USA > New York > Madison County > History of Madison County, state of New York > Part 21
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
DE RUYTER VILLAGE.
Up to 1830, DeRuyter was a quiet country village ; the travel of the turnpike and the business of the hotels consti- tuted the chief activity of the place. The hotel of Eli Spear had been purchased by Thomas C. Nye, was remodeled and added to, and under the name of the Mansion House, was considerably patronized. Mr. Nye connected stage running and mail transportation with his hotel keeping, and al- together transacted quite an extensive business. There was also at this period one store, kept by Col. E. D. Jencks, a postoffice, a tannery, and the carding and clothing works of Benjamin Mitchell,-built in 1814, by Joseph Mitchell and Job Webb,-which was located near the northeast cor- ner of the corporation .* There was a large society of Friends who had their meeting house at Quaker Basin ; also a large society of Seventh Day Baptists who held their meetings in the school house, and also a society of First Day Baptists. A Methodist class had been formed at this time also, which held its meetings in the school house. Only one school then existed in the village, which was a
*Now (1870,) converted into the tannery on that location.
1
264
MADISON COUNTY.
large one. There had been a flourishing Lodge of Free Masons, which had, however, suspended its workings dur- ing the excitement attending the " Morgan affair," so-called.
About 1832, the business of the village became more ac- tive. Live business men were the men of influence in pub- lic affairs. At this time there was a prospect that the pro- posed canal from Utica to Binghamton might pass through here ; at least surveys were made to ascertain if this was the most feasible route. Mason Wilbur and George Hull were sent to Albany as lobby members, to advocate its passage through this town. The result of the surveys, how- ever, decided in favor of the Chenango route.
The proposed railroad of that day, from Chittenango to Cazenovia, was to have been extended to DeRuyter. In the winter of 1832, the first railroad meeting ever held in this part of Madison County, cr in contiguous parts of Onon- daga, Cortland and Chenango, convened at the public house of T. C. Nye .* The death of Judge Yates in 1836, at the commencement of operations for building this road, sus- pended matters, and virtually caused the company to aban- don the project and disband their organization.
From 1832, for a term of years the spirit of enterprise prevailed ; it was an era of building. Abijah Annas built a large number of fine residences in various sections of the village ; the Gardners built their wagon shop and elegant dwellings; Mitchell's carding and clothing works were turned into a tannery ; the farm of Oliver Mitchell was cut
*The DeRuyter New Era of April, 1871, speaks further of this railroad meeting in 1832, as follows :
" It was largely represented by prominent men who favored the project, among whom were Judge Yates, before mentioned, Gen. J. D. Ledyard of Cazenovia, the Hon. Wm. K. Fuller, member of Congress from this district, John Fairchild, ed- itor of the Cazenovia Monitor, the late James Nye, Elias P. Benjamin, Benjamin Enos, Z. T. Bentley, Bradley Merchant and Stephen G. Sears, Esqs, of this village, all now deceased, and Col. Jencks, who yet survives ; also Dr. Miller of Truxton, Luther Bowen and Mr. Tyler of Otsel'c, Mr. Avery of Chenango, and we believe, Mr. Whitney of Broome County, together with divers others whose names we can- not, after the lapse of thirty-nine years, recall. The meeting was ably and eloquent- ly addressed by Judge Fuller, Gen. Ledyard, Judge Niles, Dr. Miller and others, all ardent and enthusiastic in support of the measure."
265
DE RUYTER.
up into building lots, and in all parts, the village grew, lengthened and widened. In 1833 it was incorporated. In 1834, the Seventh Day Baptist Church was built, and ope- rations for the erection of DeRuyter Institute, under the patronage of that denomination, were in progress. Through the untiring zeal of its chief projector, Elder Alexander Campbell, and his effective corps of helpers, who constituted the " building committee," the Institute was completed in 1837. In 1835, the DeRuyter Union Church was erected, and somewhere about this time A. N. Annas put up a block of stores, opposite the brick store, which was burned about ten years since (1870). Meanwhile the vicinity of the Institute and S. D. Church, became rapidly occupied with dwellings belonging to the people connected with those institutions. The "DeRuyter Herald" was published in 1835, by C. W. Mason, and in 1836, the "Protestant Senti- nel" was issued, which continued to be published for seve- ral years with various changes of name. For twelve or fif- teen years, artisans, mechanics and merchants flourished. There was at one time eleven dry goods stores in this vil- lage. At the date of its incorporation its population was 600.
