History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 61

Author: Durant, Samuel W; Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 862

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 61

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ROADS, RAILROADS, AND TELEGRAPH LINES.

The first settlers of the town had only blind paths through the woods for roads; and when streams were reached, they had to be forded or crossed on foot-logs felled across the narrow channels. But roads were located be- tween the different settlements at an early day, and in 1802 the Sandy creek was bridged at Smith's mill. In the spring of 1804, the State road to Rome, via Redfield, was opened, and ten years later, the State road from Salina to Adams, where it intersected the Rome road. It was long best known as the " Salt Point road."

J. C. COOPER .

RES. OF MRS.J.C. COOPER. ADAMS, JEFFERSON CO. N.Y

RES.OF T. V. MAXON, AD

JEFFERSON COUNTY, N. Y.

RES.OF E.C. CROSBY, ADAMS CENTRE, N.Y.

G ROS BY BLOCK

R.C.LANGWORTHY. ...

GROCERIES, PROVISIONS & C

BOOT & SHOE STORE

E.C.CROS

STORE OF E.C. CROSBY, ADAMS CENTRE , N.Y.

RES. AND CABINET SHOP OF R. C. LANGWORTHY, ADAMS CENTRE JEFFERSON CO.,N.Y.

GILES PARKER

MRS. RHODA PARKER.

RES. OF GILES PARKER, ADAMS, JEFFERSON COUNTY, N. Y.

RESIDENCE of J. M. CLEVELA

106

( W.H. WHELLER, ARCHI. )

ADAMS. JEFFERSON COUNTY, N. Y.

LAA

RESIDENCE & SHOPS OF W.H. WHEELER, ARCHITECT, BUILDER AND CONTRACTOR.

245

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

The bridges at Adams village have been swept off sev- eral times by the floods to which Sandy ereek is peculiarly liable, and their maintenance has eost the town a consider- able sum. A tax of $500 upon the town of Adams was authorized April 13, 1839, for the purpose of building a bridge aeross the north branch of Big Sandy erecek at the village. Liberal appropriations for the improvement of the roads and the building of bridges were voted in 1850 and 1851; in 1853, $1000 was voted for this purpose, and the two sueeeeding years, $1500; and in 1860, $4000 was voted to be paid in four installments. The town was thoroughly distrieted and a better elass of bridges built. A stone bridge at Adams village was completed in 1863, and the bridges and roads of Adams will now compare favorably with those of other towns in the county.

The certificate of organization of the " Adams and Ellis- burg Plank-road Co." was recorded Feb. 14, 1849. Among those interested in this road were Judge Skinner and others. The plank, being hemlock, soon rotted away, and the road was abandoned about 1855.

The " Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburgh R. R." was built through Adams in 1851. It traverses the town in a general north and south direction east of the eentre, 7.12 miles, and has an elevation above tide, at Adams, of 596 feet, and at Adams Centre, of 600 feet. At both of the points named it has stations, which handle large quantities of freight for those places and the country east and west of the road. There are also a number of express and passenger trains daily, affording easy and rapid eommuni- eation.

In 1850, O'Reilly's Merchants' Telegraph Line was ereeted along the stage road, and an office opened. Other lines were soon after built along the railroad. At present the Montreal and the Dominion companies have offiees at Adams, and the former an office at the Centre.

The importance of Henderson Harbor as a lake-port, and the necessity of having a line of railway leading through northern New York and the New England States, which is not subjeet to snow blockades, and, at the same time, affords loeal traffie by passing through a fertile country, led to the formation of the " Boston & Henderson Harbor R. R. Company," at Adams, April, 1872. The artieles of asso- eiation provide for a route from Henderson Harbor, through Jefferson, Lewis, and Oneida eounties, into Herkimer, to Salisbury, there to interseet with a road leading to Boston via Hoosae Tunnel. The capital stoek was fixed at $2,000,- 000, and the length of the road estimated at 108 miles ; $80,000 having been subseribed, a board of directors was ehosen, consisting of S. D. Hungerford, W. A. Gilbert, G. W. Bond, and D. A. Dwight, Adams ; W. P. Davis and Simeon Mather, Henderson ; Charles P. Riggs, Turin ; W. D. Allport and Elam Cooley, Rodman ; John C. Wright and Lueien Clark, Copenhagen ; John B. Clark, Woodville ; and Arnold Webb, South Rutland.

