USA > New York > Madison County > History of Madison County, state of New York > Part 26
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woolen machinery, and a lively business was transacted for a time under the firm name of A. Y. Smith & Son. He built the present Chubbuck store, the factory boarding house and some of the dwellings. The mill was burned in 1852. By assistance rendered among the citizens, Mr. Smith rebuilt immediately, went on with the works, but finally, during the financial crisis of 1857, failed. The works were next run by Churchill & Gilmore ; Dr. G. B. Mowrey became one of the firm about 1860 ; for a short time it was under the firm name of Mowrey & Smith ; Joseph Hun- toon was subsequently added to the firm, and Smith with- drew. In 1862, while Mowrey & Huntoon were proprietors, the mill was again burned. They immediately rebuilt, com- mencing, through the assistance of the citizens, the neces- sary preparations the next day after the fire. In every respect the new factory was built on a better and more ex- tensive plan than the former. It was given the name of the " Monitor Mill." The mill continued under the firm name of Mowrey & Huntoon till the summer of 1871, when Mr. J. C. Greene entered the firm. Mr. Huntoon withdrew, and removed to Flint, Mich., becoming proprietor of a woolen mill there. The woolen mill of Mowrey, Greene & Co. run five sets of machinery, employing about ninety-five hands, and turn off 4,500 yards per week of the finest qual- ity of doeskins and other styles of gentlemen's dress goods.
The " Eureka Mill," Barnes, Mitchell & Howe, present proprietors, was originally built on a limited scale, doing only carding and custom work for several years. In
1860, Otis Barnes was proprietor. About 1862, the co-partnership of Barnes & French was formed. In 1863, they built anew, their business having so increased as to require them to occupy both the old and the new build- ing. French having retired from the firm, James Mitchell · succeeded. The firm of Barnes & Mitchell has continued, with the addition of H. C. Howe in 1870, up to the present time. They manufacture superior woolen goods, consisting
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of cassimeres, plain cloths, doeskins, flannels, such as shirt- ing and sheeting, &c. They run about three sets of ma- chinery and employ about seventy-five hands. Both the Monitor and Eureka mills, and also the Alderbrook woolen mill, manufactured " army blue " exclusively, during the war of the Rebellion.
About 1851, Asa Walden built the west tavern which is now used for a tenement house. The upper story is con- verted into the Good Templars Hall, and which is also used by the Free Masons, when they convene in this vil- lage. The store now owned by Smith & Bedell, was built by J. E. Darrow & Son about 1860. Some two or three years later the store now owned by Hamilton Brothers, was built. They have enlarged the store considerably, at different times, since they commenced business. The Pennock store, where the drug store and shoe shop is, was built at a late date. The meat market was built in 1871.
The Baptist Church was built in 1853, the new Metho- dist Church was built in 1869, the new parsonage in 1870. Within the last ten years those good buildings and fine residences on Main street, and those around and in the vicinity of the park, have been erected. The Park was laid out in 1870, in the south part of the village; it promises to be a feature of great attraction. Within two years, five new streets have been laid out, besides those around the park, and buildings are constantly being erected upon them. The Fountain was built in 1868.
West Eaton now numbers four dry goods stores, viz : Smith & Bedell, L. Wellington, Hamilton Brothers and Dwight Chubbuck ; one shoe shop, a blacksmith shop, Hakes & Isbell's Express office, N. J. Miller, artist, a millin- ery shop, dressmaker's shop, tailor shop, meat market, restaurant, &c., &c., besides the hotel, the two factories, the two churches, public hall, and the Union School which employs two teachers.
The substantial prosperity of the manufactories together
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with the public spirit of the leading citizens have been a means of progress in West Eaton. To David E. Darrow more than to any other individual is due recent marked changes and improvements. Being the owner of much land in and about the village, he is, by laying out new streets, fast bringing it into available condition for building lots. To his enterprise is due the park and all the new streets in that vicinity. By his skillful management, and the co-operation of those of kindred tastes and public spirit, many pretty, and some elegant houses adorn those streets.