Since 1840, business establishments have been started in the village, that have failed. A foundry was built and in operation for several years ; a stock company put up a farming tool factory on an extensive plan, and a steam saw mill, both of which after a time failed, and a few years since the buildings took fire and burned down.
The grist mill now (1870,) owned by Mr. Hill, has been built since 1840. Also the Page Hotel has been extensively rebuilt by Abijah Annas, at a cost of $9,000, and for years, as the " Annas House," it was widely known as a first-class hotel. Mr. Annas sold ; and now, as the " Tabor House," it retains its former reputation. The Mansion House has been cut up into several shops, where various trades are prosecuted. The bank of E. B. Parsons & Co. has been re- cently established.
266
MADISON COUNTY.
A new era has dawned upon the history of DeRuyter, with the advent of railroads ; the Midland passes through it on its way from Norwich to Auburn, and the exten- sion of the Canastota and Cazenovia to Homer, crosses the Midland in this village. The history of these enter- prises, together with others of a late date, and the movements of this people in the great national struggle with a gigantic rebellion, (the records of which, we trust, are ample and well preserved,) we leave to the future historian.
SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST INSTITUTE.
The prime mover and pioneer in the enterprise of open- ing a denominational school at De Ruyter village, was Elder Alexander Campbell, now residing at Verona, Oneida County, N. Y. A meeting was held, pursuant to his call, sometime in the autumn of 1834, to take into consideration the matter of establishing in this place a literary institution, to be under the direction of the Seventh Day Baptist de- nomination. At this meeting, Elder Campbell was appoint- ed to circulate a subscription among the churches of this denomination, for that purpose. The result was, $13,937 was obtained .*
In the summer or autumn of 1835, a building committee was chosen to erect suitable buildings. LeBaron Goodwin, (father of the late Hon. H. C. Goodwin,) Henry Crandall, Elmer D. Jencks and Matthew Wells, jr., were members of this committee. The Legislature of 1836, passed an act of incorporation, appointing as trustees the following gentle- men :- Henry Crandall, LeBaron Goodwin, Ira Spencer, Elmer D. Jencks, James Nye, Alexander Campbell, Joel Greene, Martin Wilcox, Eli S. Bailey, Adin Burdick, Mat- thew Wells, jr., Perry Burdick.
In the spring of 1837, the building was so far completed, that a school was opened under the charge of Solomon Carpenter, from Rensselaer County, as Principal, and Miss Sarah A. Robinson, from the Troy Female Seminary, as
The citizens of DeRuyter contributed liberally.
267
DE RUYTER.
Preceptress ; but the institute proper was not opened until September, 1837, at which time Eber M. Rollo, A. M., a graduate from Williamstown College, Massachusetts, was Principal, and Miss Robinson, above named, continued as Preceptress. For a few years the school was extensively patronized by the churches of the S. D. B. denomination, located in various counties in the States of New Jersey and Rhode Island, and in the counties of Rensselaer, Jefferson, Oneida, Allegany, Cortland, Chenango and Madison, in this State. But soon academic schools were started at Alfred, N. Y., Shiloh, N. J., and Hopkinton, R. I., which resulted in a withdrawal of foreign patronage, and consequently more or less pecuniary embarrassment followed. It has, nevertheless, with many changes, continued in operation to the present time, it being now (1870,) prosperous under the care of L. E. Livermore, A. M., Principal. The original cost of the buildings and grounds of the institution was about $22,000.
MASONIC.
About 1816, the first Masonic Lodge was instituted at DeRuyter. It continued through a long number of years, and was a means of forming and perpetuating friendly ties, and of promoting social feelings among its members, early residents of the town and vicinity. It included many leading men of the day, among whom were the Hon. Benj. Enos, James Nye, Esq., Samuel Thompson, Jona- than Shedd and Elias P. Benjamin, Esq., Col. E. D. Jencks, Capt. Jeremiah Gage, Reuben Doane, Jonathan Brainard, John Hewitt, Nathan B. Wilbur, Capt. Epaphras Leet, and many others. In the excitement which swept over the country upon the abduction and murder of Wm. Morgan, in 1827, the lodge suspended its working operations, which were never thereafter resumed. Its hall, or place of meet- ing, was situated in the long double frame, ancient building on the south side of Albany street, near the east bridge, owned for many years by Job Webb.
268
MADISON COUNTY.
Among those who constituted the lodge, if we except Capt. Leet, who does not now reside in DeRuyter, Col. Jencks is the sole survivor in the town.