May 15, 1872, officers were elected : S. D. Hungerford, president ; J. C. Wright, vice-president ; D. A. Dwight, sceretary ; and G. W. Bond, treasurer. At the same time, Oetave Blane, C.E., was appointed to make a survey under the general direction of John C. Wright, the chief instiga- tor and promoter of the project. From his report, made

to the board at Adams, Jan. 16, 1873, it was learned that a favorable route could be seeured passing through the town of Adams, south of the village, at an estimated eost of $19,621.54 per mile. Measures were taken to raise the required stoek by enlisting capitalists, when the financial erisis of 1873 intervened, and the prosecution of the work has been temporarily abandoned.

AGRICULTURE

has from the first been the leading industry of the people of Adams, and some of the eercals, especially barley, here produeed are widely noted for their exeellenee. But it was not generally known, until about 1850, that the soil and climate of the town were especially favorable to the growth of vegetables, such as peas and beans. Its situation on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario gives the town the benefit from the precipitation of moisture in the form of heavy dews, which seem more essential to the perfeet maturity of the above vegetables than any other condition. Since this has been fully demonstrated, nearly all the seed-peas and beans of the country are raised in this and the adjoining towns ; and, as a result of this industry, appeared J. M. Cleveland's Seed-House. Beginning in a small way, in 1851, to raise seed-peas and beans, his business has inereased to very ex- tensive proportions,-the yearly produet now being about 15,000 bushels. This is grown on contraet by 200 farmers, the seed being furnished by Cleveland, who takes the erop at a stipulated priec, if it agrees with the conditions of the contraet. It is then eonseientiously eleaned and properly handled by trained employees, and in houses specially adapted for this purpose. Mr. Cleveland's sales are made to wholesale dealers only, and in 1875 amounted to $40,760, -one firm alone ordering $10,000 worth. The supplies for the United States Patent Office are also obtained from this souree. Thirty varieties of peas and eighteen of beans are grown.

Contemporary with the foregoing is T. V. Maxon's Seed- House, which is conducted essentially on the same prinei- ples. Mr. Maxon has been established sinee 1854, and has redueed the business to a system worthy of imitation. His seed-houses are models of convenience, and enable him to handle the 14,000 bushels grown annually with eompara- tive ease. The reputation of his seeds may be judged from the fact that a single firm has ordered as much as $15,595 worth in a single year. In 1877 he grew 28 varieties of peas and 30 of beans. Both of these houses are at Adams village.

One of the foremost breeders of the county, and among the first to pay attention to

IMPROVED LIVE-STOCK,

is General S. D. Hungerford, of the " Valley Park Farm," near Adams village. In 1853 he began his importations of the best strains of Ayrshire blood, and from which nearly all the thoroughbred and grade Ayrshire animals in Jefferson County originated. The importations were from Scotland direct, and consisted of " Kilburn," " Mary Grey," " Ayrshire Lass," " White Lily," and " Queen of Ayr." These were followed, in 1854, by " Lady Ayr," " Cherry Blossom," and " Challenge." From these Gen. Hungerford

246

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

has bred many fine animals, having at present several espe- cially worthy of note, illustrations of which appear in this work in connection with the view of the "Valley Park Farm." "Seottish Chief" is a magnificent 5-year old animal, of perfect symmetry and pure blood. His pedigree may be found in " A. H. B., No 404." " Lady Lyons" is an animal of faultless beauty, and " Prince Albert" promises to perpet- uate the high reputation of the herd.