From the location of George Andrews' residence near the park, a fine view is had of Eaton street bordering Alderbrook pond, and of this pretty sheet of water, and the adjacent meadows, woodland hills and ravines. From here you see a small knoll, up across from the bridge, at the head of the pond, where bushes grow around the ancient cellar of what was once a dwelling, last inhabited by an aged squaw, of whom Fanny Forester gracefully writes in one of her Alderbrook sketches-"Under Hill Cottage." This squaw bore the unpoetic name of Hannah Konkerpot. While she tenanted the house, it caught fire and was burned. After a season Hannah disappeared from. this vicinity. She was said to be about one hundred years old. Across the pond from the same view, is to be seen Under Hill Cottage. In full view of here, three persons were drowned in Alberbrook pond the 18th of May 1872 ; they were Conrad Betz, and his daughter Fannie aged II years, and Miss Emogene Tousley aged 16 years. Seldom has any affair created so great an excitement as this, in the whole community, far and near. In West Eaton Cemetery their head stones may be seen not far from the grave of Willie Greene, son of J. C. Greene, who was drowned in the same pond one year before.
West Eaton Lodge, No. 94, I. O. of G. T., was organized in 1866. To the young people of West Eaton this society has been of incalculable benefit. It has been remarkably
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prosperous, averaging a membership of seventy-five. To David M. Darrow, the Lodge accredits, in a great degree, the steady prosperity of the Order in this place. From the first, to the present, he has exercised a judicious care for its concerns, and a paternal interest in the young men connected with this institution. Others, who have belonged to it at different periods, have been earnest and efficient co- workers in redeeming the land from intemperance, and in keeping the young from its baneful influence.
An old burying ground, perhaps the oldest in the town, is situated about a mile west of this village, on the hill. Here the earliest inhabitants were buried. Many are re- moved to the new cemetery in the village. But few stones are here to mark the spot where lie buried so many.
One of the first taverns of the Skaneateles Turnpike was built on the road where it crossed the present location of the Eaton Reservoir. It was built by Solomon Stone; was for many years kept by Mr. Dunham, and was known far and wide as the old Dunham stand. The last landlord was Mr. Emmons, about 1833. The land where it stood, together with a large piece of the farm of David Welling- ton, was purchased by the State for the reservoir, and when completed, the valley and tavern site were submerged. In very dry seasons the ruins of the old inn may be discovered. We sometimes wonder if the aqueous element has erased all traces of the busy life which once made vocal those ancient walls, or if the spirit of past scenes still clings to them in their submarine home.
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DAVID DARROW, Esq., the pioneer, was father of the large Darrow family who are prominent in West Eaton. At the time of his death the subjoined sketch was published :
One by one the last of our pioneers are moving from off the stage of action. Of this number was David Darrow, who died
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at West Eaton on the morning of Nov. 5, 1870. He was born in New Lebanon, Columbia County, N. Y., in the year 1782. Through the days of his boyhood and youth he received the principles, virtually, of a thorough New England training, which prepared him for a vigorous and self-reliant manhood ; just the material requisite for the pioneer. In the year 1808, having married, he removed with a rising family from New Lebanon to West Eaton. He had purposed removing hither in 1806, and had entered the town and taken up a small farm, and returned to his family, when he was taken sick and detained for two years. Just here we have an instance of the moral integrity of the man. His doctor's bills were large, which he was unable to pay, so he gave his notes, and afterwards drew wheat to Albany of his own raising in Eaton, and with the money thus acquired, went to New Lebanon and redeemed his notes, principal and interest. In his straightened circumstances and the poverty of the new coun- try, it took him twelve years to accomplish this, but the notes which passed beyond all legal claim, with him, only insured his obligation. In the course of years he added to his farm in West Eaton, by the purchase of considerable land adjoining, and which embraced a goodly portion of the site upon which the vil- lage of West Eaton is built. Here, surrounded by his sons and daughters, and descendants of the fourth generation, many of whom are performing no unimportant part in the progress and achievements of the age, he has lived the wisely-spent years of an active, honorable life. He has witnessed remarkable changes such as the rising generation shall never behold. He has seen the majestic wilderness sweeping down to the verge of the now busy streets of West Eaton, covering hill and dale, which the hardy woodman exerted his utmost energies to sub- due. He has