In 1872, the DeRuyter Lodge F. & A. M., No. 692, was formed, and continues a successful organization.
SKETCHES OF DE RUYTER CITIZENS.
Dr. Ira Spencer is a prominent citizen of DeRuyter, whose long residence in this town, and extensive prac- tice here and in the region round about, have identified him with the history of the place for a great number of years. On the completion of his medical studies, while yet a young man, he settled in DeRuyter, in 1830, and in connection with the late Dr. Nathan Collins, entered at once into a successful and extensive practice. In 1835, Dr. Collins having emigrated west, and the labors of the profession in- creasing, Dr. Spencer formed a co-partnership with Dr. James Whitford, which continued for some years. Upon its dissolution in 1838, these two gentlemen thenceforward became active competitors, and took a leading position among the members of the medical fraternity in this section of the country: Dr. Spencer has continued in an unbroken career of practice, often laborious and responsible, now over forty years, extending into the counties of Madison, Onon- daga, Cortland and Chenango, in which he has frequently been called by his medical brethren, on account of his skill and experience, to important consultations in difficult and doubtful cases in practice. He is a self-made man. During these long and eventful years, he has accumulated a fine property, and raised a respected family to competency, and an honorable social standing in the community. He ac- quired his profession, unaided by others, alternately pursu- ing his studies, and teaching in winters as a means of pecu- niary assistance, and commenced practice with nothing but his abilities, native and acquired, together with that sort of determination and perseverance which seldom fail to in- sure success. At the age of sixty-six, (May, 1871,) al-
269
DE RUYTER.
though his hair is white with the frosts of many years, he still enjoys a good degree of physical health, and continues in active business habits, the oldest physician in DeRuyter.
Dr. James Whitford, another long resident physician in DeRuyter, came to the place in 1835, a young man of mod- est and unassuming demeanor, and entered into practice with Dr. Spencer, then already here, which relation continued for a few years, and on their business interests becoming sepa- rate, continued in an honorable and successful practice for thirty years. He married Miss Mary Gage, eldest daughter of Arza Gage, Esq., purchased the dwelling-house built and formerly owned by Benj. R. Mitchell, on Utica street, and reared and educated a family which held rank in the social scale among the first in the community. Dr. Whit- ford, like Dr. Spencer, acquired, by hard work and perse- verance, a handsome property as a reward of diligence and professional ability. He took a deep interest in the military discipline and education of the citizen soldiery, and was for many years Colonel and Commandant of the 42d Regiment, 19th Brigade of the Militia of the State. On the close of the war in 1866, he resigned his commission. His health having become somewhat impaired, in the spring of 1869, he removed, together with his family, to a more genial and healthful climate, where the rigors of winter are less severe- ly felt-to a beautiful location in Onondaga Valley, near the city of Syracuse, where he now resides.
Dr. S. S. Clarke comes next among the physicians of this town. He studied with Dr. Spencer, received his diploma about twenty years ago, and commenced practice at De- Ruyter, where he still resides. He, too, has acquired a fair property, and is establishing, by dint of hard work and dili- gent attention to business, a reputable standing in the pro- fession. But as a sketch of him here would be more imme- diately identified with the current events of the present time, rather than the past history of an early day, we leave his present and prospective career to the pen of the future historian.
270
MADISON COUNTY.
The Legal Fraternity of DeRuyter has included several men of considerable note, and some of them of fine talents. Abraham Payne was the first lawyer that ever settled in DeRuyter. It was about the year 1823. He erected a fine dwelling-house on Utica street, which is now the resi- dence of Mr. Allen Sutton, leather manufacturer and shoe dealer, and opened an office on what is now (1871,) the site of the DeRuyter Bank. Mr. Payne was a young man of liberal education, well read in law, and for a few years did a good business without any local competitors. But his native diffidence was such, that it was said by Dr. Hubbard Smith, the justice before whom he had frequent occasion to appear in the trial of suits, that he lacked the cheek neces- sary to a modern lawyer. Mr. Payne was a gentleman highly esteemed. After some years he removed to Seneca Falls, abandoned the practice of law, and embarked exten- sively in the milling business, in which he became quite wealthy, but subsequently lost his property by some un- lucky turn in the wheel of fortune. We believe he after- wards removed to Ohio, and has been some years de- ceased.