A herd of short-horns was also imported in 1854, among the most noted being " Flourish," " Red Rose," " Lady Gowan," and " Rosamond." Although a fine class of ani- mals, Gen. Hungerford has directed his attention almost exclusively to Ayrshires, believing them to be better adapted for dairy purposes. His herd at present numbers 80 ani- mals, among which is a cow which has very appropriately been named " Old Creamer," and is undoubtedly the cham- pion milch cow of the world. She has yielded in three days the enormous quantity of 302 pounds of good milk, as follows: June 11, 100} pounds ; June 12, 100 pounds ; June 13, 101} pounds. She gave 2820} pounds of milk in the month of June, an average of over 94 pounds per day; 2484 pounds in the month of July, an average of over 80 pounds per day ; and in the month of August 75 pounds per day. A day's milk generally makes 4 pounds of butter. " Old Creamer" is nine years old, and weighs 1080 pounds. A portrait of this extraordinary animal, as well as the " Centennial Team" of matched heavy draught- horses, also the property of Gen. Hungerford, and found with the " Valley Park Farm" view, will give the reader a good impression of their beauty and size. They are dapple- gray, 18 hands high, and weigh 1800 pounds each. They are full brothers, " Charles" being 9 years old, and " Wil- liam" 8 years ; are three-fourths Messenger and one-fourth Clyde, and have trotted half a mile in two minutes. The team was exhibited at the Centennial Exposition, and re- ceived the diploma for being " a very superior team for any purpose." They are in many respects a most remarkable team.

About 1852, H. C. Averill, of Adams Centre, engaged in horse-breeding, purchasing a splendid Black Hawk stal- lion, " Green Mountain Chief," whose record for speed is well remembered. He has since then combined that blood with the Ethan Allen stock, getting a very desirable breed, of which he has made a specialty. In 1873 he sold $11,000 worth of this stoek, one colt alone bringing $3600. At present Mr. Averill has a number of fine horses, among them " Ethan Allen 3d," " English George," who has made 2.20 time, and " Little Giant" and " Little Charlie," a beau- tiful little team. The last three are illustrated with his residence. Other breeders of blooded horses are J. D. Snell, of Adams Centre, and R. P. White, of Adams vil- lage. The latter was at one time extensively engaged, having a stable of 80 horses. His barns are noted for their beau- tiful appearance and complete appointments.

In 1873, David G. Aldrich, of Woreester, Mass., im- ported eleven head of " Leviss" cattle, among them a calf dropped April 8, 1873, which became the property of Dr. Bemis July 4, 1877. " William Tell, Jr.," is a handsome chestnut-brown, is symmetrical, and weighs 1803 pounds. The doetor has also two fine cows of the same blood, pur-

ehased of Mr. Aldrich, and these animals are supposed to be the only " Leviss" stock in the State.

" The Ellisburg, Adams, and Henderson Agricultural Society" was organized about 1856. Fair-grounds were leased at Belleville, and for ten years exhibitions were held there. Afterwards fairs were held at Adams, on the " Val- ley Park Farm," the last one oceurring in 1875. The present officers are William H. Eastman, president ; G. B. R. Whipple, secretary.

The " Union Agricultural Society," of Adams, Rodman, and Lorraine, was formed about 1857, among its chief promoters being S. D. Hungerford, R. P. White, T. V. Maxon, Albert Webb, and Hugh Heustis. Very success- ful exhibitions were held for many years on the " Valley Park Farm," at Adams; but lately the interest has not been sufficient to warrant the holding of a fair. These societies accomplished a great deal of good, educating the masses to a higher and better appreciation of agriculture. A prominent feature of the fair was the address by some noted orator; Edward Everett, Elihu Burritt, Horace Greeley, George W. Bungay, and others having been thus engaged.

THE DAIRY INTERESTS

of Adams deserve especial mention. The peculiar nature of the soil and the many springs and streams of the town adapt it admirably for grazing; and the products of the many private dairies and cheese-factories have attained an enviable reputation. Of the latter class,