seen this forest melt away, and green fields and waving harvests take its place. He has seen the hamlet of Leeville (West Easton,) with less than a half dozen houses, grow to be a fine manufacturing village, busy with its driving wheels, its artisan shops, its mercantile and ine- chanical establishments, and with its many homes and noble churches, evincing the industry, enterprise and prosperity of its people. In the early days of this town's history, David Dar- row, who, for his pure principles and upright character, had won the respect of the people, was often by his fellow citizens placed in positions of public trust, and in matters of public welfare, his council and co-operation were deemed essential to the success of any enterprise. He was early chosen Justice of the Peace, and in this capacity served the interests of the people many years. The improvement and development of the resources of the new country had his attention ; the welfare of schools, and the fur- therance of education for the masses received his cordial sup-
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port ; but the interests of religion, as the basis of law and order, as the foundation which underlies the safety of society, and as the power in the world from which all blessings, temporal as well as spirtual, flow, this work claimed his chief energies. Him- self and wife were two of the seven members who composed the first M. E. Society of West Eaton, organized in 1841. He gave the land for the site, and gave liberally in building the first church edifice of this village. He has stood faithfully by the church of his affection, shared its many trials, and has lived to see it a substantial body, strong in numbers and in prosperity, and to see many of the vile avenues of evil overcome by its in- fluence. Last year, during the building of the new M. E. Church, his heart was in the good work, and he then gave largely of his means for that purpose. He lived to see its completion, and to see a great harvest of souls gathered into its sanctuary. It seems that he might, with Simeon of old, exclaim, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." . David Darrow was buried on Sabbath, Novem- ber 6th ; a very large congregation attended the funeral at the M. E. Church, and a most impressive and instructive sermon was delivered by Rev. B. W. Hamilton, from Job, 14th chap., 10th verse.
His widow, infirm and broken with years, still lingers on the shore of time, her serene face bearing the impress of tender and sacred memories, and bright with hopes of the better life.
As a family, the Darrows are noted for their energy, per- severance and steadfast principles. Thrifty and thorough- going, as farmers, which they have mostly been from their remotest, ancestry, they have acquired independence in this world's goods, while their honesty and inflexible principles have given them a high standing and influence in the com- munity. Religious by nature, they have shown themselves the friend of the church through all vicissitudes. Joseph and George Darrow have been conspicuous in the M. E. Chrch, both long time class-leaders, and J. J. Darrow, a leading Sunday School Superintendent., (Note h.)
ALDERBROOK .- About half a mile east of West Eaton is Alderbrook,-celebrated in the tales of " Fanny Forester,"- the home and birthplace of the accomplished authoress,
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Emily Chubbuck, better known as Mrs. Emily C. Judson, wife of Dr. Judson, the missionary. Her grandfather, Sim- eon Chubbuck, came from New Bedford, N. H., in 1813, and, with a family of ten children, located on Lot No. 77. For two years the family occupied a log tenement, and in 1815, Underhill Cottage was built. This fanciful name was not, however; given the dwelling until Fanny Forester her- self applied the sobriquet. The cottage still remains as it was built, fifty-seven years ago, but Alderbrook has mate- rially changed within the last twenty-five years.
To-day, looking over the ground occupied by a factory, with its tenement houses, boarding house, and other build- ings connected with the works, it is difficult to imagine Al- derbrook as it was in the days when Fanny Forester indicted from here her charming sketches. From her pen, in her " Alderbrook Tales," we extract the following picture of Underhill Cottage and its surroundings, when in the zenith of its wild beauty :-
"Come to Alderbrook, I say, in the spring time, for the crackle of the wood fire by which I am writing might be music which would scarce please you, and sooth to say our winter cheer offers little that is inviting to a pleasure seeker. It is well to take the turf when you reach the toll-gate at the foot of the hill, for the road has a beautiful green margin to it, grateful to feet sick of the dust of a day's ride. It is not a difficult walk to the top, as I well know, having climbed it a score of times every year. As you pass along you will find the road lined with berry bushes and shade trees, now (it is spring, you know,) white with their bride-like blossoms, and many a thick-shaded maple and graceful elm will wish you had waited till midsummer, when they might have been of service to you. Very hospitable trees are those about Alderbrook.
