. In 1865 he removed to the city of New York, where he became a member of the Society of Dental Surgeons of the City of New York. Returned to Carthage the year following. Attended a course of lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in the winter of 1874-5.
C. W. Bullard, dentist, of Carthage, studied with John Leggan, of Ottawa, Canada. Attended a course of lectures at the Philadelphia Dental College in 1868. Practiced in Antwerp, Jefferson County, for six years. Removed to the village of Carthage, January, 1876.
Dr. P. E. Johnson, of Natural Bridge, was a pupil of Dr. Arien Spafford, of Cooperstown, N. Y. Graduated at the Medical College at Fairfield, Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1835. Since that time he was in practice in Coopers- town for thirty-five years. Removed to Natural Bridge in 1872.
Dr. J. H. Copp, of Natural Bridge, studied with Dr. V. A. Baker, of Mexico, Oswego county. Graduated at the Metropolitan Medical College, of New York city, in 1863. Since that time he has been in practice in Oswego and Jefferson counties.
Dr. Benjamin S. Budd, of Carthage, studied in the city of Philadelphia. Graduated at the Pennsylvania Univer- sity in the spring of 1821. Located in the village of Car- thage. Since that time he has been in practice most of the time in Lewis and Jefferson counties. Dr. Budd is proba- bly the oldest practitioner in the county, having been in active practice for fifty-eight years.
Dr. H. S. Hendee, formerly of Carthage, studied with Dr. Amasa Trobridge, of Watertown. Graduated at the Medical College of Castleton, Vermont, in 1851. Prac- tieed in Carthage until 1860, when he visited Europe, and attended leetures in Edinburgh and London. Returned to this connty upon the breaking out of the Rebellion, and entered the service of the Government as surgeon in the 186th Regiment. Returned to Carthage in 1868, and eon- tinued in practice until 1873, when he was elected to the office of member of assembly from the second district of Jefferson County. Shortly after this he removed with his family to the village of Lowville, in Lewis county, where he is in praetiee at present.
We are under obligations for information furnished by George O'Leary, J. P. Hodgkins, and John Hewitt, of Carthage, and to Mr. C. I. Becker and Dr. Johnson, of Natural Bridge, and many others.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
SAMUEL BRANAUGII.
The subject of this sketch was born in Belfast, eounty Antrim, Ireland, September 11, 1823, and came to this country with his parents in 1830, who located in Greene county. When quite young Mr. Branaugh removed to Herkimer county and entered the employ of John C. Pitt, as foreman in his tannery at Salisbury Centre, where he remained for five years. At the expiration of this time he concluded to engage in the tanning business, and forming a eopartnership with Mr. James. White, they erected a tan- nery, which they carried on for two years; he then sold his interest to Mr. White, and re-entered the establishment of his old employer, Mr. Pitt, and there romained as his fore- man for thirteen years. From there he went to New Bremen, Lewis county, New York, and formed a copartner- ship with James H. Morrow and David A. Steward, for five years, under the firm-name of S. Branaugh & Co., and for the five years following with Mr. Steward, under the name of Branangh & Steward; this was a large tannery, and they did a successful business. April 1, 1869, Mr. Branaugh removed to Binghamton, New York, purchased a residence, and the tanning establishment of Joseph B. Abbott & Son, where he remained something over one year. Arriving at Carthage, Jefferson County, June 2, 1870, he purchased the small tannery located down the river about half a mile from the depot, tore it down and erected a large new one, and is doing a very prosperous business. Three years sinee, Mr. Branaugh, not being content with business on a small scale, purchased a large sole-leather tannery at Belfort, Lewis county, New York, which is doing an extensive business ; also a large traet of hemlock-bark lands to supply his tanneries. The establishment at Carthage is superin- tended by his son-in-law, J. P. Coreoran.
Mr. Branaugh is the second son of a family of seven children, four of whom are living.
Archibald Branangh, the father, died about twelve years ago, in 1865. Jane Anderson, the mother, died abont five years since. They were of Scotch descent, and originally of the Presbyterian faith, bnt latterly Methodists. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage to Miss Diana Bellinger, of Manheim, Herkimer county, September 6, 1848. The fruits of this union were five children,-two sons and three daughters,-viz., Martha J., born June 11, 1849 ; Celestia, born June 16, 1852 ; Jesse J., born September 10, 1858; William A., born April 4, 1860 ; Edmund W., born March 12, 1871 ; of whom Celestia and William are de- ceased.
WORTH.
THIS town is known in the old records as town No. 2, of Boylston's Tract, and was ereeted fromn Lorraine, by an aet of the Senate and Assembly, April 12, 1848. It is provided that the town shall be about six miles from east to west, and about seven miles from north to south, the boundaries to be co-extensive with those of town No. 2. Its name was bestowed in honor of Gen. W. J. Worth, of the U. S. A., who became personally known in this county during the Patriot disturbances of 1838-40, and whose services in the Mexican war, about the time the town was separately organized, had made him one of the most prom- inent actors on the American side. His name was selected in preferenee to Roseville and Wellington, which had also been proposed.
The general surface of the country is undulating and very elevated, the altitude of this town being probably greater than that of any other portion of the county. In the eastern part of the town is the divide between the Black river and Sandy ercek in Jefferson County, and the Salmon river in Lewis eounty. The south branch of Sandy creek flows through the town in a general westerly direction to its confluence with the north branch, in the town of Ellis- burg. It has numerous tributaries, the principal ones being Chloe and Abijah creeks, named after Miss Chloe Wilcox and Abijah Gillet respectively. Thesc streams afford water- power at certain scasons of the year, and drain the town thoroughly. In general, the town is less broken by " gulfs" than Rodman and Lorraine, but from its great elevation it is subjcet to early frosts and deep snows. The soil, being underlaid by a shale rock, is less liable to drouth than the lower portion of the county, and is finely adapted to grazing. The surface was originally covered with a fine growth of timber, chiefly beech, maple, hemlock, and pine, and large forests are yet found in the southern and eastern parts of the town. These forests have been the source of consider- able revenue, furnishing the material for numerous mills and tanneries. Gathering these products and dairying are the principal industries of the people o.' Worth.
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