The Smithfield Cheese-Factory is the pioneer in the town, and perhaps in the county. It was built in 1861 by a company, composed of A. D. Stanley, O. M. Stanley, D. M. Hall, and Charles Mills. The plan for the factory and the machinery were procured by A. D. Stanley at Rome; and its capacity enabled them to use the milk from 700 cows. At present it is not conducted on so extensive a scale, and the milk from 300 cows only is used by the present pro- prietor, Fayette Stanley. Next in the order of time is the Adams Factory, built at Adams village, in 1864, by In- graham, Lewis & Heusties. It is a large, well-arranged building, with an excellent supply of water from a spring on the hill-side, and has a manufacturing capacity of 150,000 pounds per year. It is at present operated by Ingraham, Whitford & Co. The F. M. & J. B. Muzzy Factory was built the same year, and has been operated by the above parties ever since. The yearly products are 65,000 pounds. P. S. Maxson's Factory, west of Adams Centre, was erected in 1867. It is supplied with good machinery, and produces 70,000 pounds yearly. C. A. Benjamin's Factory, north of Smithville, was built in 1866, and has been operated with some intermission ever sinee. Product, 25,000 pounds. N. Thomas' Factory, estab- lished in 1877. Product, 18,000 pounds. Lewis' Cream- ery, in the Greene settlement, by Frank Lewis, opened in May, 1877. Uses the milk of 185 cows.

Hop-growing receives some attention in the western part of the town. A. D. Stanley commenced the eulture in 1863, growing five acres. This has been increased to 17 aeres. He has a large dry-house, and is well established in the business.

RESIDENCE OF H. H. CROSBY, ADAMS, JEFFERSON Co., N. Y.

ENGLISH GEORGE

RESIDENCE OF H.C. AVERILL, ADAMS CENTER, JEFFERSON CO., N. Y.

247

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

THE GREENE SETTLEMENT.

The ancestry of the numerous Greene families, now re- siding in Adams, whose members number more than three hundred, belonged to Rhode Island, where one of them, Charles Greene, served during the Revolution, and after- wards removed to Rensselaer co., N. Y. Here he reared a family, which, in 1805, immigrated to Lewis co., and in 1810 several of them became citizens of Adams, at a place which has sinee borne their name. Of the elder Greenes, Charles was prominent in sccuring the settlement of a large number of his friends from the eastern part of the State, and served as an agent for Bostwick, of Lowille, in settling land. He is still living in the town, at the advanced age of 99 years. A son, Leander R., and a number of grandsons, Paul, Jr., De Estaing, Dc Forrest, and De Grasse Greene, are well-known and useful citizens, yet living in or near the settlement.

North of Greene's lived a well-known surveyor, Capt. Sills, and Baxter Adams, also a prominent man, and both early settlers.

A blacksmith-shop was opened at this place many years ago by Joshua Clark, which was remodeled for a store-room, and a stock of goods kept a short time by Samuel Marot and Lorenzo Rhodes. Charles Greene and Samuel Crosby built a saw-mill, on the brook flowing through the settle- ment, about 1835. The present mill is operated in part by steam-power, and is complete in its arrangements. It is owned by Whitford & Brown.

The first school at Grcene's was taught in a small frame house about 1815. For many years it stood upon the hill north of the main settlement, so as to accommodate the pupils from the Sills' neighborhood. Afterwards it was re- moved and changed to a dwelling for Dewcy Bell. The cemetery is under the management of the people residing in its immediate vicinity.

NORTH ADAMS.

Among those who came at an early day to this locality was Roger Read, from Vermont, in 1806. He was a well- known eitizen, and reared three sons who became identified with the interests of Jefferson County. Asahel Read, now an aged man, resides at Watertown ; Heman Colton, then a young man of 19, came from Otsego county and opened a large farm here. He still lives in the town, being almost a centenarian, and a son, Chauncey, resides on the homestead. Farther west lived Benjamin Sweet and Albert Rice, both prominent in their respective neighborhoods. A grist-mill was erected on Stony ereck, in this neighborhood, prior to 1812, by a man named Waddell. Willet Ranney was the miller for many years, but sold his interest to E. & A. Read, who, in turn, sold to Samucl Cook. He improved the dam and built a new mill opposite the old one, in 1828, calling it the " North Adams Pioneer Mills," by which name it is yet known. It is a two-story frame, with three runs of stone, and remains unchanged in most respeets. About 1836, James Moulton became the owner of this property, and the title still vests in his heirs. Saw-mills were built above this point: one by IIcman Colton, which was operated fifteen years ; one by Philo Ellenwood, which was destroyed by fire, rebuilt by him, and sold, in 1867, to

James Hodge, who moved it to the east branch, where it is at present operated by him ; and ncar the same point a turning-mill, with a corn-grinder attached, was built and operated a number of years by Richard Oatman. Below the " Pioneer Mills" Gideon Gifford put up a saw-mill, in 1830, which was operated until it was burned down, in 1847.