"You are within a quarter of a mile of the village ; and now the fence on the left diverges from the roadside, making a pretty backward curve as though inviting you to follow it down the hill. A few steps farther, and you look down upon the coziest of little cottages, snuggled close in the bosom of the green slope, with its white walls and nice white lattice work, looking amid those budding vines, all folding their arms about it, like a living sleeper under the especial protection of Dame Nature. Do you feel no desire to step from the road where you stand to the tip of
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the chimney, which seems so temptingly near, and thence to plant your foot on the brow of the hill over the brook? It may be that you are a sober-minded individual, and never had any break-neck propensities ; may be you never longed to lose your balance on the wrong side of a two-story window, or take a ride on a water wheel, or sail on a sheet of foam down Niagara, or even so much as put your fingers between the two-teethed rollers of a wool carder. There are people in the world so common- place as to have no taste for 'deeds of lofty daring.'
" There are eglantines and roses grouped together by the win- dows ; and a clematis wreathes itself fold on fold, festoon above festoon, in wasteful luxuriance about the trellis that fences in the little old-fashioned portico.
" You wonder how any horse vehicle ever gets down there, and may think the descent rather dangerous ; but it is accom- plished with perfect ease. A carriage cannot turn about, how- ever, and is obliged to pass up on the other side. The house is very low in front, and has an exceedingly timid, modest bearing, as is sometimes the case even with houses ; but when you see it from the field side, it becomes quite a different affair. The view from within is of fields and woodland, with now and then a glit- tering roof or speck of white peering through the trees between us and the neighboring village. The back parlor windows look out upon a little garden, just below it, and beyond is a beautiful meadow, sloping back down to the brook. From this window you have a view full of wild sweetness ; for nature has been prodigal of simple gifts here, and we have never been quite sure enough that art would do better for us, to venture on improve- ments. So the spotted lily rears its graceful stem down in the valley, and the gay phlox spreads out its crimson blossoms un- disturbed. There the wild plum blushes in autumn with its worthless fruit ; the wild birch looks down on the silver patches adorning its shaggy coat, quite unconscious of ugliness ; and the alders, the dear friendly alders, twist their speckled limbs into any shape they choose, till they reach the height that best pleases them, and then they droop-little brown tassels pendant from each tiny stem-over the bright laughter below, as though ready, every dissembler of them, to take an oath that they grew only for that worship. There are stumps a-plenty, marking where the forest used to be; and growing from the decayed roots of each you will be sure to find a raspberry, or purple cur- rant, or gooseberry bush, or at least a wild columbine, whose scarlet robe and golden heart make it quite as welcome. We like the stumps for the sake of their pretty adornments, and so have let them stand .- (Would you know who we and they are ? come, then, at evening ; you shall be most cordially welcomed ; for the kindly forbearance with which you have looked upon the first
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simple efforts of one there beloved, has made you quite the friend.)"
From this fondly-cherished home, Emily Chubbuck went out into the world-the toiling, heartless world-poor, but not friendless, for the warm hearts of kindred enfolded her in their affections ; at one time a factory girl, for a time an apprentice at millinery, and then entering upon the labors of the district school teacher. The congeniality of this oc- cupation lightened the tasks which otherwise would have borne heavily upon a fine and delicate nature, and it became the stepping-stone to something higher. From here to a position in the Utica Female Seminary, she progressed, where in an atmosphere of appreciation and encouragement her genius expanded, and burst into blossom, to astonish with its beauty, and to charm with its freshness and fragrance a literary public, sated with heavy love romances, and thirst- ing for the fresh nectar sparkling from the fountain of a pure warm heart. Her originality was marked, her genius unmistakable. And so Emily Chubbuck, of Alderbrook, became the gifted Fanny Forester, and the honored Mrs. Judson, of whom all America was proud.
To the home of Fanny Forester the poor student might well go on a pilgrimage, and there learn lessons of self-de- nial and of perseverance, and there gather courage to strive and win, as she did. (Note .)