Martin P. Sweet was the next lawyer in this town. He opened an office about the year 1830, in connection with Lorenzo Sherwood, a young man of fine abilities, from Hoosick, Rensselaer County, N. Y., who here finished with him his course of study. Mr. Sweet was a self-made man. He possessed splendid oratorical powers, and was noted for much eccentricity of character. Before a jury, or in * public debate, his flights of oratory were often brilliant, and rarely excelled. He removed west and died since the close of the war, somewhere in the State of Illinois.
Zadock T. Bentley, afterwards known as Gen. Bentley, succeeded Mr. Sweet in the practice of law at De Ruyter, and formed a partnership with Geo. W. Stone, a young man of great promise, and fine intellectual endowments ; and sub- sequently thereto, the law firm of Stone & Bentley on the
271
DE RUYTER.
one side, and Lorenzo & Luman Sherwood on the other, constituted the legal force of DeRuyter, till 1840, when Mr. Stone died, and Luman Sherwood removed to Cayuga County, and his brother, Lorenzo Sherwood, in connection with James W. Nye, (now Senator Nye,) went to Hamilton, where they opened an office in that town. Gen. Z. T. Bentley was a native of Washington County, N. Y., and removed to DeRuyter with his father, when a child ; with the help of his boys, Mr. Bentley cleared up his farm, and gave them such advantages as the place afforded. Young Bentley chose the profession of the law, and entered the office of Hon. Alonzo G. Hammond of Rensselaer County, studying during the summers, and teaching during the win- ters. He finished his studies with Judge Darwin Smith, at Rochester. He was admitted to the bar in 1833, and im- mediately opened an office in DeRuyter, and continued practice till 1843, when he was elected County Clerk. In 1850 he was appointed Brigadier-General of the 19th Bri- gade N. Y. S. Militia. He performed a great deal of liter- ary work for the State Militia Association. During the late war, his voice was often heard maintaining the government in putting down the rebellion. Z. T. Bentley was a lawyer of superior attainments, well read, and an advocate of much ability. His death from paralysis, at his residence in Onei- da, in July, 1870, though sudden, was not wholly unlooked for by friends.
At a little later date, A. V. Bentley, then a young man, who had pursued the study of law in the office of his brother, Z. T. Bentley, was admitted to the bar, in 1842, at the July term of the old Supreme Court, in Utica, the Hon. Samuel Nelson, Chief Justice, presiding, with Esek Cowan and Greene C. Bronson, Associate Judges. A. V. Bentley opened an office separate from that of his brother, and thenceforward for several years they were pitted against each other professionally. Their competition, whilst hon- orable and friendly, was nevertheless exceedingly animated,
272
MADISON COUNTY.
and the trial of their causes was contested inch by inch between these two brothers, with the greatest spirit and earnestness. The Bentleys continued practice until on the election of Z. T. Bentley to the office of County Clerk, when he removed to Morrisville, leaving A. V. Bentley sole master of the field. About this time, two young men, scarcely emerged from boyhood, David J. Mitchell and Henry C. Goodwin, both DeRuyter boys, entered the office of A. V. Bentley, and for four years pursued a regular course of reading and clerkship at law therein. During this time the practice of the law, particularly the trial of causes in Justice's Court, at DeRuyter and in the adjacent sections of Onondaga, Cortland and Chenango counties, to which their field extended, afforded opportunity for the exhibition of rare legal talents and acumen, and did much towards laying the foundation on which the subsequent eminence and success of those young practitioners were built. On their admission to the bar, they opened. an office in Ham- ilton, and under the copartnership name of Goodwin & Mitchell, rapidly won their way to distinction. About this time, A. V. Bentley, Esq., whose health had become im- paired through the effects of an early infirmity, was elected a Justice of the Peace, an office to which the people of De- Ruyter elected him term after term for twenty-five years. Mr. Bentley was regarded as a good lawyer and safe coun- selor. His office practice has been extensive, covering a period of more than a quarter of a century. In that de- partment especially, and as a magistrate, he has done a vast amount of conveyancing relating to real estate. But a few title deeds, contracts, or securities relating to real estate, made, executed, or acknowledged within that time, at DeRuyter and the adjoining towns of Georgetown, Cuy- ler and Lincklaen, can be found, which are not in the hand- writing, or do not bear the signature of Mr. Bentley, which are as well known there as he is personally. His legal advice has been much sought by parties, because he has
273
DE RUYTER.
been in the habit of bestowing it disinterestedly, and much of the time gratuitously, and because of his always coun- seling peace, and the adjustment of difficulties without a resource to law.