The North Adams post-office was established about 1845, on the mail-route from Watertown to Salisbury's Mills, and Benjamin Sweet was appointed postmaster. A short time after the office was given to Albert Riee, who moved it to his house, where it remained until 1862, when William Stanley was appointed. It was soon after discontinued.

THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

of Adams was formed at the house of Roger Read, by Rev. D. Spear, November 1, 1809, and consisted of Timo- thy Betts and wife, Simon Reed and wife, John Patrick, Elizabeth Miller, Esther Price, John Barnard and wife, Ebenezer Foot and wife, Lydia Read, and Sally Lyon. Meetings were held in school-houses for several years with- out having a settled pastor.

On December 5, 1816, a society was formed at the house of Asher Robbins, having the same name as the church, of which John Barnard, Asher Robbins, and Ruel Pearsons were trustees. January 28, 1817, Simon Read, Daniel Hall, Jr., and Amos Bosworth were added to the trustees. In the latter part of this year the society numbered more than seventy members, and steps were taken to erect a church. In 1818 a frame house 30 by 40 was built at John Grave's; and on November 11 of that year their first pastor, Edward W. Rossiter, was installed. The church now entered upon a career of prosperity, in which its mem- bership was increased to several hundred. In August, 1823, a number of the members residing at Smithville withdrew and formed a society of their own. This separation, instead of proving beneficial, proved fatal to both of them. The North Adams society continued to worship at the old place until 1839, when the church was moved a mile east, to its present locality. A new society was also formed, styled the " North Adams Congregational Society," and Heman Colton, Elisha Read, and Ephraim Read elected trustees. For several years the church flourished ; then came a period of declining interest, which, together with other causes, de- creased the membership of the church to such an extent that serviees were suspended in 1856, and have never been resumed.

The last official meeting was held September 3, 1855, at which time Asahel Read, Elisha Read, and James Graham were elected trustees. It was decided to put the church in charge of a committee, which should be responsible for its safe-keeping. The house lately became the property of Caroline Rice, who has donated it to the public for school purposes. Rev. Rossiter was followed as pastor by Abel L. Crandall, D. Spear, Austin Putnam, P. Cook, Lewis M. Shepland, and Henry Budge. The most of these preached alternately here and at Smithville. The last pastoral re- port of which there is any record was made June 18, 1850, from which it appears that the church then had 14 male and 22 female members. A Sunday-school was conducted

248

HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK.

several years by Hcman Colton, and a membership of 20 was reported.

The cemetery opposite the church, containing half an acre of ground, neatly incloscd, and also the one near Rice's, are controlled by such of the public as live in the immediate localities.

EAST ADAMS,

or STATE ROAD. Some of the first settlers of the town made homes in this locality, many coming prior to 1805, and some in 1801. Among these were the Heath, Grom- mon, Loveland, Truman, Harris, and Talcott families, repre- sentatives of which yet remain near the place where their sturdy ancestors first broke the solemn quiet of the forest wild. In later years the Davis family settled in this neigh- borhood, and one of the sons, Joseph, built a store at the corners, where he was in trade a number of years. The house yet stands among the cluster of buildings which have since been erected.

Farther north, near the Watertown line, Daniel Talcott built a tavern at an early day, dedicating it to good cheer by inclosing a demijohn of good whisky in the gable of the house. It had the reputation far and wide of never being out of what was considered, if not a necessary of life, a creature comfort wellnigh indispensable. The house has become a quiet farm dwelling, but the bottle of liquor rc- mains as placed by the good-natured builder.