The name " Alderbrook " is now applied to the little fac- tory villa which has grown upon a portion of Mr. Chubbuck's farm. The " toll gate" has been removed, and a convenient farm house, owned by Mrs. Tayntor, stands nearly in its place. The road, instead of rising over the hill, diverges from the old route a little way from where the toll house stood, and follows the stream at the base of the hill, passing "Underhill" on the other (the " field") side. Where an old saw mill stood on the stream, is situated the Alderbrook Woolen Mill, a stone building four stories high, erected by Morse & Brown in 1849, and which has for years belonged
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to Alpheus Morse, Esq. This mill, when in full operation, employs about seventy-five hands, and manufactures the finest quality of doeskins and cassimeres.
Along this brook road is situated the Boarding Hall, the "Long Block " containing six tenements, and a number of tasteful dwellings belonging to the factory employees. The meadows where the " spotted lilly reared its graceful head," has been entirely converted into a long deep pond necessary for the operations of the factory, but many alders still fringe the brook in the gorge below the mill, where it tinkles as gracefully as in the days of Fanny Forester. The high hills on the north are scarcely skirted by forests now ; only here and there are patches of timber land, spared only through fear of future scarcity. The " hill " which rises beyond the brook is still forest capped, and adown its sides is a plentiful sprinkling of berry bushes as of yore. Un- derhill Cottage is there, not changed, only as the rough hands of time have defaced its beauty and spread over it an aspect of age. The roses, eglantines and myrtle, which crept over its trellised porches, have faded from earth as have Underhill's lovely inmates, one by one fallen to sleep. By the side of the old hearth-stone, one of this affectionate and gifted family, Miss Cynthia Chubbuck, aunt to Mrs. Judson, still lingers, and her gentle hand has smoothed the pillow of those who have come to breathe their life out un- der the roof of home.
East of Alderbrook woolen mill is the Alderbrook grist mill, which was originally the site of a wadding factory, built by Amos Pettis in 1848. This factory was burned in 1851, and a large amount of wadding, cotton and machinery were destroyed, making it a total and heavy loss to Mr. Pettis. It was, however, soon rebuilt, and finally converted into a grist mill which is now owned by Mr. E. Hatch.
A few rods up the little stream which comes from the north and empties into the Alderbrook just here, on land
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now owned by Mrs. Tayntor, there once stood a furnace. In 1825, this furnace was owned by Chubbuck* & Marcy, who manufactured the first cast iron plows of this part of the country.
PIERCEVILLE.
In 1819, Squire Samuel Chubbuck built a tavern here at the corner of the road leading to Lebanon. For years, during the period when staging and turnpike traveling made profitable business for landlords, this tavern enjoyed pros- perity with others. Luke Hitchcock was then owner of the "Company Hill," and much of the other land of the prem- ises now belonging to the Pierceville Factory Company. He built the small house on the north side of the creek, west side of the road, where he lived many years, and died. The house on the east side of the road opposite him, (now owned by Amos Hammond,) was built by Seth Whitmore as early as 1820. The stately apple trees here, were brought by Mr. Whitmore on his back from the Taylor farm, in Lebanon, about the same time. They are common fruit and yet bear abundantly.
About 1825, David Rogers built a small cotton factory where the carpenter shop and planing mill of George Dun- bar now stands. Sheetings and satinet warps were made by Mr. Rogers. This factory in 1832, was one of the three cotton factories which the census gave Madison County. Mr. Rogers built two or three of the houses now embraced in the premises of the present cotton mill, and also set out the handsome row of maples which shade the streets. Mr. Rogers married the daughter of Luke Hitchcock.
At a subsequent period John Brown purchased the Chub- buck tavern, and as travel grew less and this business de-
*Samuel Chubbuck, one of the proprietors, is elsewhere mentioned as a black- smith, and the first proprietor of the lower hotel in Eaton village. He was of the Chubbuck family of Alderbrook. His son, Samuel Chubbuck, of Utica, is a noted machinist of the highest order. He has made the fine mechanical work of telegraphing a specialty, and in this department has won golden opinions from em- inent personages, among whom is the Emperor Alexander, Czar of all the Russias.
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clined, he converted it into a dwelling, which is now owned by his son Healey Brown.
The firm of E. & A. Wood, machinists, commenced here, occupying the Rogers' factory buildings as a furnace and machine shop, in 1845. They came here to make ma- chinery for the incoming factory firm, J. O. Pierce & Co. In 1848, the Woods removed to Eaton and established there.
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