About the time that Goodwin & Mitchell went to Hamil- ton, A. Scott Sloan and H. C. Miner, opened an office at De Ruyter, under the name of Miner & Sloan, having their office in the Annas block. Mr. Sloan was considered a good lawyer, and H. C. Miner was a thorough business man, possessed of great executive force and energy, and was capable of enduring physically a large amount of hard work, qualities which were brought to bear in their prac- tice. For several years thereafter they did a large business ; and on the removal of Mr. Sloan to the State of Wisconsin, Mr. Miner continued to practice. It was in the office of Miner & Sloan that D. Q. Mitchell, Esq., now also a practic- ing lawyer at De Ruyter, and a brother of D. J. Mitchell, prosecuted the study of law, and was soon afterwards admitted to the bar. He thereupon opened an office at De Ruyter and entered practice, in the meantime holding the office of Supervisor of the town for two terms, and discharging, at a later date, the duties of Commissioner of the Board of Enrollment for this Congressional District, during the rebellion, to which office he had been appointed. The duties of that post were very arduous and responsible, and Mr. Mitchell acquitted himself with credit and satisfaction to the public.
About the same time L. B. Kern, Esq., removed from Morrisville to De Ruyter, and formed a connection in partnership with Mr. Miner, and under the firm name of Miner & Kern, forthwith commenced an extensive practice. Mr. Kern is the only lawyer from De Ruyter, who has been honored, whilst a resident thereof, with the office of District Attorney. The firm of Miner & Kern has been recently dissolved, and these men have now separate offices in De Ruyter, each doing a large amount of business. R
274
MADISON COUNTY.
Among the citizens of De Ruyter, A. N. Annas deserves especial mention. He has long been one of the most efficient business men of the town. He came to DeRuyter in 1834, or thereabouts, opened a stove and tin shop, and has wrought out for himself a handsome fortune with his own hands. Whilst in the mercantile business he was one of the firm of Elmore, Annas & Ayer, who erected in 1841 the stone stores, known as the Lafayette block, on Cort- land Street, the finest block of buildings ever in DeRuyter, and which was burned a few years ago. He also built the public house known for many years as the "Annas House," now the "Tabor House," and has erected more dwelling houses and buildings of various kinds, and done more for the external improvement of the place than any other man. He is a man of excellent practical judgment, and has been repeatedly honored by his townsmen with the office of Supervisor and other positions of public trust, the duties of which he ever discharged with fidelity and success.
Col. Elmer D. Jencks, was born in the town of Lenox, Mass., in the year 1791. In 1796, with his parents, he removed to the town of Smyrna, Chenango County, where they lived till 1809, when he came to the town of De- Ruyter, being then eighteen years of age. Mr. Jencks belonged to the militia during the war of 1812 to 1815, and in 1814 received promotion. From the office of Sergeant, he passed through the several grades up to that of Colonel of the regiment, which last promotion he received in 1827, by which title he has since that time been known. The same year he received the commission of Postmaster which he held several years.
For the first thirty years of this century, cattle buying and drover business was a source of great profit to the country. In this Col. Jencks was extensively engaged. Such men as Gen. Erastus Cleaveland, Maj. Samuel Fore-
275
DE RUYTER.
man and Maj. Ellis Morse, were his colleagues in this department, and they frequently met and traveled together, conferred with each other, and in many ways increased the interests of the trade throughout the county, thereby en- riching the coffers of our farmers. Col. Jencks was widely known. Such has been his integrity all through life, that all men honored him with their confidence; such his public spirit, that local enterprise desired his sanction to receive the sanction of the mass. Although not religious, he was a supporter of religious societies, and although not a political man, his opinions on political matters shaped those of others. Prudent, clear-headed, self-reliant and enterprising, with integrity for his guide, is the summing up of the character of one of De Ruyter's pioneers, Col. Elmer D. Jencks.
Mr. Jencks lost his first wife in 1824, and was again married in 1831, to Mrs. Matilda Wallace, who with him still lives in DeRuyter village. His son Elmer D. Jencks, jr., resides one mile south of the village. Col. Jencks is still hale and hearty, at the advanced age of 83 years.
. We find the name of Hon. Warren Merchant as another among the principal men of this town. He has served with ability in many positions in town, County and State. Mr. Merchant, while Supervisor, lent his own private credit to meet the wants of the town in raising funds for enlisted men, and in raising bounties and otherwise aiding soldiers. He was a warm friend and advocate of the Midland Rail- road, being a member of its first Board of Directors.
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.