At this place Union Post-office was established February, 1827, with E. M. Howard first postmaster. The name was afterwards changed to Appling, and D. M. G. Howard appointed postmaster. It was discontinued about 1840.

ADAMS BAPTIST CHURCH

was formed at the house of David Grommon, in September, 1802, and on October 13, 1805, the Lord's Supper was first administered. In June, 1806, Elder Timothy Heath was employed, and meetings were for some time held at his house and barn ; and December 14, 1824, a society was formed, with Daniel Tallcott, Jacob Heath, and Asa Lewis trustees. In the same year a church was built one mile from Adams Centre, on the State road, and in 1838 their present church was erected, at a cost of about $3000. Timothy Heath, Joshua Frecman, Charles Clark, Thomas Bright, J. T. Temple, John L. Bishop, E. E. Williams, Alvah Freeman, William Garnett, C. W. Babcock, James M. Beeman, Moses Barker, and E. P. Weed have been pastors since the formation of the church. Several notable revivals have been enjoyed, which largely augmented the membership. At present it numbers 230. The church has been renovated and repaired, being now in fair condi- tion. The sittings number 500. A Sabbath-school was organized about 1825, which at present has 110 members. V. Webster Heath is superintendent.

THE STATE ROAD CEMETERY

is controlled by an association formed for this purpose in 1868, when William Fuller, Royal Fuller, R. J. Hill, Daniel Fox, George Hall, D. S. Loveland, Simcon Love- land, Lyman Heath, and R. W. Phelps were chosen trus- tees. This board secured half an acre of ground which

had been donated to the Baptist Society by Elijah Harris in 1835, and which had been used for burial purposes since that period. Subsequent additions have been inade until its arca comprises 32 acres, which has been neatly inclosed and otherwise improved. Richard Otis was the first per- son interred, Oct. 18, 1824. The total number interred is 975. The present officers are : President, R. Fuller; Sec- retary, D. S. Loveland ; Trustecs, William Fuller, Royal Fuller, R. J. Hill, John Snell, Daniel Fox, Linus Love- land, D. S. Loveland, William Oatman, and B. F. Harring- ton.

SMITHVILLE VILLAGE,

which was founded by Jesse Smith, is partly in Henderson. The portion lying in Adams is on lots 9 and 17, on Stony creek, which here affords excellent water-power. Settle- ment was begun here in 1804 by Daniel Hardy, although a little east of this point Chauncey Mills, from Connecti- cut, took up land in 1803. In 1805 he built a saw-mill on Stony creek, the first in the west part of town. He lived here until his death, in 1821, having rcared a family, of which John Mills, now residing on the homestead, is the only survivor. In 1805, Abel Myrick, Henry Knapp, Samuel and Andrew McNitt, and others located in this vicinity. Soon after a couple of young men, named Kendall and Powell, built a dam across the creek, and put up a small saw-mill. This mill and all the improvements made by them were purchased by Jesse Smith, from whose settle- ment at this place dates its real history. Few men have lived in the county who have been more active or energetic than he. Beginning life as a jobber in clearing land and making potash, he extended his business until it included milling, distilling, and general merchandising. Gradually he became interested in the lumber trade and the commerce of the lakes, until his operations extended unto every lake city. From comparative poverty he arose to affluence, and controlled a business which for extent and importance has had few parallels in the country. He remained identified with the interests of Smithville and Sacket's until 1838, when he moved to Newark, Ohio. There are yet living people who can remember " Uncle Jesse," and the time (about 1825) when the cash sales of his several business enterprises at Smithville amounted to more than $1200 per day. Smith erected a large frame grist-mill opposite his saw-mill, which being deemed insufficient for his require- inents was sold to the Carter brothers, and a substantial stone mill built down the stream on the Henderson side. This is the present structure owned and operated by Bab- bitt & Benjamin. The saw-mill, after having numerous owners, is now the property of Leonard A. Wheeler. In connection with his mill Smith had a large distillery, whose products were conveyed to Sacket's Harbor and shipped to Montreal and Quebec.

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History of Jefferson County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 61

Author: Durant, Samuel W; Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.) Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 862

Author: Durant, Samuel W; Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.)
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 862